Best logo in golf? Even the U.S. Amateur field can't resist Merion's distinctive mark

Carter Maneth, a redshirt freshman golfer at Middle Tennessee, experienced a year of struggles after losing his ability to convert a critical 18-inch putt during the 2023 Conference USA Championship. This setback, coupled with a series of poor performances, led to his withdrawal from several matches and ultimately, his loss in the final.

However, in April 2025, Maneth's life took a tragic turn when his father, Jeff, and paternal grandparents, Marion and Myra Jean, were killed in a plane crash shortly after arriving to watch him compete in the Tar Heel Intercollegiate in Chapel Hill. Stricken with grief, Maneth initially withdrew from the Arkansas State Amateur, where he had earned a U.S. Amateur berth and was set to play at Merion Golf Club, the same course where his late grandfather, Ben Hogan, had made such a famous shot.

After a period of mourning, Maneth returned to the golf course, determined to honor his father's memory and fulfill his potential. He demonstrated his resilience by winning the 111th Arkansas State Amateur and securing his first U.S. Amateur berth at Merion. Maneth's journey serves as a testament to his fortitude and unwavering dedication to his craft.