Estonian Mid-Am Open Winners: Burley and Esken

The winners of the Mid-Am Open 2026 by Assa Abloy, held at Pärnu Bay Golf Links, are Thomas Burley (Burnham & Berrow Golf Club) and Anneli Esken (Estonian Golf & Country Club). Both winners also received special prizes as the best players in the 40+ category. Both competitions saw thrilling duels on the second day: the men’s winner was decided on the final two holes, while the women’s title was settled in a playoff. Tulemused

In the men’s division, the battle for first place was between Thomas Burley and Martin Järve (Rae Golf Club). They were tied going into the final two holes, but back-to-back bogeys tipped the scales in favor of the Englishman. Burley carded rounds of 71 and 74 (total +1), while Järve posted 71 and 76 (+3). Burley, who recently finished tied 10th at the European Senior Championship in Turkey, upgraded last year’s third place to a win. He has also won the 50+ division of the Estonian Senior Open in 2021 and 2023.

Martin Järve took second place overall and the gold medal in the Estonian Championship standings. This marks his second consecutive gold medal, adding to a silver and two bronze medals from previous years. Third place and the Estonian Championship silver medal went to Benno Maaring (Tartu Golf Club), who shot identical rounds of 78. At 59, Maaring became the oldest player to finish in the top three in both the Open and Estonian Championship categories for the men’s division. The winner Burley is a “mere” 54. The Estonian Championship bronze medal was won by Janar Toomesso (Estonian Golf & Country Club), who shot rounds of 80 and 81.

Given that Toomesso is just a few years away from the senior category himself, it’s safe to say that experience ruled the men’s division this year—just as it did in the women’s competition.

In the women’s division, the playoff was contested by players already in the senior category, who have been competing there for several years. After 36 holes, Anneli Esken and Eva Peedimaa (Tartu Golf Club) were tied at +34. The winner was decided on the first playoff hole, where Esken made par and Peedimaa had to settle for a bogey. Third place went to Getter Saaroja, who finished three strokes behind the leaders. The Estonian Championship medals went to the same three players.

Esken has now won this tournament six times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2024), in addition to a national title in 2018. The tournament has been held in Open format since 2018. Peedimaa repeated her 2022 result, finishing second in both the Open and Estonian Championship standings. For Saaroja, this was her first third-place finish and first Estonian Championship bronze medal, having previously won twice (2022, 2023) and taken one silver (2024).

In addition to the individual competitions, medals were also awarded in the team category. The top three teams with their lineups were as follows: