After graduating from St. John’s University and playing golf professionally, Schmitz, a native of Farmington, Minn., regained amateur status and focused on winning state amateur championships. He won consecutive State Public Links Championships in 2012-2013; three MGA Mid-Amateur titles, in 2011-2012 and 2016; and two MGA match-play titles, the 2012 MGA Mid-Players' and the 2018 MGA Players’ championships. Schmitz had twice qualified for match play at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, in 2011 and reaching the round of 32 the next year, before reaching the final match in 2015 at the John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Fla. On the 33rd hole using a driver, Schmitz aced the par-4 15th to go “dormie” -- three holes up with three to play. He would halve the next hole for a 3-and-2 victory over Marc Dull of Lakeland, Fla. Thanks to the U.S. Mid-Amateur win, Schmitz was invited to play Augusta National Golf Club the following spring at the annual Masters Tournament.
