The Metropolitan: Vol. 9, No. 5 (July 2022)

Volume 9 | No. 5

The Metropolitan

Four-Ball Pg. 8

AMATEUR GOLF ASSOCIATION

The Metropolitan

Volume 9 | July 2022

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By The Numbers

MAGA

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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400

- As in million, as in dollars, as in what the Saudi-financed LIV is rumored to have offered Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion. To put that staggering figure in perspective, that is more than the combined on-course earnings of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. The number also represents Matsuyama’s PGA Tour career earnings … times 10! The 30-year-old Matsuyama has eight PGA Tour, eight Japan Tour and three European Tour wins. With his Masters win in ’21, he became the first Japanese golfer ever to win one of the four major championships and the money rumored to be put forth reflects his celebrity status in the Asian market.

WHAT WE DO: - Provide the GHIN Handicap Service to 140+ Member Clubs under the World Handicap System - Conduct ten (10) Metropolitan Championships each season - Conduct USGA Qualifying for nine (9) USGA Championships each season - Conduct the Amateur Series of Events for golfers of all ages and abilities

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- The number of strokes Chaminade High and University of Miami-Ohio product Mike Sabo put between himself and the competition while winning the 2002 Metropolitan Amateur Championship at Westwood Country Club. Sabo shot a 5-under 66 on Friday to begin the final round with a four-shot lead.

But when he bogeyed three holes in succession on Saturday, his final-pairing partner, Tom Barry, climbed within one stroke of the lead. “I knew it was time to re-evaluate hat I was doing,” Sabo said afterward. “I had to stop playing Tom and start playing the course.”

Sabo then birdied the par-5 No. 5, birdied No. 6 and went on to fire a 2-under 34 on the backside. His 20-foot bomb for birdie on No. 18 finished off a final-round 71 and left his closest rival, David Lucks, seven shots back.

- Provide the USGA Course/Slope Rating service to our Member Clubs - Regional authority on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Amateur Championship Old Warson Cup (Match Play Championship) Shogren Cup (Match Play PGA Pros vs. MAGA Amateurs) Open Championship • Women’s Amateur Championship

14. Supe’s On 16. Bogeyman 18. Rules Center 21. USGA Qualifiers 22. POY Standings 23. What’s Next for MAGA? 24. Normandie Update

3. Bio/Numbers 5. Metro Amateur Preview 6. Celebrating 30!

8. Four-Ball 9. SIGA Championship 11. Ascension Volunteers 12. Amateur Series

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- The number of players who have won both a British Open and Senior British Open championship. Darren Clarke joined the club last month by making birdie on the No. 18 at Gleneagles in Scotland, narrowly edging fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington to capture the 2022 Senior British Open. The 53-year old Clarke, who won the 2011 British Open at Royal St. George’s, joined Gary Player, Bob Charles and Tom Watson as the only players to win both the regular and senior versions of the Open. Harrington, a three-time major championship winner and two-time British Open winner (2007, 2008), also was trying to gain the distinction.

But his final-round 67, which also included a birdie at 18, wasn’t quite good enough. He finished a stroke behind Clarke, who closed with a 69.

Junior Amateur Championship • Senior Amateur Championship Metropolitan Cup Matches • Four-Ball Championship 9-Hole Championship • Mid-America Junior Cup USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDS U.S. Open • U.S. Senior Open U.S. Mid-Amateur • U.S. Amateur

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U.S. Women’s Open • U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur U.S. Junior Amateur • U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur

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- The number of strokes it took Andrew Ruthkoski to complete his round at Oak Ridge Golf Club in Muskegon, Mich. on June 22. The score tied the scores of Rhein Gibson and Alexander Hughes for the lowest 18-hole card in history. However, Ruthkoski’s 55 was accomplished on a par-72 course, whereas the other two players recorded their 55s on par-71 courses, which makes Ruthkoski’s 17-under-par number the lowest ever in relation to par. in A 39-year old pro, Ruthkoski previously held the course record at Oak Ridge with a score of 61, which he set in 2012. On a layout that plays slightly over 6,000 yards from the back tees, Ruthkoski’s historic round included four eagles on the front and nine birdies on the back.

U.S. Amateur Four-Ball • U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball U.S. Senior Amateur • U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur

By The Numbers 36

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- The age of Dick Schaiper when he shot a final-round 70 at Paradise Valley Golf Club to win the St. Louis Open in October, 1968. Schaiper got $2,500 for finishing first with his three-round score of 8-under 204. A 58-year old Dutch Harrison, who fired a 64 in the second round, had a one-stroke lead with four holes to play, but Harrison bogeyed three of his last four holes and settled into a three-way tie for second at 202.

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- (cont.) Dick Evans’ 211 beat locals Jim Jackson (214) and Bob Cochran (218) for low amateur honors. Schaiper, a fixture in St. Louis golf for so many years, passed away in October, 2020.

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The Metropolitan

Volume 9 | July 2022

Curt’s Corner

MAGA STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Curt Rohe - Executive Director

Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org DIRECTOR, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Caroline Buchan - caroline@metga.org P.J. BOATWRIGHT INTERNS Parker Leavitt Jack Underwood Tanner Weberling

2022 EXECUTIVE BOARD Officers Scott Engelbrecht, President/Treasurer Mike Marquart, Secretary At-Large Members John Bugh Stan Grossman Kelli Kirchoff Mike Marquart Rick Meyer, Jr. John Moore Mick Wellington ADVISORY COMMITTEE Scott Thomas, Chairman Tom Barry Skip Berkmeyer Chris Kovach Ryan Eckelcamp Tom Portner Curt Rohe THE METROPOLITAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Greetings members, golfers!

What a week to end July, we had experienced record heat without rain and then Tuesday, July 26 happened.

Record rainfall and flooding for many courses in our area. We (MAGA) were at Lake Forest with our partner the Ladies National Golf Association conducting their Amateur Championship. They had 10” inches on Tuesday morning, like nothing they have ever seen before. Bunkers held water for a couple days and bunkers that never hold water.

The first week of August is the peak week of the season for MAGA, it is Metropolitan Amateur Championship week at Old Warson Country Club. They too got hit this week, not only on Tuesday but again on Thursday, and even worse the second go. However, the crew at Old Warson have the place back together and it is going to be a great week and test for 156 of the best amateurs from our region. This will be our 3rd visit to Old Warson to conduct the area’s premier amateur championship. Dave Estes (1998) and Kyle Weldon (2012) were past champions at Old Warson, and ironically, both completed the back-to-back wins at Old Warson. History will not repeat itself this time around as our 2021 Champion Nick Westrich has turned professional and will not be there to defend his title.

Nine past champions are in the field this week and many great storylines. Watch for highlights and stories leading up to Round 1 Thursday this week from MAGA on all of our social media channels. We will crown a new champion and add to the history of Jim Tom Blair Trophy on Saturday August 6, stay tuned and follow along.

The season long Sobbe Cup will conclude division play this next week as well. The playoffs will be determined and go right into the single-elimination playoff bracket.

Eighteen division winners will advance to the playoffs and culminate with the Sobbe Cup Final Four on Friday September 23rd at Fox Run Golf Club.

Thank you all for following along and taking a moment to read The Metropolitan!

Dan O’Neill

Metropolitan Amateur Preview Old Warson is no stranger to hosting championships. Founded in 1953, the club has built a history that will be remembered for many years to come. Though a private club, Old Warson has been a gracious host to the MAGA, and supportive of amateur golf championships. Since the founding of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association, the Junior Amateur, Metropolitan Amateur, and since 2003, the Metropolitan Match-Play Championship (or Old Warson Cup) have all been played at Old Warson.

On a national level, the club has also lended its fairways to the USGA for the 1999 U.S. Mid-Amateur, 2009 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and 2016 U.S. Senior Amateur.

Even with its amateur golf history, the story goes deeper to a professional level as some of the game’s greats have walked the fairways of Old Warson The 1971 Ryder Cup was held at Old Warson. This Ryder Cup was the last time the USA had Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and Arnold on the same team. It was also the last time Palmer would play the Ryder Cup. Team USA was victorious over Team Europe: 18½ to 13½.

MAGA’s best amateurs will take on these same fairways and greens in the coming week. 199 total entries were received for this year’s Metropolitan Amateur. The field size was brought down to 156 total players based on their handicap indexes. All competitors will have to bring their A-game with the strong field that has registered. There are nine former Metropolitan Amateur Champions returning in the hopes to win another, as well as a few Missouri Amateur Champions looking to hoist the trophy at the end of the championship.

There is a 47 year range in the age of competitors, with the youngest applicant, Mason Lewis, coming in at 15-years old and the oldest being Robert Beckman at 62-years old. Current Metropolitan Junior Amateur Champion, Ryan Hopwood, is looking to make it two wins this summer. 2021 Junior Amateur Champion, John Guerra, is also throwing his hat in the ring, along with former champions Braden Hoisington (2019), Zach Walsh (2018), Max Kreikmeier (2017), Joseph Terschluse (2015), Christopher Ferris (2013, 2014), and Justin Bryant (2006).

On the other end of the spectrum, the 2018 and 2020 Senior Amateur Champion, Buddy Allen, who also just qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur, is ready to take on the competition.

The nine former Metropolitan Amateur Champions back for more action this year are Brad Carpenter (2019), Brian Kennedy (1999), Christopher Ferris (2020), Drew Pranger (2016, 2018), Ryan Penfield (2011), John Kelly (2004), Richard [Skip] Berkmeyer (2009), Robert Beckmann (2000) and Shawn Jasper (2017). Drew Pranger is tied for the most victories at 2 with four other golfers, but could take a solo hold on that record with a win this year. The five former Missouri Amateur Champions competing this year are reigning 2022 Champion Chad Niezing, Curtis Brokenbrow (2021), Sam Migdal (2016), Robert Beckmann (1993), and Skip Berkmeyer (1999, 2009, 2011).

Some in the field have already proven their abilities to make their way around Old Warson, playing the Old Warson Cup. Five Metropolitan and/or Missouri Amateur Champions listed above have also won the Old Warson [or Taylor] Cup: Skip Berkmeyer (Taylor Cup 2001, 2002; Old Warson Cup 2007, 2008, 2009), Shawn Jasper (2005), John Kelly (2006), Drew Pranger (2018), and Sam Migdal (2016, 2017, 2021).

Other players that have won the Old Warson Cup include Phil Caravia (2014) and Justin Bryant (2011, 2012). Five competitors in the field are members of Old Warson Country Club, hoping to have a home course win.

It is shaping up to be a memorable Metropolitan Amateur at Old Warson. The entire field will play 36 holes - 18 on Thursday, 18 on Friday - before being cut to the low 40 and ties for the Final Round on Saturday. One player will walk away with the Jim Tom Blair championship trophy, and add their name to the list of best amateur golfers in St. Louis. Who will it be?

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The Metropolitan

Around the World

Celebrating 30 Years!

Euro Disney opens in France in April.

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association was founded 30 years ago in 1992. For some this may seem like a long time ago, while for others it may seem like just yesterday. Even in just these past thirty years, the world, life, and the game of golf have changed. Remember (or for the young kids - Imagine) a time when there was no electronic scorecards and handicaps, and you could not just Google what was happening in a Major Championship. Things are definitely different now. So...

Endeavor Space shuttle makes first trip in May. McDonald’s Opens in China

What was Life like in 1992?

Pop Culture

Another Hit from Disney

The Bodyguard is released along with Whitney Houston’s hit single ‘I Will Always Love You’

Winter Olympics in France where Kristie Yamaguchi wins Gold for the USA.

Summer Olympics in Spain sees USA’s basketball “Dream Team” win Gold.

Cartoon Network is established in October

USA, Canada, & Mexico join to sign the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Maastricht Treaty is Signed in February, forming the European Union

Sister Act starring Whoopi Goldberg released

Golf

Around the World Everyone’s Favorite Holiday Movie Released

Volume 9 | July 2022

Fred Couples wins The Masters

Mall of America opened in August as the largest shopping mall in the country.

Tom Kite wins the U.S. Open Prince Charles & Princess Diana announced their separation in December.

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Nick Price wins PGA Championship at Bellerive CC

16-year old Tiger Woods plays in his first PGA event.

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Nick Faldo wins the Claret Jug at Muirfield.

World No. 1

The Metropolitan

Volume 9 | July 2022

13th Four-Ball Final Results

Flickr Photos

Chad Niezing and Chris Dale took the victory in the Open Division of the 13th Metropolitan Four-Ball Championship Monday at Franklin County Country Club. Rounding out the other three divisions were John Rosenbaum and Ryan Helfrich winning the Net Division, Brian Lovett and Buddy Allen in the Senior Open Division and Buck Clement and Denny Niedringhaus finishing in first in the Senior Net Division.

Day-two of the tournament was a nail-biter, especially in the Open Division where six pairings started the day within one stroke of the lead. As the day went on the field slowly narrowed until three pairings in the last three groups were the only ones who had a chance at the championship.

Curtis Brokenbrow and Kyle Szcesniak came close finishing at -12 on the tournament but were unable to scrape out one more birdie to tie the leaders. Corey Choate and Jason White were grouped with the leaders and were tied with them for the last three holes before a bogey on 17 dropped them into second.

Niezing and Dale were able to hold out for a par on 18 to defend their 1st place position which earned them the victory as well as a nice present for Niezing who happened to be celebrating his birthday Monday as he won the tournament with their score of -13.

Alex Ciaramitaro has won the 98th SIGA Championship with a final round score of 66. Ciaramitaro came from behind as he was tied for second at the start of the action Sunday morning. Ciaramitaro had to survive a late round challenge from SIU Carbondale Saluki, Carsen Silliman, who shot 69.

Ciaramitaro was an impressive -6 on his round Sunday where he started off with a bogey-free front nine including an eagle on the sixth hole. Ciaramitaro then proceeded to light up the back nine posting four birdies in five holes from 11 to 15. Joseph Malench claimed victory in the Senior Championship with a score of 73 in the final round while James Woodward hung on to his round one lead to win in the Super Senior Championship.

In the Women’s Championship Ashleigh Reeves, who finished tied for first with Emma Hill on Saturday, was able to pull ahead for the victory over Hill, who finished tied for second with Adrian Brown. Kathleen Duncan and Kerry Hammond also carried round one leads into Sunday and were able to capitalize winning the Senior Women’s Championship and Women’s Net Championship respectively. Hammond had an especially strong showing including rounds of 69 and 70 to finish at -5 for the weekend including an eagle on 14.

Brock Naile took the lead in the Junior Boy’s Championship and never looked back although he did face a second-round challenge from runner-up Aidan McFadden who finished just two strokes behind the leader. In the end Naile finished strong to claim the trophy. Camryn Luthy battled back from second Sunday morning to take a narrow victory in the Junior Girl’s Championship against Giorgia Thoms. The two went back and forth throughout the final round and there were never more than two strokes of separation between the two Sunday. Luthy then sank a crucial Birdie on the 14th hole to take the lead.

Players were lucky to see good conditions Saturday as a storm narrowly missed Hickory Ridge although they did face strong winds in the afternoon. They were not as lucky Sunday morning when the first group teed off with ominous storm clouds rolling in from the northeast. They would eventually reach the course leading to heavy rain during the morning which forced a two-hour weather delay and continued spurts of rain throughout the remainder of the round.

Flickr Photos

Final Results

SIGA Championship 8

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The Metropolitan

SIGA

Player of the Year Standings

The Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson is looking for friendly faces to volunteer for this year’s tournament scheduled for September 5–11 at Norwood Hills Country Club.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Men’s POY 1 2 T3 T3 5 6 7 8 9 T10 T10

Volunteer With Us!

Name

Affiliation

No. Events No. Wins

Total Points

Pts Behind

Bryan Warren Alex Ciaramitaro Brendan Luster Tony Nolfo Brandon Bullard Dan Haglar Justin Rister Parker Lawrence Luke Lasley Aaron jones Andrew Thornton

McLeansboro Golf Course Metropolitan eClub SIGA eClub Metropolitan eClub Green Hills Golf Club SIGA eClub SIGA eClub Gateway National Golf Links Union County Country Club SIGA eClub SIGA eClub

1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0

1300 650 537.5 537.5 437.5 400 387.5 350 325 300 300

650 762.5 762.5 862.5 900 912.5 950 975 1000 1000

0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

• Play an integral role in a PGA TOUR Champions event that supports North St. Louis County, including the tournament’s benefiting charities—Marygrove, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.

• With 23 volunteer committees, there is a position for everyone. Golf knowledge is not needed to volunteer and training is provided. Each volunteer will be required to work three shifts.

• Volunteer package includes official tournament branded polo, jacket, headwear, access to tournament grounds and much more.

Tournament Dates: September 5–11, 2022 at Norwood Hills Country Club To register please visit: https://www.cuetoems.com/ascension_2022/Volunteer.aspx Volunteer Program Questions Contact: Maggie Kehoe at 573-418-6094 or mkehoe@ascensioncharityclassic.com

Senior Men’s POY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 T10 T10

Name

Affiliation

No. Events No. Wins

Total Points

Pts Behind

Mike Castellari Mark Featherling Tom Portner Joseph Malench John Kueper Mike O’Neill Robbie Wright David Glass Tom Wright John Ellis Sanguok Shin

Greenview Golf Course Greenview Golf Course Green Hills Golf Club Metropolitan eClub Greenview Golf Course Metropolitan eClub Union County Country Club SIGA eClub Union County Country Club SIGA eClub SIGA eClub

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1

825 700 675 650 437.5 325 287.5 275 225 200 200

125 150 175 387.5 500 537.5 550 600 625 625

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0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Learn more at ascensioncharityclassic.com/volunteers

Official Volunteer Program Sponsor

The Metropolitan

Volume 9 | July 2022

Event #4 Glen Echo CC

Amateur Series Standings 7 Divisions, 6 Events, 1 Great Series

It was a beautiful day for golf at Glen Echo Country Club as MAGA hosted its fourth Amateur Series event of the summer.

The course at Glen Echo, littered with hills and valleys, was in great shape for the tournament which opened with a shotgun start Monday morning.

Open Division Name 1 2 3 4 5

Like all Amateur Series events the tournament was divided into seven divisions each competing for their own prizes. Amateur Series players will have to wait almost a month for the next event which will be held on Aug. 15 at The Innsbrook Resort Golf Course.

Mike Walton Metropolitan eClub Colin Stolze Metropolitan eClub Mike McKillips Country Club of St. Albans Josh Day Metropolitan eClub Matthew Hunt Old Hickory Golf Club

Senior Open Division Name

Results

The Amateur Series Photos Results: Open Division - Robert Hogan Senior Open Division - David Rudd Super Senior Open Division - James Oslica Net Division - Justin Vogt Women’s Net Division - Becky Balzraine Senior Net Division - Gregg Johannes Super Senior Net Division - Michael Drake

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Total Points

Affiliation

Affiliation

Super Senior Open Division

Total Points

1 David Rudd CC of St. Albans 2 James Storey Glen Echo CC T3 Mike Quesenberry Lake Forest G&CC T3 Scott Horton Crescent Farms GC 5 Bobby Wooten Crown Pointe GC

1 2 3 4 5

390 290 250 250 240

Name

Affiliation

John Chastain James Oslica Schooner Fitzgerald Kevin Ortyl Dan Abegg

Bear Creek GC Metropolitan eClub Metropolitan eClub Sunset CC Sunset Hills CC

Net Division Name

Total Points

Affiliation

Name 1 2 3 4 5

330 230 195 180 180

Women’s Net Division 1 Alicia Anderson 2 Carol Stampley 3 Pam Lenhard 4 Kay Tice T5 Denise Faus T5 Sandy Franklin

Affiliation STL WGA Whitmoor CC STL WGA STL WGA Annbriar GC Whitmoor CC

Total Points 360 350 330 170 150

Senior Net Division

1 Chris Canfield Old Hickory GC Whitmoor CC 2 Justin Vogt 3 Mike Bucchino Metropolitan eClub T4 Justin Zang Ballwin GC T4 Stephen MuensterThe Quary at CS

Name

270 240 190 145 125

Affiliation

Total Points

Gregg Johannes Metropolitan eClub Peter Robinson Metropolitan eClub Vince Schneider Old Hickory GC Matt Hall Metropolitan eClub Vincent Featherson Metropolitan eClub

220 190 185 180 175

Super Senior Net Division

Total Points 1 2 3 4 5

225 210 185 165 150 150

Name

Affiliation

Michael Drake Stephen Weinstock King Edmonston John Epps Larry Laramine

Metropolitan eClub Westwood CC Metropolitan eClub Metropolitan eClub Metropolitan eClub

For Full Standings Click Here 13

Total Points 340 300 185 170 120

The Metropolitan

Volume 9 | July 2022

Supe’s On

Supe’s On Labor Pains

Jimmy Bucher

Compared to Labor, Growing Grass Seems so Simple

Mississippi Valley GCSA - Director

If you ask any superintendent what their biggest challenge has been in the last 3 years you might be surprised by their answer. Most golfers would assume it would have to do with the hot summers or something turf related, but superintendents have a new pain in mind…labor pains. The biggest challenge that supers are facing these days are due to the labor shortage. The labor shortage is a major crisis in the American economy but it has hit the golf course maintenance world especially hard. Golf course managers are seeing a high turnover rate in new hires and a lack of skilled and manual workers in the labor pool. Creative strategies are a key to a successful manager on a daily basis to allow operations to run smoothly.

The rebirth of golf has boomed in the post pandemic world but the golf course maintenance side did not feel the same benefit. In the winter of 2020, many superintendents were forced to lay off crew members and work understaffed during the pandemic. In June of 2020, the PGA Tour started up again and golf facilities began to as well. The golf course became an enticing place to get out of the house and still abide by the CDC guidelines. As golf rounds increased, maintenance crews were stretched thin to maintain optimum turf health and playing conditions. To make matters worse, workers were already hard to find in the years leading up to 2020.

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There has been a nationwide shortage of Assistant Superintendents in past years due to low turf school enrollment rates. Turf school enrollment has been in a downward trend, according to a 2018 GCSAA survey of the U.S. Turf schools. Many superintendents would be happy to promote their skilled workers to turf managers but there is not much of a labor pool to select from.

Clubs and courses all over the St. Louis Area and Missouri have been experiencing similar problems. The average maintenance crew at an 18 hole course is 30 people. This includes laborers and management. This year my club has felt the shockwave of these labor pains. My crew has been managing a 36 hole facility with 15 laborers and 3 managers. Ideas have been very creative to maintain the conditions expected by the players, but innovative ideas for the future are needed to move forward, not only for my club but nationwide.

In the last few years; not only in the golf world, workers expectations, hours and wages have changed. Looking towards the future; budgets are going to have to be adjusted to expand on these plans. Finding a better work-life balance for employees will be a key to retaining good employees who possess the passion to create a strong work environment. If quantity is not an option, quality is key.

The pandemic has flipped the world upside down but there is always a silver lining to everything. Golf rounds increased and the seed was planted in a new generation. The maintenance side of golf has been faced with trouble these last few years but ingenuity is a key characteristic in every successful superintendent. Standard practices will be rewritten and new staffing styles will be the norm, but one thing every superintendent will agree on, compared to labor, growing grass seems so simple.

Jimmy Bucher

West Course Superintendent Norwood Hills Country Club

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The Metropolitan

Volume 9 | July 2022

A b o u t S o Mu c h Mo r e : Jo y , Aw a r e n e s s , In s p i r at i o n The Bogeyman Dan O’Neill

Make no mistake, it was about golf, as it would be for any of those who play. And it was about competing at one of the game’s premier landscapes.

But the USGA’s inaugural U.S Adaptive Open at Pinehurst Resort was about so much more, not the least of which was joy, awareness, and inspiration.

“I feel like we exceeded every expectation,” said Stephanie Parel, championship director.

Kim Moore happily corroborated those feelings. Moore, 41, of Portage, Mich., was born without a right foot, a severely clubbed left foot and a slight case of spina bifida. Yet, she played college golf at the University of Indianapolis and currently serves as the women’s head golf coach at Western Michigan University.

And for three unforgettable days, July 18-20, she was at Pinehurst, competing on the George and Tom Fazio designed No. 6 course, grinding in the women’s division of the U.S. Adaptive Open, the way every player grinds in every other open championship.

“I just think what has been seen this week around the world, around the country, is going to elevate the amputee community, the adaptive community, and it’s pretty cool to see,” Moore said. “I think we’re

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The U.S. Adaptive Open featured athletes with limb, intellectual, vision, neurological or other impairments.

Players ranged from ages 15 to 81. Eleven 11 countries participated and 29 states were represented, including Missouri.

That’s right, the MAGA family was there in the person of Wayne Blankenship. A native of Union, Mo., a regular at Birch Creek Golf Club and Wolf Hollow Golf Club, Blankenship was 19 in 1989 when he severely injured his right leg in an ATV accident and the leg subsequently was amputated below the knee. Active in other sports before the incident, Blankenship was determined to stay so, and he discovered golf. As he rehabbed, he worked hard to adapt and to hone his skills. He keeps a handicap at Wolf Hollow of +1.2.

Blankenship tied for 46th at Pinehurst, and like almost every competitor in almost every tournament, he felt he could have played better. But like all the participants on No. 6, he was humbled by the event. “It was a true honor to play in it,” Blankenship said.

Pinehurst, he was showered with water by friends and family. The elation was there for all to see, splashed across his face.

Ken Green, 63, has been around the golf block a few times. He won five PGA Tour events between 1985-89, played for the USA side in the 1989 Ryder Cup and competed in a Champions Tour event as recently as 2019.

Simon Lee, of Korea, captured the men’s title, defeating Felix Norman, of Sweden in a playoff. Both finished 3-under-par 213 in regulation.

In 2009, Green lost his leg in a horrific RV accident, and since has suffered from a nerve disorder known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). He finished sixth in the Adaptive Open, and called it an experience that topped all of his previous accomplishments.

Lee is quite a story. Early in his childhood, he began to avoid eye contact and repeat things that were spoken to him. It was determined he has a condition known as echolalia. At age 20, according to an Agence France-Presse article on his accomplishment, he was assessed as having the communication skills of a 10-year-old, while his socialization skills were determined to be even less developed.

“People are going to find it hard to believe, but I’m going to remember this more than I am any of the Opens or the other tournaments that I played in,” Green said. “This is the combination of life beating people down and every one of those people picking themselves up and then using golf to go the next step, and there’s no better picture than that.”

That said, he has described golf as “a light of the world to me, and a way to communicate with people.”

Moreover, his acumen is such that in 2017, he earned conditional status on the Korean PGA Tour in 2017, the first player with a developmental disability to do so. When Lee completed his overtime victory at

Ken Green

She shot rounds of 76-76 and a final round of 80 on the pristine grounds to capture the women’s championship by eight strokes. Her skill was evident, the scores were impressive and the moment was special. But the smiles weren’t exclusive; it was a group hug.

going to have a rise in participation. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”

Photographs Cour tesy of the USGA

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The Metropolitan

Kids....

Rules Center

(Will Be Kids, I Guess)

Jon Rahm’s wayward shot on the 18th Hole in the U.S. Open turned into quite the interesting scenario, as two kids decided to STEAL HIS BALL! Luckily for Jon Rahm, a marshall had already spotted and flagged the spot of his ball. Rahm, just could not arrive before a set of bandits grabbed the ball and made a run for it. Since the exact location of where the ball landed was known, he was able to proceed with play under Rule 9.6 - Ball Lifted or Moved by Outside Influence. This rule states that the ball must be replaced on its origianl spot. Fortunate for Rahm’s case, his original ball lie was under a camera tower, so he was also entitled to free relief before making his next stroke. But thank goodness for the marshall that spotted the ball before the kids took off with it.

What if this happens to you and you are not sure where the exact original lie was?

John Thorman explains Dear John: I suspect that some of your rulings when officiating are real doozies. Care to share one? - Curious Dear Curious: No matter what happens (and a lot of stuff happens), the Rules of Golf always have an answer. Here’s a cute situation.

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Volume 9 | July 2022

Kids Move Ball on Putting Green

It was about 6p.m. The last group in a four-ball stroke-play tournament at the Greenbriar Hills Country Club was finishing the par-4 18th hole. Three approach shots found the left-hand side of the putting green. The fourth player was about to hit. All of a sudden three kids appeared on the green (there was a large gathering on the clubhouse patio immediately across the street above the green). In just seconds they rounded up the three balls, “helping” the golfers by dropping them next to the hole! Just as quickly, they retreated to the anxious calls of their parents!

Stunned, but able to laugh, the golfers and referees scrambled to sort out matters. For sure, there was knowledge that the balls at rest on the putting green had been moved by outside influences (Rule 9.6), requiring them to be replaced, but to where?

Rule 14.2c says if the exact spot on the putting green is not known, it should be estimated. There was sufficient confusion, but all available information was taken into account in determining the proper spots (definition of KNOWN OR VIRTUALLY CERTAIN).

The players knew who was farthest left, who was in the middle and who was nearest the hole.

There were three distinct ball marks on the green supporting their relative positions at roughly four-foot intervals. A spectator, who happened to be watching This edition of Rules Center features an excerpt from MAGA official John Thorman’s the group finish, saw which two balls checked and e-book, Let’s Get It Right. released and which ball spun back. He also recalled that they were aligned in a nearly straight line.

The balls were retrieved and individually identified by the players (Rule 7.2). Proper identification was important to avoid the potential for making a stroke at a substituted ball (Rule 6.3b). Each player placed his own ball at the agreed upon estimated spot (Rule 14.2b), after which it was in play again.

It was pretty much common sense, but a neat ruling nonetheless.

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The Metropolitan

Volume 9 | July 2022

2022 USGA Championship Qualifying Click on the image for Full Results Award-winning dining, a booming craft beer scene and exceptional year-round golf on courses along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail await you in Alabama. Plus, with Jerry Pate’s Kiva Dunes and Arnold Palmer’s Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, from the mountains to the coast you can take it all in.

www.GolfAlabama.org

Competeing on August 15-21 at The Ridgewood CC

Competeing on August 27-September 1 at The Kittansett Club Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Birmingham

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The Metropolitan

The Metropolitan

Player of the Year Points Standings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 T4 T4 6 T7 T7 9 T10 T10 T10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Men’s POY

Name

Affiliation

Chad Niezing Peter Weaver Curtis Brokenbrow Tony Gumper Sam Migdal Justin Bryant Ryan Schuenke Chris Dale Corey Choate Zachariah Shirley

Metropolitan eClub Bellerive Country Club The Quarry at Crystal Springs Old Hickory Golf Club Norwood Hills Country Club St. Louis Country Club Quincy Country Club Metropolitan eClub Meramec Lakes Golf Club Metropolitan eClub

Name

Affiliation

Buddy Allen Brian Lovett Paul Neeman Jack Eisenbeis Joseph Malench Tony Nolfo Greg Mazdra Tom Barry David Bremer Joe Richardson Joe Timpone Pat O’Neill

No. Events

No. Wins

Total Points

Pts Behind

2 1 3 2 1 1 2 2 3 1

1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

1050 775 675 550 500 375 352.5 300 295 287.5

275 375 500 550 675 697.5 750 775 762.5

Senior Men’s POY No. Events

No. Wins

Total Points

Pts Behind

Metropolitan eClub Bellerive Country Club Persimmon Woods Golf Club St. Louis Country Club Metropolitan eClub Metropolitan eClub Metropolitan eClub Normandie Golf Club Persimmon Woods Golf Club Old Hickory Golf Club The Quarry at Crystal Springs Metropolitan eClub

2 1 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 1 1 2

1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

850 300 260 200 200 170 150 150 125 100 100 100

550 590 650 650 680 700 700 725 750 750 750

Name

Affiliation

No. Events

No. Wins

Total Points

Pts Behind

Gracie Piar Madison Derousse Madeline Larouere Brooke Biermann Avery McLaughlin Momo Kikuchi Morgan Gindler Tina Jones Catherine Salem Grace Stafford

Gateway PGA Jr Golf Club Metropolitan eClub Metropolitan eClub Country Club of St Albans Bellerive Country Club The Quarry at Crystal Springs Greenbriar Hills Country Club Aberdeen Golf Club Whitmoor Country Club Country Club of St Albans

1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

725 525 425 400 375 350 325 300 275 250

200 300 325 350 375 400 425 450 475

Women’s POY

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Volume 9 | July 2022

Whats Next for MAGA in August?

MAGA

Event

Date

Entries Close

32nd Metropolitan Amateur

Aug 4-6

Closed

36th Normandie Amateur

Aug 20-21

Aug 10

Southern Illinois Amateur

Sept 10-11

Aug 31

USGA Qualifiers Aug 9

U.S. Mid-Amateur

Closed

2023 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Aug 29

Aug 10

2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Aug 29 Four-Ball

Aug 10

Amateur Series Event #4 - Innsbrook Resort Golf Course

Aug 15

Aug 5

Championship Information metga.org 23

The Metropolitan

Volume 9 | June 2022

Normandie Project Update:

Normandie Golf Camp

“The appeal of this project to me was to be involved in an effort that could serve as a catalyst to change needed in our country today, beginning with parts of St. Louis County.

Restoring Normandie for a community in need will have a long-lasting positive impact on the lives of youth in St. Louis.”

Normandy High School currently has no golf team, but the hope is for that to change.

The goal through the Normandie Project is for the underserved community to have a chance to learn and play golf on a great course. Once the renovations of Normandie Golf Course are complete, it will be home to the Normandy High School golf team. Though there is not a team now, the hope is that upon the completion of the project, there will be. To help kick-start this initiative into motion, the course has held a golf camp to introduce the sport to young individuals within the Normandy community. They are starting with middle school aged kids that will be in high school when the renovations are finished. The hope is that these kids, both boys and girls alike, are able to enjoy golf and one day be the Normandy High School golf team. Below, are four of the young students that have been a part of the camp and have already begun to learn about golf. It was said that all were enthusiatic and engaged about being a part of this great game. The continued development and involvement of this project within the community is sure to make an impact. Maybe one day, the next Tiger Woods will come out of Normandie Golf Club.

Four Students: McKenzie, Terrell, Ethan, & Latrelle, learn about golf during the Normandie GC camp.

For more information on the Normandie Renovation Project and how you can help, visit https://www.metga.org/nicklaus-and-normandie or contact normandie@metga.org

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- Jack Nicklaus on his involvement in Normandie GC project 25

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Volume 9 | No. 5

Follow Us! @MetAmateurGA

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association MAGA

Phone: 314.567.6262 Email: info@metga.org Web: metga.org

11724 Lackland Industrial Dr St. Louis, MO 63146