Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association April 2018 Newsletter

Aberdeen GC - #5 - par 3

The

Metropolitan

Vol. 5 No. 2

WHAT’S INSIDE...

4 OW Cup

5 Upcoming Events

6

Curt’s Corner

2

Rules Article

3

Old Warson Cup

4

2018 Events

5

Cloverleaf GC

6

MAGA Volunteers

8

On The Greens...

9

St. Louis Golf History

10

Schedule of Events

11

Southern Illinois GA

14

So. Ill. Superintendents

15

Hall of Fame Inductee

19

Metropolitan Cup

20

19 Cloverleaf GC

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Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association • 11777 Clayton Rd. • St. Louis, Missouri 63131 314.567.MAGA • Fax: 314.261.9250 • info@metga.org

The Metropolitan

MAGA STAFF Executive Director Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org Director, Operations Maggie Smith - maggie@metga.org 2018 P.J. Boatwright Interns Nick Wojciechowski Mickey Duncan Adrian Brown Mark McFarland, Communication Intern METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Old Warson Cup Amateur Championship Match Play Championship Open Championship Women’s Amateur Championship Junior Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Metropolitan Cup Matches Four-Ball Championship Mid-America Junior Cup USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDS US Open (Local and Sectional) US Senior Open US Amateur US Mid-Amateur US Girls’ Junior Amateur US Women’s Mid-Amateur US Junior Amateur US Senior Amateur US Senior Women’s Amateur US Women’s Open US Amateur Four-Ball US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball ADVISORY COMMITTEE Scott Thomas, Chairman Dustin Ashby Tom Barry Skip Berkmeyer Jim Dunn David Rhoads Curt Rohe METROPOLITAN EDITOR Jim Healey

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March - April 2018

Curt’s Comments Yes, spring is here and it’s May...whaaaattt???

What a crazy spring we have experienced to get started in 2018! I get asked all the time, “how has this weather affected you?” Quite honestly, it just doesn’t. Our schedule was set the end of 2017 and fortunately the crazy spring weather will not do any harm to our schedule.

Curt Rohe

Having said that, I am anxious to get the Executive Director 2018 tournament season off and running.

Our kickoff event is set to take place the first weekend of May, the Old Warson Cup! We have a great field for this year, with 15 guys trying to knock off 2-time defending champion Sam Migdal and stop him from becoming the second to accomplish the three-peat!

USGA qualifying season also kicks off this first week of May with 2018 U.S. Open Local Qualifying on Monday May 7 at Old Warson CC! Over 9,000 entries were once again accepted by the USGA for the U.S. Open. 103 of those will begin their #RoadtoShinnecock at Old Warson in hopes of securing 1 of six spots into the Sectional round on June 4.

I would like to take a moment to introduce our four interns for this season. Nick Wojciechowski is a returning intern for MAGA this season. Nick interned for us in 2015 and wanted to return after graduating, which he is doing from Mizzou. He is an Evans Scholar from Westwood CC. Mickey Duncan is one of our 3-month interns this season. Duncan is also graduating from Mizzou this spring and is originally from the Chicago area. Adrian Brown is the 3rd Boatwright intern this season and returns as our SIGA Intern. Adrian is graduating from McKendree University this spring and will begin student teaching this fall. Finally, a new intern for MAGA this year, Mark McFarland will be joining us as our Communications Intern. Mark will be responsible for using our social media and website to its fullest and to reach more people in those means at our championships.

Lastly, I would like to welcome UHY as our first advertiser in The Metropolitan! Please check out their ad in this issue and if anyone would like to inquire about advertising in The Metropolitan please get in touch with me.

As always, thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to read The Metropolitan! We will be coming to you each month over the next 4 months so stay tuned.

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Rules Corner The NEW Rules for 2019 are Here!

Since the proposed NEW Rules were released in March 2017, we’ve been telling players that 95% of the Rules will still be the Rules, but that they will look quite different and many procedures have changed.

They are reorganized (consolidated from 34 to 24 Rules) and restyled (see picture of NEW Rule 16 excerpt). They are also written in “International English” (“practise” instead of “practice”), plus another 104 languages. Many terms have been updated (casual water is now temporary water), further reflecting that Golf is a global game and that some words translate easier than others.

CAUTION: Play in 2018 will be under the CURRENT Rules of Golf. There is only one set of Rules at a time. Scores should NOT be posted for rounds played under any NEW Rules before January 1, 2019.

So, What’s different?

AREAS OF THE COURSE: Five now, instead of four! The word “hazard” is going away. Instead, there will be bunkers, plus red and yellow penalty areas (formerly called lateral water hazards and water hazards). Penalty areas may also include stretches of desert, lava fields, and thick woods at the discretion of the Committee. The other areas are the teeing area and putting green of the hole being played, and the general area (formerly through-the-green).

Additionally, the Committee may designate No Play Zones (e.g., flower beds, environmentally sensitive areas, mandatory ground under repair).

Continued on page 16

BUNKER ACTIONS: The player may now remove loose impediments (just don’t move the ball in doing so) and lean on a club in a bunker. Grounding a club immediately in front of or behind the ball and touching sand in a bunker with practise swings or during a backswing are still prohibited.

PENALTY AREA ACTIONS: Penalty areas will be treated the same as the general area. The player may remove loose impediments, ground a club, and touch the ground with practise swings or during a backswing. There will still be no relief for abnormal course conditions, embedded ball and unplayable ball.

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Old Warson Cup Preview - May 5-6

Old Warson CC - par 4 - 10th

7:00am Sam Migdal (1) vs. Jeff Johnson (16) 7:10am Bryan Bohme (8) vs. Alex Ciaramitaro (9) 7:20am Brad Carpenter (4) vs. Jimmy Siegfried (13) 7:30am Chad Niezing (5) vs. Jeremy Franklin (12)

7:40am Ryan Eckelkamp (2) vs. Frankie Thomas (15) 7:50am Andrew Pranger (7) vs. Chris Kovach (10) 8:00am Skip Berkmeyer (3) vs. Tony Gumper (14) 8:10am Alex Cusumano (6) vs. Ryan Sullivan (11)

Quarterfinal matches will be played in the afternoon on Saturday. Sunday morning the Semifinal matches will begin at 7:00am with the 18-hole final match beginning approximately 11:30am. Spectators are welcome to attend the matches and see the area’s top amateurs contend for the 2018 Old Warson Cup! For all of the Pairings, Match Play Bracket and Match Results, visit the 2018 Old Warson Cup webpage!

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2018 Metropolitan Upcoming Events Normandie Amateur

Old Warson Cup

May 5-6

May 19-20

Open Championship - St. Albans

Women’s Amateur - Sunset CC

June 6-8

June 20-21

2018 USGA Upcoming Qualifying Rounds US Open Local Qual.-Old Warson

US Junior Qualifying - St. Clair CC

May 7

June 25 5

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Cloverleaf Golf Course: Oldest Family Run Course?

Could Cloverleaf be the oldest continuous family owned and operated golf course in the country? The Gabriel family certainly believes it might be possible.

Brian Lawson is passionate about three things: the family golf course, golf history, and his love of the University of Illinois! As the third-generation caretaker of the family course, you cannot miss the sense of pride that comes with that honor.

“It took quite a bit of courage for my grandfather to build this course. After all, it was early in the Depression, and he was just about 25 years old at the time. But the dairy business was also on the decline, so he was looking for other ways to provide income for the family.”

Along the walls of the “old barn,” which now serves as the golf shop and snack bar, is the history of Cloverleaf, from 1931 to the present. A golf ball collection, scorecards, old course implements, flags, a set of Bill Mehlhorn golf clubs from the 1920s and a hand-made wooden ball washer, made by his Original dairy barn, still in use today as the golf shop. grandfather Paul Gabriel, from the 1930s. Those who have played here for decades continue to bring in their own pieces of history to add to the collection. That’s just fine with Brian.

“Above all, we want to be the type of course that players genuinely feel that they are not just customers, but that we think of them almost as an extension of the family.”

This friendly approach, from the counter to the staff working on the course, is something that everyone I spoke with echoes. Why do players come to Cloverleaf? I spoke with a threesome that had just finished the front nine and Brian Lawson, grandson of Paul Gabriel and were taking a short break current owner of the course. before challenging the back nine. “First, we can always get on the course. Plus, we love to walk and with the mostly level ground, it’s easy for us. Finally, it’s affordable; and the staff is always so friendly.”

Paul, and later his wife Dorothy, greeted players for over 50 years at their family course.

Cloverleaf, at just over 5,800 yards, with its narrow, tree-lined fairways and small greens, will test anyone’s game. Water comes into play on seven holes, most significantly on the 156 yard par-3 thirteenth, the course’s signature hole. While the front nine is fairly level, the second nine is set over more of the rolling hillside, with uphill and downhill shots on several holes.

“We all know that golf is changed greatly over the past decade or so. I remember when I was younger working on the grounds and there were often two-hour waits on weekends for tee times. Today, I want players to think of Cloverleaf as the type of course that has something for everyone. We’re seeing more women taking up the game as well as more juniors on the course. That’s terrific. Juniors are the future of the game and we need to have courses that encourage them to come out and play. We’re that type of facility.”

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Cloverleaf Golf Course Brian has also made changes as to how they look to draw players to the course. “Previously, we had a few outings, but that was not our core business. However, the addition of our new patio will enable us to provide better service for these type of events. We’re also hosting more golf leagues and some annual scrambles. We’ve been hosting the Cloverleaf scramble for many years, drawing top players - and a number of local area pros and teaching pros- from Missouri and Illinois, and it always fills up quickly.

To make the club more player-friendly, we’ve just added a patio off the golf shop. It will have a cover over it and we’ll have televisions out there.

Players can sit after a round, have a snack or a drink and enjoy the time with friends.”

The signature par 3 thirteenth, 156 yards.

With the new patio Brian stressed that players can expect some exciting surprises regarding how Cloverleaf handles events while providing extra value to their patrons; including a giant video score board for events (utilizing software that is available to them through the MAGA).

Brian also hired a new manager this season, Shelby Miller, a recent graduate of Maryville University - where she was a standout basketball player for the Saints, leaving as the all-time career scoring leader. With a degree in Business, Brian is looking for Shelby to add significantly to how Cloverleaf is managed. One of the newest additions to the club took place The golf shop, filled with memorabilia from years’ past. when they purchased the newest EZGO golf cars. These have with the new lithium batteries, giving them the ability to run almost all day on a single charge, and charge more quickly. They are also some of the most comfortable cars on the market.

As the newest club member of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association, Cloverleaf looks to become more well-known among players on both sides of the river.

“We want to provide each player who comes here with a great playing experience. Not just on the course, but from the moment they drive into our lot. It’s our goal that by doing this, they will look to return again and again!”

One of the newest golf car fleets in the area!

The approach over water to the par 4 twelfth hole.

A new patio area will greet players in 2018.

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MAGA Officials Michael Donat When did you begin working with the Metropolitan?

2009 Most rewarding part of being on the Rules Committee?

Educating players, hopefully, on the Rules, which I feel benefits their play in the long run Best memory of being on Committee?

I think we can laugh about it now, but I was starting the 10th hole at St. Albans and had our best amateur player at the time, Scott Langley up next; only nobody knew where he was right before his tee time. With about 20 seconds to go, he appeared around the corner and he looked at me and knew he must have been late. He sprinted to the tee and made it just in time before we would have had to invoke a two-stroke penalty.

Do you have a favorite event you enjoy working?

Amateur Championship- I like an event where it’s just the top amateurs from our area battling it out Any memorable rules situations you have come across (no names, just situation, event, etc.)?

I had a Match one time, where one player, more or less, forgot to concede a short putt to his opponent, and walked off to the next tee; that opponent attempted the short putt and missed after which, the other player turned around and said ‘that was good’. I had to tell him ‘no it wasn’t, you can only concede before the stroke’. As one of my mentors, Stan Grossman told me later, ‘next time, stop play and ask the player, do you want him to putt this out’, which would have made the situation a lot less uncomfortable.

What was your line of work before, or currently, joining the MAGA Rules Committee?

Restaurant business

Tony Wasser

When did you begin working with the Metropolitan?

1996 Most rewarding part of being on the Rules Committee?

Being able to help the competitors, and getting to know them.

Best memory of being on Committee?

Working with and learning from Tom O’Toole and Curt Rohe. Seeing Curt develop into a great tournment director.

Do you have a favorite event you enjoy working?

No, most are all interesting. Maybe the Junior events and seeing but them mature in there golfing career.

Any memorable rules situations you have come across (no names, just situation, event, etc.)?

No What was your line of work before, or currently, joining the MAGA Rules Committee?

Monsanto. Many jobs, but the last was in purchasing.

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On the Greens...

The Mississippi Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Southern Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Associations each work across our area to help their members keep abreast of the latest in golf course agronomy.

Each spring and fall, just as the greens seem to be perfect, Golf Course Superintendents around the Midwest are busy scheduling and planning the tedious process of core aeration. The superintendents and their staffs typically try to mitigate the amount of disruption to the putting greens, and work intensively to bring the putting surfaces back to acceptable standards as soon as possible. The aerification process can reduce playability for 7-10 days, but the agronomic benefits greatly outweigh the temporary loss of putting quality. When playing on recently aerified greens it is important to remember that this process is crucial to ensure quality putting surfaces throughout the season. Greens that are not aerified on a regular basis are susceptible to numerous issues that can affect the plant health and therefore affect the quality of the turfgrass. There are three main reasons for greens aerification: 1.) Thatch Removal 2.)Compaction Relief 3.) Gas Exchange.

Thatch is defined as a loose, intermingled organic layer of dead and living organic matter that develops between the zone of green vegetation and the soil surface. Thatch buildup begins when turf produces organic debris faster than it can be broken down. Most of the greens in the Metropolitan area are a variety of Creeping Bentgrass. This type of turfgrass is a very heavy thatch producer. As the thatch layer builds, it will retain moisture longer and cause the greens to become spongy and soft. Greens in this condition are generally slower and more susceptible to ball marks. Removing the thatch layer via core aeration and topdressing with sand, will produce firmer and more receptive putting surfaces throughout the majority of the golfing season.

Imagine 150 people walking through the same area of your front yard for 260 consecutive days. Then imagine a lawn mower mowing that same area every day for the same amount of time. Without the process of aeration, that section of your lawn would turn into something that resembles concrete. Golf Course putting greens are typically mowed every day in order to create the smoothest most consistent surface possible. After the greens are mowed, up to 150 golfers will walk on them throughout any given day. Some courses even roll the putting surfaces on a regular basis. Physically removing compacted soils with core aeration relieves stress created by equipment and foot traffic. It also allows the root systems of the turfgrass to grow deeper into the soil, where fertilizer and water are more readily available for the plants to use.

Oxygen is a vital gas for most living organisms. The bentgrass on putting greens is no exception. Soils can be starved of oxygen as compaction occurs and thatch continues to build. An anerobic layer can develop beneath the surface, causing rapid decline of roots during warm and humid summer months. This layer can make management of greens difficult and may cause damage to the putting surfaces. Core aeration opens up this anerobic layer allowing oxygen to get to the roots. The plants will develop new roots which will allow for better nutrient and water uptake, more manageable turfgrass, and ultimately better playing surfaces year after year.

Greens aerification is an involved process that is disruptive to golfers and can make for some extra-long days for the superintendent and the staff. Unfortunately it is an extremely necessary agronomic practice that will ensure turfgrass health and better quality putting surfaces. Luckily it is only disruptive for two weeks out of the entire season.

Matt Czarnecki City of St. Peters Superintendent of Golf Course Operations

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St. Louis Golf History - Jim Fogertey -

Jim Fogertey (L) with Joe Switzer

Fogertey with Patty Berg

Fogertey in 1996 during an interview with John Hayes for Golf Scene magazine

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In 1929, a young man was named as the new head professional at Osage Country Club in Kirkwood - the forerunner to Greenbriar Hills. The dimunitive irishman, grew up in St. Louis and began caddying at St. Louis CC in 1916 at age 9. His love affair with the game would span eight decades. However, to those who knew him, it was his commitment to his members and to his craft for which he was most remembered.

Young Fogertey would remain at Osage/Greenbriar until 1936 when he left to take a similar post at the prestigious Myopia Hunt Club on Boston’s Northshore. During his time there, he became friends with some of the greats of the game - Nelson - Hagen Jones - just to name a few.

In 1946, he was lured back to St. Louis and to Sunset Country Club, where he would remain for the remainder of his life. It was here where area players came to know the man and where Fogertey shared his many stories.

Tom Hullverson, a long-time Sunset member, became one of Fogertey’s closest friends. He tells the story how one spring day Fogertey went out with him on Sunset’s courts and shot one of the most remarkable rounds he had ever seen. The pro shot nine consecutive 3s on the front nine for a 27.

A bachelor, Jim lived with his brother Frank and sister-inlaw Bonnie. They teamed up and took up the head pro position at Greenbriar after Jim left. Frank and Bonnie lived on Ponca Lane, just across Big Bend from Greenbriar. Jim lived on the upper floors. It was not uncommon, as Bonnie told me a some years ago, for the phone to ring and the caller who ask for Jim. When Bonnie asked who it was, often it was Byron Nelson, Dutch Harrison, or another touring professional. When Bonnie yelled up the steps to tell him, he frequently just told her to take a message and he would call them back.

At Sunset, Jim was a favorite among the membership and a taskmaster to the staff. Working for Jim meant that you needed to be in the golf shop before the first member arrived and you stayed until the last member was off the course.

In the mid-1950s, when Sunset was considering getting golf carts, the Board was unsure if the funds were not readily available and they were not comfortable assessing the members. Fogertey stepped in and used his own money to purchase the carts. He made an agreement with the club for repayment, with interest!

Perhaps one of the most remarkable moments in his professional career occurred in 1972 when Jim was preparing to tackle the PGA process for advanced certification. During the process the PGA changed the designation to Master Golf Professional.

When Jim completed his thesis, study courses and seminars, he became the PGA’s first Master Golf Professional. He passed away at age 83 in July 1991.

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Competition Schedule 2018 MAGA Competitions

Entry Championship Date(s) Deadline Venue The Old Warson Cup Normandie Amateur Open Championship Women’s Amateur Championship Junior Amateur Championship East Side Amateur Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Metro Cup “Final Four” Four-Ball Championship

May 5-6 Invitational May 19-20 May 9 June 6-8 May 23 June 20-21 June 6 July 2-3 June 20 July 14-15 July 4 August 2-4 July 18 August 28-29 August 15 September 28 October 12 September 26

Old Warson Country Club Normandie Golf Club Country Club of St. Albans Sunset Country Club Forest Hills Country Club Spencer T. Olin Golf Course Country Club of St. Albans Persimmon Woods Golf Club Glen Echo Country Club Old Hickory Golf Club

2018 USGA Qualifying Rounds

Entry Championship Date(s) Deadline Venue US Open Local Qualifying May 7 US Junior Amateur Qualifying June 25 US Girls’ Junior Amateur Qualifying June 25 US Amateur Qualifying July 23-24 US Senior Amateur Qualifying August 6 US Mid-Amateur Qualifying August 13 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifying August 20 US Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifying September 10 US Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying September 19 US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qual. September 19

April 25 June 6 June 6 June 27 July 11 August 1 August 1 August 22 August 15 August 15

Old Warson CC St. Clair Country Club St. Clair Country Club Westwood Country Club Ballwin Golf Course Lake Forest Country Club St. Louis Country Club Franklin County Country Club Dalhousie Golf Club Dalhousie Golf Club

2018 MAGA Amateur Series Schedule Entry Event Date(s) Deadline Venue #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Two-Day Championship

April 30 April 20 May 14 May 4 June 11 June 1 July 19 July 9 August 17 August 7 September 24 September 14 October 13-14

WingHaven Country Club Tamarack Golf Club Florissant Golf Club Missouri Bluffs Golf Club The Quarry at Crystal Springs Sunset Hills Country Club Aberdeen Golf Club (Invitational)

Online applications for ALL MAGA events are available on the MAGA website.

Events in grey have been completed.

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MAY 2018 APRIL 29

30 Amateur Event #1

MAY 1

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5 OW Cup

6 OW Cup

7 US Open Qual

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14 Amateur Event #2

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19 Normandie Amateur

20 Normandie Amateur

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JUNE 1

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MAGA Events in RED | USGA Events in BLUE

JUNE 2018

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6 MAGA Open

7 MAGA Open

8 MAGA Open

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11 Amateur Event #3

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20 MAGA Women’s Am

21 MAGA Women’s Am

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25 US Junior Qual US Girls’ Jr. Qual

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Please Support our Supporters Allied golf associations and supporters of the

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

Resources

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Southern Illinois Golf Association 2018 Men’s Amateur Events for Player of the Year May 5 – 6, 2018 Sheenie Elkins Individual Stroke Play Amateur • Union County Country Club May 26 – 27, 2018 McLeansboro Amateur • McLeansboro Golf Course June 2 – 3, 2018 Carmi Amateur Men’s Amateur • Carmi Country Club June 8, 2018 Green Hills Amateur Pro-Am Men’s Amateur • Green Hills Golf Course June 9 – 10, 2018 Green Hills Amateur Men’s Amateur • Green Hills Golf Course June 16 – 17, 2018 Mt. Carmel Amateur Men’s Amateur • Mount Carmel Golf Course

2018 Men’s Senior Amateur Events for Player of the Year

For up to date Calendar information go to: www.sigagolf.org Go to Tournaments, Click on Member Club Events

June 2-3: Benton Senior Gold Cup Senior • Benton Country Club July 21-22: 94th SIGA Championship (Featured Event) Senior • The Links at Kokopelli August 4: Bill Koeneman Memorial Players Cup (Featured Event) Senior • Hickory Ridge Golf Center

Junior Golf

To join the SIGA Junior Golf Tour for 2018 please complete the SIGA Membership Application at sigagolf.org-Junior Golf and mail it to the SIGA office along with $10.00. Upon receiving your application we will contact you by email with more information about your JGT and SIGA membership.

The 2018 membership enrollment format should streamline the process by registering directly with the SIGA. This will provide each member the opportunity to have a USGA GHIN Handicap Index provided by the SIGA and MAGA. Each member will be able to post scores through the SIGA website at member clubs, and on your smart phone APP. To download the smart phone APP, go to the SIGA website home page. If you have gotten your JGT/SIGA membership through your local club in the past, you can continue to do it that way, however we will still need the membership application so we have your current individual information.

2018 JGT Calendar-Points Events-Thru June • Franklin County CC Junior Open • Future Champs on 4th Jun 2018, at Franklin County Country Club on 18th Jun 2018, at Crab Orchard Golf Club • Billie Ray Craig Junior Classic Tournament • Harrisburg Junior Classic on 5th Jun 2018, at Red Hawk Country Club on 19th Jun 2018, at Shawnee Hills Country Club • Roland Barkau Junior Tournament • Rend Lake Junior Tournament on 7th Jun 2018, at Roland Barkau Municipal GC on 26th Jun 2018, at Rend Lake Golf Course • PZ-Phelps/Zieba-Junior Classic Keller’s Crossing • Mark Beckham Memorial Jr. Golf Tournament at Stone Creek-Free Entry and Lunch on 29th Jun 2018, at Salem Country Club on 11th Jun 2018, at Keller’s Crossing at Stone Crk

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Southern Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Association SIGCSA 2018 Officers & Directors Officers President James Gray Union County Country Club ucccsuper@yahoo.com Vice President Jeff McDonald Twin Oaks Golf Club jeffmcdm3@gmail.com Secretary-Treasurer Scott Simpson Benton Country Club scott-simpcosales@gmail.com Executive Director John Kueper jkueper50@gmail.com Directors Director 1 Year Term Steve Leach Gateway National Golf Links sleach@gatewaynational.com Director 2 Year Term Brian Borah Tamarack GC golfattamarack@gmail.com Tim Johnson Spencer T Olin GC tjohnson@spencertolingolf.com Kyle Smith Arlington Greens GC kylesmith@charter.net

The Southern Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Association is another local chapter supporting area golf. The majority of the group’s courses in southern Illinois - extending from Edwardsville to Carbondale and from St. Louis east to Effingham.

Among the more well-known layouts included among the member courses are: Annbriar, Links at Kokopelli, Rend Lake, Lake of Egypt, Far Oaks, Tamarack, Gateway National, Rolling Hills, Wolves Crossing, Oakbrook, and others.

Like its counterpart, the Mississippi Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association - with most of its member courses located on the Missouri side of the Mississippi - the SIGCSA looks to help its members become more knowledgeable and professional in their approach to their courses, making the game more enjoyable for golfers across the Bi-State region.

Many of SIGCSA courses are part of the Southern Illinois Golf Aociation (SIGA). As such, the relationship between MAGA and SIGA, with players from both organizations having the opportunity to compete in events across the area, many MAGA members will become aware of the quality of courses that are maintained by members of SIGCSA. Like superintendents across St. Louis, the professionals within SIGCSA work their magic on a daily basis as they seek to provide the best possible playing experience for their golfers.

For additional information on SIGCSA and its member courses, visit the Chapter website at http://sigcsa.com/index.aspx.

Lost Layouts As the 1980s popular song by the British rock group Queen went, “Another one bites the dust,” two courses have closed in the past few months, one of them being a staple among public golf players for decades.

Clinton Hill Golf Course, located in Swansea, Illinois, announced early in 2018 that it would be closing.

The future of the site seems destined to become another housing development. Founded in 1970, players across the region made the trek to Clinton Hill through the 1990s, as it, like many Illinois public courses, provided players across the region with good quality public golf.

Another Illinois course that also announced its demise is Fairfield Golf Course in Columbia, Illinois.

Opened in 1992, Fairfield was often described as a shotmaker’s course. Despite its relatively short length, there were plenty of trouble spots to catch errant shots.

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USGA 2019 Rule Changes Summary DROPPING PROCEDURE: Still within one club-length (if free relief) and two club-lengths (if relief with penalty – such as unplayable ball and lateral relief from penalty area), no nearer the hole than the reference point. A club-length will be defined as the length of the player’s longest club (not any club) other than his putter. The ball must be dropped, come to rest, and played from within the relief area (no more rolling up to two club-lengths from where it first struck the ground). It must be dropped “the right way,” straight down from knee height (not from one-inch off the ground or shoulder height; this is to balance “randomness” with not too much bounce). Also, the ball must strike the relief area (which includes ground, growing objects, loose impediments and obstructions in the relief area). If the ball rolls outside the relief area, re-drop. If the redropped ball rolls outside the relief area, place the ball where the re-dropped ball first struck the ground. There is no penalty if a dropped ball rolls and accidentally hits anyone or anything; play it as it lies.

BACK-ON-THE-LINE RELIEF PROCEDURE: Traditionally, a player taking flagline relief drops as far back as he likes ON the line extending from the hole through the point where his ball lies. The dropped ball may roll up to two-club lengths in any direction from where it first strikes the course. In 2019, with back-onthe-line relief, the player will pick a reference point on the same line. The ball must be dropped, come to rest, and be played within one club-length of the reference point, no nearer the hole.

EMBEDDED BALL AND STROKE-AND-DISTANCE RELIEF DROPPING PROCEDURES: Today, the player drops “as near as possible” to where the ball embedded or spot of the previous stroke, no nearer the hole. In 2019, the ball must be dropped, come to rest, and played from within one club-length of a point “right behind where the ball is embedded” or the spot of the previous stroke, again no nearer the hole.

TWO-STROKE BUNKER RELIEF: If the player doesn’t want to play his ball from a bunker, he may, with a two-stroke penalty, take back-on-the-line relief outside of the bunker.

OPPOSITE MARGIN RELIEF: Lateral relief on the opposite margin of a red penalty area is no longer a default option, except by Local Rule. (The Committee may adopt for entire course or selected holes.)

BALL SUBSTITUTION: There are no limits on substituting a ball when taking relief (free relief or relief with penalty) – when dropping, re-dropping, or if placing is necessary after re-dropping.

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES (DMD’s) & EMBEDDED BALL: 2018’s Local Rules permitting use of DMD’s (without slope function) and relief for embedded ball through the green (the general area) will become default Rules, unless the Committee adopts Local Rules to the contrary.

REPLACING CLUBS: The player will not be allowed to replace a damaged club, unless someone other than the player caused the damage. However, the player may continue to use a damaged club for the balance of the round, even if it was damaged in anger. A playoff in Stroke Play is a new round.

DOUBLE-HITS AND BALL ACCIDENTALLY HITTING ANY PLAYER OR EQUIPMENT: There is no longer a one-stroke penalty. Play the ball as it lies. In match play, the player will no longer have the option of canceling and replaying his stroke after his ball hits an opponent, the opponent’s caddie, or the opponent’s equipment.

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USGA 2019 Rule Changes Summary ACCIDENTAL BALL MOVEMENT DURING SEARCH OR IDENTIFICATION: There is no longer a penalty anywhere on the course; just replace the ball.

TIME LIMIT FOR SEARCHES: The period is reduced from five minutes to three minutes, after which the ball becomes lost.

UNDOING IMPROVED OR WORSENED CONDITIONS: If a player improves the conditions affecting the stroke (two-stroke or loss of hole penalty today), the conditions may be restored without penalty (i.e., eliminate the improvement). But, if the conditions are not restored, the player incurs the general penalty.

Similarly, conditions “worsened” by anyone other than the player, an animal, or artificial object may be restored (but not if worsened by the player or natural forces).

FLAGSTICK: The player may decide (before putting) to putt with the flagstick in the hole. If so, there is no penalty if the putted ball strikes the flagstick. If a ball comes to rest against the flagstick and is at least partially below the surface of the putting green, the ball is treated as holed.

LOCAL RULE FOR BALL OUT-OF-BOUNDS (OB) OR LOST: Instead of stroke-and-distance relief, the player may, with a two-stroke penalty, drop and play his ball behind an arc equidistant to the hole from where he estimates the ball crossed OB or is likely lost. It’s a little complicated (see USGA’s infographic). For a ball OB, the equidistant arc extends from the estimated OB crossing point to a point two club-lengths inside the fairway. For a lost ball, the arc extends from a point two club-lengths beyond (away from fairway) where the ball is likely lost to a point two club-lengths inside the fairway. The player may drop anywhere behind the arc within these bounds (potentially a huge area). This Local Rule does not apply if a provisional ball was played or the ball was lost in a penalty area.

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USGA 2019 Rule Changes Summary FIXING PUTTING GREEN DAMAGE: In addition to ball marks and old hole plugs, almost any damage on the putting green may be repaired – spike marks, club indentations, damage caused by shoes, the flagstick, and maintenance vehicles. Exceptions are aeration holes, verticut slices, natural wear to the hole, and natural surface imperfections (e.g., diseased grass).

INDICATING PUTTING TARGET: The line of play on the putting green (“line of putt” terminology is going away) may be touched to point out a target for putting (e.g., with flagstick, club, finger, towel), as long as the line of play is not improved.

MOVEMENT OF BALL (OR MARKER) ON GREEN: The Local Rule introduced in 2017 for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green will become the default Rule. Accidental movement of the ball on the putting green is accidental, period (“directly attributable” is going away). Additionally, if a ball on the green moves as a result of natural causes (wind, gravity, etc.) after it has been marked/lifted/replaced, it must be replaced on its original spot, which if not known exactly must be estimated. Otherwise (ball not marked/lifted/ replaced), play the ball as it lies at its new position.

PACE OF PLAY: For the first time, a pace guideline is incorporated into the Rules. When it is a player’s turn to play, the recommended period for making a stroke is less than 40 seconds (ball airborne).

READY GOLF and PLAYING OUT OF TURN: The Rules will encourage playing “Ready Golf” beyond Stroke Play events. In Match Play, a player may invite an opponent to play out-of-turn to save time in specific situations (not throughout the entire round), but the opponent is not obligated to do so. Similarly, an opponent may request playing out-of-turn.

ETIQUETTE: Committees will be permitted to create a “Code of Conduct,” which may include one- and two-stroke penalties for breaches of etiquette less serious than disqualification (e.g., player in a High School tournament breaks a club in anger).

NEW CADDIE PERMISSION: Caddies will be allowed, without authorization, to mark, lift and clean the player’s ball on the putting green only. If he lifted the player’s ball, the caddie may replace it.

CADDIE/PARTNER MUST MOVE OUT OF WAY SOONER: Shot alignment is a fundamental skill for which the player is solely responsible. The caddie (or player’s partner or partner’s caddie) must not deliberately stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the player from the time the player begins to take his stance until a stroke is made.

ANNOUNCING: No longer will the player have to announce his intention to lift when identifying his ball, checking it for damage, or determining if it is embedded, so that a fellow-competitor or opponent may witness the act. The Rules will rely on the player’s integrity to proceed correctly. The player will still need to mark his ball before lifting it in each instance, and restrict ball cleaning as required today. Announcement protocols related to playing a provisional ball and a second ball will be the same as today.

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USGA 2019 Rule Changes Summary REMOVE BALL MARKER: The player may no longer leave his ball marker in place by the ball when making a stroke on the putting green.

DID THE BALL MOVE? WHAT CAUSED IT TO MOVE? The standard will no longer be “more than likely” (51%), but “known or virtually certain” (95+%).

SCRAMBLES AND SHAMBLES: The “Committee Procedures” handbook will recommend ways to adapt the Rules to scrambles, shambles, greensomes, and other forms of play, something the governing bodies have avoided in the past.

These points cover most of the significant changes. There are many other details. certainty that the NEW Rules will be a huge topic in 2019.

We can say with

[For more resources, see: http://bit.ly/NEW-Rules].

[NOTE: Italicized words above are defined terms in the NEW Rules for 2019.]

Alvan Sage and John Thorman MAGA Rules Committee

Marcella Rose Inducted into St. Louis Sports HOF On Monday, April 23, 2018, the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame inducted Marcella Rose into their Hall of Fame. Marcella, a lifelong St. Louisan, has been a rules official for the Metropolitan for over 20 years.

Marcella began playing golf at Forest Park at age 17 under the tutelage of the head professional Bob Riley. A natural athlete, within three months she was shooting in the upper 30s for nine.

Marcella entered the 1960 St. Louis Women’s District and promptly won the title.

She repeated in 1962, defeating standout amateur Doris Phillips, who she had also defeated in winning the title in 1960. She had similar success at the state level, winning the Missouri Women’s Amateur crown in 1963 and again in 1969.

She qualified for seven US Women’ Amateur championships, and was comedalist in 1965. She also competed in the US Women’s Open on five occasions from 1960 to 1966.

Marcella in the 1960s

Marcella also competed nationally in the Trans-Mississippi championship many times from 1959 through 1995, and in the Women’s Western Amateur, where she was medalist in 1965 and 1967, and was second low amateur in the Women’s Western Open, also in those years, earning her the Marion Miley award.

Please join us in congratulating Marcella as she celebrates her induction into the Hall of Fame.

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2018 Metropolitan Cup Forty-four teams will make up 11 Divisions to compete for the 2018 Metropolitan Cup Championship.

This is a new all-time high for number of teams to compete in the season long team competition.

Meadowbrook Country Club came away with the victory over Joachim GC in last years exciting day-long Metropolitan Cup “Final Four”. It was Meadowbrook’s 4th title in the history of the Metropolitan Cup, putting them 2 back of Bellerive CC who holds the record with 6.

The “Final Four” will take place on Friday, September 28 at Glen Echo Country Club where the last 4 teams standing will battle in the Semifinals in the morning with the Final Match set to take place in the afternoon.

Follow all of the action for the year by clicking here.

2018 Metropolitan Cup Regular Season Schedule Division 1 • Lake Forest I • Meadowbrook • Links of Dardenne • Tapawingo National

Division 5 • Persimmon Woods I • Norwood Hills • Raintree • Spring Lake

Division 9 • Franklin County • Westwood • Fox Run II • Spencer T. Olin

Division 2 • Old Hickory II • Forest Hills • Oak Valley • Missouri Athletic Club

Division 6 • Quincy • St. Louis • Woods Fort • The Legends II

Division 10 • The Legends I • Old Hickory I • Greenbriar Hills II • North County

Division 3 • Greenbrian Hills I • Whitmoor • Lake Forest II • Normandie

Division 7 • Meramec Lakes • Aberdeen • Old Warson • Persimmon Woods II

Division 11 • CC of St. Albans • Algonquin • Bellerive II • Ruth Park

Division 4 • Glen Echo • Bellerive I • Quarry at Crystal Springs • Westborough

Division 8 • Fox Run I • Bogey Hills • Crown Pointe • Kirkwood Forest

Master Schedule for Regular Season Play Match 1 #3 at #1 #4 at #2

Match 2 #2 at #3 #4 at #1

Playoff Schedule Round 1 Quarterfinals Semifinals & FInals

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Match 3 #1 at #2 #3 at #4

Regular Season Matches should be completed by Sunday, July 15.

Completed by August 15 Completed by September 15 September 28 at Glen Echo CC 20

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Parting Shot...

KEY CONTACT INFORMATION USGA website: www.usga.org MAGA website: www.metga.org GHIN website: www.ghin.org

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