Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association December 2015 Newsletter

Glen Echo CC #10

The Metropolitan

Upcoming Events

2016 Rule Changes: An Overview Page 3-4

MAGA Honored at the USGA GHIN Meeting Page 1 & 6

Player’s of the Year Page 5

Joachim Repeats at MAGA Cup Champs Page 7

25 Years of Champions Jones & Frank Page 8

Putting: Secrets to Making More in 2016 Page 9

St. Louis Golf History 1953 Western Open Page 10

USGA Handicap Changes Page 12

MAGA Champions for 2015 Season Page 16-17

Vol. 2 No. 8

2016 USGA Events MAGA awarded USGA honor for Member Service Metropolitan recognized as the best medium size organization for member service.

Each season the USGA hosts the GHIN Users’ Meetings (GUM) for State and Regional Golf Associations (SRGA’s) who provide the GHIN Handicap Services to member clubs.

This year GUM was conducted in November out in Monterey, CA. GUM provides the opportunity for SRGA leaders to have a voice in how GHIN is received in the marketplace and discuss the future of the service for our member clubs.

One aspect of GUM is the GHIN Service Awards Dinner, where SRGA are recognized in two categories: Most Growth and Best Service. Each of those are presented in small, medium and large size golf associations. The Best Service award is derived from annual surveys that

US Open Local Qual.

May 10 - Forest Hills US Women’s Open Qualifying May 24 Westwood CC US Amateur Four-Ball Men & Women May 21-25, 2016 US Open June 16-19, 2016

MAGA Events Old Warson Cup May 14-15, 2016 Normandie Amateur May 21-22, 2016 Women’s Amateur June 8-9, 2016 Greenbriar Hills See page 11 for full schedule

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

The Metropolitan

November-December 2015

STAFF

METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 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 Qualifying (Local and Sectional) US Senior Open Qualifying US Amateur Qualifying US Mid-Amateur Qualifying US Women’s Mid-Amateur US Junior Amateur Qualifying US Amateur Public Links Qualifying US Senior Amateur Qualifying US Women’s Open Qualifying US Amateur Four-Ball US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball EXECUTIVE BOARD Stanford S. Grossman – President Emeritus Thomas J. O’Toole Jr. – Vice-President Thomas O. Sobbe Jr. – Vice-President M. Ray McCraine – Secretary G. Scott Engelbrecht – Treasurer G.F. (Rick) Meyer Jr. – At-Large Member H. Mick Wellington – At-Large Member ADVISORY COMMITTEE Scott Thomas, Chairman Dustin Ashby Tom Barry Skip Berkmeyer Jim Dunn David Rhoads Curt Rohe Metropolitan Editor Jim Healey

November-December 2015

CURTíS COMMENTS

Executive Director Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org P.J. Boatwright Interns - 2016 boatwrightintern@metga.org

The Metropolitan

Happy New Year! At the time of writing this, I hope you have been able to enjoy this unseasonable November/December weather and getting out on the links.

Admittedly, I have not been out… but by the time you read this I am hoping to have played on New Year’s Day to kick off 2016.

Rules of Golf Corner The 10 Principal Changes to the Rules of Golf

Curt Rohe Executive Director

2015 has been another wonderful year for MAGA. Despite early rains, we were fortunate to get all of our events completed and completed on time. We had some fantastic venues for 2015 and could not be more thankful to the area clubs and courses, our “Partners”, in bringing MAGA Championships, USGA Qualifying Rounds and the MAGA Amateur Series to you this year. As you will see in the 2016 schedule in the coming pages, we have just as great of lineup for this coming year.

2016 will be the Silver Anniversary of the formation of MAGA! 25 years of providing services to the St. Louis region…handicapping, course rating and championships.

Even more unbelievable, 2016 will be my 17th season with MAGA. Pretty remarkable for a kid who answered an ad for an internship in the spring of ’98? I worked at Boone Valley GC for six summers from the day they opened in July 1992, three summers caddying/bag room staff and three summers in the maintenance department.

During my time working for BVGC maintenance crew, there was some who suggested I go on to turf school to be a superintendent…I remember my response being, “I don’t want to work on a golf course the rest of my life!”

As Paul Harvey said, “Now you know, the rest of the story.”

Finally, I want to thank Jim Healey for another great season of The Metropolitan. I hope you have enjoyed the publication and look forward to even more in 2016!

Again, Happy New Year and as always, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me at curt@ metga.org.

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Scoring in Stroke Play. Previously, a player would be DISQUALIFIED for returning a score for a hole that was lower than actually taken. This change addresses situations in which this is due to the player failing to penalty strokes that the competitor did not know he had incurred. Now, instead of disqualification, the player will incur both the penalty he should have included under the Rules PLUS an additional 2-stroke penalty for breaching the scoring rule.

Before diving into the changes in the Rules, let’s first refresh our understanding of what constitutes the Rules. By definition, the “Rules” include the Rules of Golf and the interpretations contained in the “Decisions of the Rules of Golf”, the more than 600 page book with over 1200 decisions that you typically see Rules officials carry for reference. The Rules also include the Conditions of Competition established by the Committee conducting a specific event, any Local Rules that apply to the course being played and, finally, specifications for conforming clubs, balls, devices and equipment.

3. Rule 14-1b. Anchoring the Club. This addition to the Rules, which players mainly think of in reference to using long putters, actually applies to the use of any club. The Rule defines anchoring the club either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point” while making a stroke. There is a very good instructional video you should watch at this internet link: www.bit. ly/clubanchor.

4. Rule 14-3. Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment; Abnormal Use of Equipment. For clarity, the word “unusual” has been changed to “abnormal.”

The main change is that players may now access local weather information on a mobile app, as long as they are not actively measuring or gauging conditions on the course. Also, the penalty for the first breach during a stipulated round has been modified from disqualification to either loss of hole (match-play) or 2-strokes (stroke-play), but if the player has been breaching the prohibition repeatedly during the round or does so subsequent to the first penalized occurrence, disqualification will be applied. (See the changes in Appendix IV, Devices and Other Equipment.)

Yes, it is a lot of information. But, the rules were established as “a common code by which all of golf is played worldwide.” The Rule book that is designed to fit in your back pocket or golf bag helps “inform and guide a game that always seeks to challenge and inspire.”

Typically, every four years the Rules are updated.

The latest book was effective worldwide from January 1, 2016. The USGA and its European counterpart, the R&A Rules Limited, have confirmed that they are reviewing how the Rules “might be revised to make them easier to read, understand and apply.”

This project will continue over the next several years.

Meanwhile, here are the major items that changed:

5. Rule 18-2. Ball at Rest Moved By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment. The part of Rule 18 that covered a ball moving after address has been withdrawn. Instead, a penalty under this rule is based on whether the player caused the ball to move. There is a lengthy new decision (D18-2/0.5) that includes a “weight of evidence” standard for determining whether a player has caused his ball to move. It includes considerations such as the nature of actions taken near the ball, time elapsed between actions and the movement, the lie of the ball, the conditions of the ground near the ball, and finally, wind, rain and other weather conditions.

1. Rule 3-3. Doubt as to Procedure. This is one of the most under utilized options that players have available to use in stroke-play competitions. For example, say you and your group are unsure whether a ball at rest after a stroke is actually out of bounds, perhaps due to a confusing set of white stakes. Under 3-3 you may, following the procedure outlined, play a second ball and have the Committee determine which ball is to count. This Rule has just been amended to provide further guidance on the procedure and explain how the Committee should determine the ball to count.

6. Rule 25-2. Embedded Ball. The changes clarify when a ball is embedded. A ball does not necessarily have to touch the soil to be embedded, if grass, loose

2. Exception to Rule 6-6d. Wrong Score for Hole. Rule 6, The Player, covers in section 6-6 the

(Continued on page 4)

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Rule Changes for 2016

Players of the Year Berkmeyer, Port and Barry Honored for outstanding 2015 Campaigns

impediments and the like intervene between the ball and the soil. It also confirms that a Committee may introduce a local rule for a ball embedded anywhere through the green.

Male Player of the Year - Skip Berkmeyer

7. Rule 26-2. Ball Played Within Water Hazard. This Rule was merely reformatted for clarity.

East Side Amateur Champion Runner-up at the Old Warson Cup Matches Runner-up Metropolitan Amateur Finished 3rd at the Normandie Amateur Tied for 6th at local USGA Open Qualifying Tied for 3rd at the MAGA 4-Ball Member, Gateway Cup Match team Placed 12th at MGA Stroke Play Member, Hieronymus Cup Match Team

8. Appendix I. Local Rules; Conditions of the Competition. Parts A and B in the former Rules have been consolidated to put them in a single location.

9. Appendix IV. Devices and Other Equipment. The significant change here is that if a Local Rule permitting distance-measuring-devices is in effect, a player may use such a device that also contains other features that would breach the Rule, as long as the player does not use the prohibited features (gauging wind speed or direction, for example).

10. Rules of Amateur Status. The changes include revisions for prize money going to charity, the receipt of golf-related expenses and guidelines for periods awaiting reinstatement of amateur status.

As always, please consult the USGA resources for details and clarifications. The videos that they have created on all the changes are well done. Remember, the new Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf take effect on January 1, 2016.

Female Player of the Year - Ellen Port

Women’s Amateur Champion Competed in the US Women’s Amateur Round of 32 at USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Member, USGA State Team Finished 8th at the MWGA Amateur MWGA Senior Player of the Year

Alvan Sage

Member, Rules Committee and Course Rating Committee Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

Endorsed & Supported By

at the

St. Charles Convention Center

Senior Player of the Year - Tom ‘Toz’ Barry

February 12-14 (Friday - Sunday) FRI 11am - 5pm SAT 10am - 5pm SUN 10am - 4pm

Ticket Prices

Ticket good all 3 days!

Adult $13 Senior (60+): $11 Kids 12 and under Free

http://stlouisgolfexpo.com/

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Tied for 2nd at the MAGA Senior Amateur Tied for 19th at the Normandie Amateur Tied for 18th at the MAGA Amateur Tied for 4th at the MGA Senior Amateur

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MAGA Receives USGA Award

Joachim Repeats as Cup Champion

our member clubs complete near the end of our active golf season. MAGA was extremely proud and, quite surprised, when Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association was announced as the Best Service Golf Association for medium sized association in 2015! Executive Director, Curt Rohe, was in attendance to accept the award.

MAGA would like to use this format to once again say “THANK YOU” to our member clubs for their support and true reason we were afforded this recognition among SRGA’s across the country. 2016 will mark the 25th anniversary of the formation of MAGA and our success could not be achieved without our clubs being our valued partners. Going forward, we will affectionately refer to our Member Clubs as “Partners”. As partners, you have all been integral in assisting us in providing handicapping services to area golfers and venues to conduct MAGA Championships, USGA Qualifying Rounds and the MAGA Amateur Series of events.

Executive Director, Curt Rohe accepted the award at GUM and is shown with USGA Staff Joe Cavallo and Fran Nee.

Most ask who or where is Joachim GC when referring to them as Metropolitan Cup Champs? Joachim Golf Club is a small, 9-hole golf course down I-55 in Herculaneum, MO. But do not tell that to them, especially after pulling off the “upset” and repeating as 2015 Metropolitan Cup Champions!

How Good Were the Early Golf Professionals?

It is well accepted that most of the early US Open Champions were the best professionals of the day in America.

The first winner, Horace Rawlins, along with the following champions, James Foulis, Joe Lloyd, Fred Herd and Willie Smith each won their title prior to 1900, when Harry Vardon made his first appearance. However, how good were these men when compared to the best golfers in Scotland? With most of these professionals arriving in the US from 1893-1898, it would be worthwhile to see how they fared when they competed in the Open Championship.

Except for one thing, few of them ever did. Records from the Royal & Ancient Championship Records show only Joe Lloyd and Willie Dunn as having played in the Open Championship, and then not competing very well. Fred Herd, the 1898 winner, never played in the Open, however, his brothers, Sandy, Alex and David each did for years, with Alex finishing second on two occasions and Sandy winning the 1902 Open Title. In addition, no records can be found that four-time US Open Champion Willie Anderson ever competed in the Open.

Perhaps proof of the skill of English/Scottish players at that time was demonstrated in 1900 when Vardon and J.H. Taylor - two-thirds of The Great Triumvirate - competed in the US Open. Vardon defeated Taylor by two strokes, with Taylor another seven clear of the third place finisher. Such was their talent.

After 1900, more Scottish and English players continued to arrive with a number of these having been battle tested in the Open. Among these were Laurie Auchterlonie of St. Andrews, of the famous Auchterlonie golfing family, the US Open winner in 1902. Furthermore, the Smith brothers, Willie, Alex and Macdonald arrived in the US, with Willie and Alex both claiming US Open titles - Alex won twice - while Macdonald is often considered among the best players never to have won a Major. One of his claims to fame is that in 1930, he finished second at the US Open and the Open Championship to Bobby Jones.

By 1911, when Johnny McDermott won his first of two consecutive US Open titles, American golfers were nearly equal to all others. Certainly the 1913 victory by Francis Ouimet over Vardon and Ted Ray announced to all that golfers on both sides of the Atlantic were on an even par!

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Joachim came into the 2015 playoffs as wild-card team after winning their division last year. They got by Westborough CC (at Westborough); The Falls GC and then #2 Seed Whitmoor CC in the Semifinal Match at CC of St. Albans. Setting the stage for a repeat against #1 Seed Quincy CC Thursday at Meadowbrook CC. Quincy earned a trip to the Final match with a playoff win over St. Louis CC a couple weeks back.

The 2015 Metropolitan Cup Final would come down Hole 18 and the first Four-Ball Match on the course.

Quincy led in this match 4-up at one point, but Joachim came storming back and were 1-down playing the 18th Hole. At this point, the match score stood 3-2 in favor of Joachim, so a Half point by this final match would secure the repeat. However, Quincy held on and sent the 2015 Final into a playoff.

Zach Decker, who won his match 7&6 earlier would go for Joachim and face Jim Millman who had won 5&4.

Millman won the playoff 2 weeks ago to put Quincy into the fianl. They both traded bogeys on Hole 10 at Meadowbrook CC. Millman would pull his tee shot on the par 5 11th into the hazard left, while Decker just found the right rough. It had been raining pretty much the entire day and that seemed to hinder Millman on the 2nd playoff hole. Decker would earn the win and title for Joachim with a par 5!

Congratulations to Joachim GC and thank you to all forty (40) teams who participated in the season long Metropolitan Cup! Professional: Gideon Smith (Q) def. Jim Media (J) 3&2 Single Handicap: Bryan Waites (J) def. Dennis Boudreau (Q) 6&5 Four-Ball Handicap #2: Bruce Thomas & Carl Vogt (J) def. John Juette & Craig Cherington (Q) 5&4 Four-Ball Handicap #1: Michael Ernst & Randy McFarland (Q) def. Mike Domenick & Bill Scott (J) 1up Scratch #2: Jim Millman (Q) def. Nathan Picarella (J) 5&4 Scratch #1: Zach Decker (J) def. Jeff Tweedell (Q ) 7&6

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Amateur Champions

Putting Thoughts for Success in 2016 With nearly half the allotted strokes during a round designated for putting, it’s remarkable that there are more “driving ranges” than putting courses! Nevertheless, we all know that the real test to good scoring is done on and around the green. With this in mind, we reached out to a few of the area’s top players - amateur and professional for their thoughts on putting. Not surprisingly, their thoughts were fairly similar.

25 YEARS OF CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF Teddy Jones Jones arrived at Westwood for the 2014 championship with high expectations for the week. The Central Missouri State golfer had played well throughout the summer, however, he had been unable to break through into the winner’s circle. This week would change all that.

John Anderson, Publinx Open and St. Louis District Mid-Amatuer champion, was threatening to take over the tournament with an opening 68 and some steady play in round two before a few miscues brought him back to the field. Another seasoned player, Pat Riordan, opened with a 66 before he, too, found the troubles at Westwood. Anderson was two shots clear of Joe Migdal and Skip Berkmeyer heading into the final round. Jones, after a round of 70, remained in the hunt, though he was six-shots back. On Saturday, as some of the early leaders lost their touch, Jones continued his steady approach to the demanding layout. A 31 on the first nine drew him closer to the lead.

Holing a 20-foot birdie on the 54th hole placed him at 1-under for the tournament. When Anderson and Riordan both found troubles on the closing holes, the threesome began a four-hole playoff. At the end of those holes, Riordan was left out of moving to sudden death. At the sixth playoff hole, a missed chip left Anderson settling for bogey while Teddy made an easy par and claimed his first Metropolitan title.

Ryan Franks The nineteen-year-old Quincy High grad would be attending Western Illinois in 2007 when he submitted his application to play in the Metropolitan Amateur Championship at Winghaven. Posting a 72 in his opening round - tied with Jim Holtgrieve, David Marshall and Colin Corrigan - the group was a stroke behind Waterloo’s Collin Neeman and the University of Missouri standout John Kelly.

On Friday, he took a two shot lead heading into the final round after closing his round with a 71. Joining him in the final group would be future PGA and NCAA star Scott Langley, then a freshman at Illinois.

Birdieing both par-5s on the first nine, Franks showed early on that he was ready to move ahead. Meanwhile, Langley dropped two-shots on the opening hole to move four back before dropping a pair of birdies at the second and eighth to finish level on his first nine. Franks steady play enabled him to be two-up on Langley at the seventeenth.

Langley’s approach hit the flagstick, dropped an inch from the hole, before rolling 15 feet away from the cup. Such was the way his round went. After holing a 4-footer for par at the seventeenth, Franks maintained his lead and finished with a two-stroke victory.

Skip Berkmeyer had the round of the tournament with a 68, finishing three shots back at 216, while Kelly, the 2006 U.S. Amateur runner-up, tied for eighth.

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Trevor Dodds With his PGA tour days behind him, Trevor is now looking to compete on the Champion’s Tour. With a win on the Tour, and nearly $2.5million in career earnings over the past 30-years, he has certainly seen it all.

“Too many amateurs are too worried about their line and don’t focus enough on speed. From 40-feet away, is a player more likely to be five-feet wide of the hole or 10-feet long or short? Amateurs need to focus on making solid contact with their putter each time. I hear some saying they are going to play a certain stroke off the toe, for example, or they don’t return the putter to square each time. If you don’t make solid contact by striking the ball in the center of the putter each time, it will be very difficult to develop a consistent, solid stroke. Without this, you won’t be able to properly judge your distance control, which is all about speed. Whether you prefer the ‘door open-door close’ approach to your stroke, or take it straight back and through, the smallest misalignment will ruin even the best stroke. The putter must return to square! Avoid ‘jabbing’ at the ball and think of a smooth stroke, regardless of the length, with a consistent rhythm. I prefer to keep the putter grip in the palm of my left hand for better control.”

Grant Masson Head professional at St. Louis CC, Grant was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma. During his collegiate days he defeated Tiger Woods during a playoff, holing a 30-foot birdie putt to win. He later played the Canadian and Asian Tours, with time on the Web.com Tour before settling in as a Club Professional, first at Dallas National, then the Alotian Club before coming to St. Louis following the retirement of Steve Spray in 2012.

“I believe the first thing a player needs to decide is what speed do they want the putt to go into the hole? Do you want it to die at the hole; ram it in the back of the cup? That will affect your aiming point and stroke. So, speed is the dictating factor. If you want it to die at the hole, like Nicklaus did, you pick one intermediate target and have your ball roll over that. However, if you prefer to do what Arnie did, ram it in, you will have a completely different intermediate target. However, the important thing is, determine your speed, then pick your target. This will lead to a more confident stroke, which is one of the most important factors in being a successful putter.”

Ellen Port What can we say about Ellen that has not already been written: seven national titles, six USGA championships, two Curtis Cup appearances, Captain of the 2014 Curtis Cup and a 13-time winner of the MAGA Women’s title.

I’ve always approached my game from two perspectives; mechanical and mental. I’ve developed my putting game around five “R’s”; Route, Reading, Rhythm, Routine and Realistic. These incorporate aspects of both the mechanics of putting as well as the mental side of how I approach putting. The “Route” relates to my putting arc. I adopted Stan Utley’s approach and purchased an arc device to help with that. Next is “Reading” which involves the Aim Point concept and, of course, takes speed into account. “Rhythm” is also critical. I work with a Metronome to develop the same rhythm whether over a three-foot putt or a 60-foot putt. Hit three balls with the same rhythm to develop consistency. Next is “Routine;” find what works for your game and stick with it. Whether it’s taking practice strokes, how you read a green, or your setup, find what works and use it. Finally, be “Realistic.” When I first worked with Hank Haney he told me that I did not putt enough to be a good putter. He told me I needed to spend much more time putting if I wanted to improve. While you won’t make every putt, never say to yourself you are a bad putter. Doing so will lead to a poor mental approach and you will end up talking yourself out of making putts. Finally, I worked on each of these for a time; not all at one time. Examine your game and determine which of these might help you the most then work that. Things might not change overnight, but sticking with an approach like this will improve your putting.

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Competition Schedule

St. Louis Golf History 1953 Western Open Bellerive CC

The post-war era brought many events to the area, from the 1946 Western Open at Sunset, the 1947 US Open at St. Louis, the 1948 PGA at Norwood Hills and the 1952 Western Open at Westwood. Add in the St. Louis Open, which ran from 1949-51 and there was plenty of outstanding golf to be seen.

Bellerive would host the 1953 Western Open and the field would once again be filled with many of the game’s best. Those competing included: Tommy Bolt, Cary Middlecoff, Peter Thompson, Julius Boros, Jack Fleck, Doug Ford, Lloyd Mangrum, Ed Furgol, Dutch Harrison, Skee Riegel, Jim Ferrier and Fred Haas. The field also included most area professionals and some of the top amateurs as well.

Dutch Harrison (far left) accepting the 1953 Western Open Trophy

However, it was Fred Haas and Marty Furgol who opened with 68s to take the lead.

At the halfway point, Furgol maintained a 1-shot lead over Haas and Harrison as Marty Furgol ballooned to a 77 and Wall posted a 75.

Dutch control in the third round with a solid 70 as Furgol could do no better than a 73, it found Riegel sitting in second place at 210, one stroke behind Harrison.

The final round was where Dutch made his move, coming home with a solid 1-under 69 and a 4-shot win over Ed Furgol, Mangrum and Haas who were in at 282.

Dutch’s ties to the area would strengthen when he accepted the position as the first professional for the new Old Warson Country Club in 1954. Years later, after a stint at the Olympic Club, he returned to fill the head pro slot at the new Forest Hills CC in 1964.

One of the game’s best shotmakers, Dutch played on the 1947 Ryder Cup team. His easy manner made him a favorite among members, many of whom have tall tales and wonderful stories of time spent with Mr. Dutch!

Many St. Louisans recall their time with Dutch and regard him as a good friend.

2016 MAGA Competitions

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

May 14-15 May 21-22 June 8-9 June 11-12 July 8-10 July 11-12 August 4-6 August 15-16 TBD

Old Warson Country Club Normandie Golf Club Greenbriar Hills Country Club Spencer T. Olin Golf Course The Country Club of St. Albans Franklin County Country Club Glen Echo Country Club WingHaven Country Club TBD

2016 USGA Qualifying Rounds

Entry Championship Date(s) Deadline Venue US Open Local Qualifying May 10 US Women’s Open Qualifying (36-holes) May 24 US Junior Amateur Qualifying (36-holes) June 20 US Girls’ Junior Amateur Qualifying June 22 US Senior Open Qualifying June 27 US Amateur Qualifying July 18-19 US Mid-Amateur Qualifying August 8 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifying August 8 US Senior Amateur Qualifying August 29 US Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying September 26 US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qual. September 26

2016 MAGA Amateur Series Schedule

Forest Hills Country Club Westwood Country Club Aberdeen Golf Club Bogey Hills Country Club St. Clair Country Club Old Hickory Golf Club Spencer T. Olin Golf Course Spencer T. Olin Golf Course The Country Club of St. Albans (TC) Lake Forest Golf & Country Club Lake Forest Golf & Country Club

2016 MAGA Play 9

Event Date Venue

Event Date Venue

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Championship

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Championship

May 2 June 17 July 15 July 25 August 19 September 9 October 8-9

WingHaven Country Club Sunset Hills Country Club Bear Creek Golf Club Tamarack Golf Club Annbriar Golf Club Forest Park Golf Course * Aberdeen Golf Club

April 16 Ballwin GC May 7 Highlands at Forest Park June 18 Ruth Park Golf Course July 16 Berry Hill GC August 20 Joachim GC September 10 Creve Coeur GC October 1 Four Seasons CC

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

Events in grey have been completed.

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USGA RELEASES CHANGES TO HANDICAP SYSTEM

An overview of these changes with more detailed information will be provided at usga.org before the end of 2015. The complete USGA Handicap System Manual will be posted to the same site, and it will be available for purchase at USGAshop.com, on Jan. 1, 2016.

FAR HILLS, N.J. (Nov. 23, 2015) – In tandem with the 2016 updates to the Rules of Golf, the United States Golf Association has announced revisions to the USGA Handicap System™, effective Jan. 1, 2016.

About the USGA Handicap System™

“The USGA Handicap System is constantly evolving to ensure that the System works for the game today and tomorrow,” said Steven Edmondson, the USGA’s managing director of Handicapping & Course Rating. “As we examine the game domestically and globally, these revisions support the integrity and reliability that millions of players around the world expect of this System. We continue to explore substantive changes as we work toward a World Handicap System in the years ahead.”

The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. A Handicap Index, represented as a number taken to one decimal place (such as 10.4), indicates a player’s potential, and can be adjusted as the player’s game changes. It is useful for all forms of play.

Six significant changes are among those noted in the upcoming edition, which will impact approximately 10 million golfers who hold a Handicap Index® issued throughout the U.S. and 32 licensed associations, federations and unions around the world. Those highlighted changes include: Definition of a tournament score: Additional guidance is provided to Committees conducting competitions regarding the definition of a tournament score, placing greater emphasis on “significant events.” The definition excludes fundraising events and regular league play, in favor of designated competitions such as a member/guest or club championship, local amateur tournament or national qualifying and competition. (Section 2: Definitions) Adjusting hole scores: A revised decision provides clarity for acceptable scores in limited situations where the player has not played a hole(s) under the Rules of Golf, but his or her score would be sufficiently accurate for handicap posting purposes. Three areas covered under the examples include: 1) where the Local Rule is not in effect, but a player chooses to use a Distance Measuring Device or preferred lies; 2) where a player does not wish to cause undue delay; or 3) where the situation is outside of the player’s control, such as an incorrectly marked golf course. (Section 4: Adjusting Hole Scores) Posting scores when a player is disqualified: To improve alignment with the Rules of Golf, the revised Handicap System is clearer about what scores are acceptable when a player is disqualified. In general, a score is acceptable for handicap purposes even when a player fails to hole out, or apply a Rule that affects the rights of another player. If the disqualification breach is determined to provide an advantage for the player, the score is deemed unacceptable for handicap purposes. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores) Anchoring and posting: A new reference concerns a player who anchors the club while making a stroke during a round and fails to apply the appropriate penalty or an adjusted hole score (Section 4-2). Since the score would not be reflected as playing under the Rules of Golf, it would be unacceptable for handicap purposes. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores) Playing alone and necessary peer review: To further support the key System premise of peer review, scores made while playing alone will no longer be acceptable for handicap purposes. This change underscores the importance of providing full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability, and the ability of other players to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a posted score. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores) Committee responsibilities: In an effort to assist the Handicap Committee with its responsibilities, this revision addresses a player with a temporary disability or permanent disability who has a Handicap Index that is no longer reflective of his/her current potential ability. In the particular instance cited, the Committee will no longer assign a local handicap (denoted with the letter “L” for local use only), but instead will issue a (temporary) modified Handicap Index (denoted by the letter “M”). This change supports the portability of a disabled player’s handicap,

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so that it can be used outside the player’s home club. (Section 8-4c: Handicap Index Adjustment by Handicap Committee)

A Handicap Index reflects the player’s potential because it is based upon the best Handicap Differentials posted for a given number of rounds, ideally the best 10 of the last 20 rounds. The Handicap Index is portable from course to course, as well as from one set of tees to another set of tees on the same course, as a player can convert a Handicap Index to a Course Handicap™ based on the Slope Rating® of the tees played.

The USGA Handicap System is a trademark of the USGA and is currently licensed throughout the U.S. and to 32 international associations, federations and unions.

For more information: www.usga.org/handicapping.html

Caddie Nuances At many clubs and resorts, the caddie shack has its own set of rules, standards and traditions. Heading to Pinehurst for a round on Number 2? There, the caddies watch players warm up, with the senior caddies getting their pick of their preference, generally the better players, to avoid spending too much time searching for balls! At courses in the Caribbean, with the subtle breaks on the greens very hard to read (toward the ocean or the mountain?) players had better listen if they want to make a few putts; then again, failing to listen to their advice will likely lead to a very poor round as they may opt to just carry your bag and leave your play to your own demise! At other top clubs, caddies may take your clubs and other items out of your bag, placing them into lightweight carry bags, making it much easier on them.

Checking that everything you brought leaves with you when replacing items in your bag is a good reminder.

The best advice. Generally, these caddies know the course and greens far better than you ever will. While it might take them a few holes to grasp your game, their advice is worth listening to if you want to have an enjoyable round.

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2015 MAGA Champions Normandie Amateur

Phil Caravia

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Old Warson Cup

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Adam Schenk

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St. Louis District Golf Association publishes Centennial Book Organization celebrates 100th season of Championship Golf This coffee-table book chronicles the 100-year history of the area’s oldest golf organization. The current 23 clubs that make up the organization are each featured within the book, along with photos of some of the area’s top players throughout the years, among them are: Bob Goalby, Jay Haas, Jerry Haas, Jim Holtgrieve, Skip Berkmeyer, Jim Jackson, Bob Cochran, Jim Tom Blair and many more. In addition, a complete listing of the champions and runner-up in each event since 1916 is included, along with over 75 pages listing competitors since 2001.

If you have played in a District Event, or just want to see what a great history golf has had through the years, this is the book for you. Nearly 300 pages of pictures, records, results, and facts about area clubs, courses and players.

Glen Echo CC #10

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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

Important Information USGA website: www.usga.org MAGA website: www.metga.org GHIN website: www.ghin.org

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To purchase your copy send your check for $37.25 (includes tax and shipping) to: STLDGA Centennial Book PO Box 31696 Des Peres, MO 63131

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This is a Limited Edition Print Run of only 1,500 copies. Over 1,100 books are District Member Clubs. The book will not be reprinted.

The St. Louis District and the MAGA are proud to support the efforts of each organization to promote golf within the St. Louis area. The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association provided support for the publishing of this book by the St. Louis District Golf Association.

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