Lake Forest #18
The Metropolitan US Open Local Qualifying Results
Vol. 4 No. 3
MAGA Events
Page 6
East Side Amateur: An Overlooked Championship Page 7
East Side Amateur Sam Migdal Defends Old Warson Cup Title
Women’s Amateur June 22-23
Junior Amateur
Page 8
July 5-6
Amateur Series Results US Women’s 4-Ball Page 15
Scott Kirchoff Claims Normandie Amateur Page 16-17
Course Rating: It’s Not a Mystery Page 18
Senior Open Qualifying Page 23
Area Flooding: How Courses Managed Page 24
Open Championship June 14-16
USGA Girls’ Junior July 24-29, 2017 At Boone Valley Fox Sports will Cover
Page 9
June 10-11
There was one more mountain to climb; Sam Migdal would need to do a repeat - beat Skip Berkmeyer - again in order to claim his title for the second consecutive year. For Berkmeyer, the five-time Old Warson Cup Champion, was beginning to understand a little of what Jack Nicklaus went through in his career. Sure, Nicklaus won 18 majors; but he also finished second another 19 times! In the 22-year history of the Old Warson Cup, Skip has been in the finals 12 times. However, as it was in 2016, young Migdal - just now Mid-Am eligible outplayed Berkmeyer for the 2017 title. Continued on page 4
USGA Events US Women’s Open Qualifying June 7
US Junior Qualifying June 27
US Girls Qualifying June 29
US Amateur Qualifying July 17-18
Full 2017 Schedule Page 11
Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association • 11777 Clayton Rd. • St. Louis, Missouri 63131 314.567.MAGA • Fax: 314.261.9250 • info@metga.org
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Curt’s Comments
STAFF Executive Director Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org Director, Operations Maggie Smith - maggie@metga.org 2017 P.J. Boatwright Interns Troy O’Donnell Jacob Weis Adrian Brown 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 Senior Amateur Qualifying US Women’s Open Qualifying 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
Greetings golfers! The summer season is upon and we hit the ground running in May. First I want to welcome our three interns who will be assisting us this summer. Jake Weis, Troy O’Donnell and Adrian Brown. Jake is a Missouri State University student going into his senior year and from the St. Louis area. Troy recently graduated from Lindenwood Curt Rohe University, he is from Canada and came to Executive Director Lindenwood to play lacrosse. Adrian is a student and on the golf team at McKendree University, she is from Carterville, IL and will spend a majority of her time at the Southern Illinois Golf Association office in Carterville assisting with SIGAs programs and events. As always, we are grateful for the USGA PJ Boatwright Internship program which allows us to hire these young men and women each season. We had a great month of May kicking off the season with the Old Warson Cup the first weekend, US Open Local Qualifying and the 31st Normandie Amateur. All well attended events! Our first Amateur Series also took place in May at WingHaven CC on a beautiful day on May 15, as 67 golfers, the largest field ever for an Amateur Series event opened up the 2017 Series. June is certain to be a crazy month. We start with US Women’s Open Qualifying June 7 at Bogey Hills CC, 73 ladies will play 36-holes for 2 spots in the US Women’s Open in July. The Metropolitan Open has a new date in June this year, we are certain to have a full field for this years championship and already have surpassed the number of golf professionals from last year. They will compete for a $25,000 first prize once again. With the May issue we will bring you monthly editions of The Metropolitan through August with great coverage of MAGA Championships, USGA qualifying rounds, Amateur Series and special interest pieces. Additionally, look for the section highlighting what is happening with the Southern Illinois Golf Association, in the SIGA News. As part of our collaboration with the SIGA golfers from each association are eligible to compete in events from both Associations. MAGA has already had a couple of the SIGAs top players competing in May. Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this months newsletter, we truly appreciate the feedback we get from you, our members. Get out and tee it up this month and we will see you back here in a few weeks.
2
The Metropolitan
May 2017
- Club used by mistake after caddie misplaced another player’s club in player’s bag. - Club found lying on course (don’t use; put it in bag and return it to Pro Shop)
Rules of Golf Corner Avoiding Club Problems
3) Clarify the condition of a club damaged during normal course of play. That is, whether it may be replaced or just repaired (e.g., golf cart runs over club; another player accidentally shanks a line-drive ball into your bag; club breaks when used as a cane). Such a club may always be used in its damaged state (Rule 4-3a [i]).
Occasionally at MAGA tournaments there are “club issues.” That is, a player starts his round with more than 14 clubs, damages a club making a stroke close to a tree, or maybe a caddie accidentally places one player’s club in another player’s bag before or during a round. Penalties can accumulate in short order and be severe -- ranging from two strokes per hole (four strokes maximum per round) in stroke play, or a onehole deduction per hole (two-hole deduction maximum per round) in match play, to disqualification. Below are some tips for staying out of club trouble.
4) Club damaged other than during normal course of play (e.g., putter bent over knee; player slams club into his bag damaging that club or other clubs in the bag) can still be carried and doesn’t have to be declared out of play, but it can NOT be used to make another stroke (Rule 4-3b), even a “tap in putt,” or the player is disqualified.
Proactivity Before the Round: 1) ALWAYS count your clubs, even if it’s raining and your bag is covered. Are there any clubs that shouldn’t be there or clubs that are missing? Remove any training clubs.
Suspension of Play (Even if Overnight) 1) No changing out clubs (must stay with those clubs selected for stipulated round). 2) No adjusting playing characteristics of any club (e.g., driver draw/fade).
2) Inspect your clubs, especially for bent or dented shafts. Carrying a non-conforming club (e.g., damaged prior to round) is costly, but making a stroke with such a club results in disqualification.
3) ALWAYS count and inspect clubs at end of a suspension or before a playoff, especially if the player has used a practice area.
Response to Discovery of a Club Issue During Round: 1) Stop and inform your fellow-competitor or opponent. Better yet, flag down a referee, as making a stroke may result in disqualification (Rules 4-1, 4-2 and 4-3c):
John Thorman, MAGA Rules Committee Extra material:
- Non-conforming club in bag (e.g., shaft significantly bent in previous round).
Remove any training clubs (e.g., 5-iron Medicus). [Little known fact: The stroke play penalty for carrying 14 conventional clubs plus a training club is four strokes per hole or eight strokes maximum per round – 15 total clubs and one is non-conforming].
- Playing characteristics of club changed (e.g., driver draw/fade adjusted; it is okay to tighten a loose screw). 2) If necessary, immediately declare the club out of play (for use by anyone!), either by announcement or action (e.g., turning club upside-down in your bag or giving club to a referee). Otherwise, there is the possibility of disqualification (Rules 4-3a[iii] and 4-4):
(bent or dented shafts)…. even under the grips (a grip with a “waist” is non-conforming). Someone carrying one or more for a player in case need.
- Greater than 14 clubs (remember, changing out a club counts is adding a club).
Suspension is the only time a player may assemble a replacement club (for club unfit during normal course of play) from club components that he carries. Doing so during stipulated round will result in penalties and possible disqualification.
- Club borrowed from another player and used to make a stroke. - Club damaged in normal course of play replaced when not unfit for play.
3
The Old Warson Cup Migdal, as defending champion, hit the tee at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday to face Whitmoor’s Kyle Szyhowski. Both players played a very uneven first nine, with Migdal taking a 2up lead to the second nine. Over the next five holes, his experience showed as he made four pars and a birdie, lengthening his lead to 5up at the fourteenth and winning his match. The second match saw Thomas Weaver of Bellerive take a 3 and 2 win over Darren Stoffel of Glen Echo. Neither played particularly well, with more bogeys than pars on both cards. In somewhat of a surprise, Alex Cusumano, the 2015 runner-up, lost to Hunter Parrish of Persimmon Woods 2 and 1. Again, with the course playing long and soft, par was often good enough to win most holes. Taking a 2up lead to the tenth, Cusumano won the hole with a bogey. However, Parrish and Cusumano matched cards through the sixteenth, with a par on the par-3 seventeenth good enough to secure the win. The 2014 Champion Phil Caravia met Meadowbrook’s Parker Goldman in another first round match. The match was fairly level through nine, with Caravia 1up. Goldman’s bogey at the tenth extended Caravia’s lead to 2up. The players swapped wins at the next two holes before Caravia’s par won the fourteenth. Pars at the fifteenth kept Caravia 3up before both players 2017 champion Sam Migdal mishandled the sixteenth, with Caravia making six and Goldman taking an additional shot. This put Caravia 4-up with two to play and allowing him to move on to the quarterfinals. Steven Souchek and Skip Berkmeyer, two wiley veterans, met to see who would advance to the next round and neither player gave an inch. Berkmeyer held a 1up lead from the first nine through the twelfth, extending it to 2up at the thirteenth. Souchek won the fourteenth with a birdie, then a par at the fifteenth enabled him to square the match. Berkmeyer went one up at the seventeenth before Souchek’s par at the eighteenth put them level once more. Berkmeyer took the match 1up on the nineteenth hole. Glen Echo’s Andrew Pranger, the 2016 MAGA Amateur Champion, advanced with a 2 and 1 win over Chris Kovach of Old Hickory. After going down one at the ninth, Kovach rebounded with a par at the tenth to even the match. At the fourteenth, the match was level until Pranger made par to Kovach’s bogey, putting Pranger 2up. They matched pars at the sixteenth and then a pair of bogey’s at the seventeenth was enough for Pranger to secure his victory. Runner-up Skip Berkmeyer. Kevin Jeske of Aberdeen met The Legend’s Chad Niezing in the seventh match of the round. After playing level for most of the first nine, Jeske took a 1up lead at the eighth and maintained the lead through the twelfth. Niezing made par at the thirteenth leveling the match. Both players made double bogey at the fourteenth and then bogeys at the fifteenth. Niezing’s bogey at the sixteenth was enough to take a 1up lead. A final par at the seventeenth secured the win. Tony Gumper and Patrick Britt met in the final match of the first round. The first nine ended level with Gumper taking a 1up lead at the tenth with a birdie, before giving it back at the eleventh with a bogey. He went 1up again at Britt made double at the twelfth. Both players matched pars at the next two holes. As the stepped to the tee at the fifteenth, Gumper stood 1up. However, neither player played the next two holes well, bogey being the best score as Gumper won both, taking a 3 and 2 win. The quarterfinal matches pitted Migdal against Weaver. The tall, muscular Bellerive member matched Migdal on the first nine. The match went back and fourth on the second nine as neither player could take control. At the eighteenth, Migdal’s par to Weaver’s bogey was the deciding factor in the 1up match. Caravia seemed poised to glide into the semifinals as he took a four up lead after the first nine against Hunter Parrish.
The Metropolitan
May 2017
4
He maintained his lead at 3up through the fourteenth. However, Parrish made birdie at the fifteenth and the sixteenth to bring the lead to only 1up. Round of 16 A par at the seventeenth brought the match to square as they headed to the Sam Migdal d. Kyle Skyhowski 5&4 eighteenth. Here, the magic fell away. Parrish’s bogey five to Caravia’s par Thomas Weaver d. Darren Stoffel 3&2 Hunter Parrish d. Alex Cusumano 2&1 was enough for a 1up win. Phil Caravia d. Parker Goldman 4&2 The Berkmeyer-Pranger match never materialized into the slugfest Skip Berkmeyer d. Steven Souchek 1up everyone thought it might. Berkmeyer birdied the first and grew his lead to Andrew Pranger d. Chris Kovach 2&1 3up through the ninth hole. Pranger momentarily cut into the lead at the Chad Niezing d. Kevin Jeske 2&1 tenth with a birdie, then a bogey at the eleventh put it back to three. This is Tony Gumper d. Patrick Britt 3&2 where it remained through the sixteenth where Berkmeyer claimed a 3 and Quarterfinals 2 win. Sam Migdal d. Thomas Weaver 1up The Niezing-Gumper match was also one played very evenly. Niezing Phil Caravia d. Hunter Parrish 1up Skip Berkmeyer d. Andrew Pranger 3&2 held brief 2up leads on the first nine before Gumper continued to bring Chad Niezing d. Tony Gumper 1up them back down to level at the tenth. The pair matched cards from the Semifinals eleventh through the seventeenth. At the eighteenth, Niezing’s par against Sam Migdal d. Phil Caravia 5&4 Gumper’s bogey was the deciding factor in Niezing’s 1up win. Skip Berkmeyer d. Chad Niezing 3&2 In the semifinals, Migdal posted a 38 on the front against Caravia’s 41, Final taking a 3up lead. He extended it over the next Sam Migdal d. Skip Berkmeyer 4&2 five holes, taking a 5 and 4 win to reach the finals. In the other semifinal, both played solid first nines; Niezing posting a 38 to Berkmeyer’s 34. Berkmeyer’s lead was cut to 3up at the tenth, then to 2up at the twelfth, before he extended it to 3up once again at the thirteenth. He maintained that for the next three holes, securing a 3 and 2 victory. The final match began with Berkmeyer making birdie at the first only one of two for the day - going 1up. However, bogeys at the fourth and fifth, followed by a double at the seventh and then back-toSemifinalist Chad Niezing back bogeys on the two closing holes on the front nine saw Migdal take a 4-up lead to the tenth tee, where they matched cards with bogeys at the tough dogleg Semifinalist Phil Caravia right par-4. Skip got one closer with a birdie at the eleventh, then dropped the par-5 twelfth when he made bogey. Meanwhile, Sam continued to play fairways and greens, making all pars from the eleventh through the fourteenth, at which point he stood dormie. At the demanding par-4 fifteenth, always one of the toughest holes in any match, an errant shot from the front of the green left him with a tough downhill putt for par, which slid past the hole. With Skip making par, he now stood just 3-down, however, he still needed to win the last three holes to force a playoff. It would not happen. The three-shot sixteenth found both players laying up in the 120 yard range from the flagstick. Berkmeyer would play first and as he examined his ball a large “gob” of mud was stuck right at the back. He made solid contact but the mud made the ball squirt slightly to the right, ending at the right edge of the green, with the flag set far to the left. Migdal also made good contact with his approach, however, it landed about 10 feet short of the hole and spun back to the front of the green. Both players would have approach putts of 30-feet or more. Migdal went first and, as they often say, the hardest thing to do is lag a putt to win. Sam left his putt some 8-feet short of the hole. Berkmeyer putted across the green and, knowing he had to win the hole, gave it a good run, with his ball rolling to the edge of the green. Skip lined up his putt - a do or die situation. When his putt rolled past the hole, he took off his cap and the two shook hands.
The Metropolitan
May 2017
5
U.S. Open Local Qualifying Paducah, KY native Josh Rhodes lit up the back 9 at The Legends Country Club with a 5-under 31 to close out a 4-under 67 and earn medalist honors in Monday’s U.S. Open Local Qualifying. After turning at 1-over par, Rhodes would birdie holes 12-15 and 18 to finish off the days low round. Sam Migdal led a trio of golfers at 2-under 69 to earn the other 3 spots available. A pair of University of Kansas golfers, Chase Hanna and Daniel Hudson, playing in the final two groupings respectively would also fire rounds of 69 to make it a clean cut of four qualifiers. The four qualifiers will move on to the 36-hole Sectional Qualifying round on Monday June 5. Pos. Player To Par Gross Thru Total Gross 1 Joshua Rhodes -4 F 67 T2 Sam Migdal -2 F 69 T2 Chase Hanna -2 F 69 T2 Daniel Hudson -2 F 69 Projected Cut -2 T5 Robert Gaus -1 F 70 T5 Mitchell Gregson -1 F 70 T7 Carr Vernon E F 71 T7 Drew Denton E F 71 T7 Kyle Weldon E F 71 T10 Chad Niezing 2 F 73 T10 Kevin Kring 2 F 73 T10 Justin Bryant 2 F 73 T13 Wesley Hunter 3 F 74 T13 Matt Gindler 3 F 74 T13 Gabe Laske 3 F 74 T13 Chris Dale 3 F 74 T13 Hayden Buckley 3 F 74 T13 Jordan McLaurin 3 F 74 T13 Chris Naegel 3 F 74 T20 Jon Hughes 4 F 75 T20 Ted Moloney 4 F 75 T22 Teddy Jones 5 F 76 T22 Collin Neeman 5 F 76 T22 Ryan Keller 5 F 76 T22 Jeff Escott 5 F 76 T22 Ben Crancer 5 F 76 T22 Griffen Locke 5 F 76 T28 Nick Arman 6 F 77 T28 Sheldon Statkewicz 6 F 77 T28 Van Pierce 6 F 77 T28 Robert Dunn 6 F 77 T28 Wes Patterson 6 F 77 T33 Adam Betz 7 F 78 T33 Ty Zimmerman 7 F 78 T33 Allen Kohnen 7 F 78 T33 Chris Martin 7 F 78 T33 Cory Cowsert 7 F 78
Pos. T33 39 T40 T40 T40 T43 T43 T43 T43 T43 T43 T49 T49 T49 T49 T53 T53 T53 T53 T57 T57 T59 T59 T59 T62 T62 64 T65 T65 67 68 69 WD WD WD WD WD DQ
The Metropolitan
John Rhodes - Local Medalist
Player To Par Gross Thru Total Gross Parker Goldman 7 F 78 Buddy Allen 8 F 79 Jason Hyatt 9 F 80 Jack Knoesel 9 F 80 Mark Strain 9 F 80 Seth Arthur 10 F 81 Kyle Robinson 10 F 81 Brian Schmersahl 10 F 81 Phil Caravia 10 F 81 Tony Polus III 10 F 81 Jordan Harre 10 F 81 Jared Jordan 11 F 82 Ryan Munos 11 F 82 Trevor Cronin 11 F 82 Tyler Newton 11 F 82 Michael Parmentier 12 F 83 Brian Martin 12 F 83 Chris Hercules 12 F 83 Thomas Weaver 12 F 83 Conrad Maloney 13 F 84 Ryan Rerich 13 F 84 Austin Glendinning 14 F 85 Brad Lovatt 14 F 85 David Kirkman 14 F 85 Michael Troyer 16 F 87 Hongsang Kim 16 F 87 Chad Skrivan 18 F 89 Sean Brennan 19 F 90 Mark Stahlhuth 19 F 90 Brock Derrick 22 F 93 Daryl Hartig 23 F 94 Hailey Thomas 24 F 95 Justin Wrozier - 17 WD Michael Wellington - 17 WD Josh Black - - WD Jason Goodyke - - WD Joe Migdal - 9 WD David Maxheimer - - DQ
May 2017
6
East Side Amateur at Spencer T. Olin The East Side Amateur will be played June 10-11 at the Spencer T. Olin GC in Alton, Illinois. With a $4.5 million grant from the Olin Foundation to the City of Alton, the Arnold Palmer - Ed Seay design opened in July 1989 to much acclaim. It hosted both the 1996 U.S. Women’s Publinks, won by Heather Graff, and then the 1999 U.S. Men’s Publinks Championships, claimed by Hunter Haas. While not often deemed as “glitzy” as other events, the event’s roll of champions is one to be envied. Scott Thomas edged Scott Edwards in the first event, held at Far Oaks GC. The next year, Thomas repeated his win, this time at Wood River’s Belk Park, defeating Ken Highlander and future PGA pro Scott Langley. Belk Park hosted the next seven championships with names such as Lundgren, Berkmeyer, Caravia, Wood and Franklin rose to the top. In addition, Chris Brant, who would later win the Metropolitan Open as a professional in 2014, took the East Side title in 2010. Chris Kovach Bob Hanneken, who has become one of the area’s top senior players in recent years, took the 2013 event, his first significant victory. The ageless Skip Berkmeyer took his third title in 2015, while Chris Kovach, who burst on the scene by winning the 2015 Men’s District title, captured the 2016 championship in a 3-way playoff.
East Side Amateur Championship Past Results 2004 Scott Thomas
Norwood Hills
Scott Edwards
Persimmon Woods Far Oaks
139
2005
Meadowbrook
Scott Langley
Pevely Farms
Belk Park
143
Ken Highlander
Sunset Hills
2006
Ben Wood
Greenbriar Hills
Darren Lundgren
Forest Hills
Belk Park
137
2007
Skip Berkmeyer
Norwood Hills
Mitchell Gregson
Annbriar
Belk Park
134
2008
Darren Lundgren Fox Run GC
Mitchell Gregson
Annbriar
Belk Park
136
2009
Skip Berkmeyer
Gateway National
Paul Neeman
Old Hickory
Belk Park
134
2010
Chris Brant
Metropolitan GC
John Anderson
Norwood Hills
Belk Park
138
2011
Phil Caravia
St. Clair
Justin Bryant
Bellerive
Belk Park
138
2012
Jeremy Franklin
Gateway National
Mike Ehlers
WingHaven
Belk Park
140
Jim Dunn
Sunset Hills
Josh Phillips
St. Clair
Thomas Wuennenberg Tapawingo
2013
Bob Hanneken
Persimmon Woods
Eli Grant
Meadowbrook
Lockhaven
141
2014
Seth Smith
Missouri Bluffs
Ted Moloney
Greenbriar Hills
Lockhaven
144
2015
Skip Berkmeyer
The Legends
Ted Moloney
Greenbriar Hills
Spender T. Olin 139
2016
Chris Kovach *
Metropolitan GC
Chad Niezing
The Legends
Spencer T. Olin 141
Blaine Buente
Gateway National
Scott Thomas
The Metropolitan
May 2017
7
Boone Valley to host 2017 U.S. Girls’ Junior St. Louis golfers have a unique opportunity to see some of the best girl junior golfers in the world as they descend on Boone Valley this coming July. The site of the 2007 U.S. Junior and the Senior PGA Tour events in the late 1990s and early 2000s, will challenge players from across the globe as they prepare to earn a USGA title. Two-time champion Eun Jeong Song became the first girl in 45 years to defend her title when she won the 2016 championship. She is eligible to defend her title as she will be 17 in 2017. Among recent winners who have gone on to success on the LPGA Tour are: Minjee Lee (2012), Ariya Jutanugarn (2011), Boone Valley’s par 4 13th Alexis Thompson (2008), Inbee Park (2002) along with Alison Lee, runner up in 2012 and member of the 2014 Curtis Cup team, which won at St. Louis CC. Among the winners of the U.S. Girls’ Junior, five have gone on to win the U.S. Women’s Open, six have won the U.S. Women’s Amateur and 27 have earned 300 LPGA titles, including Mickey Wright with 82 victories. Wright also competed at Glen Echo in the mid-1960s, winning a title in the St. Louis Open. There is no admission fee for the event.
The 1963 Metropolitan Junior - Saved by a Tire There is an interesting story that was related to me by Jim Brady of Golf Galaxy. He was playing in the Metropolitan Junior at Forest Park in 1963. The Junior was run by Merv Clark, who formed the event to enable Juniors to compete at a time when there were fewer opportunities. It was an 18-hole stroke play qualifier, after which it was separated into a championship and “A & B” Flights for match play. With 192 players in the field, only 96 made the cut for the three match play events. With few public courses in the St. Louis area where Juniors could play who were not members of a private club, the Metropolitan Junior a highly competitive tournament. Names like Kammann, Ruck, Holtgrieve, Sher, Dunn, Carney, Nieberding and Wellington were among those competing in 1963. Many will recall the old ninth hole that ran along Skinker. Long, straightaway, it played to 593 yards. For many years, it was unreachable in two! Today’s players would recognize it as a combination of the current second and third holes on the Redbud nine. The tee is about where the tee on #2 is today, and the old #9 green sits almost atop the current third green. Robert Kolb had qualified for match play and was facing Jim McKinley of Lebanon GC. As they played the ninth, Kolb sliced his ball badly, sending it out onto Skinker. With the ball looking like it was out of bounds, he hit a provisional. However, as luck would have it, as the players walked to their ball a car’s tire “nipped” Kolb’s ball at the perfect angle, sending it careening back onto the course and into the middle of the fairway. The players looked at each other and both wondered if the original ball was now back in play? With no rules official nearby, Kolb played both balls to the green and holed out; making five with his first ball and seven with the provisional. When they came in to record their scores, Kolb told the official what took place. Yes, he was told, your first ball was in play. With that, Kolb won his match 1up.
The Metropolitan
May 2017
8
Amateur Series Event #1 - WingHaven CC - May 15, 2017 On a warm, sunny Monday morning, sixty-six players headed to the first tee at WingHaven to begin the 2017 Amateur Series. The six event series will also include a 2-man event late in the season. With both Open and Net divisions in Regular and Senior Divisions, there is something for everyone looking for a little friendly competition.
Open 1 2 3 4
Michael Wernle, Greenville CC Brett Newton, Metropolitan GC Joseph Christian, Metropolitan GC Steven Rommerskirchen, Greenville CC
+5 +6 +8 +14
77 78 80 86
5 6 7
Stephen Kelly, Metropolitan GC Alek Stojanovic, Annbriar GC Lew Weingart, Quarry at Crystal Springs Kyle Thomure, Whitmoor CC
-7 E +2 +4 +4 +5 +5
65 72 74 76 76 77 77
8 Taylor Yarbrough, The Legends CC 9 Will Roestel, Metropolitan GC T10 Chris Canfield, Whitmoor CC T10 Colin Dooley, Metropolitan GC 12 Christian Jamerson, Four Seasons CC 13 Troy Schnelten, Metropolitan GC
+16 88 +17 89 +19 91 - WD
Net Open 1 2 3 T4 T4 T6 T6
John Davis, Metropolitan GC Dwayne Leslie, Metropolitan GC John Watson, Four Seasons CC Cory Mahoney, Metropolitan GC Sangwon Son, Metropolitan GC Corey Elliott, Ruth Park GC Brandon Clyburn, Metropolitan GC
+10 +12 +16 +16 +19 +27
82 84 88 88 91 99
+12 +13 +14 +15 +16 +23 +26
84 85 86 87 88 95 98
+6 +6 +7 +7 79 +8 +8 +10 +10 +10 83 84 +13 +14 +15 +23
78 78 79 79
Event #2 - Tamarack GC - June 12, 2017 (Registration closes June 5)
Senior Open 1 2 T3 T3 T3 T3 T3
Schooner Fitzgerald, The Prairies GC Ollie Crow, Raintree GC +5 Tim Leonberger, Stonewolf GC Gordon Smith, Metropolitan GC Woody Johnson, Metropolitan GC Art Sommer, Bogey Hills CC Mark Theissen, Missouri Bluffs GC
+2 77 +10 +10 +10 +10 +10
74 82 82 82 82 82
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Pat Ross, The Orchards Doug Fletcher, Greenville CC Jim Healey, Metropolitan GC Steven McFadden, WingHaven CC Bret Sinak, Persimmon Woods GC Timothy Barker, Glen Echo CC Ronald Polillo, Metropolitan GC
-2 -1 -1 E +1 +2 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6
70 71 71 72 73 74 75 75 75 75 75 76 77 77 78 78
T15 John Epps, Metropolitan GC T15 Robert Edwards, Cardinal Creek GC T19 Wilson Elliott, Metropolitan GC T19 Michael Hughes, Cardinal Creek GC T19 Jack Abels, Glen Echo CC +7 T22 Larry Banks, Aberdeen GC T22 Don Humphrey, MVGCSA GC T24 Howard Theisman, GC of Wentzville T24 John Carrington, Aberdeen GC T24 Richard Constance, MAC GC 27 Perry Smith, Ballwin GC +11 28 John Orr, Stonewolf GC +12 29 Rick Darrow, Creve Coeur GC 30 George Bradley, Metropolitan GC 31 Robert Eno, Missouri Bluffs GC 32 Michael Pittroff, Pomme Creek GC
Senior Net 1 Terry Loehrer, Old Hickory GC T2 Roy Roberts, Aberdeen GC T2 Ralph Dannegger, Creve Coeur GC 4 Leo Hefner, Metropolitan GC 5 King Edmonston, Franklin County CC 6 Jon Hustedt, Missouri Bluffs GC T7 Steve Zonca, Metropolitan GC T7 Gregg Clark, Metropolitan GC T7 Larry Laramie, Metropolitan GC T7 Lendell Phelps, Tamarack CC T7 Richard Marrone, WGM GC 12 Jim Garrett, Metropolitan GC T13 Doug Williams, Metropolitan GC T13 Russell Hollenbeck, Metropolitan GC T15 Timothy Montgomery, Metropolitan GC T15 Bill Slantz, Metropolitan GC
The Metropolitan
80 80 82 82 82 85 86 87 95
May 2017
9
St. Louis Golf History Jim Foulis
Many area golfers have heard the Foulis name mentioned when discussing the early courses in the area. However, Jim Foulis, the 1896 U.S. Open Champion at Shinnecock, is the man primarily responsible for many of the courses built before 1900; along with a number constructed afterward.
Pictured in 1896, after his U.S. Open win, wearing his medal (seen below in detail)
Growing up at St. Andrews, Scotland, under the watchful eye of Old Tom Morris, his father - James Foulis - was the foreman in Old Tom’s shop. It may have been Old Tom’s stamp on the early clubs, but it was James Foulis who made certain the clubs, balls and other items were completed as he stood over the workman who crafted each hickory shaft and forged club.
Shown here in the summer of 1895 at Lake Forest CC in Chicago, where Jim and Robert designed the original 9 holes. The Club was later renamed Onwentsia in late 1895, an indian word meaning “a sporting place for braves and squaws to meet.”
Jim came to America in 1894 to serve as the first golf professional in the western states at the newly opened Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, designed by Charles Blair Macdonald. Ironically, Macdonald originally wanted Jim’s brother, Robert, to serve as head pro, but an eye injury as a youth caused Robert to back out, offering his brother Jim in his place. Jim came to St. Louis in 1896 and laid out the original 9-hole course for St. Louis Country Club in Clayton, at Hanley and Wydown Roads. He then moved on to layout courses for The Field Club (Bellefontaine Road), The Jockey Club (Fairgrounds Park) and several others. After the turn of the Century, he laid out the original routing for both Glen Echo and the original Normandie, along with Bellerive and Sunset, though brother Robert did the actual construction of these. He continued to serve as head pro at Chicago Golf Club along with his brother David, well into the years before 1920, when he moved on to other clubs, continuing to layout courses in the Chicago and up into Wisconsin. He also ventured further west, doing work for the original course for Denver Country Club. He and David made, and patented, the original mashie-niblick - the 7-iron - and re-worked the Haskell golf ball, putting a bramble pattern on it to make it fly better. He passed away in 1928 at the age of 56.
Foulis’ U.S. Open Medal at the USGA Museum
The Metropolitan
May 2017
10
Competition Schedule 2017 MAGA Competitions
Entry Championship Date(s) Deadline Venue The Old Warson Cup Normandie Amateur East Side Amateur Open Championship Women’s Amateur Championship Junior Amateur Championship Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Four-Ball Championship
May 6-7 May 20-21 June 10-11 June 14-16 June 22-23 July 5-6 August 3-5 August 14-15 October 13
Invitational May 12 June 2 May 31 June 7 June 21 July 19 July 26 Sept. 27
Old Warson Country Club Normandie Golf Club Spencer T. Olin Golf Course CC of St. Albans Sunset Hills Country Club Aberdeen Golf Course Norwood Hills Country Club Westborough Country Club Algonquin Golf Club
2017 USGA Qualifying Rounds
Entry Championship Date(s) Deadline Venue US Open Local Qualifying US Senior Open Qualifying US Women’s Open Qualifying (36-holes) US Junior Amateur Qualifying US Girls’ Junior Amateur Qualifying US Amateur Qualifying US Senior Amateur Qualifying US Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifying US Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifying US Mid-Amateur Qualifying 2018 US Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying
May 8 May 23 June 7 June 27 June 29 July 17-18 August 7 August 7 August 22 August 22 October 2
April 26 May 10 May 17 June 7 June 14 June 21 July 12 July 19 August 2 August 9 August 16
The Legends Glen Echo Country Club Bogey Hills Country Club Links at Kokopelli Lake Forest Country Club Spencer T. Olin Golf Course Greenbriar Hills Country Club Greenbriar Hills Country Club Meadowbrook Country Club Meadowbrook Country Club Sunset Country Club
2017 MAGA Amateur Series Schedule
Entry Event Date(s) Deadline #1 May 15 May 8 #2 June 12 June 5 #3 June 30 June 23 #4 July 10 July 3 #5 August 11 August 4 #6 August 28 August 21 Two-Man Event September 25 September 18 Two-Day Championship October 7-8
Venue WingHaven Country Club Tamarack Golf Club Bear Creek Golf Club Persimmon Woods Golf Club Annbriar Golf Club The Quarry at Crystal Springs Far Oaks Golf Course Aberdeen Golf Club (Invitational)
Online applications for ALL MAGA events are available on the MAGA website. Events in grey have been completed.
The Metropolitan
May 2017
11
The Metropolitan
May 2017
JUNE 2017 May 28
29
30
31
June 1
2
3
4
5
6
7 US Women’s Open Qualifying
8
9
10 East Side Amateur
11 East Side Amateur
12 Amateur Series #2
13
14 Open Championship
15 Open Championship
16 Open Championship
17
18
19
20
21
22 Women’s Amateur
23 Women’s Amateur
24
25
26
27 US Junior Qualifying
28
29 US Girls Qualifying
30 Amateur Series #3
July 1
MAGA Events in RED | USGA Events in BLUE
JULY 2017 JULY 2
3
4
5 Junior Championship
6 Junior Championship
7
8
9
10 Amateur Series #3
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 US Amateur Qualifying
18 US Amateur Qualifying
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
AUGUST 1
2
3 4 5 MAGA Amateur MAGA Amateur MAGA Amateur
US Girls Junior Championship Boone Valley
US Girls Junior Championship Boone Valley
US Girls Junior Championship Boone Valley
12
US Girls Junior Championship Boone Valley
US Girls Junior Championship Boone Valley
US Girls Junior Championship Boone Valley
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Please Support our Supporters
Exclusive Corporate Partner of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association Allied golf associations and supporters of the
Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association
Resources
13
US Junior Girls Volunteer Opportunities
Dear Fellow Golfers, We are excited to announce that Boone Valley Golf Club will be hosting the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship from July 24th – July 29th, 2017. The participants are the top female golfers in the country that are 18 years old or younger. Many of these girls have signed with national colleges. It will be exciting to watch them challenge our great golf course. Additionally, the Championship will be covered by Fox Sports. We are asking for you to be one of the 56 walking scorers to conduct this great championship. Each volunteer will be requested to work three shifts. In addition to the volunteer uniform and food on the days you volunteer, you will be given the opportunity to play Boone Valley following the Championship. Also, the list of volunteers will be given to the chairman of the PGA Championship to be held in 2018 at Bellerive Country Club. To volunteer you can click on this link https://pgamac.wufoo.com/forms/2017-us-girls-junior-championshipjuly-2229/. Additionally, you can find the volunteer form at http://www.BooneValley.org. If you do not wish to be a walking scorer there are many fun committees to join. Please review and let us know your availability. We hope you will support this great golf event and that we hear from you soon. Please do not hesitate to contact one of us by phone or email with questions. Finally, please send this information to anyone else that you may know that might be interested! Sincerely, Cindy Todorovich 2017 US Girls’ Volunteer Co-Chair 314-541-1499 Cindy.pca@printscharmart.com
Louise Matthews 2017 US Girls’ Volunteer Co-Chair 314-348-1236 Bogey19555@aol.com
Bearcat LLC Closes “The Hills Golf Club” In February 2017, Bearcat LLC, the organization formed in April 2012 when it purchased the former Lebanon Golf Club, along with the Board of McKendree University, announced recently they are closing the golf facility. Despite numerous upgrades over the past four years, the course continued to lose money. While there are no plans to place the ground and course up for sale, Bearcat LLC is open to qualified offers from those wishing to discuss purchase options for the course. The Grill on the course will remain open at this time.
The Metropolitan
May 2017
14
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Erin Hills - A Sneak Peek!
Click the Image above for a peek at Erin Hills...
USGA Four-Ball Championships The 2017 Women’s Four Ball Championship at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, while the Men held their Four-Ball at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Play began over the Memorial Day Weekend, starting Saturday, May 27 and concluding on Wednesday, May 31. Ellen Port and Robin Burke, who were alternates at the local qualifying, were given spots into the event, but at the last hour, an injury to Burke’s husband, PGA Legend Jackie Burke, forced them to withdraw. Van Pierce and Tyler Johnson (Charlotte, NC) qualified at Eagle Creek G&CC in Naples, Florida for the Men’s championship. However, they were never able to pull things together, finishing with a 157 for their two stroke play rounds. The cut came at 140. Kathleen Gallagher, a sophomore at LSU, daughter of PGA pro Jim Gallagher, was one of the semifinalists. She was at Westwood CC last year, attempting to qualify for the US Women’s Open. At the finals on May 31, Alice Chen and Taylor Totland, both from New Jersey, captured the Women’s Four-Ball, defeating Sammi Lee and Mary Ellen Shuman 4 and 3. Chen and Totland were also co-medalists, tying with two other teams at 12-under par scores of 132 on the 6,140 par 72 Dunes Club course. At Pinehurst, Frankie Capan (17) and Shuai Ming (Ben) Wong (17) defeated Clark Collier and Kyle Hudelson 2 and 1 to win the Men’s Four-Ball crown. Qualifying was held on the No. 8 and No. 2 courses at Pinehurst, with the finals taking place over the No. 2 Donald Ross design, which played at 7,161 yards to a par 70. Capan will attend Alabama in the fall of 2018, while Wong is committed to SMU, also in 2018. Wong, from Hong Kong, China, and Capan, out of North Oaks, Minnesota qualified in a tie for 5th at 7-under par. Collier (27) from Dallas, and Hudelson (29), from Oklahoma City, qualified in 15th position at 4-under par. As alternates, Collier and Hudelson received word they were in the tournament only 10 days before it began. Joe Terschluse, winner of the MAGA Junior Championship in 2015, won the Class 4 medalist title at Twin Hills CC in Joplin, leading Chaminade to a third place finish. Firing his second consecutive 1-over-par 73 during a windy round, he finished with a 36-hole total of 2-over 146, winning by two shots. The event marked his eighth and final round in state during his four years at Chaminade. Terschluse will be attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas in the fall, but does not intend to play collegiate golf.
15
Normandie Amateur Player & Club Scott Kirchoff, Persimmon Woods GC Tom Barry, Normandie GC Matt Hatley, Metropolitan GC Craig Hardcastle, Jr., Normandie GC Jeff Johnson, Bogey Hills CC Skip Berkmeyer, The Legends CC Ryan Sullivan, Tapawingo National GC Michael Fowler, Metropolitan GC Robert Dunn, Mac GC Alex Ciaramitaro, Missouri Bluffs GC Zach Decker, Joachim GC Shawn Jasper, Metropolitan GC Kyle Szyhowski, Whitmoor CC Dustin LaGrand, Ruth Park GC Wes Hillen, Annbriar GC Rob Scherer, Berry Hill GC Christopher Ferris, Aberdeen GC Matthew McCarthy, Far Oaks GC Gene Hart, Aberdeen GC Ryan McNeil, Joachim GC Ryan Eckelkamp, Franklin County CC Hongsang Kim, Metropolitan GC Buddy Allen, Metropolitan GC Tony Nolfo, Metropolitan GC Ryan Rerich, Metropolitan GC Toppie Hogan, Old Warson CC Phil Caravia, Norwood Hills CC Michael Wernle, Greenville CC Tony Gumper, Metropolitan GC Colin Stolze, Greenbriar Hills CC Zachary Pranger, Glen Echo CC Ted Moloney, Greenbriar Hills CC Conrad Maloney, Persimmon Woods GC Bryan Bohme, Meadowbrook CC Michael Clayman, Normandie GC Reilly Ahearn, Persimmon Woods GC Robert Meeh, Persimmon Woods GC Thomas Wuennenberg, Metropolitan GC Tom Vogt, The Landings at Spirt Brian Lovett, Bellerive CC Tyler Ward, Tapawingo National GC Brian Hall, Persimmon Woods GC Parker Goldman, Meadowbrook CC Curtis Brokenbrow, Missouri Bluffs GC Mark Bolhofner, Metropolitan GC Nathan McCutcheon, Tapawingo GC Bryce Voisin, Wgm GC Dillon Eaton, Metropolitan GC Austin Hoerstkamp, CC of St. Albans Joe Haas, Quail Creek GC David Bremer, Old Hickory GC Dan Greiner, Mystic Oak GC Scott Horton, Crescent Farms GC
R1 71 72 71 67 71 70 71 74 73 73 70 71 69 74 73 78 75 74 72 76 75 75 75 71 76 75 75 73 79 79 77 75 75 75 74 71 78 75 74 72 78 78 77 76 81 80 80 79 77 77 76 75 80
R2 Total 68 139 70 142 72 143 76 143 72 143 74 144 75 146 73 147 74 147 74 147 78 148 77 148 83 152 76 150 77 150 73 151 76 151 77 151 79 151 76 152 77 152 77 152 77 152 81 152 77 153 78 153 78 153 80 153 75 154 75 154 77 154 79 154 79 154 79 154 80 154 83 154 77 155 80 155 81 155 83 155 78 156 78 156 79 156 80 156 76 157 77 157 77 157 78 157 80 157 80 157 81 157 82 157 78 158
Player & Club R1 R2 Total David Speicher, Cardinal Creek GC 81 77 158 Matthew Wickham, Metropolitan GC 80 78 158 Justin Hemings, Sunset Hills CC 79 79 158 Tom Portner, Green Hills GC 79 79 158 EJ Brumm, Normandie GC 79 79 158 Jeffrey Kissel, Metropolitan GC 76 82 158 Jason Cahill, Metropolitan GC 76 83 159 Scott Schleiffarth, Norwood Hills CC 83 77 160 Lew Weingart, Quarry at Crystal Springs 81 79 160 Will Pruden, Persimmon Woods GC 77 83 160 Jared Harrington, Stonewolf GC 77 83 160 James Gregory, Metropolitan GC 76 84 160 Matthew Shelby, Old Hickory GC 75 85 160 Greg Mazdra, Metropolitan GC 79 82 161 Bret Voisin, WGM GC 79 83 162 Alek Stojanovic, Annbriar GC 79 83 162 Patrick Bader, Metropolitan GC 75 87 162 Kinder Jones, Bellerive CC 80 83 163 Joe Timpone, Old Hickory GC 80 83 163 Jack Klingel, Persimmon Woods GC 79 84 163 Greg Bott, Metropolitan GC 81 83 164 Steve Pona, Aberdeen GC 84 81 165 Matthew Cullen, Normandie GC 83 82 165 John Hughes, Persimmon Woods GC 81 85 166 Marcus Deckert, Metropolitan GC 81 86 167 Sam Range, Metropolitan GC 81 86 167 Gage Brauns, Greenville CC 81 86 167 Spencer Mason, Boone Valley GC 78 89 167 Steven Souchek, Gateway National GL 77 90 167 Chet Plegge, Normandie GC 86 82 168 Andrew Kramer, Metropolitan GC 82 86 168 Ryan Haxel, Quarry at Crystal Springs 88 81 169 Steve Osborne, Quarry at Crystal Springs 88 83 171 Dru Dickerhoff, Normandie GC 84 88 172 Tyler Travelstead, Quarry at Crystal Springs 90 84 174 Dewey Jones, Normandie GC 88 87 175 Conner Katsev, WingHaven CC 86 90 176 Patrick Aubuchon, Normandie GC 84 92 176 Jeffrey Buchek, MAC GC 85 92 177 Andrew Reidt, The Legends CC 90 88 178 Dan Mallon, Normandie GC 88 90 178 Stephen Kelly, Metropolitan GC 87 98 185 Dustin Sweet, Missouri Bluffs GC 96 95 191 Christian Joe, Metropolitan GC WD Justin Bliss, Metropolitan GC WD Timothy Liebe, Norwood Hills CC WD 87 Van Pierce, CC of St. Albans WD Douglas Mullenix, Metropolitan GC WD Bill Mullenix, Metropolitan GC WD Neil Vanleeuwen, Glen Echo CC 74 WD 74 Patrick Riordan, Normandie GC 75 WD 75 Michael Speicher, Cardinal Creek GC 84 WD 84
The Metropolitan
May 2017
16
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Kirchoff Finishes Strong to Capture Normandie Title It was one of those rounds that happens on occasion; perhaps only once in a career. It’s the round that is not forgotten - ever. On a bright, windy Sunday at Normandie GC, always a course that challenges even the best players, Scott Kirchoff closed in a way they left everyone amazed. Going eagle birdie, birdie, par over the four closing holes, he went from a tie with Toz Barry to a comfortable 3-shot victory. His final round 68 was the second best round of the event - only Craig Hardcastle’s 67 on Saturday was better.
Scott Kirchoff (left) receives congratulations from Normandie Amateur director David Smith.
As Barry was finishing with a great up-and-down on the 18th, thinking he needed par to stay tied with Kirchoff, the Persimmon Woods player was beginning his remarkable run. Matt Hatley, Hardcastle and Jeff Johnson all tied for third at 143. In the end, as usual, Normandie produced a champion truly worthy of the crown.
Brian Lovett with his approach to the 9th.
Toz Barry, who has won the event on three occasions, pitches to the 9th green as he saved par on the difficult par-4.
Craig Hardcastle Jr. from greenside at the 8th.
Alex Ciaramitaro watches his approach to the short par-4 eighth.
17
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Course Rating...Not a Mystery at All! We’ve all seen those numbers on a scorecard. GOLD...72.5/127, and so on for each set of tees. We look at the last number and we know it refers to the Slope Rating of the course from those tees. We players use that as a measure of the “toughness” of the course. However, how many of us know what the 72.5 - the course rating for those tees - relates to our game? Exactly how is a course rated? Who does it? Why do they do it? What’s the difference between the course rating and the Slope rating? Do either of these relate the how the holes are handicapped? Well, to get the answers and (hopefully) make sense of all of this, we had a discussion with Ron Rhoades and Jayne Watson. They are both official USGA course raters and recently returned from a seminar in Chicago on course rating. We sat down with them to get our questions answered. What does the Course Rating really Measure? Jayne Watson As most players know, the course rating from a particular set of tees is what the “Scratch” player would score from that location. Raters take it a step further and also measure the “Bogey Rating” at each tee. That would be the play of a golfer with a handicap of 15-20. The combination of the Rating for a Scratch player and that of a bogey golfer is what eventually becomes the Slope Rating for each tee. Ron Rhoades
So, how is a course rated? What is the process you go through to rate a course? We have a manual that was developed by the USGA as a guide for the raters. Essentially, it outlines the areas we will be evaluating, the numbers to assign to each area (based on the parameters in the Manual), enabling us to come up with the final values. We spend about 4 hours at a course going over all 18 holes. We measure a wide variety of items: fairway width at certain landing areas, fairway bunkers, green size, greenside bunkers, height of the rough, water hazards, out-of-bounds areas, elevation changes and more. How often do you rate a course? We rate each course at least once every ten years. More frequently if there are significant changes made, such as new bunkers, water hazards, new greens, elimination of trees, etc. How much of the rating system is subjective versus objective? There is certainly a degree of subjectivity. For example, it’s assumed that a bogey golfer’s tee shot will carry 180 yards for men and 130 for women plus a roll of 14-25 yards. A Scratch player’s ball will travel 230 yards (190 for women), plus a roll of 15-25 yards, depending on the slope of the ground. So, if you’re hitting into a hill, we have to make the assumption that a golfer might lose 10-15 yards of roll, depending on the hill. So that’s subjective. But the other items noted earlier, those are specific. The rough is a certain height, the bunkers are a certain size, as are the greens. We use those, and others, to ascertain the true value for a hole for both the Scratch and Bogey golfer. Plus, we do this for each set of tees on each hole! So, if someone wants to become a rater, what do they need to do? We are always looking for players to assist with course rating. First, they should ask themselves if they want to learn more about golf, because you will learn more than you probably ever wanted to know. You will begin to understand how the designer of the course wanted each hole to be played. How they brought each element on the hole into play in some way. Next, you’ll learn a great deal about course management. Once you begin to understand the role of hazards and other features, you’ll have a much better understanding of how you should consider playing the hole. Lastly, after we spend time rating the course, we also play the course. This provides each rater the opportunity to consider how they rated a particular feature or characteristic as they play each hole.
18
The Metropolitan
May 2017
I’ll take things one step further. First, they should love working with numbers. Everything we do revolves around that. From measuring the width of a fairway to the diameter of a green. Second, you must be willing to compromise. Every rater won’t necessarily agree on the values another rather places on a hole. There must be some give and take. Finally, you must be excited about getting involved in helping improve the game. You’re doing this for the USGA, sure, but you’re also helping your fellow golfer and the golf course. In the end, most raters become better players because they understand how to play a hole and the course better. How would you describe the values placed by a rater on each hole? I like to think of them as a numerical picture of a hole. For example, if there are significant elevation changes from the tee, either up or down, it raises or lowers the hole value for that item. Narrow or wide fairways at the landing areas can make a hole a 2 or a 9. If the rough is thick, the ability to recover can be as easy as a 3 or as hard as a 9. If the bunker has a shallow face, it can be a 3, while a steep-faced bunker can be a 7 or 8. Is there out-of-bounds nearby? What about having to hit over water? Each of these can provide a high or low value. Then we summarize the values to come up with the value for each hole for each set of tees. How many course raters do we have in the St. Louis Area? We only have about five ladies doing the course rating with me. We could certainly use more. I agree with Jayne. We have eight experienced raters with a few more in training. However, given the number of courses within the MAGA area, which now includes Southern Illinois as well, we have well over 120 courses. That means we may need to do close to 12 a year before starting over. That’s not counting courses that make changes and ask us to revisit and re-rate the course. If someone wants to become a rater, all they need to do is contact me, Jayne or Curt at the MAGA. We’ll start them out doing measurements, working in teams. It’s really a fun day working through the process. Then, as I said, we play the course, getting a chance to test our evaluations first hand. It’s important to remember that the course rating and slope system is what makes things equitable for players of all skill levels. It enables you to take your game to any course and have your handicap travel with you.
If you’re interested in becoming a course rater contact Curt at the MAGA Offices or Ron or Jayne at the contact information below. Curt@metga.org or 314-567-MAGA (6242) Ron Rhoades: rerhoades03@charter.net Jayne Watson: pandabear7807@gmail.com Some of our women raters are: Carol Amling: caamling@aol.com Carol Stampley: carolstampley@sbcglobal.net Brenda Wibbenmeyer: brnw_packers4@yahoo.com
Page from the USGA Manual showing evaluation tabs along the right.
19
The Metropolitan
May 2017
A Conversation with Scott Edwards He made is first ace in 1970 on the third hole at Old Warson as a 16-year-old. At the time his handicap was a 7. Two years later, it was down to a 2, enabling him to enter the top events. Today, Scott, now 62 years of age, ranks among the more decorated players in town. Beginning in 1977, when he captured the area long-dirve championship with a poke of 293 yards, 2 feet 2 inches at age 22, to the 1985 Michelob Match Play title and more recently, the 2009 Missouri Senior and the 2009 MAGA Senior, he has won the City Championship (2005), the MAGA Amateur (2003), the District Jim Jackson (2001), along with one US Amateur qualifying, five US Mid-Amateur events and two US Senior Amateur, including the 2016 event at Old Warson. When Scott enters an event, his fellow competitors know he will be among the key competition. Married for 37 years, he has three children and it will be seven grandchildren with a new addition this fall. Although he comes from one of the area’s most prominent and admired families, he’s just one of the guys when it comes to his golf. You grew up across the street from Old Warson, where your parents were members, so it’s safe to say you took advantage of that growing up. Yes, I did. I played at every opportunity. My father played with Rawlings golf clubs, so that’s what I had. They’re not in the golf business any longer, but those are what I learned the game with. Did you have an instructor who taught you the game? Yes, it was T.D. Morris, who was the head pro at Old Warson at the time. Later he would go on to other courses. He was a great guy; kind and very much a gentle man. Since 1986, I’ve been going to Steve Lotz at Tower Tee. Steve and I met and just connected immediately. He’s been great for me. You were a good high school golfer at Ladue, winning a number of matches. You went on to Westminster (Fulton, Missouri) to play in college, but you stopped after your freshman year. Why was that? Westminster was a small school so we did not have much in the way of facilities. We started in late winter in the cold so I was unable to play other sports with my fraternity brothers. After my freshman year, I decided I wanted to play intramural sports with them more than golf for the school. I did not stop playing as I continued to compete in the area during the summer. I understand you were also a pretty good bowler growing up? Yes, I carried a 207 average when I quit in 1986. My left leg began to give me problems and that is the one I needed to slide on. It still gives me pain, as does my other knee. Just some of the issues growing old. Do you have a favorite victory? It would have to be my win in the Metropolitan Amateur in 2003. It’s always a very strong field and winning that says something about the quality of your game. What are the strengths of your game? I believe it’s my accuracy off the tee. I track my play and I hit about 70% of the fairways with my driver. Also, I believe I’m a good iron player, able to get the ball on the putting surface most of the time. Has your approach to the game changed as you’ve gotten older? Definitely. I’ve learned to play more to my strengths. When I was younger, like most young players, I just wanted to bomb it out there. I didn’t care about the risks involved. I was just fun to do a John Daly and “Rip it.” I think now I’m more aware of the risks and manage my game to take those into account.
20
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Do you recall a favorite round? (After thinking for a moment) I believe it would be a round I had at Canterbury in Ohio. I think I still hold part of the course record there for a tournament round. I had a 38 on the front nine - nothing really happening. Then I went out and posted a 31 on the second nine from the back tees, seven birdies. At least that is what their Pro Emeritus Henry Picard told me afterward. What is the lowest you’ve gone? I had a 63 at Persimmon Woods. I was a member there for 15 years and won five club championships along with three senior club titles. Do you have a favorite course? I’ve been fortunate to play quite a bit across the country and in Scotland, Ireland and a few other European countries. However, if I had to play one course, day in and day out and not get tired of it, it would be Old Warson. I just think it’s a great layout. Ok, apart from that, what would your top courses be? Royal Dornoch in Scotland. It was the home course for Donald Ross. After that, it would be the TPC at Sawgrass. What clubs do you play with today? I’ve been playing Ping’s and I am on my second set since 2004. I don’t change very often. Once I find a club I like, I stick with it. I have a Diawa 5-wood I’ve had since the mid-1990s. They’re not even in the business anymore. My woods are Callaway’s right now. Before Ping, I played Tommy Armour 855’s. I understand you had a lesson one time with Dutch Harrison at Forest Hills? Yes, I did. Dutch had to be in his early 60s at the time. He had this great slow, southern drawl when he spoke with you. He was a tall man with a very gentle touch. The clubs just sort of melted into his hands. He’d done just about everything in golf. He watched me swing, made a few comments and had me adjust a couple of areas. It was amazing what he could see that I had no idea I was doing. Do you have a favorite memory of playing with someone? I played one day with Jay Delsing. It was amazing. I think he made something like 5 or 6 birdies, rolled-in several long putts. It looked just so easy. Have you changed anything in your game in recent years? Yes, my putting grip. I was pretty conventional for years. Then I went to left-hand low for a while. I just could never get use to it. For years I was pretty much one who tried to die the ball at the hole. However, I generally left my putts short, typical of many who putt with that thought in mind. I looked at the Dave Pelz concepts of putting so it goes 18-inches past the hole, but did not find that helpful. I’ve went to a modified “claw” grip a while ago but have gone back to a conventional reverse overlap grip. I understand you had an interesting event happen to you and your brother during the 1971 Ryder Cup? (Laughing) Yes. Tad and I wanted to earn some money so we asked our father if we could park cars. Our home was just across from the last tennis courts on Old Warson Road. He finally said yes, so beginning on the day of the second practice round we began flagging cars into our drive. I think we charged something like $5. With the drive and the backyard, we had around 140 cars on our property. We were in heaven. However, on the last day, just as the matches were ending, it began to rain. It actually stopped the closing ceremony. Well, our backyard turned muddy. Cars could not get out as they spun their wheels, tearing up the yard. After every car had left, my dad came to Tad and I and made us give back some of the money we’d earned to repair the damage!
21
The Metropolitan
May 2017
22
The Metropolitan
May 2017
US Senior Open Qualifying Jay Williamson takes lone qualifying spot, edging Jay Delsing, as both post 2-under par 68 at Glen Echo. Going into today’s U.S. Senior Open qualifying round there was a feeling a shootout was going to take place. Thirty-two players for one spot is a tough pill to swallow and when you looked at this field it made it even tougher. It took a playoff between two former PGA Tour players, Jay Williamson and Jay Delsing to decide the fate of the qualifier. Delsing had posted his 68 (-2) earlier in the day. Awhile later Williamson, who was -3 through 9 holes, would come in at 68 as well. JC Anderson and fellow Gateway PGA member Bob Gaus each were 1 shot back at 69. After what turned out to be a pretty great day at Glen Echo Country Club, we walked to the 1st tee for the playoff in a downpour. The playoff would be played in such and Williamson would make a birdie at the lone playoff hole to secure the one spot into the 2017 U.S. Senior Open. Delsing’s birdie putt would hang on the lip and he would be the 1st Alternate. Anderson would earn 2nd Alternate spot in another playoff that followed Williamson and Delsing. Gaus hit his tee shot at the 1st left into the trees and was never able to find the ball. Jay Williamson with the qualifying medal and invitation to the US Senior Open.
The 2017 U.S. Senior Open will be played at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Massachusetts June 29-July 2.
Pos. Player To Par Total Qualifier T1 Jay Williamson -2 68 Alternates T1 Jay Delsing -2 68 T3 JC Anderson -1 69 -----------------------------------------------T3 Bob Gaus -1 69 5 Tom Portner E 70 T6 Michael Tucker 1 71 T6 Kevin Wassmer 1 71 T8 Scott Curiel 3 73 T8 Stephen Lotz 3 73 T10 Dan Young 4 74 T10 Robert Sedorcek 4 74 T12 Derek Riley 5 75 T12 Larry Rogers 5 75 T14 Mark Marcuzzo 6 76 T14 John Bailey 6 76
Pos. T16 T16 18 T19 T19 21 22 T23 T23 T25 T25 27 WD WD WD NS NS
23
Player Brian Fogt Jan Jansco William Liebe Jeff Whitfield Donny Ngala Bradford Koeneman Tony Polus Daryl Hartig David Schweitzer David Speicher Ron Stallings Pat Ross John Hale Christopher Moore Reid Sheftall Bret Voisin Michael Baker
To Par Total 7 77 7 77 8 78 9 79 9 79 10 80 12 82 13 83 13 83 14 84 14 84 19 89 - WD - WD - WD - NS - N
The Metropolitan
May 2017
How Courses Managed the Flood of 2017 For many, it was not much different from the Flood of 2015 (only 16 months earlier). But with strong support from players and a great staff (who did yeoman work), most displayed a positive approach for the upcoming season! We visited several courses on May 8, shortly after I-44 was opened at Highway 141, to speak with their staff.
Aberdeen GC Matt not only had to deal with the water at the course and clubhouse but also his home, as he lives on land adjacent to the course, as do the owners, Rocky and Ann Dollarheide. “We were able to move the equipment out and some other items, but the clubhouse took a hit. The sad part is that it’s been just a few months where we recovered from the flood of 2015.” If the water level had reached the predicted level of 43 feet, Matt felt they would have been ok. When that number was surpassed, even with sandbagging, there was little Matt or his staff could do. “Today the staff was out aerifying the greens to relieve some stress. We are also in the process of removing debris from the bunkers” The course was under water for about five days. “Water started coming up on #6 on Sunday (April 30) and continued to rise. By late afternoon on Monday, it was covering #9 and #18.” Once the water began receding, they began the process of gutting the clubhouse and work on the course. Aberdeen did a soft opening on Saturday, May 13. Aberdeen’s restoration of the clubhouse underway on May 8.
Aberdeen’s 9th & 18th holes
Matt O’Dell General Manager
Aberdeen’s clubhouse
Pevely Farms The closing of I-44 at Highway 141 meant the staff could not get to the course from Monday, May 1 to Friday, May 5. Water damage to Pevely was from the Meramec River. “Holes #6 and #7, down by the field, they both flooded. The water came close to #5 green. We essentially shut down holes 5-8 as there was no access to them. The tunnel under the railroad tracks by #7 had water just flowing through there. It was pretty incredible.” Pevely opened the course on Saturday, May 6, with 14 holes available for play. Kevin Madsen Head Golf Professional
24
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Crescent Farms GC “The rains that came late in April pretty much saturated the course. By Monday, May 1, the water began to rise. We left late Monday. The closure of I-44 meant we could not even get here to see what was happening. We had 11 holes under water and about 7 or 8 of the greens.” By May 8, the course was well on their way to being completely cleaned up from the debris. “We’re just waiting for the bridges to go down so we can get golfers out on the course safely.” During the clearing process the staff was able to aerate the greens. “The damage was pretty much the same as we had in 2015. However, this time we were better prepared. Removed everything from our maintenance shed. While the water height was about the same as in 2015, the amount of debris was much less.” Crescent reopened on Wednesday, May 10.
Tapawingo National GC
Chris Nava Head Golf Professional
“It’s been a pretty devastating flood. The waters are starting to recede and right now were evaluating when we think we’ll have 18 holes open, hopefully in the next week to 10 days.” Despite the water levels, enough holes at Tapawingo are high enough that during all this, 10 holes of the 27 remained open. “Despite our preparation, there is little to nothing we could do. Once the water started rising, we were helpless.” Like the staff at most courses, Tapawingo’s did all they could to save the greens and other areas on the course, even going out in boats to reach some greens and begin to aerate them. “All nine holes on the Meramec are under water, seven holes on Prairie and one on the Woodlands course.” Tapawingo looked to reopen at least 18 holes by mid-May! Kevin Triefenbach Head Golf Professional
Meramec waters covering the Prairie course at Tapawingo
Looking over the 7th and 4th holes at Tapawingo View of water covering Riverside GC in Fenton. to the flooded Sunset Golf Course.
The 7th hole at Pevely (below) and the steps by the 7th green with the tunnel in background.
25
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association and Southern Illinois Golf Association Collaboration Update While we are well into our 2017 season, the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association (MAGA) wanted to reach out once again to update everyone on the alliance between MAGA and the Southern Illinois Golf Association (SIGA) as we begin our summer stretch of season. The Executive Board and Staff of MAGA have been working with SIGA since the beginning of 2017. SIGA launched a new website and MAGA is bringing the 2017 US Junior Boys Championship Qualifying Round to The Links at Kokopelli at the end of June, a first for Southern Illinois. The transition of SIGA clubs and members to the USGA GHIN Handicap System has been well received, SIGA members are using the GHIN Handicap Service. The USGA has poured over $20 million dollars into their technology platform in the last 18 months with the majority going to the development of a new GHIN that will be launched in 2018. GHIN is already the most widely used handicap computation service in the market with over 2.1 million users today. Adrian Brown, who worked for the SIGA in 2016, is one of MAGA’s three (3) USGA PJ Boatwright Interns this summer. A majority of her time is working out of the SIGA office in Carterville; however, she will be assisting MAGA with championships and USGA qualifying rounds in St. Louis throughout the summer as well. MAGA and SIGA course rating teams jointly attended the USGA Course Rating Calibration Seminar in Chicago in May and worked together in teams at the seminar. They have since assisted each other in course ratings performed in the St. Louis area. SIGA clubs are transitioning to a new tournament software package, something they have never had access to in the past. USGA Tournament Management (TM) powered by Golf Genius is provided to all SIGA clubs utilizing the GHIN Handicap Service. Training was conducted for SIGA clubs in January at Franklin County Country Club in Frankfort. MAGA member clubs are also transitioning from TPP to TM in 2017 and it has been very well received. In early MAGA championships we have seen a few SIGA golfers participate in 2017. MAGA conducts an Amateur Championship; Open Championship; Junior Championship; Women’s Championship; Senior Championship and Four-Ball Championship. We are continually encouraging MAGA members to seek out competition in SIGA championships and vice versa. Thank you for taking a couple minutes to review this letter and allowing me to say thank you for the opportunity to serve the SIGA clubs. The last two years, MAGA has been honored to receive the “Best GHIN Service Award” at the annual GHIN Users’ Meetings and we are excited to bring that same level of service to the SIGA. Please be on the lookout for more information on all of the above through the eRevisions that are sent on the 1st and 15th of each month. All SIGA members receiving their USGA Handicap Index through MAGA are receiving that email and The Metropolitan, our newsletter. If you should have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me at curt@metga.org or my phone number at the Office: (314) 567-MAGA. Regards,
Curtis J Rohe Executive Director
26
The Metropolitan
May 2017
Southern Illinois Golf Association News The Southern Illinois Golf Association formally was founded in Centralia in the summer of 1924. The first amateur Championship was held August 16-19 1922 at Meadow Woods CC in Centralia. It was called the Egyptian Amateur Open Golf Championship of Southern Illinois and had great success. The second Annual Championship was held in August of 1923 with even greater success, which led to the founding of the Southern Illinois Golf Association (SIGA) in 1924. Look for more on the history of the SIGA in future newsletters.
Upcoming Men’s Amateur Tournaments For Player of the Year Points •
June 3-4
Carmi Amateur- Carmi IL
•
June 9
Green Hills Amateur Pro Am- Mt. Vernon IL
•
June 10-11 Green Hills Amateur- Mt. Vernon IL
•
June 26
Southern Illinois Open Pro& Amateur - 27 Holes- Rend Lake GC
Junior Golf Tournaments Juniors earn points towards Player of the Year for the following events •
June 1
Dairy Queen Junior- Fairfield GC
•
June 6
Billy Ray Craig Classic- Redhawk GC
•
June 8
Rowland Barkau Junior Tournament- Okawville IL
•
June 12
P/Z Junior Classic- Keller’s Crossing FREE entry for all juniors
•
June 26
Future Champs- Crab Orchard GC
•
June 27
USGA Junior Boy Amateur Qualifier- Kokopelli
•
June 27
Rend Lake Junior Tournament- Rend Lake GC
For more information and to stay up-to-date with the SIGA visit our NEW website, sigagolf.org! Board of Directors
Ralph Chapman – President Sarah Haas – Vice President Robin Lester – Treasurer Leroy Newton Greg Pavloff John Schubert
Mailing address:
122 South Division Carterville, IL 62918 Email: siga62918@yahoo.com Phone: 618-985-9595 Fax: 618-985-9595
27
The Metropolitan
May 2017
MAGA Member Benefit: Affinity Travel One of the recent benefits available to MAGA Members is the new Affinity Travel feature. Details of this are easy to overlook, but it would be a mistake for members to book travel, whether for golf, pleasure or business, without at least exploring this option. It’s listed on the MAGA website under “About Us” and “Member Benefits.” There, you will find seven fairly convincing reasons why you might want to explore using this “Members-Only” feature. Executive Director Curt Rohe used it for the first time last year and he was amazed at the results. A hotel room he wanted to book was only available for over $229 a night, even with the USGA rate! However, by using the Affinity Travel option, Curt was able to book the same room at the same hotel for only $189 a night. He was immediately convinced that this was something MAGA Members should seriously look into for their travel needs! The 7 reasons to use it are: The Benefit Platform Is Not For Public Use Our new Travel Platform, Powered By Affinity Travel Benefits, is an aggregator of highly discounted hotel inventory that is not available for publication on publicly exposed websites. In accordance with Federally imposed Rate Parity Laws, Affinity offers its products exclusively to large employer groups or to individuals belonging to membership, subscription or customer-based organizations. Most All Travel Sites Are Owned By Expedia For those keeping track, Expedia now owns Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotels.com, Hotwire, Trivago, CheapTickets and eBookers, among others… So really, checking all of those sites to find the best deal only fluctuate slightly. We utilize their inventory AND add the private offers of dozens of wholesalers that cannot sell to the public….but you have access! Save More Than Money – Save Time Most people visits 5 different travel websites (does the above list ring any bells?) before deciding where to book. Who wouldn’t shop around? We all love the best deal. But now, with our new travel platform, you get better prices than you will find anywhere: it’s smart to just bookmark it to have at the ready for your one and only platform to use. Trip Advisor Ratings Every hotel option shown has Trip Advisor Ratings along with it to help you choose what’s right for you. Your Family Receives Discounted Stays With You Group Lodging Services (aka when you need to Travel for a Tournament) are open to Members and to public – but you share the link. Site Visitors you send the link log in, credentials are not required, so you can receive great member pricing and invite your fan club along for the savings too. Over Half A Million Options To Choose From 700,000 to be exact (and counting) Low Rate Guarantee! All property reservations booked through our websites are guaranteed to be the lowest rate available. So don’t worry, if you ever find a lower rate on any site, anywhere, within 24 hours of your booking, we will match the price and refund you the difference. To Learn more, or to register (you’ll need your GHIN handicap number) Click HERE.
28
New for 2017! Golfing Before The Arch: 1896-2016 The latest edition of Golfing Before The Arch updates area golf events since the last version was published in 2014. Included in this edition is: • Results from the 2016 USGA Senior Amateur at Old Warson • Complete Curtis Cup results and player photos • Updated results of District, Missouri Golf Women’s golf and area titles through 2016 • Updated course information with the latest club closings • Updated player details on championships and qualifying for USGA or other national events • Listings of Gateway PGA Section Champion from 2016 back to 1938 • It’s 572 pages of information and details on area golf If you love area golf history, or just would like to see your name in print, this is the one book for you! The book is available for $39.95 at www.LULU.com, a self-publishing site. Upon placing your order, the book will be printed and shipped to you. You may search for the book by its name or by the name of the author, Jim Healey. Also on the site are additional books by the author that may be of interest to you. They include St. Louis Hoops, a book on area basketball history, first published in 2006 and recently updated to include 2016-17 statistics.
Front & Back Cover
The Metropolitan
May 2017
29
Lake Forest #18
The Metropolitan
Vol. 4 No. 3
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
CONNECT WITH US... Visit us on
Or for the Latest Updates... At Twitter