Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association Nov-Dec 2017 Newsletter

Spencer T. Olin #9 - Par 5

The Metropolitan

MAGA Events

Metropolitan Awards Reception Page 4-5

Here’s To the Winners... MAGA Champions during 2017 Page 6-7

Player’s of the Year Honored at Reception at Old Warson

Old Warson Cup Invitational

May 26-27, 2018

On The Greens...

Area Superintendents

Open Championship at CC of St. Albans

Page 9 Page 4

USGA Qualifiers

Page 10

June 6-8, 2018

USGA Events US Open Local Qualifying at Old Warson

USGA Results Page 14-15

May 7, 2018

The End of An Era at Tower Tee

US Junior & Girls’ Junior Qualifying at St. Clair CC

Page 16

Page 17

April 30, 2018

Normandie Amateur

Page 8

Players of the Year Results

Amateur Series Kicks Off at WingHaven

May 5-6, 2018

Who Are Those Guys?

MAGA Officials: More than Meets the Eye!

Robert Foulis: Founding Father of St. Louis Golf

Vol. 4 No. 8

Kathy Glennon US Women’s Mid-Amaeur Summary on Page 14

June 25, 2018 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

November - December 2017

Curt’s Comments

STAFF Executive Director Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org Director, Operations Maggie Smith - maggie@metga.org 2018 P.J. Boatwright Interns 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 (Local and Sectional) US Senior Open US Amateur US Mid-Amateur US Girls’ Junior Amateur US Women’s Mid-Amateur US Junior Amateur US Senior Amateur US Senior Women’s Amateur US Women’s Open US Amateur Four-Ball US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball ADVISORY COMMITTEE Scott Thomas, Chairman Dustin Ashby Tom Barry Skip Berkmeyer Jim Dunn David Rhoads Curt Rohe METROPOLITAN EDITOR Jim Healey

First and foremost, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone!

Wow, another season, another year has come and gone...but what a great 2017 we had at MAGA! As I shared with our Executive Board back in October at our Annual Meeting, 2017 was quite possibly the best season I have had in my 19 years of being with MAGA. We started the new year off with the addition of Maggie Smith to our staff, clearly one of the best Curt Rohe Executive Director decisions MAGA has made in a long time. She brought a new energy to the association and was a remarkable asset to our operations this year. With a year under her belt, I am even more excited to see how much better we can be in 2018.

Quality interns can make or break our staff makeup each season. This year we had some rockstars in Jake Weis and Troy O'Donnell. Great kids who embraced our mission and just got to work from day 1 they came in.

While I am grateful for my staff this season, I would be remiss to not say I am equally grateful for the volunteers who gave their time, energy and expertise this season to ensure that our events are conducted at the highest level. It has been said many time, and many ways, volunteers are the lifeblood of state and regional golf associations. MAGA is so very fortunate to have the dedication of all those volunteers who make us look so good!

The Rules Committee volunteers work thankless hours in the heat of the summer, our Course Rating Committee is equally as important to MAGA! Led by Ron Rhoades and Jayne Watson, our course rating program is in the best shape ever. To all our volunteers, thank you!

This issue of The Metropolitan will put an end to Volume 4 and our editor Jim Healey has been with us the entire way. After trying to get a newsletter off the ground internally, among the other things we have going, I approached Jim 4 years ago about helping us out with this project. Another decision we made that has been a home run for MAGA. To that end, I think we have some exciting new things in store for 2018, Volume 5.

2018 will be my 17th season full time with MAGA, truly unbelievable. It all started as one of those interns in 1998 and I am forever grateful for the opportunity given to me by Tom to come return in the fall of 2001. To Tom and the Executive Board who have put their trust and confidence me to lead this organization, I thank you.

I wrote up above 2018 may have been my best season ever, well as I come to the end of this edition of Curt's Comments, I say it was my best season ever! I pinch myself every once in awhile when I think about how some kid from Dutzow, MO who did not grow up around the game or play golf could be in this position today. Truly remarkable.

As always, thank you all for taking a few minutes to read The Metropolitan. Cheers to a safe, blessed holiday season to you and your families and even more prosperous 2018!

2

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

Rule 20-3c says if the exact spot on the putting green is not known, it should be placed as near as possible to the spot where it lay (i.e., estimate the spot). There was sufficient confusion, but all available information was taken into account in estimating the proper spots (Decisions 27/12 and 34-3/9). The players knew who was farthest left, who was in the middle and who was closest to the hole. There were three distinct ball marks on the green supporting their relative positions at roughly four-foot intervals. The Head Pro, who happened to be watching the group finish, saw which two balls checked and released and which ball spun back. He also recalled that they were aligned in a nearly straight line.

Rules of Golf Corner There’s Always An Answer No matter what happens (and a lot of stuff happens), the Rules of Golf always have an answer. Here’s a cute situation.

It was about 6 p.m. The last group in a four-ball stroke-play tournament at the Greenbriar Hills Country Club was finishing the par-4 18th hole.

Three approach shots found the left side of the putting green. The fourth player was about to hit.

All of a sudden three little kids appeared on the green (there was a large gathering on the clubhouse patio immediately across the street above the green). In just seconds they rounded up the three balls, “helping” the golfers by dropping them next to the hole! Just as quickly, they retreated to the anxious calls of their parents!

The balls were retrieved and individually identified by the players (Rule 12-2). Proper identification was important to avoid the potential for making a stroke at a substituted ball (Rule 15-2). Each player placed his own ball at the agreed upon estimated spot (Rule 203a), after which it was in play again (Rule 20-4).

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

John Thorman MAGA Rules Committee

Greenbriar’s 18th green complex

Stunned, but able to laugh, the golfers and Rules referees scrambled to sort out matters. For sure, there was knowledge that the balls at rest on the putting green had been moved by outside agencies (Rule 181), requiring them to be replaced, but to where?

3

2017 Player of the Year Awards Reception Over 80 attended the Player of the Year Reception at Old Warson Country Club on Tuesday, November 2. In addition to honoring the players, it was also a celebration to honor Bob Phillips as the recepient of the Metropolitan’s Meritorious Achievement Honor.

Following a brief reception, during which drinks and hors d’oeuvres were served, the evening got underway with Executive Director Curt Rohe kicking things off with a brief visual presentation honoring those who won events during the season. (See pages 8-9 for a recap of those champions).

Present to accept their awards were Senior Player of the Year Jeff Johnson and Player of the Year Sam Migdal. Kathy Glennon, Women’s Player of the Year, was out of town preparing to compete in the US Women’s Mid-Amateur at Champions in Houston, which was moved from Naples following Hurricane Irma, when Quail Creek Country Club, the intended site, was damaged in late September 2017.

Finally, Curt introduced Bob Phillips who graciously accepted his award from MAGA president Stan Grossman. The evening concluded with remarks by the MAGA founder, Tom O’Toole, during which he thanked the many volunteers who are so vital to the organization, many of which were present that evening.

He also reminessed about the strong support the Metropolitan received when it was just beginning, both from many who have since left us and others who were present that evening and who continue to support the organization’s efforts to manage area golf events in the most professional manner possible.

Woman Player of the Year Kathy Glennon

Stan Grossman surrounded by Senior Player of the Year Jeff Johnson (L) and Player of the Year Sam Migdal

The Metropolitan

Stan Grossman (L) with Meritorious Award Honoree Bob Phillips

November - December 2017

4

Around The Room...

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

5

Metropolitan 2017 Champions Old Warson Cup

Sam Migdal

Metropolitan Open

DJ Brigman

Junior Boys

Max Kreikemeier

Normandie Amateur

East Side Amateur

Scott Kirchoff

Ryan Eckelkamp

Women’s Amateur

Metropolitan Amateur

McKenna Montgomery

Shawn Jasper

Junior Girls

Senior Amateur

Claire Solovic

Jim Holtgrieve

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

6

MAGA 4-Ball (Open)

MAGA 4-Ball (Net)

Michael Fowler & Nick Profanick

Larry Laramie & Doug Williams

Metropolitan Cup

Meadowbrook CC (L-R: John Rankin, Paul Lueders, Mike Kootman, Brett Meeske, Daniel Holt, Aaron Lang, Craig Liddle

Congratulations to each of the winners and to all the competitors who made 2017 another outstanding campaign for the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association. We look forward to another successful season in 2018!

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

7

MAGA Officials While golf is a game of honor, at times players may be unsure of what is the proper manner in which to proceed. Between the Rules of Golf and the Decisions on the Rules, it can leave a player scratching their head. It’s in these situations that having someone nearby to advise them is important. So, who are these individuals who volunteer their time to make the game more enjoyable for us as players? Over the next several issues, we’ll profile a number of them.

Bob Phillips When did you begin working with the Metropolitan?

1993 Most rewarding part of being on the Rules Committee?

The Interaction with the players and the other officials.

Best memory of being on Committee?

Working my first event with Jim Tom Blair on #7 at Norwood.

Do you have a favorite event you enjoy working?

The U.S. Open qualifiers.

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

My first ruling at Westwood and Bob Beckman when we were both Norwood members. He requested relief from a condition that I could see was not warranted. Stan Grossman answered my call and agreed. Whew!

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

President and owner Five Star Footwear. Retired in 1996

Marcella Rose When did you begin working with the Metropolitan?

1992 Most rewarding part of being on the Rules Committee?

Being able to satisfy a complicated (or simple) rules situation.

Best memory of being on Committee?

I’ve had so many, it would be hard to single out just one.

Do you have a favorite event you enjoy working?

No, I enjoy each event.

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

As a player in the Trans-Miss: A 12 foot long snake on a bridge entrance to a green wasn’t moving and an Indian Chief had to come to chant, watch, and okay “specialists” while they removed snake. We lost about 1 hr 45 min.

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

High School Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Director The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

8

On the Greens...

Whether they are called “Keepers of the Green” or Greenkeepers; Course Managers or Superintendents, without this group, the game of golf would be much different, and not nearly as much fun!

We see them raking bunkers, mowing greens, cutting fairways and blowing leaves from our line of play, but like part of the course, we often overlook those who make the game more fun for us; the golf course maintenance staff.

Led by a Superintendent or Course Manager, the majority of these professionals are highly skilled in their craft.

They nurture the grass with water and fertilizers to make it lush and thick. They spray, at times, to reduce the amount of infestations from unwanted grasses - bermuda, poa anna, and others - and trim bushes and trees to enable light and air to reinvigorate the turf.

Yes, they also aerify - seemingly to those playing right after it’s completed, too often - but once again, this is necessary to break up the thatch that builds up and open up the root structure, enabling a stronger and more sustainable grass surface.

They must monitor the weather continually; too much rain on one day, followed by hot sun, might provide a climate for disease. Too little water and the roots suffer. It’s a fine line these groundsmen must follow to keep the course playable, despite what Mother Nature may throw at them.

Then we have the golfers. Those who do not fill divots, who do not repair ball marks, who think nothing of running their carts over guarded areas. They will complain, often quite vigorously, when a putt veers off target when it rolls through a dimple on the green, then just as vigorously, slam their putter onto the green, leaving the next golfer to deal with their abuse.

Yet, despite all this, they continue to toil, from very early each morning to mid-afternoon. At some courses, each green is mowed by 8:00 am and the fairways mowed, moving quickly out of the way as golfers hit the first tee!

The St. Louis area is served by two groups; the Mississippi Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Southern Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Association. Both groups work hard to provide their members with the most up-to-date information in the market. In addition, there is a lot of informal sharing of information among members, including providing assistance when needed.

During 2018, The Metropolitan plans to highlight the excellent work these groups do to support area golfers.

It’s our goal that golfers gain a greater degree of understanding of the challenges they face and will do what they can, when on the course, to leave it just a bit better than they found it, by applying some of the golf etiquette so important to keeping the courses playable.

Tenured Talent Across the area, a number of those who both worked on a course, as well as those who managed the process, stayed on the job for decades! Among those with the longest tenure were: Henry Heinsohn, St. Louis CC, 1922-1970; Jerry Luedloff, Westwood, 50 years; Gus Schnatzmeyer, Bellerive, 1924-1964; Sam Lyle, Norwood & Glen Echo, 1922-1962; Tom Hayes, Meadowbrook, 1932-1969; Oscar Bowman, Algonquin & Old Warson, 1939-1970; Bill Ashby, Algonquin, Lake Forest, Fox Run, Bogey Hills, St. Albans, Old Hickory, 1977-2016. If you are aware of another with long tenure at a course or club, please let us know!

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

9

St. Louis Golf History - Robert Foulis Left: Robert in 1903.

Below:James Foulis Sr. (at Old Tom’s right in front, and Robert, back row far right, in 1888.

Above: (L-R) Robert, Jim and David Foulis

(Right) Robert in 1927 as professional at Bellerive.

A name often associated with St. Louis golf is part of a family that traces its tree back to St. Andrews and to his strong relationship with Old Tom Morris himself.

Born in 1873, Robert was the third son of James and Helen Foulis, following David and James. He would have younger brothers Simpson and John.

Beginning at age 14, Robert started his golfing career working in the shop of Old Tom, where his father was the shop foreman. It was here that he developed his skill for clubmaking, and where he received his almost daily lessons from Old Tom. The aging pro would take Robert under his wing as they walked the old course, where Old Tom would point out the natural features of the course that made it such a challenge. From the position of the burns that snaked through the course to the bunkers and mounds, shaped by the sheep lying to escape the wind off the bay.

When he was ready, Old Tom gave him his first assignment to design a course at Ranfurly Castle. Later, when C.B. Macdonald was looking for a professional for his new Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, he sent Old Tom a letter, requesting that Robert make the trip across the Atlantic to Chicago. However, Robert declined the offer, instead recommending that his brother Jim fill the position. Two years later, Jim would win the second US Open in 1896.

A solid player himself, Robert noted in his memoirs that on one occasion he and David beat Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor in a match when they came to St. Andrews.

After a stint in Chicago, where he worked on a course in Lake Forest that would eventually become Onwentsia Club, he traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota, becoming the state’s first golf professional as he layed out the course for Town and Country first, and then co-authored a design for the Minikahda Club.

In late 1900, George McGrew, founder of Glen Echo, sent for Robert to assist with the creation of that club. Jim also arrived and as he had already crafted designs for the original St. Louis CC, the Field Club - the forerunner to Bellerive, and several others, Jim positioned the tees and greens and Robert proceeded to build the course, which opened in May 1901. Later that fall, he also built the original course at Normandie.

Robert Foulis is largely responsible for the birth of area golf and was singularly responsible for the early enjoyment golfers received from his designs.

He passed away in March 1945 in Orlando.

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

10

Competition Schedule 2018 MAGA Competitions

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

May 5-6 Invitational May 19-20 May 9 June 6-8 May 23 June 20-21 June 6 July 2-3 June 20 July 14-15 July 4 August 2-4 July 18 August 27-28 August 15 September 28 October 12 September 26

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

2018 USGA Qualifying Rounds

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

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

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

2018 MAGA Amateur Series Schedule

Entry Event Date(s) Deadline Venue #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Two-Day Championship

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

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

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

Events in grey have been completed.

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

11

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

JANUARY 2018 Dec 31, 2017

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

FEB 1

2

3

FEB 1

2

3

MAGA Events in RED | USGA Events in BLUE

FEBRUARY 2018

4

5

6

7

8

9 GOLF EXPO

10 GOLF EXPO

11 GOLF EXPO

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

MARCH 1

2

3

12

The Metropolitan

November - December 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

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

2017 USGA Qualifying Qualifying for a National Championship is an honor and an achievement.

Congratulations to those listed below who accomplished this in 2017!

US Open (Local Qualifying) • • • •

US Senior Amateur

Sam Migdal Joshua Rhodes Chase Hanna Daniel Hudson

• Andy Fogarty • Scott Thomas

US Senior Women’s Amateur • Ellen Port • Beatriz Arenas • Rosalie Kubesheski

US Senior Open • Jay Williamson

US Mid-Amateur

US Women’s Open

• • • •

• Ally McDonald • Pei Yun Chien

US Junior Amateur • Joe Bultman • James Song

Bryan Bohme Patrick Bader Andrew Pranger Scott Hovis

US Women’s Mid-Amateur • Kayla Eckelkamp • Kathy Glennon

US Girls’ Junior Amateur • Casey Ott • Lauren Chappell • Julia Matzat

US Amateur Four-Ball

• Alex Cusumano & Garrett Marschke • Richard Berkmeyer & Brad Nurski

US Amateur

US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball

• Blaine Buente • Sam Migdal

• Erica Shepherd & Jayna Choi • Robin Burke & Ellen Port

Golf’s Unique in Fostering Competition and Friendships This past summer, 17-year-old Erica Shepherd of Greenwood, Indiana, captured the 207 US Girls’ Junior at Boone Valley Country Club. During the finals, she defeated a close friend, Jennifer Chang of Cary, North Carolina. However, this was not the first time Shepherd had success in the St. Louis area.

In September 2016, she teamed with 2015 US Girls’ semifinalist Jayna Choi to compete in qualifying for the 2017 US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball at Lake Forest Golf & Country Club. Posting a best-ball of 72, they were the lone qualifying team from that site, edging the team of Robin Burke and Ellen Port, who shot 73.

14

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

USGA Championships - Results for Area Players & Qualifiers US Senior Women’s Amateur - September 9-14 Waverley Country Club, Portland, Oregon A score of 163 (+19) qualified for Match Play • Ellen Port - 79 - 76 = 155 • Beatriz Arenas - 79 - 80 = 159 • Rosalie Kubesheski - 84 - 83 = 167 Match Play Round of 64: Martha Leach def. Beatriz Arenas, 21 holes Round of 64: Ellen Port def. Leeann Lewis, 2 and 1 Round of 32: Ellen Port def. Kathy Kurata, 1up Round of 32: Patricia Schremmer def. Ellen Port, 6 and 5

US Women’s State Team Championship - September 26-28 The Club at Las Campanas, Santa Fe, New Mexico Tennessee won the title with a score of 431 Missouri Team - Finished 15th - Score of 452 • Kathy Glennon - 79 - 81 - 85 = 245 • Kayla Eckelkamp - 74 - 80 - 77 = 231 • Jess Meek - 75 - 72 - 74 = 211

Top 5

1. Tennessee 2. Delaware 3. Florida 4. Alabama 5. New York 5. Indiana

US Women’s Mid-Amateur - October 7-12, 2017 Quail Creek Country Club, Naples, Florida

Championship Postponed due to Hurricane Irma

Played November 11-16 at Champions GC in Houston, Texas A score of 160 (+16) qualified for Match Play

• Kayla Eckelkamp - 76 - 75 = 151 • Kathy Glennon - 73 - 81 = 154 Match Play Round of 64: Kay Daniel def. Kayla Eckelkamp, 7 and 6 Round of 64: Meghan Stasi def. Kathy Glennon, 2 and 1

US Mid-Amateur - October 7-12, 2017 Capital City Club, Atlanta, Ga. & Atlanta National Golf Club, Milton, Ga. Par 70 - Capital City Club - 7,174 yards; Par 71 - Atlanta National - 6,784 yards A score of 146 (+5) qualified for Match Play • Bryan Bohme - 74 - 77 = 151 • Patrick Bader - 89 - WD • Andrew Pranger - 75 - 73 = 148 • Scott Hovis - 78 - 71 = 148

15

431 432 433 435 438 438

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

The End of an Era...The Closing of Tower Tee Some personal reminiscing...

Founded by Dick Lotz in 1963, he was able to secure a lease from Pulitzer, who owned the ground, and construct the range. However, we musn’t think of Tower Tee as just a place we went to hit golf balls. For many, Tower Tee was akin to the bowling alley of bygone days; sure you went there for the sport, but you hung around to listen to the stories, to spend time with friends, to while-away the hours honing your favorite shots. For younger players, think of it as a Mall where you congregated that had an indoor range!

I first went to Tower Tee around 1965. A classmate of mine at CBC was on the golf team and he asked me to join him. Knowing little about golf at that time, I tagged along. I grabbed one of the metal drivers that were available at the range and began to whale away, trying to hit those red-striped spaldings as far as I could. However, I noticed others there were not doing the same. They had brought their own staff bags, full of woods (yes, real persimmons) and irons (pre-Ping days). As I peeked into their bags I saw names on them: McGregor, Haig Ultra, Sam Snead Blue Ridge, Wilson Staff. As one of the uninitiated, these were totally unfamiliar to me. In the coming years, I became addicted to the game. By the early 1970s, I had my own set of Haig Ultra’s - four woods and 9 irons (2-W) and a Wilson 8802 putter - just like Palmer used! Later, I would dabble with a 1-iron, unsuccessfully, and trade a 2-iron for a Gene Sarazen Sand Wedge.

It was here in the 1990s where I met Dick Lotz with Gene Webb. The two had their weekly game on the par-3 course. Gene had help develop Lakeside GC in the early 1950s (before it closed in 1969 to make way for the construction of I-170 - the Innerbelt - at Page Avenue near Woodson), then becoming head pro at Norwood Hills from 1957-69. Having played the tour in the 1940s, he teed it up in the Masters and the U.S. Open.

In recent years, Bob Gaus, who dominated the local PGA section events for years, as well as the St. Louis Publinks numerous times since 1987, spent time here giving lessons to eager players, hoping some of Gaus’ talent might rub-off on them. Certainly there were others who spent hours here looking to perfect their game. Some came for the miniature golf, where youngsters and families enjoyed the thrill of clearing the windmill and holing that final shot. Teams arrived to hit baseballs and softballs. The variety of speeds provided the challenge and continued the bonds between parents and their children that has continued for generations as they enjoyed the summer sports.

Sadly, like what has taken place at other sites over the past years - St. Andrews, St. Charles, Green Trails, Cherry Hills, Pebble Creek, West Par, and others - the demand for housing, or the dollar signs in the eyes of developers, have outweighed either the owners spirit to continue, or their ability to make a profit from keeping the site as a recreational benefit. For Tower Tee, suffice to say, the lease just ran out. Current owner Steve Lotz, Dick’s son, has spent most of his adult life here, enjoying the company of his customers, many of whom became life-long friends. In all likelihood, this Christmas will be the last one for golfers to enjoy at Tower Tee. I visited Tower Tee this past season several times. Once to hit balls in preparation for a Hickory Golf event at Forest Park (yes, playing with hickory clubs), and on other occasions just for the sheer joy to teeing it up. I played the par-3 course twice, once shortly after a rainstorm when I had the course pretty much to myself, and the other when it was packed with twosomes and parents with children enjoying time together.

I spoke with Ellen Port recently. She has taken her Washington University women’s golf team there to practice.

It was convenient, open early and year-round. She wonders now where they will be able to practice. There are hundreds, if not thousands of golfers, asking themselves the same question! Tower Tee, we miss you already!

16

The Metropolitan

November - December 2017

Player of the Year Final Standings Sam Migdal Ryan Eckelkamp Parker Goldman Skip Berkmeyer Brad Carpenter Shawn Jasper Kyle Szyhowski Andrew Pranger Bryan Bohme Alex Ciaramitaro Alex Cusumano Chad Niezing Ryan Sullivan Jeremy Franklin Jimmy Siegfried Tony Gumper Blaine Buente Frankie Thomas Chris Kovach Jeff Johnson Patrick Bader Van Pierce Christopher Ferris Toppie Hogan Scott Kirchoff Zach Decker Pat Britt Reilly Ahearn Conrad Maloney

2175.00 1277.50 1182.50 1160.00 1000.00 770.00 688.75 675.00 670.00 651.67 620.83 615.00 547.50 543.33 515.00 508.33 458.33 443.33 412.50 350.00 350.00 335.00 331.25 310.00 300.00 280.00 275.00 270.83 260.00

Austin Hoerstkamp 228.75 Thomas Weaver 225.00 Craig Hardcastle, Jr. 210.00 Michael Fowler 201.67 Tom Barry 200.00 Matt Hoemann 200.00 Curtis Brokenbrow 185.00 Tyler Comerford 183.33 Thomas Wuennenberg 175.00 Phil Caravia 160.00 Buddy Allen 153.75 Joseph Williams 153.75 Matt Hatley 150.00 Brian Hall 135.00 Andy Fogarty 125.00 Cole Pickett 125.00 David Johnson 125.00 Max Harres 125.00 Max Kreikemeier 125.00 Michael Wernle 125.00 Michael Johnson 125.00 Scott McClellan 125.00 Ted Moloney 125.00 Jackson Lane 125.00 Ryan Schuencke 125.00 Zach Cutler 103.75 Dustin LaGrand 100.00 Gene Hart 77.50 Robert Dunn 76.67

Sam Migdal

Jameson Howard David Bremer Scott McClellan Trevor Cronin Chris Dale Mike Lawton Thomas Buffington Scott Edwards Ryan McNeil Gage Brauns James Trittler Hunter Parrish Crimson Callahan Wes Hillen Rob Scherer Matthew McCarthy

75.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 58.33 58.33 50.00 50.00 25.00 2.50 2.50

Senior Player of the Year Final Standings Jeff Johnson Jim Holtgrieve David Johnson David Bremer Andy Frost Tom Barry Andy Fogarty Scott Thomas David Pfeil Scott Edwards Jack Eisenbeis Jim Dunn Tom Portner Jim Greenstein Ollie Crow Rich Jarrett David Speicher Buddy Allen Bill Anderson

920.00 780.00 710.00 686.67 659.17 641.67 550.00 493.33 380.00 370.00 312.50 312.50 242.50 240.00 240.00 240.00 220.00 220.00 168.00

Steven McFadden David Neuner Jay Jordan John Moore Tom Pruden Mark Bolhofner Robert Trittler Robert Meeh Dennis Osborne Donny Ngala John Todd Anthony Brown Bob Beckmann Don Bliss Didier Villard Bret Voisin Gerald Mozur Joe Timpone Greg Bott

17

165.00 150.00 150.00 150.00 137.50 128.33 120.00 100.00 85.00 80.00 75.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 50.00 43.33 40.00 30.00

Jeff Johnson

Matthew Cullen Ken Highlander Jim McLaughlin Pat Ross

20.00 10.00 10.00 10.00

Updated for 2017 Golfing Before The Arch: 1896-2017 *** UPDATED WITH RESULTS THROUGH 2017!! *** 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 • 2017 US Girls’ Junior Coverage from Boone Valley • Updated results of MAGA, District, Missouri Golf, Women’s golf and area titles through 2017 • 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 2017 back to 1938 • It’s 580 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

November - December 2017

18

Spencer T. Olin #9 - Par 5

The Metropolitan

Vol. 4 No. 8

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

Facebook

Or for the Latest Updates...

At Twitter