Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association February 2019 Newsletter

The

Metropolitan Norwood Hills’ clubhouse during the 2019 January blizzard

Vol. 6 No. 1

WHAT’S INSIDE...

3

Adjusting to the New Rules

Curt’s Corner Rules Article Area Coming & Goings Adam Long Youth on Course St. Louis Golf History - Eddie Held Schedule of Events St. Louis Golf Expo

6 10 Area Comings & Goings

8 Adam Long Joins 1st Time Winners on Tour

Area’s 1st USGA Champ

MAGA Offices

14

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

2 3 6 8 9 10 11 15

The Metropolitan

MAGA STAFF Executive Director Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org Director, Operations Maggie Smith - maggie@metga.org Manager, SIGA Programs & Championships Adrian Brown P.J. Boatwright Interns METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Old Warson Cup Amateur Championship Match Play Championship Open Championship Women’s Amateur Championship Junior Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Nine-Hole Championship Thomas O. Sobbe 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 Women’s Mid-Amateur US Junior Amateur US Girls’ Junior Amateur US Senior Amateur US Senior Women’s Amateur US Amateur Four-Ball US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball ADVISORY COMMITTEE Scott Thomas, Chairman Tom Barry Skip Berkmeyer Jim Dunn Curt Rohe METROPOLITAN EDITOR Jim Healey



Page 1

January - February 2019

Curt’s Comments Greetings MAGA Members! Happy Opening Day of score posting season for all of you here in our region yet. March 1st is the first day we can post scores for rounds played in the area; unfortunately, it appears Punxsutawney Phil was wrong and it looks like an extended winter at the moment!

Curt Rohe Executive Director

March is a big month as we prepare for the upcoming season. Monday, March 4th registration opens for all MAGA Championships and Amateur Series events for the season. Those schedules are all available on the website under the Competitions tab. From the USGA, the Opens are the only championships available for registration at this time, First Stage will be conducted at Fox Run GC on May 6th.

I would like to welcome to the staff Adrian Brown, from Carterville, IL. Adrian has served as a PJ Boatwright Intern for MAGA and the SIGA the last two summers. She is now teaching full-time in Southern Illinois and will work on a part-time basis as our Manager, SIGA Programs during the summer. Brown will oversee the conduct of the SIGA championships, Junior Golf Tour and some member club initiatives for MAGA. MAGA will also be moving our office in March to a new location. In the past 4 months, the office building on Clayton Road has been hit by cars. This second incident, just over a week ago, resulted in a fatality of the driver and did significant damage to the building. MAGA has found a new home in Maryland Heights. Please continue to use the Clayton Road address and our phone number to contact us until we are ready to make the full announcement.

Hard to believe we are embarking on our sixth season of The Metropolitan with this issue! We continue to try and provide new content and news of MAGA to our Members. Also, we would love to provide an opportunity for you or your company to advertise with us.

Please contact me (Curt) at curt@metga.org to discuss what we could offer you and how we are reaching thousands of golfers through the summer.

Thanks for reading and keep it straight!

2

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Rules Corner Adjusting to the New Rules The new Rules have been in effect for two months and golfers are getting acquainted with them in actual play. There are many pluses, but it’s hard to unleash such a large number of changes without encountering some issues. Also, change begets change - 20 clarifications have already been issued.

Of course, there was the outcry on the professional tours regarding two-stroke penalties on players for taking their stances with their caddies standing behind them (photo courtesy of NBC Sports). Was it deliberate? Was the player taking a stance for the actual stroke or just gauging the shot before backing away? Difficulties interpreting Rule 10.2b(4) led the USGA and R&A to quickly issue three clarifications.

Among these points, the player may now avoid penalty by backing away from his or her stance anywhere on the course and resetting before making the actual stroke. Perhaps Darren Clarke (PGA Champions Tour) had the best fix – “I told my caddie, ‘Don’t be behind me, ever. Don’t walk behind me, don’t do anything behind me.”

It takes a little practice to get comfortable with dropping from knee height, not necessarily from the knee, when taking relief. It’s not always graceful and the old habit of shoulder-height dropping dies hard; however, missteps may be corrected without penalty by re-dropping before making the stroke. The idea is to improve the chances that the ball stays within the relief area on the first drop. Incidentally, Branden Grace’s drop from a squatting position at Phoenix Open was done in the right way [Page 4] (photo courtesy of NBC Sports).

Not many golfers realize that leaving the flagstick in the hole when putting is history repeating itself.

From 1956-1967, Rule 34-4b stated, “The player incurs no penalty if his ball strike the flagstick when it is not attended and is in the hole.” The new version (Rule 13.2a) is proving popular with amateurs. The flagstick serves as both a target and backstop, plus leaving it in the hole saves time. Some professionals are choosing to putt with the flagstick in the hole, especially on long putts. It will be interesting to follow the

3



Page 1

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Adjusting to the New Rules (continued) strokes-gained-putting statistics on the professional tours.

There have been unintended consequences to changing the Rules for accidental ball movement on the putting green (Exception 3 to Rule 9.4b and Rule 13.1d). Invariably, out of caution, confused tour players call an official whenever their ball moves. Did the player accidentally move the ball?

Did natural forces move it? Had the ball been marked and lifted? Should the ball be played as it lies or replaced?

Remember, in stroke play, the player may proceed with two balls if there is doubt as to procedure.

On the putting green, golfers like being able to fix spike marks and other damage without penalty. Ditto, being able to stand on or straddle the line of play when reading putts, as long as the line of play is not improved (e.g., AimPoint technique).

However, there is some controversy regarding green-reading books (direction arrows and degree of slope on putting greens). The USGA and R&A limited the amount of detail (maximum scale of 3/8 inch to 5 yards; 1:480) and size of the books (maximum 4-1/2 inches x 7 inches). Not all 2018 versions of greenreading books meet these specifications, so must now be replaced.

John Thorman MAGA Rules Committee

ď …

Page 1

4

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

MAGA Amateur Awarded to Aberdeen GC for 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 29th Amateur Championship Returns to a Public Facility for Third Time Aberdeen Golf Club Will Host August 1-3, 2019

The Metropolitan Amateur Championship was started in 1991 because there was a need for a regional championship bringing the private club and public course golfers together to compete. A year later the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association was founded.

Since its inception, the championship has been conducted primarily at private club venues. In 1995, the late Craig Schnurbusch captured his one and only Jim Tom Blair Trophy at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course. That championship is still known as maybe the hottest championship ever played. Scott Fann would earn the title in 2001 at Gateway National Golf Links.

It was time for the Amateur to return to a public facility and we are excited to announce Aberdeen Golf Club has been chosen as host of the 29th edition of the regions most coveted trophy, the Jim Tom Blair Trophy!

General Manger Greg Jansen commented on Aberdeen hosting the Amateur, "We are extremely honored and excited to be hosting the 29th Metropolitan Amateur Championship. Knowing that Aberdeen will be the 3rd public facility to host this great Championship makes it even more special. We are very much looking forward to having the regions best amateurs compete on the course we love so much.”

The links style course, designed by Gary Kern, can stretch to over 7,200 yards and will be played at a Par 71. Aberdeen is known for its firm , and windy conditions, emulating true links style golf found in Scotland.

Drew Pranger (pictured right) captured his second Amateur championship in 2018 at the Country Club of St. Albans. Pranger fired a 2-under total over 54holes to hold off Skip Berkmeyer and Crimson Callahan who finished 1 shot back. Pranger will seek to become the first 3time winner of the Metropolitan Amateur Championship at Aberdeen.

“Aberdeen Golf Club, and its owners Rockyney and Ann Dollarhide, have supported MAGA by hosting several MAGA championships and USGA qualifiers since opening in 2001. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring our flagship championship to Aberdeen in 2019,” stated Executive Director Curt Rohe.

The Amateur Championship is a 54-hole stroke play championship. A full field will play 36-holes over Round 1 and 2 before a cut to the Low 40 scores and ties will play the Final Round on Saturday, August 3 to crown a champion.

If you should have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Curt Rohe, Executive Director, via email at curt@metga.org or phone at (314) 567-MAGA.

5



Page 1

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Area Comings and Goings Changes within area clubs over the past few months St. Louis Country Club Assistant Tom Staebel retiring after 45 years at the Club.

Tom Staebel began his golf career as a caddy at Meadowbrook CC in 1966. He arrived at St. Louis Country Club in 1972 to be the Caddy Manager, working for the then head professional Dave Douglas.

He left the club in 1980-81, to become the head professional at Westwood Hills in Poplar Bluff and then at Terre du Lac in Bonne Terre, Mo., before returning in late 1981, as assistant professional for Steve Spray. Tom has been an integral part of the golf operation ever since, providing instruction, managing club events and servicing the needs of the membership.

He and his wife will be moving to New Mexico.

Forest Hills’ Traub Moving to Skokie Country Club in Chicago; Marvin Herrod promoted to Head Professional at Forest Hills.

Gideon Traub, who served as head professional at Forest Hills since 2012, resigned last fall to accept the head professional position at Chicago’s Skokie Country Club. Gideon had been at Skokie as an assistant in 2007. The Donald Ross design has hosted a number of championships.

The new head professional at Forest Hills, Marvin Herrod, grew up in the St. Charles area and attended St. Charles West high school, where he played on the golf team.. He attended both Herrod Family Lindenwood and UMSL, receiving degrees at both universities.

After a brief career in the medical industry, the lure of golf drew him back into the game. He began his professional golf career in Overland Park, Kansas, at St. Andrews Golf Club. He returned to St. Louis in 2012, and began his association with Traub and Forest Hills.

He attained his PGA Class A certification in 2016, and in 2017 was selected Assistant of the Year by the Gateway Section. He was named head professional in February 2019.



Page 1

6

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

New Addresses, New Faces Professional moves at Fox Run, Tapawingo and Gateway National.

Jeff Field, head professional at Fox Run since 2005, has left the club.

Dennis Biedenstein, who was director of Instruction at Fox Run in the past before moving to Tapawingo as Director of Golf, returns to Fox Run as haad professional.

Jeff Field

Dennis Biedenstein

Kevin Triefenbach, head professional at Tapawingo since 2002, recently left the Gary Player design to take the Director of Golf position at Gateway National.

Shawn Barnes, the previous Director of Golf at Gateway, assumes a new regional position with Walters Golf Management.

Kevin Triefenbach

Some Things NEVER Change...

There is a growing tendency toward constructing golf courses with a view of making them more difficult.

Each year finds new bunkers, traps and places of retribution on most of our local courses to hinder the player and penalize the misdirected shot. Time was when the course architect drew his plans to avoid the difficulties, rather than place them in the way. The noted English golfers, on their visit to this country several years ago, were unanimous in the complaint that our courses were insufficiently trapped and bunkered, pointing out instances where bad shots, though considerably off the line, suffered no material punishment. Their objections were doubtless well taken and the suggestions followed to the degree of launching an immediate movement in the direction of harder tests and consequently a higher standard of golf.

Hence the test of golf and the quality of a particular course seem now to be best judged by the number of obstacles and yawning hazards that lurk along the fairways.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 11, 1918 by Clarence Wolff, St. Louis District Golf Association Secretary.

7

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Adam Long Breaks Through for The Win Desert Classic victory secures Long’s position on Tour through 2021 For Adam Long, he thought the biggest thrill of the past several months would be earning his Card for the PGA Tour. He was certainly wrong about that. His biggest thrill would come months later when he birdied the final hole at the 2019 Desert Classic in January to capture his first PGA win.

For Adam, it’s been a long road to finally become a PGA Tour winner, and the first from the area since Trevor Dodds’ win in 1998 at the Greater Greensboro Open, when he defeated Scott Verplank in a playoff.

However, for Long, the Francis Howell, and Duke graduate, the journey has not been without the thrills that come with having ones dream realized.

Looking back, we should have seen this coming. In 2003, the 16-year-old won the Metropolitan Junior championship at Bellerive Country Club. The following year, the St. Louis District Junior at Westwood Country Club saw Adam take another junior title. In 2006, he graduated from Francis Howell, having been selected to the All-State team four times and a three-time district and conference champion.

The 2008 season would be a banner year as he won the Metropolitan Amateur Championship, defeating Skip Berkmeyer over Norwood Hills with a 211 total. He capped the season with a strong showing in the U.S. Amateur qualifying, earning a spot at Pinehurst, which was won by Danny Lee of New Zealand.

Following graduation from Duke, where he was a four-time Academic All-ACC Scholar - the only player in school history to accomplish that - Adam turned professional in 2010, beginning the trek toward his goal of reaching the PGA Tour.

In 2011, he found victory on the NGA Hooters Tour at the Woodcreek Open in Columbia, South Carolina, posting a 23-under total. That same year, he competed in the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club. Though he missed qualifying for the weekend, like every other event, it was another solid learning experience in his career.

The 2012 season saw Adam join the Web.com Tour, competing in 17 events with a top 10 finish. In 2014, he played on both the PGA Tour Canada (Mackenzie Tour) and the Latinoamerica Tour, competing in 23 events. In 2015, he rejoined the Web.com Tour, playing in 21 events, setting the stage for the future.

Finally, the 2017-2018 season was the bellringer for the future. Playing some of the best golf of his professional career he finished as one of the top 25 money-earners on the Web.com Tour, earning his PGA Card for the 20182019 season. Little did he know it would just be a prelude to even bigger and better accomplishments.

Sunday, January 20, 2019, will always be etched in stone in Adam’s career. Making only his 6th start on tour, playing the Stadium Course at PGA West and playing in the group with Phil Mickelson and Adam Hadwin, Long showed nerves of steel.

Mickelson, the leader after three rounds, would post a 69 for his round. Hadwin, with a 67, had a three-shot lead on the back nine before falling behind. Meanwhile, Long was on his way to a 7-under 65. In the end, it came down to Adam watching Mickelson’s putt slide past the hole that ended up being the deciding factor. As Long stepped over his putt, with the commentators noting the sharp right to left break, Adam took just a moment to steady himself before making his stroke and rolling the winning putt into the hole.

In the end, it was now the Masters, the PGA Championship and so much more that would open their doors to Adam as one of the newest winners on tour.

For those in the area who have watched Adam compete, first as a junior and now as a PGA Tour champion, we cannot be more happy for his success.



Page 1

8

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Youth On Course

9

ď …

Page 1

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

St. Louis Golf History - Eddie Held In the late teens of the early 20th century, a young man began playing golf over the area’s public courses. It was also about that time that the USGA organized a National Championship for Public players, the Public Links Championship. The first championship would be held in Toledo, Ohio in 1922 at Ottawa Park in the heat of August. One of the entries would 19-year-old Eddie Held, playing out of Forest Park.

Two months earlier Eddie Held had finished second to Dick Bockenkamp at the Missouri Amateur, 5 and 4, and in early July, he lost a match to Chick Evans in the Western Amateur in 21 holes. Then at the U.S. Open qualifying at Skokie Country Club, Held was the only St. Louisan to qualify, posting a score of 147. At the same site, Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones also qualified, with each posting a 148.

With the Public Links championship being a new event, and with not that many public courses across the country, only 140 players made entry into the event, with 136 eventually heading to the first tee.

The event would be played at Match Play, like most USGA events at that time, after two rounds of medal play for seeding. Held finished third at 149, putting him in a good position. He won his first match 3 and 2 over Willliam Mudie of Detroit, then downed T.K. Lomas of New Yori, 5 and 3. In the third round, he downed J.F. Christie of Toronto, putting him into the semifinals, where he met George Aulbach of Boston, the medalist at 139. In a hard-fought match, Held got the win in 20 holes.

In the lower bracket, Richard Walsh of New York would be his opponent, as he won his semifinal also with a 1up victory. During the final, it was reported that Held played beautifully, never allowing Walsh to get back into the match. It ended on the 30th hole when Walsh missed a 3-foot putt. Held was the winner 6 and 5.

Held would not defend his title in 1923 as shortly after he returned home, he joined Algonquin Golf Club.

In 1923, he was the prestigious Trans-Miss Championship at Minikahda Club in Minneapolis. He won the event a second time in 1926 over his home course of Algonquin.

In 1929, he won the Canadian Amateur, becoming the first American to win that championship. He also won the Colorado Amateur in 1939.

He turned professional in the 1940s but had little success on tour. He returned to the area, opening a range - Held Golf - on Manchester Road, just west of Mason.

In all, he qualified for 11 U.S. Amateurs, 12 U.S. Opens, won the Missouri Amateur in 1925 and the Men’s District title in 1924 and again in 1937. He also played in eight Western Opens, finishing third in 1924.

Generally acknowledged as one of the three best players of his era, along with Jimmy Manion and Clarence Wolff, Eddie’s record speaks for itself with his championships. As a teacher, he, along with Bob Green, tutored Judy Torluemke Rankin as a youngster.

He was the area’s first USGA Champion, a significant accomplishment in an era with so many other great players.

He passed away in October 1981, at age 78.



Page 1

10

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Competition Schedule 2019 MAGA Competitions

Entry Championship Date(s) Deadline Venue The Old Warson Cup May 4-5 Invitational Normandie Amateur May 18-19 May 8 Open Championship June 4-7 May 22 Women’s Amateur Championship June 17-18 May 29 Nine-Hole Championship June 29 June 12 Junior Amateur Championship July 1-2 June 19 East Side Amateur July 13-14 July 3 Amateur Championship August 1-3 July 17 Senior Amateur Championship August 26-27 August 7 Thomas O. Sobbe Jr. Cup “Final Four” September 20 Four-Ball Championship September 23-24 September 11 Mid-America Junior Cup October 19-20

Old Warson Country Club Normandie Golf Club Country Club of St. Albans Gateway National Golf Course Ballwin Golf Course TBD Spencer T. Olin Golf Course Aberdeen Golf Course Annbriar Golf Course Lake Forest Country Club Franklin County Country Club Kansas City

2019 USGA Qualifying Rounds Entry Championship Date(s) Deadline Venue US Open Local Qualifying US Junior Amateur Qualifying US Girls’ Junior Amateur Qualifying US Amateur Qualifying US Senior Amateur Qualifying US Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifying US Mid-Amateur Qualifying US Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifying US Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying

May 6 June 25 June 25 July 22-23 July 29 July 29 August 12 August 12 October 9

April 24 June 5 June 5 June 26 July 10 July 10 July 31 July 31 August 14

Fox Run Golf Club Quincy Country Club Quincy Country Club Meadowbrook Country Club Aberdeen Golf Course Aberdeen Golf Course WingHaven Country Club WingHavenCountry Club Old Hickory Golf Club

2019 MAGA Amateur Series Schedule Entry Event Date(s) Deadline Venue #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Championship

April 29 May 13 June 14 July 19 August 19 September 13 October 5-6 Invitational

WingHaven Country Club Woods Fort Golf Course Links at Dardenne Golf Course Florissant Golf Club Lake Forest Country Club Sunset Hills Country Club Tapawingo National Golf Club

Online registration opens on March 4, 2019 11



Page 1

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

MARCH 2019 Feb 24

25

26

27

28

March 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17 St. Pat’s Day

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

MAGA Events in RED | USGA Events in BLUE

APRIL 2019 March 31

April 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 EASTER

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 30 Amateur Series #1

May 1

2

3

4 OW CUP



Page 1

12

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Please Support our Supporters Allied golf associations and supporters of the

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

Resources

13

ď …

Page 1

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Metropolitan Offices Suffers Another Tragic Accident Another vehicle strikes MAGA Offices following recent repairs For the second time in four months, a vehicle struck the Metropolitan offices, causing significant damage to the recently repaired front and the main entrance. A POD, which was located on the parking area, also suffered substantial damage.

Unfortunately, this time the result was much more than just the damage to the structure as it also resulted in the loss of the life of the driver.

With repiars from the early November accident having been recently completed, the MAGA staff began to settle in to the updated offices. On the evening of February 25, a car driven by a 51-year-old man, lost control and slammed into a utility pole before hitting the storage structure and then the MAGA offices. Firefighters arrived on the scene shortly, where they extinguished a fire that engulfed the car and the front of the building.

The resulting damage to the building is so extensive that the MAGA has decided to relocate its offices to a new location for the coming year. However, those wishing to send MAGA letters or other communication may continue to do so at the address on Clayton Road. However, MAGA will not be physically located in that space.

You may also continue to contact MAGA at the phone numbers noted on the website and on the front of the Newsletter (314.567.MAGA).

As soon as the specific location of the new offices are finalized, we will make this information available on the MAGA website. While the last several months have certainly been very stressful on the MAGA staff, we look forward to the upcoming season.

ď …

Page 1

14

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

St. Louis Golf Expo As we have done for the past many years, the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association was a presenting sponsor and had a booth display at the St. Louis Golf Expo in St. Charles.

Executive Director Curt Rohe took to the stage for a presentation on what the Metropolitan does as a whole; putting on local and USGA competitions, maintaining player handicaps, and developing course ratings across the region.

Curt next discussed how the Metropolitan is supporting the Youth on Course initiative, when he was joined onstage by Hugh Smith (below right in blue) of Youth on Course, who spoke about the program from a national perspective.

The Metropolitan is committed to supporting this national program to find ways to have more junior players find their way to their local courses to become the next generation of players.

15

ď …

Page 1

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Southern Illinois Golf Association SIGA 2019 Tentative Featured Events SIGA Junior Golf Tour Callaway Cup Team Qualifier

June 3, 2019 at Franklin County Country Club

JGT-Callaway Cup Invitational

July 6-7, 2019 at the Effingham CC in Effingham, Illinois

95th SIGA Championship

July 20-21, 2019 - Tentative Venue: Rend Lake GC

Bill Koeneman Memorial Players Cup

August 3 or August 10, 2019 at Hickory Ridge Golf Course.

SIGA Junior Players Championship

August 4, or August 11, 2019 at Franklin County Country Club.

Tony Stevens Cup Matches

September 14-15, or September 21-22, 2019

Tentative Venues: Kellers Crossing at Stone Creek and Jackson County CC

On which area course is this hole? Answer on page 18.

ď …

Page 1

16

The Metropolitan

January - February 2019

Updated for 2018 - Golfing Before The Arch *** NOW IN FULL COLOR *** Golfing Before The Arch 2018 is all NEW, with full color images dating back to the 1940s! See many players, courses and historic items in color.

Also included: • Results from the 2018 PGA Championship with player images • The USGA Women’s Mid- Amateur, held at Norwood Hills in September 2018 • Updated results of MAGA, District, Missouri Golf, Women’s golf and area titles • Updated course information • Player details on championships and championship qualifying • Listings of Gateway PGA Section Champion from 2018 back to 1938 • Expanded to 608 pages of facts on St. Louis Golf History A perfect gift for anyone interested in the history of area golf.

The book is available for $47.50 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.

17



Page 1

The

Metropolitan

Parting Shot...

Saturday morning at the PGA Championship as players warm up before finishing their Friday round.

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

Answer to golf hole question on page 16 Tapawingo National GC - Woodlands #8

18

ď …

Page 1