Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association Newsletter June 2018

Belk Park GC - #6 - 421 yard par 4

The

Metropolitan

Vol. 5 No. 4

WHAT’S INSIDE...

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Curt’s Corner Rules Article 2018 Upcoming Events MAGA Open MAGA Volunteers Women’s Amateur St. Louis Golf History Schedule of Events US Junior Qualifying Southern Illinois GA Amateur Series On The Greens Area Major Championships PGA Update Youth on Course

MAGA Open

9 Women’s Amateur

16

2 3 5 6 8 9 10 11 16 18 20 22 23 26 31

U.S. Junior Qualifying

26 PGA Update

20

Volunteers

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Amateur Series

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

The Metropolitan

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

June 2018

Curt’s Comments Greetings MAGA Members!

It seems I write about weather a lot, but once again, we have experienced some of the strangest weather this season. The coldest, wettest April on record to the hottest May on record and now we are into the full swing of Summer.

Curt Rohe Things heated up on June for MAGA with the 13th Metropolitan Open Championship Executive Director at St. Albans. The golf course was as fabulous as we have seen during these 13 championships and the players just absolutely rave about the course, the hospitality and the championship year after year. We heard it many times again this year, this is the best mini-tour event they play all season long!

Jordan Russell came out on top with a great 54-hole performance and a $25,000 first place check.

We were excited to officially launch in June that MAGA has become a Youth on Course organization. Bringing the national Youth on Course initiative to the St. Louis region. Youth on Course provides affordable golf for juniors ages 6-18. We are adding facilities as we speak to bring more opportunities to the juniors in this region. For more information see the one-pager further back in this issue.

The Metropolitan Women’s Championship was conducted in June and, to nobody’s surprise, Ellen Port came away with her 16th title.

We only had 37 ladies compete in our Women’s Championship, a scheduling conflict with another organization hurt the field this year and we promise that will never happen again. Thank you to the ladies who competed at Sunset CC, it was a wonderful 2-days of competition.

I wanted to point out the piece in this issue by our friends from the Mississippi Valley Golf Course Superintendent’s Association (MVGCSA). They have contributed to each issue this season and this month you will read from Old Hickory Golf Club Superintendent Carter DeMay. These guys all do excellent work in the transition zone known as St. Louis and we are glad to have them sharing their knowledge and expertise with us each month.

Well we are halfway through another year, where does the time go.

Keep on playing and thank you for reading another issue of The Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN EDITOR Jim Healey

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

Rules Corner Virtual Certainty, But In Which Lateral Water Hazard Area A singles match with an assigned Rules referee is underway at the St. Louis Country Club. The players are on the 508-yard 5th hole, a slight-dogleg-right par-5 with a blind shot to a putting green at the bottom of a hefty slope.

Things are about to get interesting.

A championship-level player stripes his second shot from the middle of the fairway sharply left of the green. The low-trajectory shot bounds down the slope on line with the small tree near the junction of the walled lateral water hazard and the cart path, and definitely right of the cart-path bridge. The player and his caddie hustle to the area. A five-minute search clock starts running. Initial probing of the lush, heavy grass inside the walled hazard is unsuccessful. The player quickly shifts his attention to the lateral water hazard area across the cart path (left side of cart path past the bridge). Maybe the ball hopped over there.

It’s late July, and this area is parched with thin brown grass and hardpan. No ball is apparent.

The players, caddies, plus the referee and an observer comb the light rough on the bank above the green, the area left of the green, and the zone behind the walled hazard. The ground is firm. The shot was low and hard, so an embedded ball is highly unlikely. The ball is definitely in one of the two hazard areas.

Left side of hole no. 5 putting green at St. Louis Country Club After three minutes and twenty seconds, the player’s caddie finds a ball inside the walled hazard (right on line with the small tree)!

The ball is tucked down in the grass. The player goes through the identification procedure, identifies the ball as his, and replaces it.

He takes a chance and plays the ball it as it lies, making bogey and losing the hole. Okay, just another hole as it turns out.

Walled lateral hazard area behind hole no. 5 putting green But …. here’s an interesting question: What would the ruling have been if the ball had not been found within the five-minute search period?

It might be tempting to deem the ball LOST. It wasn’t found within five minutes. Further, the player didn’t know in which hazard area the ball lay.

So, should the player have proceeded under penalty of stroke and distance? No. There was virtually certainty that the ball was in one of the two lateral water hazard areas, so the player was entitled to one-stroke relief under Rule 26-1. But relief from which lateral water hazard area? Answer: The player makes “an honest judgement” as to where his ball last crossed the margin of a hazard (Decisions 26-1/16,17); in this case, the walled lateral hazard area.

Lesson: It is irrelevant that the player doesn’t know exactly where his ball last crossed the margin of a water hazard, a lateral water hazard, adjoining water/lateral water hazards, or even multiple water/lateral water hazard areas. As long as the player has knowledge or virtual certainty that his ball is in a water hazard or lateral water hazard, he need only make “an honest judgement” as to where it last crossed. He may consult with his opponent or a fellow competitor. After all, it’s a game of honor an integrity.

This ruling and the “knowledge or virtually certainty” concept will be the same in 2019. Search time for a ball will be reduced from five minutes to three minutes. Also, the terminology of water hazards and lateral water hazards is going away. Henceforth, there will be yellow and red penalty areas.

John Thorman MAGA Rules Committee

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

The Wabash Cannonball For those who have had to make the trek up the hill from Old Warson’s 12th green to the par 3 thirteenth tee on foot, you have surely wished that there was an alternative. Well, in the 1950s, there was! The Wabash Cannonball (below left and center), so named as the rail car was presented to the club by the rail line, held a foursome, bags and caddies as it made its way up the hill. Sadly, insurance and deterioration of the tracks caused it to give way in just a few years. Thought to be lost forever, the shell of the car (below right) was found resting at Greenbriar, before it was returned to Old Warson. As to how it got there remains somewhat a mystery. While it’s unlikely the car will be used as it once was, perhaps it will be restored and put on display, providing a reminder of the resourcefulness of golfers to find a solution.

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

2018 Metropolitan Upcoming Events Junior Amateur - Forest Hills

East Side Amateur - Spencer T. Olin

July 14-15

July 2-3 Amateur Championship - St. Albans

Senior Amateur - Persimmon Woods

August 2-4

August 28-29

2018 USGA Upcoming Qualifying Rounds US Amateur Qual. - Westwood CC

US Senior Qualifying - Ballwin GC

July 23-24

August 6 5

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

MAGA Open 161 Amateurs and Professionals provided thrills and drama at the 13th playing of the Metropolitan Open Championship!

The 13th Metropolitan Open at the Country Club of St. Albans came to a close Friday evening after Jordan Russell, from Bryan, Texas, posted a tournament score of 10-under.

He went into the day -6 after shooting 66 and 70 the first two days. He battled all day with Barrett Kelpin, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who finished runner-up at -8. Justin Bryant who led the event after the first two rounds struggled on the day as he shot +5 to bring his championship total to -5.

Russell said he has been coming to the Open for five years now and said this year was one of the best he has been to. “A lot of great players come to this thing,” Russell said. “Barrett, I knew he was a tough guy to battle down the stretch. We’ve been coming for five years and the field has gotten better and better with the word getting out about this tournament.” Russell will be taking Jordan Russell with MAGA President Stan home the $25,000 first prize back to Texas.

Grossman and the James Manion Trophy Kelpin said he had a lot of fun and that he knew he would have to shoot a good score to put himself in a position to win. “I played great,” Kelpin said. “I just came a couple short of Jordan. Jordan played great, he’s a great guy and he definitely earned every bit of his victory.”

Russell noted that the tournament swung on a 3-hole stretch - holes 13-15 - where he went birdie, eagle birdie, to open up a 3-shot edge, going 11-under par at the time. A bogey on seventeen and a very nice 2-putt on the closing hole put him two shots clear of Kelpin for the victory.

During the championship, four amateurs made the cut for the final day of the Open, but one stood out among the rest on the final day. Kyle Szyhowski, from St. Charles, Missouri, finished the tournament +3 and shot a 2-over 73 in the final round.

Szyhowski (pictured left) said Low Amateur Kyle Szyhowski and MAGA Executive Director Curt Rohe perseverance was the key after he struggled to start the championship.

“Today my goal was just to go out and have fun,” Szyhowski said. “Next thing you know they tell me I’m low amateur.”

The Championship paid out the highest purse in history at $105,000.

Thank you to the Country Club of St. Albans and its members who have Runner-up Barrett Kelpin made this partnership with MAGA and the Open a huge success.

Check out the final scores and all the final payouts by clicking here.

Additional photos from the Open on page 24

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

MAGA Open Scores 1 Russell, Jordan

Bryan, TX 2 Kelpin, Barrett

Kalamazoo, MI 3 Smith, Shane

Godfrey, IL T4 Bryant, Justin

Kirkwood, MO T4 Sullivan, Ryan

Winston Salem, NC 6 Holtz, Brandon

Bloomington, IL T7 Cooke, David

Bolingbrook, IL T7 Oneal, Tim

Savannah, GA T9 Bardgett, Justin

Chesterfield, MO T9 Haley, Paul

Dallas, TX T9 Holland, Charlie

Dallas, TX T9 Latimer, Nick

Singer Island, FL T9 Lister, Andrew

College Station, TX T14 Kwon, Luke

Carollton, TX T14 Nagy, Michael

Manistique, MN T14 Arman, Nick

Ellisville, MO T14 Fulford, Spence

Davenport, FL T14 Isabel, Craig

Winona Lake, IN T19 Adamonis, Brad

Coral Springs, FL T19 Neeman, Collin

Columbia, IL T19 Dickens IV, Al

Charlotte, NC T19 Lilleboe, Eric

Okemos, MI T19 Peaper, Brant

Jupiter, FL T24 Fritsch, Brad

Holly Springs, NC T24 Long, Jace

McKinney, Tx

T24 Rodes, Kyle

Plymouth, MI T27 Stolpe, Patrick

Scottsdale, AZ T27 Szyhowski, Kyle (a)

St. Charles, MO T27 Baker, Mark

Scottsdale, AZ T27 Ledford, Bryce

Ooltewah, TN T31 Crawford, Kolton

Mansfield, TX T31 Crow, Warren (a)

St. Louis, MO T31 Johnson, Neil

River Falls, WI 31 Cusumano, Alex (a)

St. Louis, MO T31 Slattery, Kurt

Taylor Ridge, IL T36 Ajubita, Neal

Metairie, LA T36 Hudson, Robert

Memphis, TN T36 Smith, Ted

Orlando, FL T36 Berkshire, Jeff

Scottsdale, AZ T36 Esler, Josh

Wauconda, IL T36 Kovach, Chris (a)

St. Louis, MO T36 Weldon, Kyle

Ballwin, MO T36 White, Brett

Caledonia, MI T44 Bryant, Matthew

Columbia, SC T44 Reese, Dalton

Warrenton, GA 46 Meyers, Cameron

Edmond, OK 47 Juszczyk, Joseph

Dearborn Heights, MI 48 Mather, Mitchell

Lebanon, MO 49 Laske, Gabe

Wildwood, MO

-10 66 70 67 203 -8 68 70 67 205 -7 65 72 69 206 -5 62 70 76 208 -5 67 69 72 208 -3 69 69 72 210 -2 67 69 75 211 -2 71 73 67 211 -1 68 70 74 212 -1 73 69 70 212 -1 70 70 72 212 -1 72 66 74 212 -1 71 68 73 212 E 69 71 73 213 E 70 71 72 213 E 72 68 73 213 E 68 68 77 213 E 70 72 71 213 +1 69 73 72 214 +1 69 71 74 214 +1 71 73 70 214 +1 68 70 76 214 +1 69 70 75 214 +2 73 68 74 215

+2 72 70 73 215 +3 72 70 74 216 +3 73 69 74 216 +3 72 72 72 216 +3 71 72 73 216 +4 74 70 73 217 +4 72 70 75 217 +4 73 70 74 217 +4 75 69 73 217 +4 71 72 74 217 +5 68 73 77 218 +5 73 71 74 218 +5 78 66 74 218 +5 73 68 77 218 +5 72 71 75 218 +5 71 72 75 218 +5 71 73 74 218 +5 72 71 75 218 +6 71 72 76 219 +6 72 72 75 219 +9 72 72 78 222 +10 71 73 79 223 +11 73 71 80 224 +12 71 72 82 225

Continued on page 14

+2 70 70 75 215

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

MAGA Officials Marvin Frazier When did you begin working with the Metropolitan?

2016 Most rewarding part of being on the Rules Committee?

Being able to help players and being associated with a group of volunteers (rules officials) dedicated to improving the game Best memory of being on Committee?

The meetings hosted by Alvin Sage to further our understanding of The Rules of Golf.

Do you have a favorite event you enjoy working?

No one favorite. Each one seems to have its own identity and culture.

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

MAGA Open Championship - St. Albans; Helping right handed players with relief when their ball comes to rest between the cart path and boundary fence and they are wanting relief from the cart path as a result of wanting to play the ball left handed.

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

Before retiring, supervised a group of financial advisers for a large registered financial broker/dealer

David B. Lacks When did you begin working with the Metropolitan?

2012 Most rewarding part of being on the Rules Committee?

Helping golfers Best memory of being on Committee?

The camaraderie among the volunteers Do you have a favorite event you enjoy working?

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

Nothing specific What was your line of work before, or currently, joining the MAGA Rules Committee?

Practicing Attorney...still active

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

MAGA Women’s Amateur Championship Ellen Port posted the only sub-par round

of the championship to take the 26th playing of the event, and in the process, capture her 16th title. After an opening 79, it took a round of 71, which included two double bogeys over her home course, to edge Madison Derousse, a recent transfer to UMSL. Logan Otter, the first round leader, posted a 78 to finish two shots back along with Iowa Hawkeye Shawn Rennegarbe.

Championship Pos. 1 2 T3 T3 5 T6 T6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 NS NS

Player Ellen Port Madison Derousse Logan Otter Shawn Rennegarbe McKenna Montgomery Kathy Glennon Kayla Eckelkamp Melanie Wolf Kate Keuss Taylor French Lacey Snell Katy Forand Sarah Lewis Cindy Penning Dana Todaro Lucy Clark Victoria Hays

Affiliation Sunset Country Club Gateway PGA Jr Golf Club Whitmoor Country Club Metropolitan Golf Club Persimmon Woods Golf Club Country Club of St. Albans Franklin County Country Club Bogey Hills Country Club Metropolitan Golf Club Metropolitan Golf Club Fox Run Golf Club Sunset Country Club Persimmon Woods Golf Club Sunset Country Club Annbriar Westview Golf Course Metropolitan Golf Club

Gross R1 R2 Total 6 79 71 150 7 76 75 151 8 74 78 152 8 75 77 152 10 75 79 154 12 79 77 156 12 78 78 156 13 81 76 157 14 75 83 158 22 86 80 166 26 85 85 170 27 90 81 171 31 91 84 175 32 90 86 176 36 88 92 180 - NS NS - NS NS

Flight A Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WD

Player Maria Morrison Oanh Wieland Debra McGinnis Mary Terwelp Janine Fabick Simay Souvannarath Barb Moegle Margaret Manning Nannette Baker

Affiliation Annbriar Golf Course Sunset Country Club Pevely Farms Golf Club Spring Lake Country Club Sunset Country Club St. Louis Womens Golf Assn Sunset Country Club Bellerive Country Club Norwood Hills Country Club

Net R1 R2 -4 75 65 -1 74 69 2 73 73 5 75 74 6 78 72 9 78 75 10 80 74 18 82 80 - WD

Net 140 143 146 149 150 153 154 162 WD

Affiliation St. Louis Womens Golf Assn St. Louis Womens Golf Assn St. Louis Women’s Golf Assn.

Crescent Farms Golf Club St. Louis Womens Golf Assn.

St. Louis Womens Golf Assn.

St. Louis Womens Golf Assn.

St. Louis Womens Golf Assn.

St. Louis Womens Golf Assn.

Net R1 R2 8 78 74 8 80 72 16 83 77 17 86 75 18 84 78 22 89 77 27 91 80 31 87 88 - WD

Net 152 152 160 161 162 166 171 175

Flight B Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WD

Player Alicia Anderson Nanci Rosch Carol Schlueter Marty Crimmins Carol Amling Carol Gleason Pam Lenhard Patricia Harman Janet Allen

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

St. Louis Golf History - Ed Furgol -

Ed Furgol (R), with Jim Cockburn at Westwood CC. Furgol followed Cockburn as head professional.

Furgol’s swing was unique due to his injured left arm, however, he found a consistency that enabled him to capture the 1954 US Open

Westwood members honored Furgol following his Open victory

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With the US Open played this month, it’s only fitting to recognize the only area professional who won the Open while manning a shop at an area club!

As the club professional at Westwood CC, Furgol, like many of his contempories of the day, took time off to play in major championships. The New York native had turned professional in 1945 after winning the North and South Amateur at Pinehurst. He would win professional 11 events in his career - six of those on the PGA Tour. However, it was at the 1954 US Open where he made his mark on golf.

At the age of 12, he fell on a playground, damaging his left elbow.

Despite several surgeries, it failed to heal properly, leaving him with a crooked arm, ten inches shorter than his right. On the advice of his doctor, he took up golf.

Furgol arrived for the 1954 US Open, played at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, the fourth time the event was played there but the first on the club’s Lower Course.

Following the second round on Friday, Gene Littler held a 2-shot advantage over Furgol and defending champion Ben Hogan. When Furgol put up a 71 during the third round on Saturday morning against a 76 by Littler, Furgol held a 1-shot edge over Dick Mayer, with Littler three back. Hogan, who recorded four bogeys in his first six holes, also shot a 76.

The final round began on Saturday afternoon with Littler going over the course in 70 to make things more interesting. Furgol and Mayer were tied as they came to the 18th hole. Furgol hit his drive into the trees off the fairway. However, he played out into the 18th fairway of the adjoining course from where he put his third on the green and made par, coming in with a 72 and a 284 total. Mayer only needed a par to force a playoff, but he recorded a double bogey.

This was the first US Open to be televised national - though only for one hour - and was carried by NBC. After his win, Furgol went to the Westwood Board and requested to periodically take time away from the shop, allowing him to capitalize on his victory by playing in additional Tour events as well as exhibitions. The Board agreed, however, Furgol had to ensure that the shop was covered properly at all times in order to serve the membership.

However, two years later, it was agreed that the situation was not working out satisfactorily for either Furgol or the club. As a result, Furgol left Westwood and began to play more events on Tour.

In winning the Open while working as a club professional, Furgol became the last to do so, with future winners competing full time on the Tour.

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

Competition Schedule 2018 MAGA Competitions

Entry Championship Date(s) Deadline Venue The Old Warson Cup May 5-6 Invitational Normandie Amateur May 19-20 May 9 Open Championship June 6-8 May 23 Women’s Amateur Championship June 20-21 June 6 Junior Amateur Championship July 2-3 June 20 East Side Amateur July 14-15 July 4 Amateur Championship August 2-4 July 18 Senior Amateur Championship August 28-29 August 15 Thomas O. Sobbe Jr. Cup “Final Four” September 28 Four-Ball Championship 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 9 July 2 August 17 August 7 September 24 September 14 October 13-14

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

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

Events in grey have been completed.

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

JULY 2018 JULY 1

2 MAGA Junior

3 MAGA Junior

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9 Amateur Event #4

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14 East Side Amateur

15 East Side Amateur

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23 US Amateur Qual

24 US Amateur Qual

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AUGUST 1

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MAGA Events in RED | USGA Events in BLUE

AUGUST 2018 JULY 29

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AUGUST 1

2 MAGA Amateur

3 MAGA Amateur

4 MAGA Amateur

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6 US Senior Am Qualifying

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17 Amateur Series #5

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20 US Women’s Mid-Am Qualifying

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28 MAGA Senior Amateur

29 MAGA Senior Amateur

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SEPT 1

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

Please Support our Supporters Allied golf associations and supporters of the

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

Resources

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

MAGA Open Scores The Following Players Did Not Make Cut Gielow, Brendan Asheville, NC +3 71 74 145 Hallberg, Eric Scottsdale, AZ +3 73 72 145 Martin, Cody Fort Mitchell, KY +3 73 72 145 Nelson, Ian Macomb, IL +3 76 69 145 Purser, Rustin Edmond, OK +3 75 70 145 Pranger, Drew (a) St. Louis, MO +3 74 71 145 Schaff, Tommy Ridgeland, SC +3 76 69 145 Castle, Ethan Phoenix, AZ +4 76 70 146 Jeske, Kevin (a) Kirkwood, MO +4 74 72 146 Kline, Eric Ponca City, OK +4 73 73 146 Kring, Kevin Springfield, MO +4 70 76 146 Luth, Patrick Medina, OH +4 73 73 146 Alex, Anthony Ponte Vedra Beach, FL +4 75 71 146 Dominick, Michael Scottsdale, AZ +4 74 72 146 Gregson, Mitchell Jacksonville, FL +4 71 75 146 Northcutt, Glenn Dothan, AL +4 73 73 146 Regier, Justin Chicago, IL +4 76 70 146 Tolan, Derek Highlands Ranch, CO +4 75 71 146 Ahearn, John (a) St. Louis, MO +5 74 73 147 Buege, Andy Palm Beach Grdns, FL +5 78 69 147 Busch, Sean Lauderdale, FL +5 74 73 147 Hurley, John Tomball, TX +5 75 72 147 Taylor, Julian Fulton, MO +5 75 72 147 Tyler, Nathan Mesquite, TX +5 72 75 147

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Grant, Stephen Plantation, FL Sanchez, Marty Santa Fe, NM Schaake, Carson Omaha, NE Siegfried, Jim (a) St. Louis, MO Tucker, Jake Cullman, AL Williamson, Jay St. Louis, MO Callahan, Crimson (a) Chesterfield, MO Heavens, Christian Fairview Heights, IL Phillips, Steven Clarksville, TN Fortner, Alden Dothan, AL Berkmeyer, Richard (a) Town & Country, MO Ferris, Christopher (a) St. Louis, MO Taylor, J.T. Conroe, TX Bullington, Brian Frankfort, IL Carpenter, Brad (a) Washington, MO Hoemann, Matthew (a) Washington, MO Jennings, Matthew Prairie City, IA Migdal, Sam (a) Ballwin, MO Yankovich, Nathan Blacklick, OH Cornfield, Ryan Spartanburg, SC Green, Andrew Oklahoma City, OK Arp, Riley Fort Collins, CO Ciaramitaro, Alex (a) St. Peters, MO Hatley, Matt (a) Belleville, IL

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+5 73 74 147 +5 71 76 147 +5 72 75 147 +5 70 77 147 +5 73 74 147 +5 73 74 147 +6 76 72 148 +6 75 73 148 +6 72 76 148 +6 74 74 148 +7 75 74 149 +7 78 71 149 +7 72 77 149 +7 79 70 149 +7 75 74 149 +7 72 77 149 +7 72 77 149 +7 76 73 149 +7 75 74 149 +8 79 71 150 +8 77 73 150 +8 73 77 150 +8 74 76 150 +8 77 73 150

Neff, Tyler Knoxville, TN Weems, Josh Lake Quivira, KS Grubnich, Nicholas Crown Point, IN Abolt, David Cuba, MO Engel, Sam Scottsdale, AZ Jebavy, Matt Murfreesboro, TN MacWhinnie, Bobby Charlotte, NC Wrozier, Justin (a) St. Peters, MO Gutesha, Alex Dallas, TX Holt, Logan Dublin, OH Hong, Peter Charlotte, NC Worley, Dane Cedar Rapids, IA Choate, Corey (a) Eureka, MO Cooper, A.J. Hannibal, MO Nixon, Willson St. Louis, MO Smith, Tyler Oskaloosa, IA Buente, Blaine Troy, MO Massey, Jordan-Tyler Panama City, FL Mickelson, Matthew Lamoni, IA Pierce, Van (a) Naples, FL Sullivan, Ryan (a) Arnold, MO Eckelkamp, Ryan (a) Washington, MO Hogan, Toppie (a) St. Louis, MO Dittmer, Zachary Kansas City, MO

+8 70 80 150 +8 72 78 150 +9 77 74 151 +10 76 76 152 +10 72 80 152 +10 77 75 152 +10 74 78 152 +10 74 78 152 +11 77 76 153 +11 81 72 153 +11 78 75 153 +11 78 75 153 +11 78 75 153 +11 74 79 153 +11 75 78 153 +11 73 80 153 +12 73 81 154 +12 76 78 154 +12 79 75 154 +12 77 77 154 +12 76 78 154 +13 75 80 155 +13 77 78 155 +13 80 75 155

The Metropolitan

June 2018

MAGA Open Scores Greene, Michael Overland Park, KS Eaton, Drew (a) Quincy, IL Hauter, Jonathan Fairview, TX Mitchell, Andrew Benton, IL Kim, Hongsang (a) St. Charles, MO Manley, Marcus Orlando, FL Wollam, Ben Marshalltown, IA Boat, Ian Leawood, KS Weaver, Thomas (a) St. Louis, MO Barbee, Nate Scottsdale, AZ Weber III, Richard Weldon Springs, MO Maloney, Conrad (a) Wildwood, MO

+13 78 77 155 +14 83 73 156 +14 78 78 156 +14 76 80 156 +14 77 79 156 +14 81 75 156 +15 79 78 157 +15 76 81 157 +16 77 81 158 +16 75 83 158 +16 77 81 158 +17 77 82 159

Hoerstkamp, Austin (a) Washington, MO +17 73 86 159 Correnti, Joseph (a) Ellisville, MO +18 83 77 160 McCarthy, Matthew (a) O’Fallon, IL +18 83 77 160 Reinert, Christopher Parkville, MO +18 79 81 160 Postal, Carson (a) St. Louis, MO +18 83 77 160 Proctor, Colin Anderson, IN +19 80 81 161 Taylor, Robb Scottsdale, AZ +19 81 80 161 McLaurin, Jordan Ironton, MO +20 79 83 162 Homb, Mitchell O’Fallon, IL +21 83 80 163 Alferman, Tommy (a) Washington, MO +22 86 78 164 Sides, Braxton Canyon, TX +22 84 80 164 Ray, Bobby (a) St. Louis, MO +24 78 88 166

Brennan, Sean (a) Creve Coeur, MO Hemings, Justin (a) Edwardsville, IL Schroeder, Will (a) Union, MO Skrivan, Chad O’Fallon, MO Benson, Aaron Monroe City, MO Perotti, Louie (a) Wildwood, MO Coats, Jonathan Huntsville, AL Wahle, Kevin (a) Wildwood, MO Cossio, Francisco Brigantine, NJ Funk, Taylor Ponte Vedra, FL Bader, Patrick (a) St. Louis, MO

+24 88 78 166 +25 81 86 167 +25 80 87 167 +25 84 83 167 +28 85 85 170 +29 88 83 171 +30 76 96 172 +50 94 98 192 - 78 WD - WD WD - 89 N S NS

MAGA Open Professional Purse Payout Russell, Jordan

$25,000.00

Isabel, Craig

$1,400.00

Johnson, Neil

$900.00

Kelpin, Barrett

$12,500.00

Kwon, Luke

$1,400.00

Slattery, Kurt

$900.00

Smith, Shane

$6,500.00

Nagy, Michael

$1,400.00

Ajubita, Neal

$885.71

Bryant, Justin

$4,875.00

Adamonis, Brad

$1,008.00

Berkshire, Jeff

$885.71

Sullivan, Ryan

$4,875.00

Dickens IV, Al

$1,008.00

Esler, Josh

$885.71

Holtz, Brandon

$3,725.00

Lilleboe, Eric

$1,008.00

Hudson, Robert

$885.71

Cooke, David

$2,975.00

Neeman, Collin

$1,008.00

Smith, Ted

$885.71

Oneal, Tim

$2,975.00

Peaper, Brant

$1,008.00

Weldon, Kyle

$885.71

Bardgett, Justin

$1,980.00

Fritsch, Brad

$950.00

White, Brett

$885.71

Haley, Paul

$1,980.00

Long, Jace

$950.00

Bryant, Matthew

$862.50

Holland, Charlie $1,980.00

Rodes, Kyle

$950.00

Reese, Dalton

$862.50

Latimer, Nick

$1,980.00

Baker, Mark

$920.00

Juszczyk, Joseph

$850.00

Lister, Andrew

$1,980.00

Ledford, Bryce

$920.00

Laske, Gabe

$850.00

Arman, Nick

$1,400.00

Stolpe, Patrick

$920.00

Mather, Mitchell

$850.00

Fulford, Spence

$1,400.00

Crawford, Kolton

$900.00

Meyers, Cameron

$850.00

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June 2018

US Junior Qualifying St. Clair Country Club was the site where junior boys and girls from across the country, along with international players, began their quest to qualify for the 2018 United States Junior and Junior Girls’ Championship.

Qualifiers Pos. Player

Affiliation

To Par Total

1

Jenson Rogenes

Frisco, TX

-4

67

2

Luke Ludwig

Effingham, IL

-3

68

Non-Qualifiers Reynolds Lambert (1A) Brminghm, AL

-1 70

Cameron Lambert

Troy, IL

+7 78

Tommy Kuhl (2A)

Morton, IL

E 71

Steven Wendling

St. Louis, MO

+7 78

Ross Steelman

Columbia, MO

+1 72

Michael Allgeier

Saint Louis, MO

+8 79

Maxwell Kreikemeier

Chesterfield, MO

+2 73

Ian Blome

O’Fallon, MO

+8 79

Dawson Meek

Ozark, MO

+2 73

Alex Heib

St. Louis, MO

+8 79

Colin Stolze

Valley Park, MO

+2 73

Joshua Kleinheider

Edwardsville, IL

+8 79

Yu-Ta Tsai

New Taipei City

+2 73

Benjamin Lanman

Charleston, IL

+8 79

Drew Miller

Arlington, TN

+2 73

David Meindl

Lake St. Louis, MO +8 79

Zach Williams

Mt Vernon, IL

+3 74

Ben Tyrrell

Edwardsville, IL

+8 79

Josh Heidenry

St. Louis, MO

+3 74

Zach Walsh

Chesterfield, MO

+8 79

Nathan Woolard

Poplar Bluff, MO

+4 75

Zicheng Ye

Athens, GA

+10 81

Tyler Linenbroker

Chesterfield, MO

+4 75

Joseph Jones

Flower Mnd, TX

+10 81

Carson Postal

Saint Louis, MO

+4 75

Parker Leavitt

Chesterfield, MO +10 81

Robert Rardin

Charleston, IL

+4 75

Hudson Weibel

Dallas, TX

+10 81

Alex White

Hillsboro, IL

+5 76

Peter Weaver

St. Louis, MO

+10 81

Alex Bishop

Litchfield, IL

+5 76

Carsen Silliman

Jackson, MO

+11 82

Kolten Bauer

Alton, IL

+5 76

Griffin Nyi

Pontiac, IL

+12 83

David Cramer

St. Louis, MO

+5 76

Patrick Ringwald

St. Louis, MO

+13 84

Tommy Alferman

Washington, MO

+6 77

Joe Avery

Kirkwood, MO

+14 85

Case Englehart

Jackson, MO

+6 77

Riley Burns

Webster Grvs, MO +14 85

Jack Guyot

Chesterfield, MO

+6 77

Jon Huber

St. Louis, MO

+14 85

Hank Lierz

Saint Joseph, MO

+6 77

Grant Goebel

Breese, IL

+16 87

Jack Rundle

Jefferson City, MO +6 77

Drew Hollman

O’Fallon, MO

+16 87

Jack Patterson

Alton, IL

+6 77

Hyatt Hines

Lake St. Louis, MO +17 88

Ben Blase

Chesterfield, MO

+7 78

Hadley Kramer

Saint Louis, MO

Keegan Gowin

Charleston, IL

+7 78

Bennett Tiefenbrunn

Frontenac, MO

Braden Hoisington

Drdnne Pre, MO

+7 78

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+19 90 -W D

The Metropolitan

June 2018

US Junior Girls’ Qualifying Qualifiers Pos. Player

Affiliation

To Par Total

1

Cory Lopez

San Pedro, Mexico

-4

68

T2

Ashely Shim

San Mateo, CA

-1

71

T2

Kaylee Sakoda

Cypress, CA

-1

71

T4 Makenzie Niblett (1st Alt) Austin, TX

E

72

T4 Sadie Englemann (2nd Alt) Austin, TX

E

72

6

Isabelle Simpson

Brisbane, Queensland

1

73

7

Sarah Willis

Eaton, OH

2

74

8

Sarah Bell

Jackson, MO

4

76

9

Sophie Zhang-Murphy

Mountain View, CA

5

77

10

Reagan Zibilski

Nixa, MO

6

78

11

Audrey Pulliam

Little Rock, AR

7

79

T12 Grace Aromando

Lake St. Louis, MO

8

80

T12 Amy Gao

Athens, GA

8

80

T14 Holly McCann

Raleigh, NC

11

83

T14 Mary Li

Athens, GA

11

83

T14 Anna Morgan

Spartanburg, SC

11

83

T17 Taryn Overstreet

Jackson, MO

12

84

T17 Kylee Vaughan

McLeansboro, IL

12

84

19

Brooklyn Millard

Chatsworth, CA

13

85

20

Briana McMinn

O’Fallon, IL

14

86

21

Ella Overstreet

Jackson, MO

15

87

T22 Addasyn Zeller

Edwardsville, IL

16

88

T22 Julie Zhang

Tampa, FL

16

88

T24 Zoee Harrington

O’Fallon, MO

17

89

T24 Laci Novosel

Quincy, IL

17

89

T26 Alyssa McMinn

O’Fallon, IL

18

90

T26 Grace Renfer

O’Fallon, MO

18

90

28

Gracie Piar

East Alton, IL

21

93

29

Megan Breslin

Du Quoin, IL

22

94

30

Sarah Breslin

Du Quoin, IL

24

96

WD Millie Lawson

Metropolis, IL

WD

WD Roshannah Gaur

Hinsdale, IL

WD

WD Drew Nienhaus

Saint Albans, MO

WD

Non-Qualifiers

17

Medalist Cory Lopez from Mexico

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June 2018

Southern Illinois Golf Association 2018 Men’s Amateur Events for Player of the Year July 7 -8 Fowler Heating & A/C Championship • Lake of Egypt Country Club July 21 – 22 94th SIGA Championship • The Links at Kokopelli July 28 – 29 Benton Gold Cup • Benton Country Club August 4 Bill Koeneman Memorial Players Cup • Hickory Ridge Golf Center August 11 – 12 Weeks Chevrolet GMC Buick Fall Classic • Franklin County Country Club August 18 – 19 Harvest Connell Cup • Egyptian Country Club

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

2018 Men’s Senior Amateur Events for Player of the Year July 21-22 •

The Links at Kokopelli

August 4 •

94th SIGA Championship Bill Koeneman Memorial Players Cup

Hickory Ridge Golf Center

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

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

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

Southern Illinois Golf Association 2018 JGT Calendar - Points Events July 1

JGT-Callaway Cup Invitational-7/1/2018

Sunset Hills CC

July 5

Jr. Foxes Invitational

McLeansboro Golf Course

July 10

Greenview Junior Classic

Greenview Golf Course

July 11

Kokopelli Junior Klassic

The Links at Kokopelli

July 12

Nashville Jr. Tournament

Nashville Golf Course

July 19

Ram Jam

Green Hills Golf Course

July 20

Benton Junior Gold Cup

Benton Country Club

July 21 – 22 94th SIGA Championship

The Links at Kokopelli

August 1

PZ-Phelps/Zieba-Junior Classic (Free Entry & Lunch)

Keller’s Crossing at Stone Crk

August 4

Bill Koeneman Memorial Players Cup

Hickory Ridge Golf Center

August 5

SIGA Junior Players Championship

Franklin County Country Club

Standings for Player of the Year Men: 1st - Michael Fowler

1,275 points

|

Senior: 1st - Murphy Hart

362.5 Points

Gearing up for the 94th SIGA Championship at Kokopelli. Deadline is July 11th!

Register online using the link:

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/1385628

On which area course is this hole? Answer on page 32.

19

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

Amateur Series #3 - Florissant GC - June 11, 2018

Open

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Gage Brauns Greenville CC Clint Hamel Greenville CC Mike Castellari Ruth Park GC Patrick Ryan Metropolitan GC Steven Rommerskirchen Greenville CC Bryan Thayer Metropolitan GC Lew Weingart Quarry at Crystal Springs John Remley Highlands Golf & TC Alek Stojanovic Annbriar GC James Freeman Aberdeen GC Joseph Oh Metropolitan GC Ryan Brown Metropolitan GC

Open Net

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

NS

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Dwayne Leslie Metropolitan GC Kyle Fuehne Oak Brook GC Cory Mahoney Metropolitan GC John Davis Metropolitan GC Will Roestel Metropolitan GC Tyler Bean Aberdeen GC Troy Schnelten Metropolitan GC Brian Keller Metropolitan GC Doug Fletcher Greenville CC Sangwon Son Metropolitan GC

Senior Open

To Par Total Gross Gross +2

74

+2

74

+4

76

+5

77

+8

80

+13

85

+14

86

+14

86

+14

86

+16

88

+17

89

+23

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Senior Net

1

2

3

4

5

6

95

To Par Total Net Net -6

66

E

72

+1

73

+1

73

+3

75

+4

76

+4

76

+8

80

+10

82

-

Ollie Crow Metropolitan GC David Rudd CC of St. Albans James Kelly Metropolitan GC Tim Leonberger Stonewolf GC David Taylor Annbriar GC Gordon Smith Metropolitan GC Mike Quesenberry Lake Forest Golf & CC Pat Ross The Orchards Donald Walker Aberdeen GC Mike Mervis Metropolitan GC

NS

20

Bill Slantz Metropolitan GC Ralph Dannegger Creve Coeur GC Daniel Beckman Creve Coeur GC Don Humphrey MVGCSA GC Timothy Montgomery Metropolitan GC Bill Carpenter Greenville CC

To Par Total Gross Gross E

72

+3

75

+6

78

+6

78

+8

80

+12

84

+12

84

+14

86

+18

90

+19

91

To Par Total Net Net -12

60

-2

70

-1

71

+6

78

+7

79

+8

80

The Metropolitan

June 2018

Amateur Series #3

Super Senior Open

1

2

3

Schooner Fitzgerald The Prairies GC Jim Higginbottom Aberdeen GC Lendell Phelps Tamarack CC

Senior Net Super

To Par Total Gross Gross +6

78

+9

81

+20

92

1 Dick Adkins

Greenville CC 2 Marvin Frazier

Joachim GC 3 King Edmonston

Franklin County CC 4 Stephen Weinstock

Westwood CC 5 Larry Laramie

Metropolitan GC 6 Russell Hollenbeck

Metropolitan GC 7 Doug Williams

Amateur Series Event #4 Missouri Bluffs GC July 9, 2018

To Par Total Net Net -13

59

-9

63

-5

67

-4

68

-3

69

-3

69

US Open Notes Three players with St. Louis ties were among the many who qualified for the recent US Open at Shinnecock.

Michael Block, today a Southern California club professional in Mission Viejo, but also a past winner of the St. Louis District Golf Association and an UMSL player, qualified at the section site in Portland, Oregon. In addition, Dylan Meyer, who was runner up in local qualifying at Old Warson, qualified for the Open at the sectional site in Springfield, Ohio, at the Donald Ross-designed Springfield Country Club.

However, as profiled in GolfWorld earlier this month, Chris Naegel’s run to qualify might just be the best story to come along in a long time. The former Missouri Baptist player, now living in Wildwood, MO., was in Richmond, Texas, at the Shadow Hawk Golf Club sectional qualifying site after making it through local qualifying in Springfield, IL. Michael Block

Standing at six under par on the 14th tee, three collegians were ahead of him, looking like they would finish at 10 and 11 under par, leaving Naegel on the outside. However, birdies at the 14th and 15th got him closer, then a bogey on the 16th looked to doom his chances.

However, another birdie at the 17th and an eagle on the 18th put him at 10-under and in a tie for the third and final spot with Oklahoma junior Blaine Hale. After forcing a playoff, nothing would stop him and he took Hale down to earn a trip the his first major championship.

While Block missed the cut, both Meyer and Naegel played through Chris Naegel (Photo credit John Richardson Jr.) Sunday. Meyer finished at +11, while Naegel came in at +17.

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June 2018

On the Greens...

What’s With the Sand on the Greens?

Topdressing is one of the most important cultural practices that Golf Course Superintendents do to provide and maintain high-quality turf, especially on the putting surfaces. There are many agronomic benefits from topdressing, as well as, benefits to how the surface plays. Developing a topdressing program requires the consideration of a few factors. Selecting the correct sand material and frequency and amount of topdressing to be applied are a few.

Topdressing by definition is the application of a thin layer of soil, sand, or other finely granulated material over the turf surface. The turfgrass benefits to topdressing are the reduction or dilution of the thatch-mat layer in the soil. Controlling the buildup of this layer in the soil contributes to the hard, fast putting surfaces golfers want. Topdressing also functions by helping fill in the imperfections in putting greens. Ball marks and other indentations and imperfections become filled in during topdressing and allow for a smooth surface. During core aerification of putting greens, heavy topdressing will occur to fill in the aerification holes. Filling the holes with sand can help with rootzones that have any soil layering, as the sand helps control the development of thatch and increase the porosity of the soil.

Topdressing after core aerification 2-3 times a year helps putting greens; it is not the only time that topdressing occurs. Applying light, frequent topdressings have tremendous agronomic benefits as well. Many superintendents have a topdressing program of every 7-14 days, sometimes paired with a vertical mowing. These light and frequent topdressings allow for the firm and smooth putting surfaces that superintendents strive for and golfers love playing on, while providing little disruption to play. The amount of material applied during a light topdressing varies based on location, fertility programs, and species of turfgrass.

The material chosen by a superintendent for their topdressing program has evolved over time.

Typically, pure sand is used for topdressing versus using a sand and organic mixture. Pure sand is less expensive of a material than a mixed topdressing material and easier to work with. Using a soil that is compatible with the underlying composition in the putting surface will help the prevention of forming layers, which can cause considerable problems for the soil profile. With the agronomic goal of topdressing being to help the filtration of water through the soil profile, layering in the profile is what superintendents try to avoid. A coarse sand profile, requires a coarse topdressing material to avoid layering. Finer topdressing material, with a coarser profile, can cause layering overtime.

Carter DeMay Golf Course Superintendent Old Hickory Golf Club

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

A Look Back at Area Championship Golf...

With the 2018 PGA just over a month away, we thought it would be nice to look back at the some of the great history of the men’s pro golf championships in the area!

1965 US Open Gary Player

1992 PGA Championship Nick Price

1947 US Open Lew Worsham

1948 PGA Championship Ben Hogan

1908 Western Open Willie Anderson

1930 St. Louis Open Tommy Armour

2004 Senior Open Peter Jacobsen

2008 BMW (Western Open) Camilo Villegas

1950 & 1951 SL Open Cary Middlecoff

1952 Western Open Lloyd Mangrum

1932 St. Louis Open Walter Hagen

23

1938 Western Open Ralph Guldahl

2013 Senior PGA Kohki Idoki

1953 Western Open Dutch Harrison

1946 Western Open Ben Hogan

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

The Metropolitan Open...

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24

The Metropolitan

June 2018

...at the Country Club of St. Albans’ Lewis & Clark Course

25

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

PGA Championship Update On Monday, June 4, Bellerive and the PGA of America held a Media Day at the club. On hand were more than 100 media personalities, journalists and broadcasters to hear the latest on the upcoming championship, scheduled for the week of August 6-12.

Also on hand, first to see the course for the first time, was 2017 champion Justin Thomas.

While the Media Day was set to begin shortly after noon, Thomas, along with Bellerive professional Mike Tucker, had been on the course early that morning. Around 11:00 am, the pair arrived at the par 5, 17th tee, where they were greeted by some 50 cameramen and photographers. Playing the championship tees, Thomas proceeded to take the line Tucker suggested off the tee. As he leashed one of his patented long drives, it flew perfectly toward the center of the fairway, some 330 yards from the tee. From there, a fairway wood hurled his ball toward the green, were it nestled some 30 feet from the pin. As Tucker noted later, Thomas hit both par 5s in two, including the 600-yard eighth hole. As he played the 18th, his tee shot settled just a pitching iron from the green. His approach landed just to the right of the hole, then drew back and fell into the cup for an eagle, ending his round with a 65.

With that shot, even the normally stoic media that surrounded the green gave him a standing ovation!

Within a hour, the ballroom at Bellerive was filled to standing-room only as the PGA began their presentation.

Following introductions, Thomas entered, carrying the Wanamaker Trophy with him. Thirty minutes later, following an interview from the PGA’s Julius Mason with Thomas, the Cardinals and Blues ownership groups, with Dexter Fowler and Alex Pietrangelo doing the honors, presented the Louisville native with Cardinal and Blues jerseys.

As the session ended, about 120 of the assembled media headed out to try their skills over Bellerive’s course. Playing the Blue/Green or Red tees, some 700 yards shorter than the championship tees, they found the course to be in excellent condition. The greens, while not at tournament speed, were true and enough for these players. The rough, which had been growing for some time, was thick, with errant shots falling to the bottom of the fescue/bluegrass.

Even a few feet off the fairway found players having to nearly be looking straight down to see their ball in Thomas holed out his wedge approach to eighteen for an eagle many instances. We were told that the rough would

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The Metropolitan

June 2018 be cut down a bit before the championship, then allowed to grow during championship week.

If the experience of this group is any indication of what to expect at the PGA come August, the St. Louis area should be in for a real treat as we watch the best players in the world challenge the course, which will play as a par 70.

We would be remiss not to mention the great work that has been done by Ozzie Smith of the Gateway PGA Foundation and those with the Gateway PGA Section and PGA REACH, that played an instrumental role in bringing the 100th PGA to St. Louis and to Bellerive CC.

Above: Cardinal owner Bill Dewitt III and Dexter Fowler present Thomas with his personal jersey

Above: Blues owner Tom Stillman and captain Alex Pietrangelo present Thomas was a custom Blues jersey

Left: The PGA’s Julius Mason played host for the event as he peppered Thomas with a variety of questions

27

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

2018 Player of the Year Standings June 29, 2018

Men’s Player of the Year Standings Prior Rank Rank

Player

Affiliation

1

T2

Alex Cusumano

Norwood Hills Country Club

5

0

725

2

1

Drew Pranger

Glen Echo Country Club

4

1

700

3

T4

Kyle Szyhowski

Metropolitan Golf Club

3

1

625

4

3

Chris Kovach

Old Hickory Golf Club

4

0

600

5

T4

Skip Berkmeyer

The Legends Country Club

4

0

475

6

7

Alex Ciaramitaro

Missouri Bluffs Golf Club

5

0

411.67

7

T8

Conrad Maloney

Persimmon Woods Golf Club

4

1

400

8

7

Reilly Ahearn

Persimmon Woods Golf Club

3

0

350

9

T8

Brad Carpenter

Franklin County Country Club

4

0

300

T10 T16

Buddy Allen

Metropolitan Golf Club

2

0

262.5

T10

17

Tony Gumper

Metropolitan Golf Club

3

0

262.5

T12 T11

Chad Niezing

The Legends Country Club

2

0

250

T12 T11

Warren Crow

Metropolitan Golf Club

2

0

250

T12

-

Joseph Williams

Aberdeen Golf Club

1

0

250

16

Ryan Eckelkamp

Franklin County Country Club

5

0

185

T16 T17

Christopher Ferris

Aberdeen Golf Club

3

0

175

T16 T17

Ryan Keller

Old Hickory Golf Club

1

0

175

T16 T17

Matthew Hoemann

Franklin County Country Club

3

0

175

T19 T20

Frankie Thomas

Meadowbrook Country Club

2

0

150

T19 T20

Sam Migdal

Norwood Hills Country Club

4

0

150

21

Zach Decker

Persimmon Woods Golf Club

2

0

145

T22 T23

Thomas Wuennenberg

Metropolitan Golf Club

1

0

111.67

T22 T23

Dustin Lagrand

Ruth Park Golf Club

1

0

111.67

T24 T25

Thomas Weaver

Bellerive Country Club

3

0

100

T24 T25

Jeremy Franklin

Metropolitan Golf Club

1

0

100

T24 T25

Tanner Dinsdale

Bogey Hills Country Club

1

0

100

T24 T25

Austin Hoerstkamp

Country club of St Albans

4

0

100

28

Matt Hatley

Metropolitan Golf Club

3

0

85

T29 T30

Michael Fowler

Metropolitan Golf Club

1

0

45

T29 T30

Ryan Sullivan

Tanglewood

5

0

45

T29 T30

Wes Hillen

Annbriar Golf Course

1

0

45

T32 T33

Ryan Rerich

Metropolitan Golf Club

1

0

10

T32 T33

Crimson Callahan

Missouri Bluffs Golf Club

3

0

10

T32 T33

Scott Kirchoff

Persimmon Woods Golf Club

1

0

10

15

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29

28

Events Wins Points

The Metropolitan

June 2018

2018 Player of the Year Standings Senior Player of the Year Standings Rank

Player

Affiliation

1

-

Buddy Allen

Metropolitan Golf Club

2

1

300

2

-

Robert Trittler

Persimmon Woods Golf Club

1

0

100

3

-

Tim Schehl

Metropolitan Golf Club

1

0

80

4

-

John Hughes

Persimmon Woods Golf Club

1

0

65

T5

-

Tom Barry

Normandie Golf Club

1

0

55

T5

-

Bret Voisin

WGM Golf Club

1

0

55

7

-

Mark Bolhofner

Metropolitan Golf Club

1

0

40

8

-

Robert Meeh

Persimmon Woods Golf Club

1

0

30

9

-

David Speicher

Cardinal Creek Golf Course

1

0

20

Alex Cusumano Leads POY standings with 725 points

Events Wins Points

Buddy Allen Leads Senior POY standings with 300 points

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

2018 Thomas O. Sobbe Jr. Cup (Formerly the Metropolitan Cup. Click HERE to read the Press Release regarding the new name) Forty-four teams will make up 11 Divisions to compete for the 2018 Thomas O. Sobbe Jr. Cup Championship.

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

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

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

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

2018 Thomas O. Sobbe Jr. Cup Regular Season Schedule Division 1 • Lake Forest I • Meadowbrook • Links of Dardenne • Tapawingo National

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CLICK HERE to view current results on the MAGA website.

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The Metropolitan

June 2018

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Metropolitan

Parting Shot...

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 19 The par 3 #5 on the Dogwood course at Forest Park

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