The Metropolitan Vol 10, No 7 (Sept/Oct 2023)

Volume 10 | No. 7

The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

The Metropolitan

Issue 7 | October 2023

Inside the Issue 4 Curt’s Corner

A message from the Executive Director

12 Amateur Series

20 Sup’s On

Of Course, But Maybe...

22 Rules Center

Throwing a Club in Anger

Championship

The New Amateur Series Champions are Here!

Amteur

Two walk away triumphant at the Southern Illinois Amateur.

15 The Tony Stevens Cup

A Southern Illinois team tradition.

6 Metropolitan Four-Ball

Four Divisions, Four Winners, Four-Ball

Yardage Book

9 Mid-America

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Players of the Year for MAGA and Southern Illinois.

25 USGA

Qualifiers

The 2024 U.S. Four-Ball Qualifier is complete!

27 Keeping Up

- Provide GHIN Handicap Service to 140+ Member Clubs under the World Handicap System - Provide the USGA Course/Slope Rating service to our Member Clubs - Regional authority on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status - Conduct twelve (12) Metropolitan Championships each season - Conduct USGA Qualifying for nine (9) USGA Championships each season - Conduct three (3) Championships in Illinois - Conduct the Amateur Series of Events for golfers of all ages and abilities

Amateur Championship Open Championship Women’s Amateur Championship Junior Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Four-Ball Championship 9-Hole Championship East Side Amateur Old Warson Cup (Match Play Championship) Shogren Cup (Match Play PGA Pros vs. MAGA Amateurs) Sobbe Cup Mid-America Junior Cup Amateur Series

ILLINOIS CHAMPIONSHIPS Southern Illinois Amateur SIGA Championship Tony Stevens Cup

USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDS

U.S. Open • U.S. Amateur U.S. Mid-Amateur • U.S. Senior Amateur U.S. Women’s Open • U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur U.S. Junior Amateur • U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur U.S. Amateur Four-Ball

Understand Your Handicap and the Walker Cup

See the World’s Champions from the month of August

Team MAGA Juniors take on Team Central Links Golf

“Hear the Echo” of the Sobbe Cup Champions

An Allied Golf Association of the USGA providing a variety of golf services to clubs and golfers in the Metropolitan St. Louis, Central, and Southern Illinois region.

METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

28 World of Golf

Junior Cup

10 Sobbe Cup

24 POY

16 The Bogeyman with the USGA All is Quiet, and the Sound is Defining

WHO ARE WE?

WHAT WE DO:

5 By The Numbers 14 Southern Illinois

Play

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

18 Golf Fitness

Hub

The Importance of Golf Movement Assessment

30 Normandie

Reimagined

An update on the renovation project of Normandie Golf Club and the UCamp.

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The Metropolitan

Curt’s Corner MAGA STAFF

Curt Rohe - Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org

DIRECTOR, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Caroline Buchan - caroline@metga.org 2023 PJ BOATWRIGHT INTERNS Anna Marriott, Communications Josh Plohr, Operations Amari Sewer, Operations

EXECUTIVE BOARD Officers Scott Engelbrecht, President/Treasurer Mike Marquart, Secretary At Large Members John Bugh Stan Grossman Kelli Kirchoff Mike Marquart Rick Meyer, Jr John Moore Mick Wellington ADVISORY COMMITTEE Scott Thomas, Chairman Tom Barry Skip Berkmeyer Chris Kovach Ryan Eckelcamp Tom Portner Curt Rohe

THE METROPOLITAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan O’Neill MVGCSAA Dr. Zach Cutler

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Greetings golfers! Hopefully everyone has taken advantage of some great fall golf up until this last week. As I write this month’s Curt’s Corner I looked to see how much golf you all have played... 666,504 rounds have been posted in 2023 by Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association members! Pretty incredible.

As we get close to the end of posting season, November 14th is the final day to post scores, I thought I would touch on why we go into an inactive season of score posting. We get that question a lot when we have those 50-60 degree days in December, January and cannot post scores. If you do not know, the USGA Course and Slope Rating is a fundamental element in the calculation of one’s handicap index. When we and all other Allied Golf Associations rate golf courses in our regions, we are doing so under the premise the course is in mid-season peak conditions.

Greens are being mowed everyday, trees are full of leaves, our fairways for most of us are not dormant, rough is at its healthiest. During our inactive season (November 15-March 1) many of these conditions have changed and therefore the ratings are not accurate. Therefore, we and many AGAs in the northern half of the United States go into an inactive season.

September and particularly October were busy, way more so than usual.

Another fabulously successful season long Amateur Series was wrapped up. Thank you to the 265 golfers who took part in at least one event in 2023 averaging 102 player per event, another record this year. The Amateur Series continues to provide a level of competition for ALL golfers and the feedback from those I had the change to speak with this year was incredible, much appreciated. I would be remiss to not say thank you to Alvan Sage, our Amateur Series lead official and his crew who assisted in conducting those events...nobody does it better!

During the next couple of months as we lead into 2024, we will be providing new updates on the World Handicap System. There are a few changes coming in 2024 on how we post 9-hole scores and scores for rounds where less than 18 holes were completed. Also, our rating committee will be getting to work on rating shorter courses that will be eligible to get a USGA Course and Slope Rating thus being able to post scores from. Stay tuned for these new changes.

We look forward to celebrating our 2023 Players of the Year, Champions and Host Facility Award Winners on Friday, November 10th at Old Warson Country Club. Please join us in celebrating a great season and we are excited to have Dan McLaughlin as our guest emcee that evening who will have a fireside chat with Jay Delsing, recent inductee into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Thank you as always for supporting the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association and for taking some time to read The Metropolitan!

Issue 7 | October 2023

By The Numbers 1.4 - As in $1.4 million, which is what each member

of the Crushers made for winning the LIV team title Doral last month. The squad - no political pun intended advanced through a match-play preliminary before winning a Sunday stroke-play shootout. All four members - which includes captain Bryson DeChambeau, Charles Howell III, Anirban Lahiri and Paul Casey - shot scores that counted, led by Lahiri’s 65 and Chambeau’s 67. As a team, the Crushers earned $14 million, of which $8.4 million went to the franchise itself and $1.4 to each of the four players.

300 - As in million, as in the average number of golf

balls lost in the U.S. each year. Now, that may seem like a novelty fact, but it actually represents quite the environmental conundrum. Golf balls take 100 to 1,000 years to decompose. This is why the Ol’ Bogeyman - who averages one lost ball per hole - is considered an environmental hazard by most “green” experts.

13 - The 2024 U.S. Open on Pinehurst No. 2 will be

the 13th USGA championship to be hosted by Pinehurst Resort, and the 12th USGA event at the facility over the past 35 years. If you’re keeping score, that is more than any other site in the country. ““Pinehurst has elevated itself to one of the great and historic places for golf in this country,” said Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., former president of the USGA and MAGA founder. “Some say it’s our St. Andrews – it’s certainly something special, and that’s why we’re going back there for the 2024 U.S. Open.”

5 - The consecutive number of Ryder Cups that have

been won by the home team. The latest came last month when Europe defeated the Red, White and Bad 16 1/2 - 11 1/2 at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy. The favored Americans were coming off a record 19-9 win over Europe two years ago at Whistling Straits. Hopes were high the Yankees could end a 30-year losing streak away from home - instead, they extended the drought to 34 years. And they won’t get another chance until the event goes to Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027. The Americans still lead the overall series, which dates back to 1927. But since Europe joined the format in 1979, the Old World enjoys a 12-9-1 advantage.

104 - The number of players - through the ZOZO

Championship in October - averaging 300 yards or more in Driving Distance stats on the PGA Tour. The list was led by Rory McIlroy, whose average tee ball was traveling 326.3 yards. If you go back to the 2013 season, the number of players topping the 300-yard mark only reached 13, led by Luke List and his 306.3 average. On the more recent board, Stephen Jaeger was averaging the same 306.3 yards - which put him 50th in the standings.

2003

- The year iconic comedian and golf enthusiast Bob Hope died at the age of 100. Hope’s golf tournaments raised more than $37 million for charitable causes over the years. Along with his self-deprecating jokes and his book Confessions of a Hooker - My Lifelong Lover Affair With Golf, Hope actually was a fine player in his younger years. In the early 1950s, his handicap dropped as low as 4, when he played in the 1951 British Amateur. at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales.

Active Score Posting Season Ends November 14!

Improve your Game with the Latest Technology!

Enter Scores and Check Your Handicap right on your phone!

Always have the Rules right in Your Pocket!

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The Metropolitan

Metropolitan Four-Ball

Issue 7 | October 2023

Another sunny day at Franklin County Country Club for the 14th Metropolitan Four-Ball Championship.

Thirty-one teams returned for the second and final round. All teams went off of the first tee between 7:30am and 10:30am. The championship was complete by 3:30pm.

The Net Division concluded their rounds first. Round 1 leaders, Chad Menke and Mark Kern began the day at seven-under (-7) par and pressed on to produce a second round that could not be caught. The pair claimed the title with a second round of six-under (-6) par, bringing their total to thirteen-under (-13) par. Coming in nine strokes back were Charlie Scheipeter and Scott Dreher at four-under (-4) par to be the runner-ups.

The Senior Division was the third group to come in to the clubhouse. Tony Nolfo and David Strickland pulled out a second score of 66, five-under (-5) par to claim the division title with a total of ten-under (-10) par. After Round 1, they were tied with Joseph Malench and Kyle Viehl who were just not able to overtake them. Malench and Viehl shot a Round 2 score of three-under (-3) par to finish as the runner-ups at eight-under (-8) par.

The Open Division was a battle to the finish. Round 1 leaders Chris Kovach and Jason White started the day at seven-under (-7) par. They were put to the test by playing partners Ryan Eckelkamp and Kyle Weldon. Through nine holes, the two pairs were tied at the top and remained tied through 12 holes. Hole 13 is when Kovach and White retook the lead and pressed on. Kovach and White would finish the day with a score of six-under (-6) par and a total of thirteen-under (-13) to be the Champions. Eckelkamp and Weldon finish the championship at ten-under (-10) par to be runner-ups.

->

The Round 1 leaders in the Senior Net Division also managed to keep their lead. Curt Wooters and Matt Hall began their day at ten-under (-10) par. A tougher day for the pair, but they still shot one-under (-1) par for the day and eleven-under (-11) par total to champion the division. Michael Mervis and Tim Leonberger shot back-to-back four-under pars to be the runner-ups at eight-under (-8) par.

Chris Kovach/Jason White Chad Menke/Mark Kern ->

Photos Full Results >- Nolfo/Strickland

>- Curt Wooters/Matt Hall

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The Metropolitan

Mid-America Junior Cup

It was a hard fought fight in Kansas City for the 25th Mid-America Junior Cup at Falcon Lakes Golf Club. Team Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association (MAGA) took on Team Central Links Golf (CLG) - formerly Kansas City Golf Association - in what continues to be a tight competition for the title.

Coming into the 25th playing of the Cup, MAGA leads with the most wins at 10, but Central Links is close behind with 9 wins. The two teams have halved the matches 5 times with MAGA retaining the cup twice and CLG retaining the cup three times. The championship consists of three rounds with everyone participating in Saturday Four-Ball, Saturday Foursomes, and Sunday Singles.

Issue 7 | October 2023

Team CLG only needed three points to win the Cup, and managed to do so. Team MAGA would fall with the Final Leaderboard reading Team MAGA 7.5 points and Team CLG 8.5 points. It was a hard fought battle across the two days for both sides, and Team MAGA rallied together on Sunday to put the pressure on the opponents.

Despite the outcome and having to leave the trophy in Kansas City, these eight kids represented Team MAGA well and made the association proud. Next year, Team MAGA will be ready for battle to win the Cup back when the two sides meet again in St. Louis.

Coming off of the stiff competition last year, both teams came ready to take on the competition again. The teams consist of four boys and four girls. Two boys and two girls on each team are aged 15 or under, while two boys and two girls are aged 16 to 18.

Saturday kicked off the Cup with the morning Foursomes Matches. In this format, the players would play alternate shots. Each side of the ball paired one boy and one girl from their team. The 16 and up kids would take the course first, followed by the 15 and under kids. KC Lenox and Harper Ackermann for Team MAGA would take on Claire Sullivan and Ty Lasley of Team CLG in the first match of the day. The second match of the day saw Avery McLaughlin and Bubba Chapman (MAGA) versus Hadley Neese and Tyler Strong (CLG). The third match of the morning had Eva Brown and Eric Ewing (MAGA) paired against Savannah Cagle and Connor MacGee (CLG) to get the 15 and under kids on the course. In the final morning match, Sarah Hyten and Caden Fehr (MAGA) battled Lynn Powell and Peyton Smith (CLG).

After the Morning Foursomes: Match 1 - Team CLG 2 Up Match 2 - TIED Match 3 - Team MAGA 6 & 5 Match 4 - Team CLG 1 Up. Leaderboard Tally: 1.5 points to MAGA and 2.5 points to CLG. After a quick lunch break, the kids were back on the course for the Afternoon Four-Ball Matches. Each side paired the boys and the girls from each age group together, where all kids would play their own ball. To get the afternoon rolling, Chapman and Ackermann (MAGA) would take on Lasley and Strong (CLG). In the second match of the afternoon, Lenox and McLaughlin (MAGA) would face Neese and Sullivan (CLG). Getting the 15 and under kids back on course, Ewing and Fehr (MAGA) were ready to face MacGee and Smith of (CLG). The final match of the day was between Brown and Hyten (MAGA) versus Cagle and Powell (CLG).

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Following the conclusion of the Afternoon Four-Ball: Match 1 - Team CLG 1 Up Match 2 - Team CLG 2 & 1 Match 3 - Team MAGA 3 & 1 Match 4 - Team CLG 2 & 1 Leaderboard Tally: 2.5 points to MAGA and 5.5 points to CLG.

After a disappointing afternoon for Team MAGA, the team went to dinner and then got a much needed night’s rest. Waking up refreshed and ready to go to battle, Team MAGA arrived at the course for the Sunday Singles Matches. Starting off the day for Team MAGA was Sarah Hyten, taking on Lynn Powell of Team CLG. The second match of the day saw Eva Brown (MAGA) versus Savannah Cagle (CLG). Going off as the third match of the day was Caden Fehr (MAGA) against Peyton Smith (CLG). I Rounding out the 15 and under group, Eric Ewing (MAGA) faced Connor MacGee (CLG).

Full Results

Full Recap

About the Team

Photos

Half way through the tee times, KC Lenox (MAGA) would take on Claire Sullivan (CLG). Sixth in the lineup was Avery McLaughlin (MAGA) versus Hadley Neese (CLG). Ready to end his Mid-America Junior Cup career on a high note, Bubba Chapman of Team MAGA took on Tyler Strong (CLG). The closer for Team MAGA was Harper Ackermann versus Team CLG’s Ty Lasley.

Team MAGA raked in 5 out the 8 points in the Singles matches, having won Matches 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8.

Match 1 - Team MAGA 1 Up Match 2 - Team CLG 4 & 3 Match 3 - Team CLG 4 & 3 Match 4 - Team MAGA 2 & 1 Match 5 - Team MAGA 1 Up Match 6 - Team CLG 3 & 2 Match 7 - Team MAGA 3 & 2 Match 8 - Team MAGA 3 & 2 Leaderboard Tally: Team MAGA 7.5 points and Team CLG 8.5 points

Team MAGA: Harper Ackermann, Eva Brown*, Bubba Chapman, Eric Ewing*, Caden Fehr*, Sarah Hyten*, KC Lenox, Avery McLaughlin (pink) Team CLG: Savannah Cagle*, Ty Lasley, Connor MacGee*, Hadley Neese, Lynn Powell*, Peyton Smith*, Claire Sullivan, Tyler Strong (blue) *indicates 15 and under

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Issue 7 | October 2023

HEAR THE ECHO IN THE THOMAS O. SOBBE CUP

Match, 1 Senior Four-Ball Handicap Match and 1 Four-Ball Handicap Match.

Following the postponement of the final matches of the Sobbe Cup, the time finally arrived.

After an eventful semi-final at The Legends Country Club that required a playoff to determine the final team moving on, Glen Echo Country Club and Bogey Hills Country Club were ready to declare a winner. The teams met in the afternoon on September 29 at the Country Club of St. Albans for the final showdown. The teams would play in the same format they had all summer, which consisted of a Professional Match, 2 Singles Scratch Matches, 1 Singles Handicap

The scratch matches kicked off the day first with Drew Pranger of Glen Echo CC facing Ryan Behrmann of Bogey Hills CC, while Michael Becker of Glen Echo CC took on Jeremy Reidelberger of Bogey Hills CC. Behrmann took an early lead for Bogey Hills on the second hole, but Pranger took over on Hole 3. Pranger went on to win Holes 3 through 8, as well as Holes 10 and 11 to win the match 7 & 6, earning the first point for Glen Echo. Becker took the lead on the first hole in his match, but then had to fight back and forth with Reidelberger throughout the front nine.

On Hole 12, Becker managed to tie the match before winning Holes 13 and 14. The match went all the way to Hole 18 where Becker would clench a second point for Glen Echo by winning 1 Up.

and 11 to tie the match. After Hole 13, Bogey Hills sat 1 Up, but Ott and Cocking took one last swing for the lead by winning Holes 14 and 15. Despite their efforts, Nowak and Stoll would close the match out by winning the final three holes, finishing 2 Up to earn a second point for Bogey Hills.

Finishing out the matches was the senior four-ball handicap match. The side of Michael Warden and Dennis Osborne would represent Bogey Hills CC and face the side of James Storey and Jack Abels representing Glen Echo CC. Story and Abels took the lead after winning on Hole 2 and then again on Hole 5. Osborne and Warden cut into the lead by winning the sixth hole. Continuing to tie each hole, Abels and Storey finally gained back their 2 Up lead by winning Hole 12. Still undeterred, Osborne and Warden won Hole 14 and pushed the match all the way to 18. Abels and Storey would put the match and the championship to bed by winning Hole 18 to take the match 2 Up and place the final point on the board for Glen Echo.

Glen Echo Country Club would stand as Champions and hoist the Thomas O. Sobbe Cup with a four points to two points victory over Bogey Hills Country Club.

Photos

Full Results

Semi-Final Recap

The professional match was following behind the scratch matches with Ryan Roy of Bogey Hills CC taking on Michael Herbig of Glen Echo CC. Roy took the lead by winning Holes 3 and 4. Herbig tried to respond by winning Hole 5, but this would be the only hole he could win. Taking the match to Hole 15, Roy would earn Bogey Hills its first point on the board by winning 5 & 3.

In the singles handicap match, Bogey Hills CC would send out Clayton Cissell to play against Kevin McLaughlin of Glen Echo CC. Cissell pulled ahead early with a birdie on the first hole. It was not until Hole 6 that McLaughlin would win the hole and bring the match back to even. Cissell once again tried to pull ahead by winning Hole 11, but McLaughlin would catch some wind in his sails to win Holes 13, 15 and 17. McLaughlin’s 2 Up win placed another point on the board for Glen Echo.

The four-ball handicap match would follow next. Brad Nowak and Joey Stoll of Bogey Hills CC would face Jay Ott and Josh Cocking of Glen Echo CC. The side of Ott and Cocking took the early lead for Glen Echo on the first hole.

Nowak and Stoll would respond by winning Holes 3 and 4 to turn the board in their direction, but not long after, Cocking and Ott would do just the same to make the turn 2 Up. Still determined, Nowak and Stoll won Holes 10

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The Metropolitan

Issue 7 | October 2023

The Amateur Series Championship After two beautiful days at the Quarry at Crystal Springs Golf Course, the 2023 Amateur Series has come to a close. 60 players across the seven divisions qualified and entered the Series Championship. Following the six regular season events, Courtney Cooper, Anthony Arcese, Paul Downing, Dave Draucker, James Oslica, Stephen Weinstock, and Peggy Shamleffer stood on top of the points standings in their respective divisions.

In the Super Senior Division, Michael Mervis and Kevin Erxleben sat tied at ten-over (+10) par after Round One. Keeping it a tight race, the pair both shot back-to-back scores of 80, bringing their totals to twenty (+20) par. A playoff was needed to determine a winner. Mervis won the playoff to beat Erxleben and become the champion. Erxleben would be the runner-up and James Oslica was third at twenty-three-over (+23) par.

In the Open Division, Chris Wager found the lead in round 1 at even (E) par. He held a seven stroke lead over his next competitor at seven-over (+7) par, Courtney Cooper. Coming into the Final Round with his lead, Wager just needed to hang on to his lead. Though the day was tougher than the first, Wager managed to keep a five shot lead to bring in a winning score total of seven-over (+7) par. Chris Wager would take home the prize with Nick George in second at twelve-over (+12) par and Courtney Cooper in third at thirteen-over (+13) par.

The Super Senior Net Division saw Terry Souchek shoot one-under (-1) par in the first round to be the leader. Stephen Weinstock sat just behind at even (E) par. Souchek pulled together a second round of even par to keep his total at one-under (-1) par and take home the title. Michael Scoles came in second at fourover (+4) par, while Weinstock finished in third at eight-over (+8) par.

Photos

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John Wasmuth

David Rudd

Debra McGinnis

Chris Canfield

Chris Wager

For the Senior Net Division, John Wasmuth and Douglas Weck were tied at one-over (+1) par after the first round. The two had a seven stroke lead over Daniel Delaney. Following up his first round, Wasmuth shot a second round of three-over (+3) par to be the division champion at four-over (+4) par. Matt Hall threw together a round under par on day 2 to take second place at six-over (+6) par, followed by Weck at eleven-over (+11) par.

Full Results

Terry Souchek

In the Senior Open Division, Bret Sinak shot four-over (+4) par in round 1 to capture the lead by threestrokes. James Storey followed behind at seven-over (+7) par and David Rudd sat at eight-over (+8) par.

During the second round, Rudd was able to overtake the competition with a score of four-over (+4) par which brought his total to twelve-over (+12) par to give him the title. Storey came in second at fifteen-over par while Sinak came in third at sixteen-over par.

This concludes the 2023 Metropolitan Amateur Series season. Congratulations to Debra McGinnis, Chris Wager, Chris Canfield, David Rudd, John Wasmuth, Michael Mervis, and Terry Souchek on taking home the trophy in their division.

Michael Mervis

The Net Division saw Chris Canfield leading after round 1 with a score of two-under (-2) par. He sat with a six stroke cushion above Kyle Fuehne who shot four-over (+4) par. Canfield also found the second round to be more trying than the first. With a total score of six-over (+6) par, Canfield stood victorious in the division.

Fuehne would come in second at ten-over (+10) par.

As for the Women’s Division, Pam Lenhard was leading after Round 1 with a score of even (E) par. She had a two-stroke lead over Debra McGinnis and a six-stroke lead over Linda Meyer and Sandy Franklin. McGinnis kept her game tight over the two days, bringing in a second round score of 73 to top the leaderboard. With a total of five-over (+5) par, McGinnis is the Champion. Lenhard would come in second at seven-over (+7) par, while Meyer came in third at sixteen-over (+16) par.

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Southern Illinois Amateur Players gathered at Green Hills Golf Club to crown a new Southern Illinois Amatuer Champion. The skies were partly cloudy with temperatures in the 70s.

Forty players teed it up - 26 in the open division, 14 in the senior division - for the two rounds today. The open division completed 36 holes, while the senior division was slated to play 27 holes. The course played to a par 71. The first group began the day at 7:30am. The senior division completed both of their rounds by 4:42pm and the open division was finished by 6:35pm.

At the conclusion of Round 1, Kyle Weldon of the Metropolitan eClub was leading the championship at three-under (-3) par. Weldon had five birdies helping place him at the top of the leaderboard. Kyler Spencer of Nashville Golf Course turned in a first round score of one-under (-1) par to sit in solo second going into the final round. Matt Hefley of the SIGA eClub found himself in solo third after Round 1 with a score of even (E) par.

Going into the Final Round, Weldon knew he would need to stay under par. Returning a second round of one-under (-1) par, Weldon was able to bring his total to four-under (-4) par and place a small cushion between him and the rest of the field. Though many tried and got close throughout Round 2, by the end of the day, the closest player was Brandon Bullard of Green Hills Golf Club.

After Round 1, Bullard was two-over (+2) par, but he rallied back for the second round. With a Round 2 score of four-under (-4) par, Bullard pulled himself into solo

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Tony Stevens Cup

Issue 7 | October 2023

The Metropolitan

It was a warm, sunny day at Rend Lake Golf Complex for the Tony Stevens Cup. Seven teams competed against each other to hoist the trophy at the end of the day.

Each team played nine holes of four-ball, nine holes of Chapman alternate-shot, and nine holes of foursomes.

second place at two-under (-2) par. Drew Denton of the SIGA eClub was in the same boat as Bullard after round 1, but came back in round two to shoot two-under (-2) par, bringing his total to even (E) par and into third.

The senior division put up some great rounds in Round 1. Six players carded scores under par, but leading the pack was Tony Nolfo of the Metropolitan eClub. Nolfo returned an eighteen hole score of six-under (-6) par with only one bogey and featuring an eagle on Hole 10. Two shots back, Joseph Malench of the Metropolitan eClub completed the first round with a score of four-under (-4) par. Tom Portner of Green Hills Golf Club was not far behind with a score of three-under (-3) par on his home course. David Rudd of the Country Club of St. Albans and Buddy Allen of the Metropolitan eClub would both go into the second round with a score of two-under (-2) par.

Throughout the final nine holes, players continued to fight and move up and down the board. At one point, Malench and Portner sat tied at the top at four-over (-4) par. Going into the last hole, Nolfo had regained the lead at five-under (-5) par with Malench on his heels at four-under par. Portner and David Pfeil of The Legends Country Club were close behind at three-under (-3) par with one to play. Nolfo soared through the final hole to make birdie and bring his final total score to six-under (-6) par. With this birdie, Nolfo secured the win as no one else could catch him. All making par on the final hole, Malench finished in solo second at four-under (-4) par while Pfeil and Portner finished tied for third at three-under (-3) par.

Full Results

McLeansboro Golf Club #1 came in as the leaders after the four-ball round with a score of six-under (-6) par. Partners Austyn Downen and Shayne Downen provided the team a score of four-under par, which was paired with partners Bryan Warren and Chris Hopfinger’s score of two-under par to get their team on top.

Rend Lake Golf Complex would sit behind McLeansboro with a score of four-under (-4) par. Benton Country Club would sit in third after the four-ball with a score of two-under (-2) par.

Next, the teams would play the Chapman alternate-shot. Both Benton Country Club and McLeansboro Golf Club #1 would put together round scores of six-under (-6) par. The team of Jimmy Giacone and Craig Zinzilieta brought in a score of four-under par, while teammates Nate Sanders and Scott Sanders provided a two-under par score for Benton. The team of Shayne Downen and Jeff Gray found a round for McLeansboro of four-under (-4) par, and Austyn Downen and Nate Neal gave a score of two-under par. With a combined score of twelve-under (-12) par, McLeansboro Golf Club #1 would remain on top of the leaderboard. Benton Country Club would move ahead into second with a total of eight-under (-8) par. After two rounds completed, McLeansboro Golf Club #2 and Green Hills Golf Club would sit tied for third at two-under (-2) par.

The teams hit the course for the final time in the foursomes round. McLeansboro Golf Club #2 put together the best performance of this round with a score of even (E) par. All three pairs for McLeansboro shot even par in this round.

Green Hills Golf Club pulled together the second best round score of one-over (+1) par. The side of Brandon Bullard and Matt Hefley really helped out their team by shooting one-under par. McLeansboro Golf Club #1 did not find quite the success they had in the previous two rounds, by turning in a score of four-over (+4) par. This would bring down their total score to eight-under (-8) par.

McLeansboro Golf Club #1 would finish the day triumphant as the 2023 Tony Stevens Cup Champions with a score of eight-under (-8) par. McLeansboro Golf Club #2 would be runner-ups at two-under (-2) par. Green Hills Golf Club finished in third at one-under (-1) par.

Full Results

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Issue 7 | October 2023

All Is Quiet, And The Sound Is Defining The Bogeyman Dan O’Neill

A

s we went to print - or is it “post” - with this edition of The Metropolitan, the biggest news concerning anything golf was a video of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce departing Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium in a golf cart.

OK, yes, that’s a stretch, agreed, but nothing else was happening in the game that drew that kind of attention. Swift and Kelce were - and maybe still are - the biggest thing since Anthony and Cleopatra hooked up - and they didn’t even have golf carts in 30 BC. In fact, they didn’t even have golf at the time, as far as we know. The first traces of the game only date back to 15th century.

The point is, all has been remarkably quiet on the LIV and PGA Tour front.

Well... not exactly quiet.

Phil Mickelson has been a persistent source of noise and bombast. He has pointed fingers at the PGA Tour, done some conspiracy theorizing and protested the decision of the Official World Golf Rankings to deny LIV’s application.

“Lefty” often has been the loudest voice on the landscape during these turbulent times in the game, and his thoughts, controversial as they seem, often have legs.

Mickelson also claims additional PGA Tour-types are poised to make the leap to the Saudi-backed LIV. The suggestion is a number of PGA Tour players are not happy with the way things went down last June, when the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia announced their framework agreement to bring all three together.

Again, that seems entirely possible. Because, as we sit here today, talking about pop stars and football tight ends, nothing has happened since that

June announcement. Viktor Holland went off and won the $18 million windfall that comes with the FedEx Cup. The LIV completed it second season, with the Crushers and captain Bryson DeChambeau capturing the $14 million team championship at Trump National-Doral.

So now what?

With a Dec. 31 deadline for a deal to be sealed, with a lot of things hanging in the balance - including the aforementioned crossovers - there has been no further developments on the LIV-PGA Tour front. Negotiations are said to be on-going, but seem to be going nowhere fast. Rumors suggest the original framework might be on shaky ground... status and rankings continue to be an issue... players continue to squeak on both side of the divide...

In short, nothing is in cement, and nothing guarantees the stunning agreement won’t come crumpling down.

In the meantime, LIV Golf execs keep on keepin’ on. Unofficially, a schedule of 14 events has been constructed for 2024, with plans in place for a new qualifying tournament - LIV Golf Promotions. The LIVQ school - how’s that for alphabet soup? - will feature 72 holes, a $1.5 million purse, and promote the top three finisher to the LIV circuit.

What’s more, additional plans are being made for 2025, plans that could include additional teams and players. “I’ve been fielding calls, as we all have, from players that are free agents to PGA Tour players to DP World Tour players that want to come over,” Mickelson said.

LIV acting COO Gary Davidson has suggested the number of 2024 additions might make it necessary to add additional four-man teams to the 12-team configuration. “I don’t think that we’ll get to 15 teams next year,” Davidson said, “but there’s a possibility that we may add a team or two.”

And LIV player Bubba Watson, skipper of the RangeGoats squad, said he’s had interest from outside parties about buying his team. League CEO Greg Norman said he has fielded similar overtures about team purchases. It’s all part of the plan, where the LIV is concerned, the plan that sees the league receiving the lion’s share of the prospective sales (75 percent) and captains retaining 25 percent equity in their teams.

Doesn’t seem like a shop preparing to close the doors, eh?

find additional investors, perhaps as a way for the establishment to deflect the hostile PIF takeover, or perhaps skirt “monopoly” scrutiny of government entities. Woods, along with Rory McIlroy, has made it quite clear he disdains the LIV intruders.

But in the midst of it all, with so much riding on the outcome, and with that Dec. 31 deadline fast approaching... all is quiet. And the suspense builds.

There are arguments both ways to see the deal done. Without an agreement, PIF head Yasir Al-Rumayyan does not become a PGA Tour board member, does not have a seat at the head table of golf, and that seems to be on his bucket list. Instead, his organization will have to continue to rage against the machine, chase disgruntled players and hold events in questionable places.

Without an agreement, the PGA Tour does not enjoy a slice of the PIF pie which is baked with $620 million. And the status quo must continue to deal with the annoying and opulent intruders, with the their crazy contracts and unorthodox formats.

But the devil is in the details, details that are tricky, complex and emotional. And while uncertainty prevails, it remains difficult for anyone to pull a trigger - on purchasing, on signing, on investing.

There was a lot of headlines when golf’s governing entities announced they were holding hands - enough to make Swift and Kelce blush. But not much since.

All is quiet, and the sound is defining.

At the same time, Tiger Woods has been involved in helping the PGA Tour

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The Metropolitan

GOLF FITNESS HUB

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOLF MOVEMENT ASSESSMENTS

Issue 1 | February 2023

Here are a couple exercises to try out!

> Golf movement assessments pinpoint areas of the body that are limited in regard to range of motion.

Combining mobility assessments, with power and swing assessments, gives medical professionals and teaching professionals a full view on how well a golfer’s body moves. > Golf movement assessments all medical professionals and personal trainers to create personalized treatment and exercise programs for exactly what you need work on. > The mobility, stability, power, and swing results are then combined with the golfer’s goals, to create the most personalized program for each and every golfer. > Golf movements assessments allows golfers to train most effectively while keeping engaged with the PGA Teaching Instructors.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROTATION IN THE GOLF SWING

> Thoracic spine rotation is very crucial in order to produce a very powerful and consistent golf swing.

> The thoracic spine makes up the middle portion of the spine and consists of 12 vertebrae. The majority of rotation of the torso comes from the thoracic spine and how the joints are oriented. > Limited thoracic spine rotation for golfers results in lack of depth in the back swing, more arm dominance, and most commonly results with swinging “over the top”. > Improving thoracic spine rotation will result in a more full back swing, more separation between the upper and lower body, and the ability to create more power!

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Dr. Zach Cutler

Sports Chiropractor and TPI Certified

Family Golf and Learning Center @FGLCPERFORMANCE

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The Metropolitan

Sup’s On: Of Course, But Maybe...

Ken Morgan Ruth Park Golf Course

You load your cart and drive to the first tee with the hope of a new day.

A morning of straight drives, crisp irons with well measured putts, pars, and birdies in abundance. Perfectly manicured emerald grass awaits, and then you see it, like a doomsday clock in the distance like reading your own obituary, a sight to break any man. CART PATH ONLY! Your heart instantly drops with feelings of sadness, anger, then rage. “It hasn’t rained in three weeks!” your partner exclaims. “What is wrong with this guy?”, you reply.

Obviously, the Superintendent is out to ruin everyone’s day. OF COURSE, cart path only is absolutely the worst thing ever BUT MAYBE...

A chemical has been applied which cannot be tracked from warm to cool season grasses.

An irrigation malfunction has rendered fairways impassable.

Agronomic practices are being performed on the fairways.

The cool/warm season grass is in poor health and needs a day of relief.

Perhaps you make it to the first tee without the dreaded sign of doom in sight. Hope springs anew. A tee plunged into the turf at the perfect height, a brand new shiny white (there is no other ball color by the way) pearl placed atop, taking care to align the logo just right. A practice swing or two, a couple of waggles and a ball struck perfectly down the middle (if not, maybe a breakfast ball, all good). Approach

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shot time, maybe 126 yards, a little uphill, wind off the right. Usually, a wedge but you decide on a knockdown nine. You strike it perfectly. Looks like 10 feet. This is it; this is your day! As you explain to your partner the intricacies of the knockdown nine and how you calculated wind speed, geometric angles, density of the air, and whatnot, you notice something wrong – aerated greens! “Why? They were perfect yesterday!” your partner reminds you. “Great. A ton of sand on every green” you extort, even though you had 45 putts yesterday on the perfect greens. Obviously, the Superintendent is out to ruin everyone’s day. OF COURSE, there is nothing worse than aerated greens ever, BUT MAYBE...

We aerate to improve, not annoy.

The aeration process helps relieve compaction and create a firm, smooth putting surface by controlling thatch and promoting healthy turf roots.

We aerate when greens are performing well so they can quickly recover.

A heavy application of sand not only makes the greens more playable but promotes faster recovery.

Ok, ok, you’ve made it through 12 holes playing well, having fun, greens are perfect, 90-degree cart rule in effect and the sun is shining brightly on you and your partner. A couple of bad shots deep but easily erased with a mulligan or two.

You can’t believe how you have lucked out with the weather.

85 degrees, light winds, and low humidity. Approaching the 13th green, you notice something ahead - a worker hand watering the green. “What is he doing there?”, “Why would he need to be watering on such a perfect day?” your partner remarks. You add “Wouldn’t it be easier to water overnight when golfers are not present?” After waiting anxiously to hit your approach shot (thank you by the way), I think we can all guess what happens. Obviously, the Superintendent is out to ruin everyone’s day. OF COURSE, there is nothing worse than waiting for a worker to hand water a green, BUT MAYBE...

Issue 7 | October 2023

Greens are a living system and like all living things they are impacted by biological factors and a variety of stresses: wind, sun, air temps, soil temps, moisture, humidity to name a few.

Syringing greens at the appropriate time allows firmer, faster, healthier turf.

The three-minute syringe is equal doing CPR on a dying person.

Like most of us, greens could use a little drink after a hard day.

Chances are you’ve just finished your round without any of these instances. Shot your smooth 80 (couple of mulligans, some golf ball hockey, a foot wedge or two and never putting anything inside of four feet), enjoyed the course and have nothing but compliments for the Superintendent and the product put forth. We thank you and hope to see you in the future! As Superintendents, our goal is to provide the best possible playing conditions for the longest time while balancing plant health, mother nature, budgets, personnel, and countless other variables. We are our own biggest critics, wear our mistakes like a scarlet letter, and rarely if ever get to cross the goal line and spike the ball. We understand the inconvenience some of our methods will occasionally produce but take heed that these things are being done to enhance your experience and not contribute to your demise. So please continue to play the game we both love because... obviously as a Superintendent I’m NOT out to ruin everyone’s day. And OF COURSE, there is nothing worse than an empty golf course, BUT MAYBE...

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The Metropolitan

Rules Center Throwing a Club

Issue 7 | October 2023

Worry Murray

The 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. was a testy championship for many. We saw many of the world’s best players get frustrated, challenged, and stumped on the course. For one, though, the pressure seemed to overflow. Grayson Murray made it to the weekend at the U.S. Open and found himself paired with Bryson DeChambeau, though the pair were both over par going into Sunday. Murray was even par for the day when he started the seventh hole, but after a good tee shot, things quickly went south. He sailed the green with his second and then continued a downhill spiral. After being unable to control his wedge and finally getting the ball into the hole for an 8 (quadruple bogey), Murray just could not control his anger and boiled over. He proceeded to chunk - hurl, launch, or whatever other aggressive descriptor you could use to describe it - his putter into the fescue behind the green.

Though the Twitter takes were funny, calling his Father’s Day performance a tribute to fathers everywhere and considering it an epic launch, there is still a bit of seriousness to the situation. Making light of the situation is sometimes all we can do, but to get so angry to launch a club during a Sunday round at major championship (that you are not going to win anyways) with cameras everywhere to broadcast to millions can call for a bit of a discussion on course conduct. Given that there is no Rule that prohibits the throwing of clubs in terms of penalty, we often let this behavior slide. Murray did not face any reprecussions - on his scorecard at least - for throwing his club. The committee may have talked to him after the incident, or they may have chalked it up as letting the aggression out to get rid of it.

Despite the lack of Rule prohibitting the throwing of a club, there are a few tropes. Always check the Local Rules as a Committee can envoke a Code of Conduct rule that outlines misconduct and includes penalties for acts of misconduct. It should also be noted that if a player continuously misbehaves or commits an act that is so heinous that it is considered an act of serious misconduct, they can be disqualified. It all comes down to the severity of the act, frequency of the conduct, and if the committee views it as something that is detrimental to the game or others.

Now, Murray did go on at the 10th Hole to snap a different club over his leg after a poor approach shot. So, it seems this anger may be a bit of a pattern.. or something he can’t seem to get under control. Should the committee have considered reprecussions in the form of a penalty for Murray after this? Which, to be fair we’ve all had our bad days, where we can’t seem to get it right and we do, or might want to do these exact actions. But if we cannot see some decorum on one of the world’s biggest stages, then where can we expect to see it? Oh well, on to the next we go. So, what can be done when your playing partner begins throwing clubs?

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John further explains Throwing Clubs and the Implications You Could Face-->

in Anger

Dear John: Can a player be penalized for throwing a club in anger?

- HateToSeeThat Dear HateToSeeThat: Golf is a gentleman’s game. Throwing a club in anger is out of character on a golf course. It may disrupt the play of others, not just for their next shot, but also for the rest of the round (distracted; kepping a wary eye on the player). Flinging a club into a pond or lake may seem harmless, even cute, but hurling a club at a bag, cart, tree, or toward the next teeing area may pose a safety threat to those nearby.

Throwing a club toward another player or spectator does not breach a Rule of Golf, so there is no penalty per se. However, such an act is considered serious misconduct and the player may be disqualified (Rule 1.2a; behavior contrary to the game; Clarification 1.2a/1 third bullet). Interestingly, throwing a club towards a golf bag that unintentionally hits a person is misconduct but unlikely to be considered serious misconduct (Clarification 1.2a/1 next to last bullet). If the Committee has adopted a Code of Conduct as a Local Rule (Rule 1.2b; Committee Procedures 5I), it may issue a penalty short of disqualification. Depending on the circumstances, this may include a warning, a one-stroke penalty, or the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play).

A club may only be replaced in a non-abuse situation (Rule 4.1a(2)), such as the player’s club hitting a tree or rock as the result of a stroke and bending the shaft. A club damaged by throwing it in an abusive manner may not be replaced (e.g., throwing a club to retrieve a ball, slamming a club into a bag, striking a the ground or a tree with a club other than in making a stroke or practice swing).

Regardless of how a club is damaged (i.e., playing characteristics changed) by the player during a round or while play is stopped, it may be repaired (e.g., pliers) or used “as is” for the remainder of that round (Rule 4.1a(2)). Thereafter (next round or a stroke-play playoff), non-conforming club restrictions apply. That is, the club counts toward the 14-limit and making a stroke with it results is disqualification (Rule 4.1a penalty statement). Interestingly, if a player slings a wedge at their golf bag after a disappointing bunker shot, damaging the wedge as well as another club in the bag, both clubs are considered damaged because of abuse This edition of the Rules Center features an excerpt (no replacement). from MAGA Rules Official John Thorman’s e-book Let’s Get It Right

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The Metropolitan

Issue 7 | October 2023

Players Of The Year Women’s Player of the Year

USGA Championship Qualifying Click on Image for Full Results

Senior Player of the Year

Kathy Glennon

Paul Neeman

Men’s Player of the Year

Peter Weaver

Competing on May 25-29, 2024 at Philadelphia Cricket Club Southern Illinois Senior Player of the Year

Tom Portner

<<From MAGA to the USGA>> The Following MAGA Members qualified and participanted in a USGA Championship this year.

Member Buddy Allen Justin Bryant

Southern Illinois Player of the Year

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Aaron Jones

From Pevely, MO St. Louis, MO

USGA Event Finish U.S. Senior Amateur Missed Cut U.S. Mid-Amateur Round of 64 U.S. Open Final Qualifying Missed Cut/DNQ Tony Gumper & Ryan Eckelkamp St. Charles & Washington, MO U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Round of 32 Kathy Glennon St. Albans, MO U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Round of 32 John Kelly Wildwood, MO U.S. Mid-Amateur Missed Cut Drew Pranger St. Louis, MO U.S. Mid-Amateur Missed Cut Ellen Port Sunset Hills, MO U.S. Senior Women’s Open T29 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Round of 32 U.S. Junior Amateur Missed Cut River Stilley Benton, IL Madelyn Young Mt. Carmel, IL U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Missed Cut

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Issue 7 | October 2023

The Metropolitan

PGA Tour

Fortinet Championship - Sahith Theegala Sanderson Farms Championship - Luke List Shriners Children’s Open - Tom Kim Zozo Championship - Collin Morikawa

Korn Ferry Tour Simmons Bank Open - Grayson Murray Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship - Norman Xiong Korn Ferry Tour Championship - Paul Barjon

PGA Tour Champions Ascension Charity Classic - Steve Flesch Sanford Invitational - Steve Stricker Pure Insurance Championship - Thongchai Jaidee Constellation Furyk and Friends - Brett Quigley SAS Championship - Rod Pampling Dominion Energy Charity Classic - Harrison Frazar

LPGA/LET

Portland Classic - Chanettee Wannasean Kroger Queen City Championship - Minjee Lee Walmart NW Arkansas Championship - Ryu Hae-ran Ascendant LPGA - Kim Hyo-joo Buik LPGA Shanghai - Angel Yin BMW Ladies Championship - Rose Zhang LPGA Maybank Championship - Thidapa Suwannapura

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DP World Tour

Omega European Masters - Ludvig Aberg Irish Open - Vincent Norrman BMW PGA Championship - Ryan Fox Open De France - Ryo Hisatsune Ryder Cup - Team Europe Alfred Dunhill Links - Matt Fitzpatrick Dunhill Links Team - Matt & Susan Fitzpatrick Open De Espana - Matthieu Pavon Andalucia Masters - Daniel Gavins

Sunshine Tour

World of Golf September & October Champions

Gary & Vivienne Player Challenge - Gerhard Pepler VOG Western Cape - Kyle Barker PGA Championship - Rupert Kaminski Fortress Invitational - Robin Williams Blue Label Challenge - Luca Filippi Blue Label Teams Challenge - Team Sun International(a) VOG KZN - Pieter Moolman SunBet Challenge hosted by Sun Sibaya - Martin Rohwer

Epson Tour Black Desert Resort Championship - Nataliya Guseva Guardian Championship - Cydney Clanton Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout - Natasha Andrea Oon Tuscaloosa Toyota Classic - Isabella Fierro Epson Tour Championship - Auston Kim

Get $3001, plus a 2013 League Champions road

jersey and two game tickets2 when you open Cardinals Checking.

Use offer code 300CARDS at account opening!

centralbank.net/cardinals300 MEMBER FDIC © 2023 Central Bancompany. All rights reserved. 1$300 Checking Bonus - To receive the $300 checking bonus, open a new eligible personal checking account. Eligible accounts include MyChoice Checking, MaxMoney® Checking, Free Checking, Preferred Interest Checking, and World Checking. Deposit $50 or more at account opening; and have at least two or more direct deposits with a cumulative total of $250 within 90 days of account opening. No minimum balance required for Bonus. Qualifying types of Direct Deposits include any direct deposit from Payroll, Pension or Government Benefit. Bonuses are reported to the IRS as interest. Bonuses will be deposited into the checking account within 15 business days after account(s) 1) meets all requirements AND 2) has been open for 90 days. Available to new checking account customers only. Offer is not available to those whose accounts have been closed with a negative balance within the last 2 years. You receive only one new checking account opening related bonus every two years from the last date incentive was paid. Only one bonus per household. The new checking account must be open and in good standing up to and including the date any earned bonus is paid in order to receive the bonus. 2Jersey and Game Tickets - New Cardinals Checking household accounts only. $50 minimum to open account. Debit card required. Not available on Outlook Prepaid Card. One jersey per household. Incentives available while supplies last. One voucher per household for Monday – Thursday games only.

Seats are subject to availability. Online accounts opened will be notified to pick up Cardinals items at nearest location. Debit cards are issued by The Central Trust Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of MLBV Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved. Customer must bring in ad or use offer code to receive incentive. Offer may only be redeemed by the intended recipient and is nontransferable. Eligibility for this offer will be verified prior to providing the bonus. We reserve the right to not open accounts for customers outside our market area. Please contact us for further details. Promotion ends 12/31/2023.

The Metropolitan

Keeping Up with the USGA

Issue 7 | October 2023

Modifications Made to Qualifying for USGA Amateur Events

In an effort to continuously enhance and evolve the competitor experience, the USGA is announcing significant modifications to its amateur championship qualifying model for the first time in more than 20 years. These changes, which will take effect for the organization’s four premier amateur championships beginning in 2024, will allow the events to retain their openness while ensuring that high-caliber players are provided ample opportunity to earn a spot in the field and that qualifying can be conducted at the highest level among growing entries and field sizes.

“The openness and aspirational nature of our championships is a defining characteristic of USGA championships,” said Brent Paladino, senior director, Championship Administration. “As the number of entries and qualifying sites have continued to increase on a yearly basis, we looked at ways to evolve our structure to ensure the long-term sustainability of qualifying without excessively burdening Allied Golf Associations (AGAs) and host clubs. These revisions will provide players with additional pathways to our championships through traditional qualifying, expanded exemption categories and performance in state, AGA, regional and national amateur championships.”

The most significant revisions for 2024 are to the U.S. Amateur, which will move from a one-stage, 36-hole qualifying format to a two-stage qualifying format with 45 18-hole local qualifying sites and 19 18-hole final qualifying sites.

U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women’s Amateur, and U.S. Junior Amateur / U.S. Girls’ Junior will see: >Exemptions for state, AGA, regional and national amateur champions based on established criteria and historical WAGR event power rankings >Expansion of World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR) exemption category

To read more on the changes being made in 2024, click here.

2023 Amateur Team Golf

USA’s Amateur Team Golf has been in full swing this fall with The Walker Cup, World Amateur Team Championship, and the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship taking place. The Walker Cup took place at St. Andrews in Scotland from September 2-3. The World Amateur Team Championship took place October 18-21, while the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship took place October 25-28, both at Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirites) Golf Club. USA sent its best amateur golfers to represent their country with the hopes of bringing home the trophy.

Team USA:

Team USA:

Team USA:

Nick Dunlap (No. 5), David Ford (No. 4), Nick Gabrelcik (No. 10), Austin Greaser (No. 9), Stewart Hagestad (No. 18), Ben James (No. 7), Dylan Menante (No. 6), Gordon Sargent (No. 1), Preston Summerhays (No. 14), Caleb Surratt (No. 8) Captain - Mike McCoy

Nick Dunlap (No. 3), David Ford (No. 5), Gordon Sargent (No. 1) Captain - Mark Newell

Anna Davis (No. 6), Rachel Kuehn(No. 11), Megan Schofill (No. 12) Captain - Courtney Myhrum

(WAGR ranking at time of event)

Win

(WAGR ranking at time of event)

Win at -36 to bring home the Eisenhower Trophy

(WAGR ranking at time of event)

T6 at -15

141/2 to 111/2

to bring home the Walker Cup

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The Metropolitan

Normandie Project Update:

Normandie Closing for Construction On November 5, Normandie Golf Club will close its doors and its greens. Though, this closure will not be for forever. The time has come for the construction process for a new Normandie to begin. As we draw nearer this date, many are going out to the course to get one last round in on the course they love. There will be a few changes, but we can assure you, upon completion, Normandie Golf Course will be better than ever and ready for every generation of golfer. With the help of Jack Nicklaus and his team, new life will be breathed into this time old classic course. The legacy of Normandie will live on.

A revitalized Normandie is aiming for completion by Spring 2025, and with it bringing hope for the community. This is about more than just the rebirth of a golf course, but a chance to provide a space where a community can grow, learn, and flourish through the shared game we love.

For more on Normandie, click here.

For more information on the Normandie Renovation Project and how you can help, visit https://www.metga.org/nicklaus-and-normandie or contact normandie@metga.org

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“The appeal of this project to me was to be involved in an effort that could serve as a catalyst to change needed in our country today, beginning with parts of St. Louis County. Restoring Normandie for a community in need will have a long-lasting positive impact on the lives of youth in St. Louis.”

-Jack Nicklaus on his involvement in Normandie Reimagined

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Volume 10 | No. 7

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Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

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