Robert A. Shogren Cup

Creve Couer, MO - The Gateway PGA Section won the inaugural Robert A. Shogren Cup, played May 23-24, at Bellerive Country Club. The Ryder Cup style format featured Four-Ball Matches on the first day of competition, followed by Foursomes and Singles matches on the second day to decide the Shogren Cup.

The event was named to honor the late Bob “Shogie” Shogren, who passed away in March of 2020. Last February, MAGA honored Shogren with its highest honor, the Meritorious Service Award, for his long-standing dedication and service to golf in this region.

Sunday afternoon was started with an opening ceremony where Tom O’Toole Jr., MAGA founder and past president of the USGA, introduced the teams and spoke about the late Bob Shogren.

“As great as Bob’s professional accomplishments were, we’re not here about those today,” O’Toole said. “We’re here about his contributions to the game he loved, and more specifically, for his contributions to the Rules of Golf.”

Susan Shogren, Bob’s widow, attended the ceremony and officially kicked off the event by hoisting the Shogren Cup with Curt Rohe (MAGA Executive Director), Stan Grossman (President of MAGA), Brett Moomey (President of Gateway PGA), and Ali Wells (Executive Director of Gateway PGA).

Brian Lovett, who qualified for the U.S. Senior Open this week, got the match started with the first tee shot off No. 1. Lovett and his playing partner, Ryan Sullivan, halved their match, and had to battle on the back-nine to salvage the half point. The pair were three-down after 10, and a birdie on No. 17 got them back in it. A par on No. 18 was enough to tie the Gateway PGA team of Jeff Whitfield and Gideon Smith.

Chris Kovach and Brad Carpenter earned the first full point for MAGA, winning 3 and 2.

Christopher Ferris and Chad Neizing earned a half-point in a back-and-forth match with Brett Moomey and Mike Suhre. Skip Berkmeyer, captain of the MAGA team, turned in one of two wins for the amateurs on day one with his 2 and 1 victory with Max Kreikemeier. The pair gained the lead with a birdie on No. 4 and never gave it up.

Things were all square after day one. MAGA and Gateway PGA scored 3.5 points apiece after Four-Ball matches Sunday afternoon.

Second day of competition featured Foursomes in the morning and Singles matches in the afternoon.

The MAGA amateurs came out swinging early, winning five of seven Foursomes matches, and took an 8.5-5.5 lead going into singles in the afternoon.

Foursomes matches were highlighted by 4 and 3 wins by two MAGA teams. Tom Portner and Joe Malench, and Skip Berkmeyer and Max Kreikemeier, both went 1-up after one hole and never gave up the lead.

Singles matches got underway shortly after Foursomes. MAGA amateurs had control of many matches early, but Gateway PGA clawed back and won crucial matches down the stretch to get the points necessary to win.

Crimson Callahan turned in a needed win, defeating Mike Suhre 3 and 1 in the last group of the day. All eyes turned to Matt Gindler and Brad Carpenter starting on No. 17. If the match halved, Gateway PGA would get to 14.5 to win. If Carpenter won, it would likely end up in a tie, 14-14.

Gindler and Carpenter both had approach shots from the right side of the green. Gindler, going over tall trees, stuck it within ten feet. Carpenter, with a bump and run, nestled it in to the same range. Both made birdie, and it was all square heading to No. 18 with the score being 14-13 in favor of Gateway PGA. Callahan had not won his Singles match yet.

“I had about 90 yards to the pin and I knew I had to fly it 80 or so,” Gindler said. “I could have gone low but it would’ve gone over, these greens are firm, they’re awesome. I thought I could get over the tree and I did, and it turned to be a great shot. Brad (Carpenter) made a great birdie in front of me and I was fortunate enough to have mine roll in.”

Carpenter and Gindler both hit perfect tee shots to the middle of the fairway 150-odd yards out. Gindler, going first, hit it within 15-feet while Carpenter’s shot rolled off the left side of the green. Carpenter, needing a chip-in, ran it just past the hole. Gindler sank the putt to win 1-up & give the Gateway PGA the cup.

“I was excited to play in this event, just to make this team is an honor. To honor Shogie is awesome, I hope we can get this going every year. It’s a lot of fun and I hope to make the team every year to have more moments like this.”