Vol. 1 No. 1 ThMe etropolitan

St. Louis CC #16

ly Present ud ed B PLAYERS OF THE Pro y YEAR FOR 2013 UPCOMING EVENTS

Exclusive Corporate Partner 2014 USGA E VENTS MEN Skip Berkmeyer US O PEN QUALIFYING May 13 SENIOR MEN Missouri Bluffs GC Jeff Johnson Entry Deadline: April 23

US W OMEN ’S OPEN WOMEN May 20 Catherine Dolan Lake Forest CC Entry Deadline: April 30 SENIOR WOMEN Ellen Port MAGA E VENTS O’T OOLE BEGINS TERM AS USGA P RESIDENT A L OOK BACK ... Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., founder of OLD WARSON CUP From 1941-1944, a Metro Open the MAGA and longtime Executive MAY 3-4 Tournament, with amateur and Director, began his term as president OLD WARSON CC professional divisions, was held of the USGA in February 2014. He - I NVITATIONAL - across the area. The first event becomes the second St. Louis resident to assume the position, following the was held at Lake Park GC (today NORMANDIE AMATEUR legendary Hord Hardin, who was Grand Marias) at 52nd and State May 17-18 USGA president in 1968-69. Streets in East St. Louis. The Normandie GC Rising through the ranks as a rules key match featured Meadow - Entry Deadline: May 10 official, Tom quickly gained a brook’s Tom Draper, who would reputation as one of the very best. EAST SIDE AMATEUR win the 1971 US Senior Ama - Throughout his career, he has June 14-15 teur, and Cardinal Pitcher Dizzy officiated golf at the highest levels, Dean, who played out of Nor - earning the respect and admiration of Lockhaven GC mandie. Draper downed Dean in his counterparts. His ascension to Entry Deadline: June 7 their match. In the following president of the USGA signifies a years, the event would be played break from tradition as he is the first See page 19 for full schedule at Meadowbrook and Normandie to do so coming from the officiating before ending in 1944. side the the game. (Continued on page 3)

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association • 11777 Clayton Rd. • St. Louis, Missouri 63131 314.567.MAGA • Fax: 314.261.9250 • [email protected]

The Metropolitan January-February 2014

STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Curt Rohe - [email protected] CURT ’S COMMENTS

DIRECTOR , F INANCE Hello, welcome to the first Jennifer Langford - [email protected] edition of The Metropolitan ! We are very excited to launch METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS this new, all digital newsletter Amateur Championship to provide current news and Match Play Championship events of the Metropolitan Open Championship Amateur Golf Association Women’s Amateur Championship (MAGA). Curt Rohe Junior Amateur Championship Executive Director Senior Amateur Championship You, our members, will Metropolitan Cup Matches exclusively receive The Four-Ball Championship Metropolitan via email eight (8) times in 2014. Four of the Mid-America Junior Cup issues will be bi-monthly, off-season issues, along with 4 monthly editions, keeping you up-to-date with MAGA USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDS news and events during the “golf season.” US Open Qualifying (Local and Sectional) US Senior Open Qualifying We are very excited to have Jim Healey, St. Louis’ golf US Amateur Qualifying historian, join us as our Editor/Publisher of The US Mid-Amateur Qualifying Metropolitan . Jim is the foremost authority of the history US Women’s Mid-Amateur of the game in the St. Louis region. Having written the US Junior Amateur Qualifying book Golfing Before the Arch and worked with several St. US Amateur Public Links Qualifying Louis clubs to write their anniversary / history books. Jim’s US Senior Amateur Qualifying expertise in writing and photography is going to make The US Women’s Open Qualifying Metropolitan one of the finest regional golf association US Amateur Four-Ball newsletters in the country. US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball The all digital, interactive layout will give you the EXECUTIVE BOARD opportunity to experience The Metropolitan via computer, Stanford S. Grossman – President Emeritus tablet or other mobile device. The articles will allow Thomas J. O’Toole, Jr. – Vice-President readers to get updates with direct links to the MAGA Thomas O. Sobbe, Jr. – Vice-President website, WWW.METGA.ORG and other sites M. Ray McCraine – Secretary referenced. Additionally, the format will allow readers to G. Scott Engelbrecht – Treasurer print the newsletter if so desired. G.F. (Rick) Meyer, Jr. – At-Large Member H. Mick Wellington – At-Large Member The first edition will provide our members with a sampling of things to come in the coming year. However, ADVISORY COMMITTEE we also want to hear from you and we want to know what Scott Thomas, Chairman you want to read about. We have setup an email address Dustin Ashby dedicated to The Metropolitan for feedback, it is: Tom Barry [email protected] . This newsletter is for YOU Skip Berkmeyer and it will be about YOU, our individual members. Jim Dunn David Rhoads Enjoy this inaugural edition. If you would like to reach Curt Rohe me at anytime, please email me personally at [email protected].

2 The Metropolitan January-February 2014

O’T OOLE ASCENDS TO PRESIDENCY (Continued ) CONNECT WITH US ... Tom has been associated with the USGA since 1988 Visit us on FACEBOOK and has served as a Rules official at more than 125 USGA championships, including every U.S. Open since 1990. He Or for the Latest begins his sixth year as a member of the USGA Executive Updates... Committee, having served three years as vice president, and secretary in 2010. In 2013, Tom chaired the At TWITTER Championship and Compensation Committees, while serving on the Audit, Commercial, Handicap, International Team Selection, Management, Rules of Golf and Joint Rules of Golf Committees. Learning the game from the ground up, Tom started RULES OF GOLF CORNER as a caddie, became a rules official, started a golf association and rose at dawn to mark courses. One of the premier administrators in the game, Tom’s rise to the presidency is, USE OF MULTI-FUNCTIONAL to some, long overdue. Considered a populist president by ELECTRONIC DEVICES many, Tom comes into the position with perhaps more knowledge of the game than any of his predecessors. The Rules of Golf have been relaxed in regard to His relationship with Jim Holtgrieve is legendary. use of multi-functional electronic devices (Cell Though ten years his senior, Tom caddied for Jim during Phones) and distance measuring devices (DMDs). You many of his championships, including his win at the 1981 can now use your phone to check on weather U.S. Mid-Amateur at Bellerive CC. It was Holtgrieve who conditions as long as there is nothing on the device first suggested to Tom that he become involved with the that would allow you to measure the temperature or USGA. After introducing him to Tom Meeks, then Senior wind conditions at your specific location. You can also Director of Rules and Competitions, O’Toole was hooked. use the compass on your electronic device as long as it Tom’s passion for the rules of the game became legendary. provides only directional information. His longtime friend, Mike Davis, Executive Director While you can now use these devices you must still of the USGA, believes that Tom’s presidency will mark a be aware of other Rules of Golf that could be violated new era within the USGA. by using them, i.e. unduly delaying play, texting Perhaps it was former USGA president Jim Hyler, another player about what club he used at a particular who has summed it up best: “For 25 years, he has volunteered hole, calling a golf instructor for a swing tip. much of his time to do a lot of great things for golf. It is very The USGA further has announced that DMD’s fitting that he has gone through the ranks. He is someone who will now be allowed at all amateur championships and defined himself early and has remained incredibly passionate qualifiers in 2014. They will still not be allowed at any about golf. He has a rich history, and we are lucky to have him.” of the Open Championships. As long as the Local O’Toole is a partner in the law firm of Mickes Rule allowing DMDs (Laser Rangefinders, GPS or Goldman O’Toole, LLC, where he chairs the firm’s Apps installed on a cell phone) is enacted you can use Business and Corporate Group, with a practice focused on any device or application that measures distance only. real estate. He received both his undergraduate degree The qualifications that make a multi-functional device (1979) and law degree (1985) from St. Louis University. legal have also been changed. Please click this link to Married, he has a 14-year-old son and a seven-month see an excellent flow chart that details these changes. old. A member of Old Warson CC, Tom is well aware of “Can I Use My DMD? ” If you have any doubt if your the challenges facing him during his presidency. DMD is legal always check with the Committee prior “We have to encourage more people to play the game,” to starting your round. O’Toole said. “We have to figure out why golf isn’t growing. We have to be worried about the future of the sport. This is Contributed by Tom Wohlgemuth, MAGA Rules serious. If we are going to be leaders – if we even have a game to Committee. The Rules of Golf Corner will feature a govern – we have to focus on the game’s health.” member of our Rules Committee.

3 2013 Y EAR IN REVIEW

GATEWAY CUP MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

For the first time in years, the Metropolitan Season The 18th Metropolitan Match Play Championship at did not commence with the Match Play Championship Old Warson CC had another outstanding field as the in May. For 2013, the Season began with players top players from 2012 venturing to St. Albans for the Gateway Cup Matches, earned spots in this pitting amateurs against professionals over the Tavern season opening Creek Course. Held April 7-8, the event featured amateur event. Played fourteen singles matches, seven foursomes and seven over two days in early four-ball contests. The PGA players, all of whom May, the first balls were members of the Gateway Section, faced-off were in the air at 7 am against a select squad of top amateurs representing the on Saturday morning. Metropolitan. By 5pm on Sunday, a champion would be The Sunday afternoon round featured Four-Ball crowned. Matches (Best Ball). The MAGA team racked up four points as Chad Niezing & Jeff Johnson, Eli Grant & Garrett Sneed Thomas Brett Meeske, Skip Berkmeyer & Ted Moloney and Wuennenberg opened Tom Barry & Scott Edwards each won their matches. with a bang when he defeated 2012 Player of the Year For the pros, JC Anderson & Mike Suhre, Ryan Roy Skip Berkmeyer in 20 holes. Ted Moloney downed & Gideon Smith and Nash Haxel & Mike Tucker fellow Greenbriar member Mike Kendrick while Alex earned points for their team. Cusumano outlasted Phil Caravia in 20 holes. Joe Migdal of Aberdeen took Corey Choate of Wolf Monday would be a full day with the morning round Hollow 3&2, Garrett Sneed of St. Albans earned a featuring Foursome matches (Alternate shot) with 7&6 win over Kevin Bell of Bellerive, Jeff Johnson Singles in the afternoon. cruised past Matt McKiernan 5&4, while Andy Frost edged Mike Ehlers of WingHaven in 19 holes. Once again, the MAGA team fared very well in this Rounding out the first round was Bryan Bohme of difficult format. Johnson & Niezing, Patrick Britt & Norwood downing Tommy Ponce 4&3. The Joe Migdal, and Phil Caravia & Scott Edwards each afternoon round saw Wuennenberg continue his fine won their matches with Andy Frost & Andy Fogarty play downing Bohme 9&7, Moloney edging and Grant & Meeske both earning Halves, giving the Cusumano 3&2, Sneed taking Migdal 1up, and Frost MAGA a 4-2 lead and an overall lead of 8 – 6 heading over Johnson 3&1. into the afternoon singles matches. For the pros, Rob Sedorcek & Mike Tucker along with Suhre & Gaus As players arrived at the tee early Sunday morning it won their matches with Anderson & Brian Fogt and was clear that a new champion would be crowned by Roy and Smith earning halves. days end. Wuennenberg, playing out of Tapawingo, continued to play steady golf as he earned a 4&2 With the slim lead for the Metropolitan squad, the victory over Moloney. The match was tight through pros dug in and fought for every point. When the last the first nine holes, with Wuennenberg holding a 1-up putt fell, it was all even as the pros edges the MAGA lead. However, on the back, after taking the tenth and players 8 – 6 to earn a hard fought tie at 14 apiece. thirteenth, while losing the eleventh, Wuennenberg Smith and Gaus each won their matches easily, while stood 2-up at the fourteenth. Moloney, who would Fogarty, Meeske, Barry, Breven Giebler and Frost win only two holes in the round, seemed over-matched posted wins for the MAGA squad. on this day as Wuennenberg took the fifteenth and sixteenth to close out the match. In the match to In the end, it proved to be a great opening salvo to a determine the other finalist, Sneed started strong as he terrific 2013 season. had a 6-up lead at the end of nine holes. However,

The Metropolitan January-February 2014 Frost took the first two holes on the back before On Sunday, the course hit back a bit as scores jumped, dropping one at the thirteenth, then bouncing back to leaving some of the leaders scratching their heads. take the fourteenth with a birdie. However, Sneed’s With only three rounds at par or better on the day, birdie on the fifteenth ended the match, placing him Phil Caravia and Tom Barry, each with rounds of 70, into the finals. moved into the hunt. However, it was Buddy Allen, the 2007 champion, who made the biggest jump. His For all of his fine play during the early matches, three birdies, with a single bogey on the twelfth, during the final match Wuennenberg’s game seemed catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard at 141 as to drift away. He won only one hole during the match he waited for the other leaders to complete their – at the twelfth – which extended the match to the rounds. Caravia, playing just behind Allen, was 1-over fourteenth. It was there that the players halved the through eleven before birdies at the thirteenth and hole, giving Sneed a 5&4 win. For his part, Sneed sixteenth moved him to 1-under, putting him also at played beautifully. His stroke score through the first 141. Berkmeyer was in the final group with Frost and nine was 34 to Wuennenberg’s 40. Cusumano, both of whom posted rounds of 77 and out of the chase. Berkmeyer’s play was erratic as he was 1- under on the front but 2-over on the back as he NORMANDIE AMATEUR approached the final holes. With pars on fifteen, sixteen and seventeen, all that was needed was a par on The 27th Normandie the 246-yard par 3 eighteenth to clinch victory. Amateur, played over However, it was not to be as he failed to get up and the historic layout, down and walked off with a bogey and in a three-way proved once again that tie for the lead. the course earned its distinction through the The players made their way to the 443-yard par 4 first years as a true player’s hole to determine a winner. An uphill tee shot to a course. The 36-hole mounded fairway – with trees along both sides – the event generally features small, back to front sloping green demands an accurate many of the area’s best approach if one hopes to make par. For the week, the and this year was no hole ranked the third-toughest playing to a 4.7 to par. Skip Berkmeyer different. Allen’s approach found the right bunker while The field was dotted with former champions: Skip Berkmeyer and Caravia lay on the putting surface. Berkmeyer, Andy Frost, Ted Moloney, Buddy Allen, Berkmeyer rolled in his 12-foot birdie to take the Phil Caravia, Jeff Johnson, Tom Barry, Scott Fann and crystal trophy and his fifth Normandie title. Justin Bliss. EAST SIDE AMATEUR Round one produced some sterling play as Berkmeyer posted a 3-under 68. Just a stroke back at 69 was Andy For the first time in 9-years, Belk Park was not the site Frost, with Corey Choate, Alex Cusumano sitting at of the East Side Amateur. Rather it would be 70. Phil Caravia and Ted Moloney rounded out the Lockhaven, for former private club now turned semi- six players in the field who were at par or better. private, that would test the players in the 36-hole Berkmeyer’s play was stellar with the lone blemishes event. being a double bogey on the 200-yard third and a bogey on the tough 399-yard 14th. He offset these The course record of 62 at Lockhaven was established with birdies on the 4th, 8th, 13th and 15th, and an by none other than Tom Watson during an exhibition. eagle on the 558-yard par 5 seventh, the lone eagle on Founded in 1955, it was designed by noted Chicago that hole for the tournament. Frost, the defending architect Robert Bruce Harris, the designer of another champion, who had posted a 7-under 135 in 2012 – well-known St. Louis area course, Meadowbrook. edging Berkmeyer by three shots – also had two bogey’s, but overcame these with four birdies for his 2- Playing at a par 71, the first round would find six under round. players post rounds in the 60s, led by a 68 by Buddy

The Metropolitan January-February 2014 Allen and rounds of 69 by Troy Halterman, Jeremy Franklin (winner of the 2012 East Side Amateur title), JUNIOR AMATEUR Corey Choate, Eli Grant and Bob Hanneken. Sam Migdal came in at 1- under 70, with 4 additional rounds at even par.

Allen, Hanneken and Choate would be in the final group, just behind Elizabeth Leath Chris Ferris Grant, Franklin and Bob Hanneken Halterman. However, Elizabeth Leath and Chris Ferris captured their the best rounds of the respective Girls and Boys titles at the 14th Junior day would come from an earlier group with Andy Amateur Championship at Quail Creek GC. Ferris, Frost and Bryan Bohme who each carded a round of from Aberdeen, has been competing in a number of 70 for a 142 total. Finishing nearly an hour ahead of MAGA events in the last several years. His rounds of the leaders, they would have some tense moments to 76-74 enabled him to edge our Joe Williams by three see if they would play off for the title. strokes.

Grant would finish his round before the final group Leath began the day one shot back of the Round 1 and with five bogeys and four birdies, post a round of leader Jordan Leonard, but passed her by with a 72 and a 141 total. With that, Frost and Bohme second round 79 to capture the Barbara A. Berkmeyer headed for the parking lot. It was now left to see if Trophy! Leath (Four Seasons CC) had rounds of 84- Hanneken, Allen or Choate were up to the task. 79. Elise McDonough (Metropolitan GC) would finish Runner-Up after rounds of 87-85. Unfortunately for Allen, a double bogey on the In the Boys 14-15 Age Division, Ferris was the winner second, followed by bogeys on the third and eighth, of the Age Division along with the overall title. Davis left him 4-over at the turn. As he played the back nine Soderberg (Old Hickory GC) would finish runner-up in level par, his 75 left him on the outside looking in as at 154. Clayton Voss (Franklin County CC) started he tied for sixth place with Franklin. Meanwhile, the day one shot back of Ferris, would finish runner- Wooten had finished with rounds of 71-72, good up in the Boys 16-17 Division with rounds of 77-80. enough to tie with Allen and Franklin. Choate followed his 69 was a 73 and in a tie for third. Bob There were two participants in the boys Age 12-13 Hanneken of Persimmon Woods went out in 35, as Division compete with Nathaniel Conroy had Choate, so he knew he was in a dogfight. After (Metropolitan GC) edging out Joshua Garrett (Old bogeys at the tenth and thirteenth, and a lone birdie at Hickory GC) by 4 shots. the eleventh, he shot par through the remaining holes to post a 72 – the same total as Grant had posted OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP earlier. After each player made bogey on the ninth hole, they Arizona professional Drew Stoltz, of Whisper Rock went to the tenth tee. Hanneken put his approach GC, out-dueled 2-time Metropolitan Open champion tight to the flag, while Grant struggled to find the Shawn Jasper during the final round to claim victory green. An easy two-putt gave Hanneken his first and the $13,500 top prize. The Weiskopf-Moorish Metropolitan title, having played in numerous events design Lewis & Clark course proved to be quite a test over the years. In the senior portion of the event, for the players as the winning score of 4-under par was Andy Frost finished at the top of that group. nine strokes higher than the winning total for 2012. Further evidence of the challenges presented by the

The Metropolitan January-February 2014 layout is that out of the field of 138 players, only five Dolan started her quest for the title with birdies on the were able to post a total in red numbers. This was first three holes, something seldom seen over the brought about by the firm conditions, deep, thick historic Charles Blair Macdonald course. With pars rough and difficult hole locations. on 13 of the remaining holes, her even round 71 gave her a one stroke lead. For her However, at weeks- part, Port, who would win the end, the tournament US Senior Women’s Amateur in belonged to the former the fall, had an up and down Texas Christian golfer. round with five bogeys, two The 30-year-old birdies and an eagle to scratch veteran of the mini- out a 1-over round. tour circuits made the shots when it counted While Dolan’s play was marked as he finished with a Catherine Dolan by steady play in the second two-under-par 68 to round – three bogeys and a edge Jasper and Chris birdie – for a 2-over 73, Port Thompson by a single had another uncharacteristic round with five bogeys Drew Stoltz stroke. and only two birdies for a 3-over 74, giving Dolan the title. Persimmon Woods’ Kelli Kirchoff finished third Stoltz made a pair of birdies over his final six holes to at 154. finish the tournament at 206 (68-70-68). After confirming his round, he left the scorer’s table and In the other flights, Rebecka Bahn of the MAC Golf stood nervously as he watched Jasper and Thompson Club took the A Flight, followed by Maria Morrison each missed birdie efforts on the eighteenth green. and Peggy Shamleffer. The B Flight had Debra Bene on top with St. Louis CC’s Carol Ann Jones finishing While the prize money was nice, it was earning his second. In the C Flight, Carol Amling posted a 185 seventh professional victory that excited him most. with Julia McEdwn of Bear Creek taking second. Stoltz noted that “…these were not great scores, but Persimmon Woods played host for the Men’s Amateur this (St. Albans) course wasn’t one where you were in early August. Having developed into one of the going to make a lot of birdies this week. It was playing area’s premier championships – always with a strong tough and that’s the way I like it. It wasn’t a birdie-fest field – players knew that the 54-hole event would be this week.” both a mental and physical challenge.

St. Albans member, Jay Delsing, finished at 209 (70- MEN ’S AMATEUR 72-67), in fifth position, while low amateur honors went to Alex Cusumano at 216. Defending champion Kyle Weldon – a sophomore at Stoltz became the 2nd Arizona golfer to win the event Kansas State University – played his high school golf and take possession of the James S. Manion Trophy. at Parkway South, where he earned all-state honors. Also in the field were several former champions, WOMEN ’S AMATEUR including: Skip Berkmeyer, Brian Kennedy, Scott Edwards and Eli Grant.

Having finished 1-2 in the Missouri Women’s Amateur Whitmoor’s Michael Wooten went off at 8:14 and in early July, with Catherine Dolan edging Ellen Port took the early lead atop the leaderboard with a round by a stroke at Old Kinderhook, the Women’s of 67. Nearly an hour later, Joe Migdal posted a 69. Metropolitan Amateur at St. Louis Country Club However, it would not be until later in the day when proved to be a rematch between two of the area’s best Weldon knocked in his sixth birdie of the round, with lady golfers. However, for Port, the area’s best woman only one bogey, that his round of 65 stood as the amateur ever, these two events belonged to the measuring stick. When Joe Timpone, playing in the youthful player from Ballwin. day’s final group, came in with a 68 that the last of the

The Metropolitan January-February 2014 rounds in the 60s was the first two rounds, during the final round players completed for the day. averaged just over 74. Surprisingly, the course yielded Clearly, Persimmon only 1 eagle all week, and that in round 1 on the Woods was up to the test; eighth hole by Garrett Sneed. the question remained to be seen which players SENIOR AMATEUR would pass the challenge. The always-demanding The second round say Sunset course played another round of 65, this host for the 2013 Senior from Cy Moritz of Amateur. Day one Kyle Weldon Franklin County CC, found two former giving him a two round champions – Scott total of 141. However, Berkmeyer’s 69, to go with his Edwards and Jim Dunn opening 71, put him at 140, along with Teddy Jones - among the trio tied (72-68). Weldon did not have a good a round, falling atop the leaderboard. to a 3-over 73; still, it was good enough for a 2-shot Joining them was lead. With the cut at 150, 44 players would tee it up reining Player of the in the final round. Jeff Johnson Year, Jeff Johnson. Had all things gone well for Berkmeyer and Weldon were paired together in the him, Jim Dunn would have held a commanding lead. final group, just behind Moritz and Jones. Timpone Having recently qualified for the US Senior Amateur, and Austin Pearl were in the third to last group, with he carded six birdies during his round but mixed in Phil Caravia and Jeremy Franklin in the next group. four bogeys and a double bogey to fall back to level par. Just two shots off the pace was 2012 champion Berkmeyer started strong with a birdie on the first Andy Frost. hole. However, bogeys on the third and sixth put him 1-over at the turn. On the other hand, Weldon made Yielding more double bogeys than birdies – with an five pars to start his round before back-to-back birdies average of nearly 9-over par – the leaders knew that had him at 33 and 2-under for his first 9 holes; the winner would face a number of challenges if he widening his lead over Berkmeyer to five shots. Skip was to claim the title. With Dunn, Edwards and played the back nine in 1-over, giving him a round of Johnson in the final group, there is always the danger 2-over 70, placing him in fifth place. of it turning into a match play situation among them. However, Edwards lost his way on the front nine, Meanwhile, Caravia went out in 35 and made three ballooning to a 44. Dunn made the turn at 2-over, but birdies on the back to complete a round of 68 and a four bogeys on the back nine tied Edwards as they 210 total, good enough for a second place finish. Pearl each posted a 77 for their rounds. Meanwhile, and Timpone both had solid rounds, though Pearl’s 69 Johnson’s first 8 holes found him 2-over before a enabled him to post 211 and a third place tie with birdie on the ninth seemed to steady the ship. An Teddy Jones, who shot a 1-over 71. Timpone’s 72 put eagle-3 on the par 5 tenth, followed by 8 pars, was all him just behind Berkmeyer in sixth place. he needed. His 1-under par round was the best score of the day, giving him a 4-shot victory. Andy Frost, Weldon’s play was not overly spectacular; in fact he who followed his first round 74 with a solid 73, moved seemed to play a bit defensively on his final nine holes, into the second spot, with Tim Boyd, Mark Gardiner, making one birdie and three bogeys for a 2-over 37. Joe Timpone,Edwards and Dunn tying for third. However, his round of 70 – even par – was good enough to secure the victory and back-to-back titles; Age Group winners were as followed: (50-59) Randy making him only the second to do so, with David Gibbs of the Metropolitan GC, (60-64) Jay Mason of Estes having accomplished that feat in 1997 and 1998. the CC at the Legends, (65-69) Terry Fairbanks of Whitmoor, (70 and over) Michael Mooney of While Persimmon Woods played above 8-over par for Algonquin.

The Metropolitan January-February 2014 IMPORTANT INFORMATION USGA website: www.usga.org GOLF ODDITIES MAGA website: www.metga.org GHIN website: www.ghin.org In 1961, Bob Goalby won two tourna - ments and tied for second at the US Open. This would have earned him enough points to qualify for the ST. L OUIS WALKER CUP PARTICIPANTS Ryder Cup Team that year. However, at that time, a touring professional Year Player Site Score had to serve a 5-year apprenticeship 1953 Jim Jackson Kitansett Club 9-3 on tour, or in a golf shop, to be con - sidered a full PGA Member. Conse - 1955 Jim Jackson St. Andrews 10-2 quently, Bob was passed over for the 1961 Bob Cochran Seattle CC 11-1 1961 team. He would be selected and play in the 1963 Ryder Cup. 1975 Jay Haas St. Andrews 15½-8½ 1979 Jim Holtgrieve Muirfield 15½-8½ 1981 Jim Holtgrieve Cypress Point 15-9 1983 Jim Holtgrieve Royal Liverpool 13½-10 ½ 1985 Jerry Haas Pine Valley 13-11 * USA score first

HOLTGRIEVE CAPTAINS US W ALKER CUP VICTORY JIM HOLTGRIEVE ’S WALKER CUP CAREER Player Record 6 - 4 Foursomes 3-3; Singles 3-1

1979 US Walker Cup Team USA wins 15½ - 8½ 1981 US Walker Cup Team USA wins 15 - 9 1983 US Walker Cup Team USA wins 13½ - 10½ 2011 Captain, US Walker Cup GB&I wins 14 - 12 2013 Captian, US Walker Cup USA wins 17 - 9

Jim Holtgrieve (seated at center) with the 2013 Walker Cup Team

The Metropolitan January-February 2014 The Metropolitan January-February 2014

2013 USGA Q UALIFYING

Joining Beisiegel at 144 were Amy Meier, an amateur US O PEN - L OCAL QUALIFYING from Rochester Hills, Michigan, and professionals Megan Grehan from Franklin, Tennessee and Emma One-hundred and Jandel of Dayton, Ohio. twenty players arrived at Aberdeen GC on Wednesday, May 15, US O PEN - S ECTIONAL QUALIFYING each hoping to capture the brass ring and A beautiful day awaited advance to the hopefuls looking to Sectional round and a punch their ticket for the shot at competing in US Open. While a the US Open at historic number of PGA Tour Merion GC. players were expected to With only 18 holes in take part, in the end only Aberdeen owner Rocky Dollarhide (l) and GM Matt O’Dell. front of them, there Tour veteran Jay Don would be no time to Blake became the name catch up from a slow start. player for the site. After Adam Long had five birdies and only one bogey to an up-and-down morning post a 4-under 67 to take the top spot. Two behind at Jay Don Blake round – with four bogeys 69 were Alex Cusumano and Joe Migdal. Justin Bryant, and four birdies – he was Zach Barlow and Carr Vernon were a shot back at 70 well positioned to make an afternoon charge. while Skip Berkmeyer and Kyle Weldon were the final However, the morning’s best rounds were a pair of 2- qualifiers, posting rounds of 71. Todd Mitchell claimed under 69s by amateur Brant Peaper of Tequesta, the first alternate spot with Ted Moloney taking the Florida, and professional Travis Johns of Oswego, 2nd alternate spot following a playoff of four players Illinois. who were tied at 72. Qualifying for the US Open is usually marked by players finishing strong and making few mistakes. The best rounds at Old Warson were no different. Blake US W OMEN ’S OPEN birdied the first three holes in his afternoon round, then added two more before making the turn in 30. Though he made two bogeys on the back nine, his Qualifying for the US three-under 38 was good enough to earn the top Women’s Open was held qualifying spot. With one spot remaining there were at Algonquin GC on only a handful of players on the course with morning May 30. Fifty-eight rounds that put them in a position to take the next spot. players – 43 amateurs Besides Johns, Brad Hopfinger of Lake Forest, Illinois, and 15 professionals – Chris Thompson of Lawrence, Kansas, AndrewDahl of were scheduled to tee it Salinas, California and Mackenzie Hughes of up for a chance to head Charlotte,North Carolina remained in contention. to Sebonack GC in Hughes, a veteran of the Canadian Tour, was paired Southhampton, NY. with Blake and his 1-under 70 left him at 142. Johns Megan Grehan (l) & Izzy Beisiegel However, bad weather followed his morning 69 with a 73, tying him with saw only 52 players Hughes. Hopfinger, with a 70, fell one stroke short. arrive for play with only 37 completing all 36 holes. Hughes and Johns had a playoff for the 2nd qualifying Professional Izzy Beisiegel of Broken Arrow, spot, which went to Hughes, leaving Johns as the first Oklahoma shot a 3 over 74 in the morning round then alternate. followed that with a one-under 70 for a 2-over total.

10 The Metropolitan January-February 2014

Kristian Caparros of US A MATEUR PUBLIC LINKS Hollywood, Florida, with rounds of 73-70, took the The venerable top qualifying spot. Matt Clinton Hill GC in Lavery of Peoria, Illinois Fairview Heights, and Matt Echeimeier Illinois, had not hosted from Columbia, Missouri a USGA qualifying tied at 146 with event in many years. Echelmeier taking the 2nd The 2013 US Amateur qualifying spot in a Public Links playoff. Qualifying would take Kristian Caparros Caparros is one of the place over the par 69 top ranked players in the layout. With its country and has Kyle Weldon generous fairways, there committed to play college golf at the University of were a number of low Florida. rounds by the leaders, making for some very competitive final holes. The MATEUR 2012 Men’s Amateur Champion Kyle Weldon posted US A two rounds of 67 for a 134 total and take the top spot. He was followed by Mitchell Rutledge at 137 (71-66) for the final qualifying position. Derek Mason (139) and Corey Choate (142) were the alternates.

US S ENIOR OPEN

Tour veteran Trevor Dodds outlasted Jeff Whitfield as both players finished with rounds of 70 at Quincy Chance Holden Carr Vernon Country Club. Trevor birdied the first hole to The West course at Norwood Hills CC, site of the earn his spot at Omaha 1948 PGA Championship, won by Ben Hogan over CC for the US Senior Mike Turnesa, was the site of the US Amateur Open. With Whitfield qualifying. earning the first Players from across the region arrived to earn their Trevor Dodds alternate spot, Jay ticket to the historic Country Cub in Brookline, Delsing and Steve Lotz Massachusetts, site of Francis Ouimet’s win at the 1913 would battle for the 2nd alternate. With both players US Open. hitting driver from the tee, Lotz – a frequent long-drive Chance Holden of Dexter, Missouri and Carr Vernon participant – drove the green and made a two-putt of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, each posted 141 totals to birdie for the second spot. qualify. Holden had rounds of 71-70, while Vernon went 69-72. Steven Souchek of Columbia, Illinois had US J UNIOR AMATEUR the best round of the day with a 68, which he followed with a 74, giving him a 142 total. Joininghim was Kirkwood golfer Tanner Bulejski who went 73-69 for Two players from outside the St. Louis area claimed his rounds. The four of them each earned their way to the two qualifying spots at WingHaven CC for the US compete at Brookline. Junior Amateur.

11 The Metropolitan January-February 2014

Alex Cusumano came in at 143 to take first alternate two-over rounds, good enough to qualify. Ryan while Cy Moritz took second alternate out of a three Eckelkamp and Dan Emrick earned alternate spots. way playoff.

US S ENIOR AMATEUR

Whitmoor CC was the site of the US Senior Amateur Qualifying. Twenty players submitted their entries, each hoping to ST. L OUIS GOLF capture the lone ISTORY qualifying spot. It was H a stellar field with a number of former area champions among ‘04 S ENIOR OPEN : Jim Dunn those competing. This included: Tim Boyd, THE VICTORY THAT Robert Trittler, Bob Meeh, Mike Kootman, Dennis NEARLY WASN ’T Osborne, Scott Edwards and Jim Dunne. Playing as a par 72, each of the top players seemed to have In 2004, Peter Jacobsen was having a difficulty on the front nine as only Kootman managed terrific tournament during the Sen - to break par, posting a 1-under 35. However, after a ior Open at Bellerive CC. At the end lengthy delay, he would have difficulties closing as two of play on Saturday, he was in the bogeys and a triple bogey on the seventeenth ended lead with a 135 total. However, with his chances. Meanwhile, Scott Edwards was having an the Friday round having been rained up and down round with four bogeys and three out – and the Saturday round being birdies to finish at 1-over. Like Edwards, Dunn’s play round two – the championship was also a bit erratic, though his four birdies against would be decided with 36-holes on only three bogeys were enough to give him a 1-under Sunday. Having undergone recent round and the lone qualifying spot. Dunn also hip surgery (he was on crutches only completed his round before the weather delay. six weeks before the tournament began) Jacobsen informed tourna - ment officials that depending on how US M ID -A MATEUR the morning round went, if his hip was not up to another round, he Competing for the might be forced to withdraw! As we four qualifying spots for know, not only did his hip perform the US Mid-Amateur well, his game was also up to the had a number of well challenge as he captured his first known players arrive at USGA title, much to the delight of Forest Hills for the 18- the large crowd. hole qualifying round. Playing at a par 70, Ted Moloney shot a 1-under 69 to take honors. Skip Berkmeyer followed Ted Moloney with a 1-over 71 with Patrick Britt and Phil Caravia both posting

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US S ENIOR WOMEN ’S AMATEUR CHAMPION ELLEN PORT ’S HONORS

NATIONAL 1992 Women’s Western Amateur Medalist 1994 Women’s National Trans-Miss Champion 1994 US Curtis Cup Team 1995 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion 1995 US Curtis Cup Team 1996 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion 2000 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion 2000 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Medalist 2001 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Medalist 2002 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Medalist 2011 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion Ellen Port 2012 US Senior Women’s Champion Ellen Port joined some elite company as she completed 2013 US Senior Women’s Champion another run through the USGA Senior Women’s Ama - 2014 Captain US Curtis Cup Team teur Championship at CordeValle in San Martin, CA. Port joins hall of famers Glenna Collett Vare and Hol - STATE lis Stacy as 6-time USGA Champions and joins a list of 1992 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion only 9 other golfers in USGA history to have captured 1995 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 6 USGA titles, this being her 2nd Senior Women’s 2000 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion added to her 4 previous US Mid-Amateur Champi - 2001 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion onship titles. 2002 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 2003 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion Ellen becomes just the 4th player in history to win 2 2010 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion different championships in back-to-back years, having 2012 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion done so in 1995 and 1996. Additionally, when Ellen serves as the Curtis Cup Captain here in St. Louis in LOCAL June of 2014, she will be the first reigning USGA 1987 SLWGA Match Play Champion champion to do so since Carolyn Cudone in 1970. 1992 SLWDGA Stroke Play Champion 1993 SLWDGA Stroke Play Champion 1993 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 1994 SLWDGA Stroke Play Champion 2014 C LUB AND COURSE ANNIVERSARIES 1994 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 1995 SLWDGA Stroke Play Champion 15 Y EARS 35 Y EARS 1998 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion WingHaven Crescent Farms 1998 SLWDGA Champion 20 Y EARS 45 Y EARS 2000 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion Emerald Greens Tower Tee 2001 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion Fox Run Warrenton 2002 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion Governors Run 50 Y EARS 2002 SLWDGA Champion Meramec Lakes Arlington 2003 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion Missouri Bluffs Sherwood 2004 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion Tapawingo GC at Florissant 2005 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion Woodlands Forest Hills 2006 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion Woods Fort 60 Y EARS 2009 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 25 Y EARS Tamarack 2010 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion Deer Creek Eagle Springs

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2014 C OMPETITION SCHEDULE

MAGA C OMPETITIONS ENTRY CHAMPIONSHIP DATE (S)DEADLINE VENUE Match Play Championship May 3-4 Invitational Old Warson Country Club Normandie Amateur May 17-18 May 10 Normandie Golf Club East Side Amateur June 14-15 June 7 Lockhaven Golf Club Women's Amateur Championship June 24-25 June 11 Forest Hills Country Club Open Championship July 10-12 June 25 Country Club of St. Albans Junior Amateur Championship July 21-22 July 9 Normandie Golf Club Amateur Championship July 31 -August 1 July 2 Westwood Country Club Senior Amateur Championship August 14-15 July 30 Greenbriar Hills Country Club Four-Ball Championship September 28-29 September 10 Franklin County CC

USGA Q UALIFYING ROUNDS ENTRY CHAMPIONSHIP DATE (S)DEADLINE VENUE US Open (Local) May 13 April 23 Missouri Bluffs Golf Club US Women's Open (36 Holes) May 20 April 30 Lake Forest Golf & CC US Women's Amateur Publinks May 28 May 14 Annbriar Golf Club US Amateur Public Links June 9-10 May 28 Aberdeen Golf Club US Senior Open June 16 May 28 Country Club at The Legends US Junior Girls' Amateur June 25 June 4 Bogey Hills Country Club US Junior Amateur (36 Holes) July 1 June 4 Old Hickory Country Club US Amateur July 14-15 June 25 Jefferson City Country Club US Mid-Amateur August 5 July 9 Annbriar Golf Club US Women’s Mid-Amateur August 5 July 9 Annbriar Golf Club US Senior Women's Amateur August 20 August 6 WingHaven Country Club US Senior Amateur August 21 August6 Glen Echo Country Club US Amateur Four-Ball Ocotber 6 August 6 Bellerive Country Club US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball September 23 August 6 St. Clair Country Club

Go to www.metga.org/2014-schedule-of-events/ to apply on-line or to download an application for an event.

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