Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association Jan-Feb 2015 Newsletter

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

MetropolitanTheVol. 2 No. 1

Proudly Presented By

Exclusive Corporate Partner

(Continued on page 4)

While USGA President TomO’Toole Jr. was announcing theaddition of the U.S. Senior Women’sOpen to the Association’s 2018championship calendar upstairs,several new initiatives were beingspotlighted downstairs during thefinal day of USGA Annual Meeting atthe Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Among the highlights of the“Serving the Game” exhibit was adisplay featuring GPS flagsticktracking technology the USGAdeveloped with SpectrumTechnologies. Aimed at reducingpace-of-play issues, a flagstick isequipped with a radio antenna,processing and communications unit,and a ferrule sensor that detects when

NOTES FROM THE USGAANNUAL MEETINGAREA DESIGNERS

PAGE 6

BILLY CASPERPAGE 8

UPCOMING EVENTSO’TOOLE ELECTED TO

SECOND TERM AS USGAPRESIDENT

PLAY 9 SERIESA new series of

Amateur events. PAGE 8

CC of St. Albans #3Lewis & Clark Course

2015 USGA EVENTS

US OPEN QUALIFYING

May 14Norwood Hills CC

Entry Deadline: April 29

US WOMEN’S OPEN

QUALIFYING

June 2St. Clair CC

Entry Deadline: May 6

NORMANDIE AMATEUR

May 16-17Normandie GC

Entry Deadline: May 8

OLD WARSON CUP

May 30-31Old Warson CC- Invitational-

US SENIOR OPEN

QUALIFYING

May 19Persimmon Woods GCEntry Deadline: May 6

See pages 8 &11for full schedule

MAGA EVENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF

WOMEN’S SENIOR OPEN

HIGHLIGHTS MEETING

BECOME A VOLUNTEERPAGE 14

25TH ANNIVERSARY

SEASON - A LOOK BACKPAGE 16

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The Metropolitan January - February 2015

STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORCurt Rohe - [email protected]

P.J. BOATWRIGHT INTERNS - 2015TBD

[email protected]

METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPSAmateur Championship

Match Play ChampionshipOpen Championship

Women’s Amateur ChampionshipJunior Amateur ChampionshipSenior Amateur ChampionshipMetropolitan Cup MatchesFour-Ball ChampionshipMid-America Junior Cup

USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDSUS Open Qualifying (Local and Sectional)

US Senior Open QualifyingUS Amateur Qualifying

US Mid-Amateur QualifyingUS Women’s Mid-Amateur

US Junior Amateur QualifyingUS Amateur Public Links Qualifying

US Senior Amateur QualifyingUS Women’s Open Qualifying

US Amateur Four-BallUS Women’s Amateur Four-Ball

EXECUTIVE BOARDStanford S. Grossman – President Emeritus

Thomas J. O’Toole Jr. – Vice-PresidentThomas O. Sobbe Jr. – Vice-President

M. Ray McCraine – SecretaryG. Scott Engelbrecht – Treasurer

G.F. (Rick) Meyer Jr. – At-Large MemberH. Mick Wellington – At-Large Member

ADVISORY COMMITTEEScott Thomas, Chairman

Dustin AshbyTom Barry

Skip BerkmeyerJim Dunn

David RhoadsCurt Rohe

Hello members andwelcome to our second season ofThe Metropolitan! Lookingback on our inaugural season ofthe newsletter, we could not havebeen happier with thepresentation and response wereceived from you, our members.We had an amazing open rate of75% for the year of our membersopening, and hopefully, reading The Metropolitan.

We have a very busy 2015 schedule ready to kickoff inApril, starting with the Gateway Cup Matches April 12-13.After a one year hiatus, MAGA and the Gateway PGA areexcited to bring the two organizations together to conductthese matches. Fourteen (14) of the top amateurs and PGAprofessionals from the area will play at Bellerive CC. We lastplayed the matches in 2013, culminating in a 14-14 tie at theCC of St. Albans. Dr. Andy Frost will serve as captain of theMAGA amateurs on his home course. Four (4) seniors andten (10) regular players will make up each squad.

The Play 9 Series will commence April 25 at Ballwin GC.The 9-hole member clubs are very excited to bringcompetitive golf to their facilities in 2015. The premisebehind the Play 9 Series is to give the time constrained golferthe opportunity to get out and compete and feature our 9-hole clubs…Ballwin GC; Berry Hill GC; Ruth Park GC;Highlands at Forest Park; Creve Coeur GC; Joachim GCand Four Seasons CC.

While Mother Nature may not be cooperating, March 1is the beginning of score posting season for our region.

Thank you for taking a moment of your time to read TheMetropolitan, we are anxious to get the 2015 season rollingand providing this service to our members again this year.

As always, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

Curt

CURT’S COMMENTS

Curt RoheExecutive Director

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The Metropolitan January - February 2015

A couple of years ago, I encountered an unusual sit-uation that could also serve as a teachable moment forplayers who ever have to drop a ball in an unusual ortricky spot, such as a cart path.

I had a player hook his drive into a tall-grass area thatwas marked as a lateral water hazard. Coincidentally,there was a cart path that ran along the length of thisparticular hazard, so the player measured his two clublengths from his entry point into the hazard, and sureenough, he had to drop on the cart path. He droppedhis ball properly, but instinctively caught the ball inmidair after one bounce off the cart path, probablyfearing that the ball would bounce away to some placewhere he couldn’t retrieve it.

Two weeks before this incident, I was playing a casualround of golf and found myself in the same situation-having to drop on a cart path adjacent to a lateral waterhazard, and I did the same thing (caught the ball inmidair), which got me to wondering how one shouldhandle this situation. So of course, I researched thissituation and found Decision 20-2c/4 best addressedthis scenario. In summary, it stipulates that stopping adropped ball prematurely before it has had a chance toroll to a position where a re-drop would be required(rolls two club-lengths, rolls into a hazard, etc.) is es-sentially a violation of Rule 1-2 (taking action to influ-ence the movement of a ball).

So to apply that to the situation I am describing, Ihad to assess a 2-stroke penalty to the player and abideby the solution prescribed in Decision 20-2c/4 (theonly Decision I could find on the subject): he had toplace the ball underneath the spot where he initiallystopped it’s movement, in this case on a sloping cartpath. We were able to eventually find, after a coupleof attempts at placing on the path, a patch of grass afew feet behind our location where he could place theball and have it remain at rest.

RULES OF GOLF CORNER

Ever since this incident, I have been very diligent,anytime I am observing a similar drop, in telling theplayer ‘do not touch the ball until it has stopped mov-ing’. Also, keep in mind, the Rules provide for you tosubstitute a ball that you cannot recover after a drop(so you don’t need to catch a ball that is bouncing ona cart path!)

On the subject of dropping, let me make one lastquick point: I’ve observed a lot of players droppingabove shoulder-height, almost around their eyes, ap-parently in an effort to remove any doubt that theyare dropping from at least shoulder-height. Let metell you, a drop from your eye level is just as invalid asa drop from waist-high. Rule 20-2 specifically statesthat the ball must be at ‘shoulder height’ whendropped, not below and not above. So don’t be sur-prised if the Rules Official asks you to re-drop whenyou thought you were playing it safe by dropping wellabove your shoulder.

Good luck this summer!

Contributed by Mike Donat, MAGA RulesCommittee. The Rules of Golf Corner will feature amember of our Rules Committee.

Rule 20: Lifting, Dropping and Placing; Playing fromWrong Place

20-2. Dropping and Re-Dropping

Decision 20-2c/4 Caddie Stops Dropped Ball Before ItComes to Rest; When Penalty Incurred

The Metropolitan January - February 2015

NOTES FROM THE USGA ANNUAL MEETING

4

the flagstick is removed from the hole. When a groupreplaces the flagstick after putting out, the cycle time isrecorded and logjams can be more efficiently rectified.

“This enables the course to monitor pace of play in anew way, which is the key to a more efficient operation,”said Hunki Yun, the USGA’s director of strategicprojects. “The hope is this will improve the course-customer golf experience everywhere.”

Susan Wasser, assistant director ofUSGA Museum operations, displayedselect pieces from the museum’s“More Than A Game” exhibit, whichfocuses on the creation of African-American golf clubs during the JimCrow era and their positive impact oncommunities across the country.Exhibit items included the originalNegro National Open ChampionshipTrophy, the oldest trophy from theUnited Golfers Association era, andartifacts from Clearview Golf Club,the first golf course designed, ownedand operated by an African American.Some of Renee Powell’s mementoswere included in the display. Thedaughter of Bill Powell, who foundedClearview, Renee received the IkeGrainger Award at the Service AwardsDinner later in the evening. The IkeGrainger Award recognizes those whohave served the USGA as a volunteerfor 25 years or more.

LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, whichoffers girls ages 7-17 opportunitiesand exposure to the game, welcomedmembers of the Big Apple chapter. The girls putted ona makeshift green and gave away backpacks with a hat,ball marker and information packet enclosed.

The USGA’s Rules department showcased its digitalresources, which make the Rules of Golf accessiblebeyond the pages of a bound book. The resourcesinclude USGA.org, mobile apps and the Rules of GolfExperience. Set to debut this summer, the Rules of GolfExperience will include quizzes, a learn-at-your-ownpace feature and simulations.

Play 9, an initiative focused on encouraging golfers toplay more nine-hole rounds,embraced that idea in digitalform. Computers were set upallowing people to play a videogame version of the ninth holeat Chambers Bay, site of the2015 U.S. Open.

A resource managementstation was also set up, detailingthe benefits of the USGACourse Consulting Service.Some of the tools USGAagronomists use during sitevisits to help courses withmaintenance-related issues wereon display.

This is the first time theUSGA has staged an exhibitionlike this during the AnnualMeeting, and the early returnswere overwhelmingly positive.

“It showcases what we as anorganization are passionateabout, which is great to see,”said Greg Ross, the USGAmanager of branded and special

events. “Having the girls from LPGA-USGA Girls Golf,for example, was especially cool. It’s always good whenwe can interact with the golf community like this.”

...Joey Flyntz, USGA at [email protected]

The USGA announces the cre-ation of the US Women’s SeniorOpen Championship.The event will debut in 2018 as

a 72-hole championship, the 14thamong the USGA’s Nationalcompetitions. The site, field sizeand prize money details are stillbeing worked out.While many in the golf industry

wondered why it took so long forthe USGA to act since the forma-tion of the US Senior Open in1980, it is nice to see the eventbeing formed during the presi-dency of our own Tom O’Toole. The real question will come

down to the age limit. Whilesenior men compete at 50, tradi-tionally the ladies stop competingmuch earlier. Should the age bedropped to 45 or so, we shouldsee some very exciting play withthe likes of Sorenstan, Neumann,Inkster, Pepper, Lopez and otherspolishing their games.

Continued from page 1

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THE ST. LOUIS GOLF EXPO

For the 6th year, the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association is a sponsoring organization for the annual St.Louis Golf Expo, held February 13-15, at the St. Charles Convention Center. Once again, the crowds surpassedexpectations as area golfers arrived to check out the latest equipment and specialty items for 2015. With dealseverywhere, many patrons left with clubs, bags, and many additional golf-related items. In addition, for 2015,Metropolitan eNewsletter editor Jim Healey, took to the main stage on Saturday, February 14, for a presenta-tion on area golf history.

HOMETOWN COURSE ARCHITECTS WHO HELP MAKE GOLF BETTER FOR ALL PLAYERS! SO, WHO ARE THESE GUYS?

Gary KernGary studied engineering at Texas A&M and Purdue, where he became a licensed surveyor in Indiana. In

the course of his survey work he had the opportunity to assist Bill Diddel as he was laying out a course in

the area. During this time he found course architecture fascinating. He continued to work with Diddel

during the actual construction, gaining knowledge and some practical insights.

Shortly after this he decided to moonlight as a designer and in 1969 landed his first design job. By the

mid-70s, Gary had enough work to practice full-time. In the 1980s he moved from Indianapolis to St.

Louis where he teamed with Hale Irwin. In 1986, he was joined by his son Ron in the practice and the two

of them have collaborated on many area projects.

Gary is credited with over 20 new constructions and over 30 where he has done remodeling projects. Some

of his best designs are Quail Creek, Fox Run, Bent Creek, Fourche Valley, Sun Valley, Eagle Lake, Fox Creek, Lake Forest, Union Hills

and Rolling Hills. His remodeling efforts include Cape Girardeau, Norwood Hills (East), Lake Valley, Meadowbrook, Westborough, Cherry

Hills, Sunset Hills and Cardinal Creek at Scott AFB. Though currently in semi-retirement, Gary’s works remain an example of solid,

playable courses built for the average golfer.

Stan GentryWorking with Hale Irwin design for over a decade, Stan did early work on Irwin projects around the

country, including Colorado, Nevada and other states. In the area, he did the majority of work on the

2004 remodel of Forest Park golf course. This project was so successful that when it came time for the

redesign of Triple A, under the new ownership of Eagle Golf, Gentry was picked to lead the project.

Following the completion of the new layout, which now included a practice facility in the middle of the

grounds, the updated design reopened in 2010 as The Highlands GC.

Art SchaupeterA protegee of Keith Foster, Art worked on Foster’s early projects at Persimmon Woods, Gateway National

and Meadowbrook. Forest Hills, which had looked to Art for design and consulting for years, continues

to do so. He then joined Jeff Whitfield, with whom he had worked with at Persimmon Woods, and

designed Old Hawthorne in Columbia, Missouri. Recently, Art completed a new 18-hole project in

Panama City, Panama and has been working with groups in China, completing one 18-hole project and

has a three others in various stages of development. He completed a municipal project in Elgin, Illinois

in 2011 - The Highlands of Elgin - which grew from an 8-hole course in 2003 (by Schaupeter & Foster),

then completed by Art for the 2011 opening of all 18-holes. It was voted the top Municipal course in

Illinois by Golfweek and the #7 Municipal in the country in 2013. He has additional projects underway

in Denver (Heron Lakes) and one in San Antonio, specifically designed for wounded military veterans

(The Valor Club). He has renovation projects at Bellefonte CC in Kentucky and Oak Hills in Jefferson City, MO.

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AREA COURSE DESIGNERS

January - February 2015

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AREA DESIGNERS

January - February 2015

SCHAUPETER’S DESIGNS (PARTIAL)The Highlands of Elgin, ILThe Club at Old Hawthorne (MO)Highland Meadows (CO)Gateway National *Persimmon Woods *The Buckhorn (TX)Highland Meadows (CO)Haymaker (CO) *The Republic (TX)Coral Canyon (UT) *Forest Hills CC (Renovation)Bellefonte CC (Renovation)Meadowbrook CC (Renovation)*Westwood CC (Renovation)*Kimbeland CC (Renovation)* With Keith Foster

NULL’S DESIGNSLandings at Spirit GCGC at Deer Chase GCWestborough CC (Renovation)Westwood CC (Renovation)Sunset CC (Renovation)Quarry at Crystal Springs GCNorwood Hills CC (Renovation)Westwood Hills (Renovation)Bogey Club/Log Cabin (Renovation)Old Warson CC (Bunkers)

KERN’S DESIGNS (PARTIAL)Fox Creek GCFox Run GCWolf Hollow GCQuail Creek GC *Sun Valley GCUnion Hills CCThe Legends (9)Crescent Farms GG (Renovation)Crown Point GCAberdeen GCBear Creek GCColumbia Bridges GCEagle Knoll GCFourche Valley GCLake Forest G&CC (9)Meramec Lakes GC (Renovation)Westborough CC (Renovation)* With Hale Irwin

Roger NullHaving served as superintendent at Old Warson and Norwood Hills, Roger was very instrumental in

the late 1980s redesign of Norwood Hills. He later did work on several area public courses, notably

The Landings at Spirit GC, the Quarry at Crystal Springs and The Falls GC.

Between 2004 and 2014, Null did work for Westwood CC, Sunset CC, Westborough CC and the

courses at Bogey Club and Log Cabin Club.

As a player, Roger was considered one of the top superintendents in the country, winning their

championship on three occasions.

He left Norwood to assume the lead position at Boone Valley GC, where he remains, though in semi-

retirement.

GENTRY’S DESIGNSForest Park GC (27) *GC at The Highlands (9)Warrior GC (NC)Links at Cottonwoods (MS) *Jewel GC (MN) *Red Hawk GC (NV) *Grand Bear GC (MS) *Teton Reserve GC (ID) *Meadowlands GC (NC) *Cordillera (CO) ** With Hale Irwin

The Metropolitan January - February 2015

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BILLY CASPER

Born in San Diego in1931, he caddied at SanDiego CC, where he firstcaught the golf “bug.” Hewon his first PGA Tourevent in 1956, the LaBattOpen, defeating JimmyDemaret. For 16 straightyears he won a Tour event,eclipsed only by Nicklaus

and Palmer, who each won 17. It was fate to play in the same eraat the “Big Three” of golf at that time: Arnold Palmer, JackNicklaus and Gary Player. However, that did not stop him fromnot only challenging them, but often come out on top. His 51Tour wins places him seventh on the all-time career win list,training only Sam Snead, Tiger Woods, Nicklaus, Ben Hogan,Palmer and Byron Nelson.Perhaps it was his victory in 1966 at the Olympic Club, which brought him the honor that had eluded him.

With the field essentially conceding victory to Palmer as Arnie played the back nine, Casper came from sevenshots back to overtake Nicklaus, Tony Lema and pull even with Palmer before defeating him in the 18-holeplayoff.Casper passed away at his home in Utah on February 8, 2015.

FOR THE RECORD...51 Tour wins...

1959 US Open Champion...

1966 US Open Champion...

1970 Masters Champion...

PGA Tour Money Title 1966, 1970...

Vardon Trophy winner five times...

Played on eight Ryder Cup Teams...

Ryder Cup Captain in 1969...

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

DATE VENUEApril 25 Ballwin GCMay 9 Joachim GCJune 27 Creve Coeur GCJuly 25 Highlands at Forest ParkAugust 22 Berry Hill GCSeptember 19 Ruth Park GCOctober 3 Four Seasons CC

MAGA is excited to announce a new program for the2015 season, the Play 9 Series!

Following the launch of the USGA Play 9 initiative in2014 and on the heels of the growth and success of theAmateur Series the last 5 years, MAGA will be providingthis new series of 9-hole, competitive amateur eventsfeaturing our 9-hole clubs in the region. Ballwin GC,Joachim GC, Berry Hill GC, Creve Coeur GC, Highlandsat Forest Park, Ruth Park GC and Four Seasons CC are allexcited to bring competitive golf to their facilities in 2015.

The Play 9 Series will mirror the Amateur Series instructure. Six (6) 9-hole events beginning in April (oneeach month) with a point system awarding performancepoints to how you finish in the events. The points systemwill be the base for invitation to the 9-hole championship inOctober.

Visit the MAGA website for Rules and Regulations.

PLAY 9 SERIES

The Metropolitan January - February 2015

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USGA’S PACE OF PLAY INITIATIVES

Progress continues to be made by golf’s governingbodies on initiatives that are designed to reduce thetime required to play golf.

ASGCA Past President Bruce Charlton and LesterGeorge, ASGCA spoke on behalf of architects to 100attendees of a two-day symposium on Pace of Play atthe United States Golf Association headquarters inFar Hills, New Jersey in November 2014. Charltonand George illustrated how recent projects hadincorporated design elements to reduce lost balls andgive higher handicap players more options to playrecovery shots without slowing down play.

At Poppy Hills GC in PebbleBeach, California, Charlton and theteam at Robert Trent Jones IIrecently completed a renovationwhere pace of play was an importantpart of the equation. Fairways werewidened, rough eliminated, moundsremoved, bunkers rebuilt and greencomplexes redesigned, and the entirecourse was sandcapped to providefirm and fast playing conditions.“Our mantra is now firm, fast andfun,” says Charlton. “It gave us a lotof ability to speed up play.”

George highlighted a project at Independence GCin Midlothian, Virginia, where rounds had beenaveraging over five hours. Among the changes made,his team reduced roughs, removed more than 500trees, bushes and shrubs and rerouted cart paths. Thenet result was a one-hour reduction in average roundtime, increased revenues and reduced maintenancecosts, resulting in a $52,800 annual improvement tothe club’s bottom line. “The popularity of the courseis way up,” said George. “And we don’t get anycomplaints from lower-handicap golfers. It’s still avery challenging course.”

PRO TOURS STEPPING UP

The USGA continues to gather data on pace ofplay, with technical director Matt Pringle overseeingthe study of thousands of rounds throughout thecountry using GPS devices that track how golfersmake their way around the course. The data ishelping them to identify the causes of slow play andpropose measures for improvement.

This work has already been put to good use, withthe LPGA Tour seeking advice to inform a new pace-of-play policy for its tournaments. A combination ofincreasing tee-time intervals to 11 minutes and giving

a single clear message to golfers thatthey must keep up with the group infront have contributed to a 14-minute reduction in the averageround time over the course of the2014 season. “We’ve had a lot ofgreat feedback,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, the LPGA’s chief Touroperations officer. “The approval ofthe players has been huge.”

The USGA has also developed apractical solution for faster play atclubs of any size: a simple flagstick

monitoring tool that can help clubs identify groupswith a longer than expected cycle time, enabling staffto get them back on track instead of letting the delayincrease waiting time for following groups.

Reprinted from BY DESIGN Magazine

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The Metropolitan January - February 2015

The Carling Brewing company was a significantCanadian Brewer, which sponsored events on the PGATour. Carling events were held at courses in the US,Canada and England, the latter as part of the CarlingWorld Open. Beginning in 1956, they continuedthrough 1967, before ending. Winners included aWho’s Who of golfers at the time; Cary Middlecoff,Julius Boros, Gay Brewer, Tony Lema, Bruce Devlin,Doug Ford, Bobby Nichols and Bill Casper. However,only one player captured two of these events: DowFinsterwald. His first victory came in 1956 at SunsetCountry Club, followed by his victory in 1959 at SenecaGC in Cleveland.

At the 1956 Carling Open, Sunset had its originalrouting, with the current 9th hole serving as the closing18th. The field of 90 were competing for the $5,000first place check. However, in that era, only the top 35professionals would receive a check, with $76.66 goingto the final six spots!

In the field were Gene Littler, Jay Hebert, Doug Ford,Arnold Palmer, Jack Fleck, Bob Toski, Ed Furgol, BillyMaxwell, Bob Toski, Bob Rosburg, Dutch Harrison,Frank Stranahan and Billy Casper. Several amateursjoined the professionals, including Bob Goalby, Jim TomBlair, Jimmy Jackson, Bob Cochran, Joe Switzer, DickLotz, Frank Furlong and Tom Hullverson.

Finsterwald opened with a 65 over the par 72, 6,277yard course. Only Jackie Burke, with a 67, was withintwo shots of the leader. Finsterwald’s 71 in the secondround brought the field closer, but a pair of 69s overthe final two rounds closed the door as he took a threeshot victory.

Maxwell, Burke and Casper each tied for second at277, taking home checks for $2,160.

Two years later, Finsterwald went on to win the 1958PGA Championship and played on four Ryder CupTeams. He finished in the money in 72 consecutive PGAevents, second only to Byron Nelson’s record 113 at thetime. Later, he become the long-time head professionalat the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. A close friendof Palmer, he lives in the Orlando area in the winter. Hisson, Dow Jr. is the head profesional at Colonial CC inFort Worth.

ST. LOUIS GOLF HISTORY

THE 1956 CARLING OPEN

Dow Finsterwald

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The Metropolitan

MAGA COMPETITIONSENTRY

CHAMPIONSHIP DATE(S) DEADLINE VENUE

Normandie Amateur May 16-17 May 8 Normandie Golf ClubOld Warson Cup May 30-31 Invitational Old Warson Country ClubEast Side Amateur June 13-14 June 5 Spencer T. Olin GCWomen's Amateur Championship June 15-16 June 3 Fox Run Golf ClubOpen Championship July 10-12 June 24 Country Club of St. AlbansJunior Amateur Championship July 20-21 July 1 The Bogey ClubAmateur Championship July 30 - August 1 June 24 Boone Valley Golf ClubSenior Amateur Championship August 13-14 July 22 Whitmoor Country Club (South)MAGA Four-Ball Championship September 24 September 9 The Legends CC

USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDSENTRY

CHAMPIONSHIP DATE(S) DEADLINE VENUE

US Open Local Qualifying May 14 April 29 Norwood Hills CCUS Senior Open Qualifying May 19 May 6 Persimmon Woods GCUS Women’s Open Q (36-holes) June 2 May 6 St. Clair CCUS Junior Amateur Q (36-holes) June 22 June 3 Lake Forest G&CCUS Girls’ Junior Amateur Qualifying June 24 June 3 Bogey Hills CCUS Amateur Qualifying (36-holes) July 20-21 June 24 Meadowbrook CCUS Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifying August 27 August 12 Bellerive CCUS Senior Amateur Qualifying September 2 August 12 Sunset CCUS Mid-Amateur Qualifying September 8 August 19 Aberdeen GCUS Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying September 28 August 5 Quincy CC.

2015 COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Online applications for ALL MAGA events begin on March 2, 2015.

January - February 2015

2015 MAGA AMATEUR SERIES SCHEDULENAME DATE VENUE

Event #1 April 20 WingHaven CCEvent #2 May 4 Sunset Hills CCEvent #3 June 12 The Falls GCEvent #4 July 17 Annbriar GCEvent #5 August 6 Glen EchoEvent #6 September 15 Tapawingo National GCChampionship October 10-11 Aberdeen GC

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The Metropolitan January - February 2015

1 SUN 2 MON Online

Registration forALL MAGA

Events

3 TUE 4 WED 5 THUR 6 FRI 7 SAT

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 APRIL 1 2 3 4

MARCH 2015

1 2 3 4

5EASTER

6 7 8 9MASTERS

10MASTERS

11MASTERS

12MASTERSGateway Cup

Matches

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Gateway CupMatches

14 15 16 17 18

19 20WingHaven CCAmateur Series

21 22 23 24 25Play 9 SeriesBallwin GC

26 27 28 29US Open Entry

Deadline

30 MAY 1 2

APRIL 2015

MAGA Events in RED | USGA Events in BLUE

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The Metropolitan January - February 2015

Please Support our Supporters

Resources

Exclusive Corporate Partner of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

Allied golf associations and supporters ofthe

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association

Volunteers are the lifeblood of State andRegional Golf Associations all around thecountry. That statement could not bemore true than right here in St. Louiswith MAGA.

MAGA volunteers assist with the conduct of MAGA Championships, USGAQualifying Rounds and USGA Course & Slope Rating service provided to our member

clubs. Do you have any interest in getting involved with the game in our region?

Visit the Volunteer page of our website by clicking on the image at the left.

VolunteerA tremendous part of the success of the MAGA Championship Program is our team of volunteers, officially

designated as MAGA Rules Committee Members. The MAGA is proud to have a large collection of volunteerswho assist with our MAGA Championships, USGA Qualifying Rounds and Amateur Series. While ourCommittee Members come from very diverse backgrounds, they all share one common trait: their love of thegame!

Rules CommitteeCommittee Members serve a variety of functions at our Championships such as Rules Officials, Starters,

Scoring Officials, Forecaddies and many other important roles at each event.

Scoring CommitteeScoring Committee Members serve a variety of functions at our Championships such as collecting scores on

course for Live Scoring to the setup and posting of scores on our scoreboards and more.

Course Rating CommitteeCourse Raters have the responsibility of ensuring the accuracy of course measurements as part of the USGA

Course Rating System. Click here if you’re interested in joining the Course Rating Committee. Course Ratingsare an essential part of the Handicap System and accurate measurements are a vital part of Course Ratings. TheMAGA has the responsibility of implementing the USGA Course Rating System throughout the St. LouisMetropolitan region.

Become a MAGA Volunteer today! Here’s how to do it:

Complete the MAGA Volunteer Information Form. Once you have completed the Committee InformationForm please return the completed form to the MAGA.

Observe at a Tournament: Once we receive your Volunteer Information Form, we will help you schedule aday to attend an event and shadow one of our current Committee members. .

Join the MAGA as a Volunteer: Once you have completed the above steps, you will receive additionalvolunteer and training information including your Rules Committee Shirt and Name Badge.

The Metropolitan January - February 2015

14

MetropolitanThe

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

CONNECT WITH US...Visit us on FACEBOOK

Or for the Latest Updates...

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IMPORTANT INFORMATIONUSGA website: www.usga.org

MAGA website: www.metga.orgGHIN website: www.ghin.org

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The Metropolitan January - February 2015

WHAT A RUN...25 YEARS OF CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF

When the Metropolitan hosted its first championship in 1991, few would have believed that it would have grownfrom a lonely men’s event to the 10 current championships, including a pro Open Tournament!But those early founders saw something within the St. Louis golfing community that provided them with the

confidence to venture into championship golf. Perhaps it was the who’s who of St. Louis golf that is among the early champions that provided the impetus to

continue; or maybe it was just that the area needed such an event. However, within just a few years, a women’sevent was added, and once again, the names on that trophy need little introduction.However, a quick look back at some of these early titleholders is appropriate as many of the current generation

know of them only by name, never having the opportunity to see the beauty of their swings and the talents theypossessed in that era.

1991 & 1993- Don BlissHaving already won four Missouri Amateur titles, Bliss’ talent, smooth, rhythmic swing

and mild manner were legendary. Part of the Norwood Hills crowd - it was said it wastougher to win the Norwood club championship than the state title - having Bliss as theMAGA’s first and third champion surely helped cement the event as the one players neededto win to have on their resume. Bliss posted a 218 total over the CC at the Legends - whichwas barely three years old at the time - to edge Terry Tessary. His second win came at LakeForest as he set a new standard with his 213 total.

1996 Tom BarryWhen it was announced that the 1996 MAGA Amateur would be held at Bellerive, the

golfing community knew that the MAGA had arrived. They also knew that the championthat year would be long-remembered. They were not wrong The legendary Normandiegolfer was always considered as one of the area’s top players. He had claimed back-to-backtitles at Normandie in the late 1980s, and had qualified for several USGA championships.However, on the stage at Bellerive, his 213 total was good enough for the win. Toz wouldgo on to claim additional titles and compete in more USGA events, but the 1996 MAGAtitle was certainly one of his finest.

1997 & 1998 - David EstesOne of the most tenacious players in the 1990s, David was someone to be concerned with

if he edged up the leaderboard as an event drew to a close. With his wife Sandy, they cuttheir teeth winning countless couples tournaments across the area, beating players fromclubs across the state. When they joined Norwood Hills, David fell right into place withthe legions of players who would go on to be counted among the area’s best. He finishedsecond with Bliss at the 1994 Metropolitan Amateur with Jim Holtgrieve winning in aplayoff. Estes finished second once more in 1996 to Tom Barry at Bellerive. He thenjumped to the top of the field in 1997 and in 1998, out-playing the 1995 champion, CraigSchnurbusch in 1997 at Fox Run and getting a bit of revenge from Jim Holtgrieve at OldWarson in 1998. He would finish tied for second in 1999, behind fellow Norwood member Brian Kennedy atNorwood. While the 1999 event was the last he would find himself among the top two on the leaderboard in theMetropolitan Amateur, he would continue to compete well in other events, winning the Old Warson Cup (thenMetro Cup) in 2003 after finished second in 2002 to Skip Berkmeyer.