Dear Golfers,

Many times I have been asked by people to explain what a round of golf feels like to me. The best thing that I can compare it to is like being on a roller coaster ride; there are many highs and lows that you encounter in a round. As we bring this 2007 golfing season to a close, I can honestly say that this past year we have had only highs, and looking forward to riding it on into 2008.

A player who rode the high with us was Connor McHenry of Jefferson City; McHenry became the first player to win both the Missouri Amateur and Missouri Stroke Play Championship in the same year. Not only did he win the 100th Missouri Am at Jefferson City Country Club, he was also the medalist in the qualifying rounds. He rode that momentum into Milburn CountryClub in July and ran away with the Stroke Play Championship.

Another high moment in ‘07 was the beginning of the Senior Series, this was an outstanding hit. The participation was unbelievable and I only look for this series to grow even bigger in years to come.

The success that we are enjoying does not come by itself; it takes a lot of hard work. This work comes from the wonderful staff that I have in Randy Bickel and Karen Raithel. Randy has done a bang up job in getting the junior golf program moving in the right direction. Karen does a fabulous job of managing the handicap service that we provide for our member clubs. Not to mention the countless hours of dedication and service that the Directors of the Missouri Golf Association give to make sure the players of Missouri have wonderful Championships.

As we prepare for the 08 season, we are going to keep riding this high and keep bringing you— the players and members, the highest quality of service we can. Thank you for your support and participation and I look forward to seeing you all in 2008.

Sincerely,

Scott Hovis
Executive Director
Missouri Golf Association

Something To Think About...

I wanted to pass this video clip that was shown to us last week at our IAGA meeting in North Carolina. It makes you think about how fast and much our world changes daily. It opened my eyes to different things that go on around me that I never think about. I hope you enjoy it!

Also, stay tuned in here, we are about to announce our 2008 MGA Schedule before long.

Until I see you on the first tee,

Scott

IAGA Conference

The staff and I just got back from scenic Greensboro, North Carolina for a conference with golf administrators from all over North America. This meeting is a chance for every one to bounce ideas off one another and try to find ways to make golf better for everyone. It is great to see the same faces once a year and get caught up. For me I get a lot of great new things from this meeting that I try to emulate in the future.

On Saturday morning, Randy and I got the opportunity to head down the highway to Pinehurst, one of the most amazing places I have ever been. Pinehurst has hosted numerous USGA Championships, the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship. The complex has 8 golf courses, 7 of those courses are at one place and number 8 is about a mile away. You can feel the history of this place just standing there looking out over the grounds. One of the most amazing places is to the left of the 18 green of the famous course number 2 that has hosted all of the major championships. That green is the place where Missouri’s own Payne Stewart made the famous putt on the 72 hole to win the US Open. What is so famous about this putt is that it ended up being his last victory. Later that year, as well all know how his life come to tragic end in a plane crash. As you can see in the photo, they have a monument for him and just standing there looking at the green and knowing the magnitude of that putt now, made me have chills run all over my body. I’m so glad and lucky to have finally been to Pinehurst, if you love the game and the history I highly recommended going. It is worth every penny to be there and take it all in.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Seniors Represent Missouri

Last week the Missouri Seniors competed against the Kansas Teams at Brookridge Country Club in Overland Park, KS. In the Ozark Senior Challenge matches both teams played great and it ended in a tie. In the Association Cup Matches, Missouri prevailed with a winning score of 7 to 4. It was a great week had by all and thanks to the Kansas Golf Association for being great hosts.

You can go to the MGA website to see the results of each match.

Great job men, I had fun being your team captain!!

Until I see you see on the first tee.

Scott

Check This Out!

After watching this story, and sitting here thinking about it, you realize that there is no reason to get upset the next time you miss that 3 foot putt. This story makes you cherish the great game of golf that much more. I hope you enjoy this story, I know that I did.

Watch the first link; then be sure to watch the second. Amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeV0KFgXvO8



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgmsjp3tLQ0%20

2007 Player of the Year

Connor McHenry of Jefferson City, MO has been named the Missouri Golf Association Player of the Year for 2007. McHenry who is a Sophomore at Wichita State University and a member of their golf team won two of the MGA major events in 2007. He began the summer by winning the 100th Missouri Amateur Championship at Jefferson City Country Club by defeating Mitchell Gregson of St. Louis 4 & 3 in the 36 hole final. He was also the medalist in the 36-hole qualifying rounds by shooting a score of 7 under par 137 to be low by 5 strokes. Then in July he went on to win the Missouri Stroke Play Championship at Milburn Country Club by shooting a 54 hole score of 6 under par to win by two strokes. McHenry was the first player to win both MGA events in the same year.

The Missouri Golf Association is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf throughout the State of Missouri. Dating back to 1905, our Directors have devoted their time and effort to advance the great game of golf in all corners of our state.

The MGA conducts several statewide championships each year. These include the Senior Four-Ball, Amateur, Junior Amateur, Junior Amateur Match Play, Amateur Stroke Play, Ozark Junior Challenge Cup Matches, Four-Ball, Senior Amateur, Mid-Amateur, Hieronymus Cup Matches, and new this year, Junior Team, Junior Collegiate, and the Senior Series. The Senior Series is a series of tournaments for players 50 years of age and older. These events are open to all amateur golfers in Missouri who meet eligibility requirements.

The MGA is authorized to rate and measure golf courses statewide in accordance with USGA guidelines. This service is available to member clubs and courses.

The MGA, in conjunction with the USGA, offers the GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network) Member Service, which is used by over 250 golf courses in the State of Missouri. GHIN currently services 65 State and Regional Golf Associations with over two million golfers. This national network enables golfers of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis.