Thru My Eyes

Follow Me !!!

2012-02-16T13:46:00.000-08:00

Ok everyone it is getting closer and closer to the golfing season, so come on board and follow me this year on twitter. Ride shotgun along side me as I spend the summer on the road running the MGA.

The Account is : @golfexec

Become a MGA Member

2012-02-14T13:08:00.000-08:00

MGA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS For 2012

>Discounts on St. Louis Cardinal Baseball tickets

>Discounts on St. Louis Blues Hockey tickets

>A Year’s subscription to Golf Week

>Discounts on Avis Rental Cars

>A four-day pass to the Nationwide Price Cutter Charity Championship

>A raffle ticket for the Grand Prize Drawings at the Price Cutter Championship

>An MGA Decal

>An MGA Member Bag Tag

>A current USGA Rules Book

>Discounts at all Drury Inn Properties Year-Round

>MGA GHIN APP - Tool to follow your game and keep in touch with MGA events

And this is only the start! We expect to add more “Perks” as the season progresses!

We sincerely hope that we can count on you to continue to support the MGA by being a member and participant in the events conducted in 2012 and beyond.

If you have any questions please contact our office at 573.636.8994

MGA NEW APP

2012-02-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

The Official App of the Missouri Golf Association

FREE DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE NOW!

It can be downloaded on an IPHONE, IPAD or an Android Phone.
iPhone download: go to your ITunes App Store and search for "GHIN"

Android download: Click Here to go directly to the Android Market APP

If you have a USGA GHIN number this is the app for you!

The MGA APP gives you the ability to manage and follow your game plus access to the MGA world:

>POST A SCORE
>VIEW SCORE HISTORY
>USGA HANDICAP INDEX LOOKUP
>COURSE HANDICAP INDEX
>SIGN UP FOR MGA TOURNAMENTS
>VIEW MGA PAIRINGS/VIEW MGA RESULTS/REAL TIME SCORING
>VIEW MGA CALENDAR/SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
>NEWS TICKER WITH USGA.GHIN NEWS

For a look at what the NEW APP looks like please go to www.mogolf.org and see for yourself- Pretty cool item that we are very excited about!

Alert: Anyone that is interested there is a provision for an Ad or Sponsorship placement.
So if you or your company is interested contact Karen Raithel. 573.636.8994

NEW MGA APP-- Check it out

2012-02-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

The Official App of the Missouri Golf
AssociationFREE DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE NOW!It can be downloaded on an IPHONE, IPAD or an Android Phone.iPhone download: go to your ITunes App Store and search for "GHIN"Android download:

If you have a USGA GHIN number this is the app for you!The MGA APP gives you the ability to manage and follow your game plus accessto the MGA world:>POST A SCORE>VIEW SCORE HISTORY>USGA HANDICAP INDEX LOOKUP>COURSE HANDICAP INDEX>SIGN UP FOR MGA TOURNAMENTS>VIEW MGA PAIRINGS- VIEW MGA RESULTS/REAL TIME SCORING>VIEW MGA CALENDAR/SCHEDULE OF EVENTS>NEWS TICKER WITH USGA.GHIN NEWS

2012 MGA New Policies

2012-02-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

MGA NEW POLICIES

Since its origin in 1905, the Missouri
Golf Association has continually sought to provide Missouri’s amateur players with quality championships at quality venues. The MGA is dedicated to carrying on the tradition with one simple goal in mind: to provide each of the participants the best competition and the most enjoyable competitive golf experience possible.

The services provided by the MGA have grown over the years to include the GHIN Handicap Service, course marking, monitoring of amateur status, conduct of rules seminars and provision of course ratings to our members clubs. We are proud that our
major championships have grown to nine; along with other events such as the
Senior Series Tour, Junior Hieronymus Series, Little Juniors and the Ken
Lanning Championship. The tournaments conducted by the MGA continue to expand in number; and they are still being offered for you, the amateur golfer, with that original mission and goal in mind.

In an effort to further improve and expand the tournament offerings and the services you’ve come to expect, the MGA will be implementing a new Membership Fee in 2012. This Membership Fee will be $30 for the year. This payment option will be available to you online and on the mail-in entry forms.

The list that follows is the events and membership requirements to earn Cup points:

Missouri Amateur Membership Fee required to play and earn Cup points
Missouri Stroke Play Membership Fee required to play and earn Cup points
Missouri Senior Amateur Membership Fee required to play and earn Cup points
Missouri Mid-Amateur Membership Fee required to play and earn Cup points
Dawson, Boyce, Cotton, Stewart Membership Fee required to earn Cup points
Missouri Open Membership Fee required to earn Cup points
Porto Cima Four Ball Membership Fee required to earn Cup points
Missouri Four Ball No Membership Fee required
Missouri Senior Four Ball No Membership Fee required
Missouri State Club Team No Membership Fee required
Father Son No Membership Fee required

In an effort to provide additional benefits to our membership, the MGA has negotiated
some fantastic, value-added goods and services for every member: >Discounts on St. Louis Cardinal Baseball tickets >Discounts on St. Louis Blues Hockey tickets
>A Year’s subscription to Golf Week
gt;Discounts on Avis Rental Cars
>A four-day pass to the Nationwide Price Cutter Charity Championship
>A raffle ticket for the Grand Prize Drawings at the Price Cutter Championship
>An MGA Decal
>An
MGA Member Bag Tag
gt;A current USGA Rules Book
>Discounts at all Drury Inn Properties Year-Round

And this is only the start! We expect to add more “Perks” as the season progresses!

We sincerely hope that we can count on you to continue to support the MGA by being
a participant in the events conducted in 2012 and beyond.

If you have any questions please contact our office at 573.636.8994

Sincerely,

Scott
Hovis
MGA Executive Director

2012-01-30T14:36:00.000-08:00

Here is the 2012 MGA Championship Schedule- As you will see, the venues for the events this year are oustanding again.

Players can start entering March 5th at 9 a.m. at mogolf.org

2012 MGA
Championship Schedule__________________________________________
Porto Cima Four
Ball
April 14-15
The Club at Porto
Cima
Sunrise
Beach
Senior Four Ball
Championship
May 22-23
WingHaven CC
O'Fallon
Amateur
Championship
June 19-24
Dalhousie GC
Cape
Girardeau
Amateur Stroke Play
Championship
July 16-18
Jefferson City
CC
Jefferson
City
Father/Son
Championship
July 23-24
The Club at Porto
Cima
Sunrise
Beach
Missouri Open
July 26-28
The Club at Old
Hawthorne
Columbia
Four Ball
Championship
August 18-19
Silo Ridge
GC
Bolivar
Mid-Amateur
Championship
August 28-29
Meadowbrook
G&CC
Prairie Village,
KS
Senior Amateur
Championship
September
18-19
St Joseph CC
St
Joseph
State Club Team
Championship
September
24-25
The Club at Porto
Cima
Sunrise
Beach
Hieronymus Cup
Matches
October
13-14
Hickory Hills
CC
Springfield

Until I see you on the first tee!!

Scott Hovis

Executive Director

Getting you ready for the 2012 Season

2012-01-30T14:03:00.001-08:00

Before we kow it the 2012 Golf Season will be here, so I want to start sending out some Rules Videos every once in a while to help you the player freshen up on your knowledge.

Click
Here to View the Loose Impediments Video

Unitl I see you on the First Tee!!

Scott Hovis
Executive Director
Missouri Golf Association

MGA Message

2011-11-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

MESSAGE FROM THE MGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Updated: Tue 11/22/2011 9:01 am

MGA Board of Directors and all competitors,

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support of the Missouri Golf Association.

The Championships were well attended and well played this past summer. Please take a moment to view our past champions of 2011. I would like to especially recognize the 2011 Players of the Year.

Junior Amateur MGA Player of the Year: Jacob Fair, Monett

Amateur MGA Player of the Year: Jace Long, Dixon

Senior Amateur MGA Player of the Year: Steve Groom, Raytown

Senior 4 Ball: Jeff Johnson, Ballwin and Ed Walsworth, Kansas City

Net Flight 50-59: Bob Gile and David Hohler, Cape Girardeau

Net Flight 60: Robert Schulze, Overland Park and Ed Wiseman, Lenexa, KS

Junior Match: Mitch Rutledge, Creve Coeur

Ken Lanning: Kenneth Eady, Nixa (16-18)

Missouri Amateur: Skip Berkmeyer, Wildwood

Junior Amateur: Jacob Fair, Monett

Stroke Play: Brian Haskell, St Joseph

Four Ball: Brian Haskell and Brad Nurski, St. Joseph

Four Ball Net: Jim Byland and Don Uberroth, Camdenton

Mid Amateur: Brad Nurski, St Joseph

Senior Amateur: Rich Gleghorn, Springfield

State Team: Normandie Golf Club, St Louis

Father Son: Justin and Greg Doss, Rolla

Hieronymus Cup: West Teams

To view complete results from any of these events, the Hieronymus Junior Series events or the Senior Series events click on the tournament information link in the left banner.

The 2012 season is a “change” year in the USGA Rules of Golf. While the changes do not take effect until January 1, 2012, we wanted to pass along some of those changes as you look ahead to the 2012 season. To view the new changes for the 2012 season please click on the following link: To view the 2012-2015 Rules of Golf changes click here.

http://www.usga.org/rules/2012-Rules-of-Golf/

We encourage you to read these documents, and become familiar with the changes. Please do not hesitate to contact the MGA if you have any questions.

Also, be looking out for a new MGA web site coming this winter along with the announcement of the 2012 Championship Schedules and other new member programs for the upcoming year. Entries will open on Monday, March 5th at 9 a.m.

On behalf of Karen, Randy, the Missouri Golf Association Board of Directors and myself we wish each of you a wonderful Holiday Season and look forward to seeing each of you real soon.

I also encourage you to call me or email me at anytime with your thoughts or concerns. phone 573.636.8994 or mogolf@mogolf.org.

Until I see you on the first tee!!
Scott Hovis, MGA Executive Director
3401 W Truman Blvd Suite 100
PO Box 104164
Jefferson City, MO 65110
573-636-8994 ext.303
573-636-4225 fax

2011 Stroke Play Championship Press Release

2011-07-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

Missouri Stroke Play Press Release

Springfield, Missouri - July 19 – 21, 2011 The Championship tournament will be held at Hickory Hills Country Club

The Missouri Stroke Play Championship will return to Hickory Hills Country Club of Springfield, Missouri this year. Hickory Hills was also the host of the 2002 Missouri Stroke Play and the 1996 Missouri Amateur Championship. Hickory Hills is a traditional, tree-lined golf course. It has big, fast greens and its beautiful, old school style will provide a great and difficult challenge for the participants. The tournament will consist of 144 of Missouri’s top amateur golfers. The tournament will begin with 18-holes on both Tuesday and Wednesday before making a cut to the lowest 50 scores. Once the first cut has been made, another 36-holes will be played on Thursday before the champion is named.

This tournament offers the participants an opportunity to showcase their abilities against the strong field of anticipated competitors and against the former champions of years gone by. Former Stroke Play champions participating include last year’s champion Ryan Marks, Matt Miller (2009), Wayne Fredrick (2001), Bobby Godwin (1999). Other MGA tournament champions in the field include Jacob Fair the 2011 Junior Amateur Champion and the 2010 Junior Match Play Champion, Chuck Greene 1998 Missouri Amateur Champion, Justin Bryant 2011 Missouri Amateur Runner-up, Harry Roberts 2010 Mid- Amateur Champion, Will Hogan Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Year, and Donald Stimble 2007 and 2010 Junior Amateur Champions and 2011 Junior Amateur Runner-up.

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. The MGA conducts several statewide championships each year, including the Missouri Stroke Play. The MGA distributes an annual schedule of tournament events and entry forms for each event, provides advice and information for golf, handicap and rules chairpersons, and provides educational seminars.

Pairings are at www.mogolf.org

Meet YOUR MGA INTERNS

2011-06-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

Over the years the MGA has applied and has been awarded two P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Internship Grants through the USGA . These grants allow us to hire two interns for the summer months. The Boatwright Internship is awarded to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting state and regional golf associations the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry-level basis. The MGA could not in anyway possible conduct the number of events we do throughout the summer if we did not have the grants from the USGA. Most of you have already had the pleasure of meeting our 2011 USGA Boatwright Interns Jay Shimmens and Bryn Boeckman. Jayme Mertens is employed by the MGA. When you get the chance at the next event please introduce yourself to them.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT- JAY, JAYME AND BRYN

MEET YOUR MGA INTERNS

JAYME MERTENS

Age: 21

Hometown: Jefferson City, MO

High School: Helias High School

Class of 2008

College and Major: University of Missouri

Bachelor of Health Sciences

Favorite Food: Brownies, Peanut Butter and BBQ Ribs (YUM!)

Favorite TV Show: So You Think You Can Dance and Gossip Girl

Favorite Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Little Mermaid

Biggest Pet Peeve: People who drive to slow in the fast lane (I have awful road rage)

Hobbies: Dancing, reading, going to the Lake, event planning, Delta Gamma, shopping, and being with friends

Role Model: Jackie Kennedy

What do you want to learn from your internship: the experience of setting up an event, being responsible for how it goes, working with the website and PR. Meeting amazing people, and taking away great memories and skills that will help me with me in the future.

Career Goal: Become a physical therapist and work with children

Favorite Golfer: Arnold Palmer or Rickie Fowler (so cute!)

Where do I see myself in 30 years: Birmingham, Alabama working as a PT with a family and a beautiful home.

Dream Vacation: Italy or Australia

Celeb Crush: Justin Bieber

Fun facts: I have never drank a coke in my life, I am typically late, always right, I want to learn French and I am obsessed with dogs.

JAY SHIMMENS

Age: 20

Hometown: Jefferson City, MO

High School: Helias High School

Class of 2009

College and Major: University of Missouri

Sports Management Minor in Business

Favorite Food: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes

Favorite TV show: Eastbound and Down, ESPN

Favorite Movie: Dumb and Dumber

Biggest Pet Peeve: Things not in order and people who are unorganized

Hobbies: Basketball, going to the lake, football, golf, watching sports.

Role Model: My father

What do you want to learn from this internship: Learning the process of setting up and running golf tournaments. Meeting new people and hopefully taking away great memories that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Career goal: Something to do with sports. Maybe one day be a coach.

Favorite Golfer: Tiger Woods and Adam Scott

Where do I see myself in 30 years: Where ever life takes me! Hopefully married with kids and working in the sports industry.

Dream Vacation: Australia or Spain

Celeb Crush: Carrie Underwood

Fun fact: I am the youngest of three boys

BRYN BOECKMAN

Age: 22

Hometown: Jefferson City, MO

High School: Helias High School

Class of 2007

College and Major: Missouri State University

Sports Management Minor in Business

Favorite Food: Pork Chops w/ mushroom gravy

Favorite TV show: ESPN, Entourage

Biggest Pet Peeve: Bad phone manners

Hobbies: going to the lake, baseball, golf, watching any sports that are on TV.

Role Model: My father

What do you want out of this internship: Learning the daily operations in managing and administering golf tournaments. Developing my public relation skills and meeting new people.

Career goal: Work for a successful sports organization

Favorite Golfer: Phil Mickelson

Where do I see myself in 30 years: I see myself working at an agency that I enjoy, and having a wonderful family.

Dream Vacation: Italy or Hawaii

Celeb Crush: Jessica Biel

Fun fact: I love watching Cardinal baseball, and I rarely miss a game

Planning for some golf??

2011-03-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

Is the snow finally gone? Wow, what a wet winter we just had. When we got the record snowfall in January, I asked myself “Do you think that we might see grass before June?” However, as we all know, we have green grass and trees blooming right now, which means one thing to me; let’s get out playing some golf!
We in Missouri are very fortunate to have some wonderful golf courses to be able to get out and enjoy throughout this beautiful state. Courses are all over, from Northwest Missouri to the tip of the Boothill, for all ages and all calibers of golfers. Everyone knows of the wonderful courses in the Lake Ozark area to enjoy and retreat to for a fun guys or girls weekend; go the Lake Golf Council website to plan your trip. If you want to go even farther south, look into the Branson Area Golf Council website to get everything you need for a trip to the Ozark Mountains.
Everyone wants to go where multiple courses exist and there’s a wide range of variety to chose. However, one thing golfers never think of and are missing out on is taking a little road trip through Missouri, playing some of the interesting and fun little nine-hole golf courses that some towns might have.
Yes some are private and will not let outside play come in, but the majority will. To me, it is neat to pull into these little communities and see what kind of clubhouse they might have or not have. Most of these clubs might not have true rental golf carts to rent so you might have to use a member’s cart that is stored at the course that day.
Then when you get on the course – and these courses don’t have the huge budgets to maintain the course like Augusta National -- but I am the first one to say that golf course superintendants from small clubs do more with what they have and don’t have then many superintendants that have everything they need.
On these courses, you might see some very interesting design of holes just like you do on big courses. However, these clubs are very laid back and will bend over backward for a outsider to come in a enjoy the course. So the next time you and some buddies are looking for a little getaway to have some fun playing golf and looking for a cheaper route that is more laid back, look into hitting up some of the great nine-hole courses we have in Missouri.
If you need some help finding these courses feel free to contact the Missouri Golf Association and we will guide you in the right direction.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Dont Miss out on New Event!!

2011-02-08T11:58:00.000-08:00

THE 1ST ANNUAL PORTO CIMA 4 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Enter for this event through the MGA website starting Monday, February 14th.
This is a MGA Cup Team Points Event.

FOUR BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
APRIL 15-17, 2011

(January 25, 2011) The Club at Porto Cima is proud to announce the Inaugural “Porto Cima Four Ball” tournament. This event will be held April 15 – 17, 2011 in Sunrise Beach and will be a great way to start the upcoming golf season. Find a partner early as this will be one of the must play events of the 2011 golf season.

How to Register: You can call the MGA office for an entry form or login here and sign up your team online. ENTRIES OPEN FEBRUARY 14, 2011

Costs per Team: $350 includes practice round, championship rounds and range balls all three days.

Flights: Championship Flight or
Senior Flight Team - Both players must have reached their 50th birthday by the first day of the event to compete.

REFUNDS - Cancellations before the close of entries will be refunded less a $30 fee. There are no refunds after the deadline date.

SCHEDULE - The field will consist of the first 88 Teams.

Friday - April 15
Practice Round
Saturday - April 16
First round, 18 holes
double tee starts 8 & 12:30
Sunday - April 17
Second Round, 18 holes
double tee starts 8 & 12:30

Lodging: Lodge of 4 Seasons 800-843-5253 Reservation Code: Porto Cima Four Ball
Main Lodge $129 ++ per night (single/double)
Avila Lodge $159++ per night (single/double)
Avila 2 bedroom $259++

Country Club Hotel and Spa - 800-964-6698 Reservation Code: MGA
Standard $79++, Suite $89++, 2 bedroom Condo $179++

If you can not remember your login and/or password to register for an event click here to have it sent to your email.

MGA office 573-636-8994

Ways to get involved with the USGA!!

2011-01-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

There's Always Something New To LearnIt takes a special skill set and drive to become a proficient USGA Rules official
By Daniel Hubbard
January 25, 2011

Clyde Luther has worked more than 115 USGA championships as a Rules official. (John Mummert/USGA)

In 2010, the Rules of Golf received an unusual amount of attention. Several on-course incidents at professional tournaments involving high-profile players such as Dustin Johnson, Juli Inkster and Ian Poulter made national headlines and spawned ongoing discussion and debate among players, fans and commentators.

While these Rules incidents involved professional players, they were no more important to the player involved than the thousands of on-course Rules situations that arise over the course of a year in other formal golf competitions. In each case, the decision can affect the outcome of the competition as well as the future success of a player – one who has often invested significant time and effort in pursuing the path of golf success.

With the exception of Local Rules and Conditions of Competition, all on-course rulings in the U.S. are drawn from the Rules of Golf – the regulatory foundation of competitive golf and indeed of all play. The USGA, in conjunction with The R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the Rules in order to uphold the tradition and integrity of the game. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of two well-known publications: The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. The latest version of the Rules of Golf went into effect Jan. 1, 2008, with the next revision scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2012.

In USGA championship play, the Rules of Golf are administered by a team of on-site officials, most of whom are highly-trained volunteers who have served the game for years. The configuration of officials varies depending on the size of the championship field, but typically one official – known as a referee – accompanies each playing group on the course. Referees are supported by two roving officials and a pace of play official. The on-course team works in concert with scoring officials in the clubhouse, and the entire operation is overseen by one or more senior officials who also act as roving officials to help render rulings if needed.

USGA.org caught up with four volunteer Rules of Golf officials to learn a bit more about the special skills required to do their job well, as well as the challenges and benefits they experience from officiating. (Click here for Rules official photo gallery)

It’s hard to get to a more senior position in the world of golf officiating than Clyde Luther. At 81, the former United Airlines pilot from Burke, Va., has worked at more than 115 USGA championships, beginning with the U.S. Junior Amateur in 1982. “Education and on-course experience are the keys to being a good Rules official,” says Luther, who estimates that he has attended more than 50 USGA/PGA of America Rules of Golf workshops as either a student or instructor. “There is always something new to learn.”

Gail Rogers agrees. Like Luther, Rogers is a veteran Rules official, having worked dozens of USGA championships since 1992. As the former director of education for the Northern California Golf Association, she was responsible for supervising Rules education efforts for the organization’s 200 volunteers. Now a member of the Association’s Board of Directors, she chairs the Education Committee. “Officiating is a big responsibility and strong knowledge of the Rules of Golf is absolutely critical,” she says. “Your rulings can impact the future success of a player who has worked very hard to be in a position to succeed.”

Like all Rules officials, Sarah Haas takes her education responsibilities quite seriously. A member of the USGA’s Women’s Committee and director of junior golf programs at Crab Orchard Golf Club in her hometown of Carterville, Ill., she keeps extra copies of the Decisions of the Rules of Golf on hand for reference purposes. “I’ve even got one in my car,” she says with a laugh. “I check on specific decisions in my spare time because when you are in the middle of officiating a championship there’s no time to do so. There are intricacies involved and you need to know what you are talking about.”

Most USGA Rules of Golf officials attend at least one Rules workshop a year (often more) to stay current with both general knowledge and recent rulings. They travel frequently, often working long hours to complete their officiating duties. A variety of challenges go with the job, and each official weighed in on one underlying aspect of the task.

“Having a high level of confidence is one of them,” says Luther. “You’ve got to be sure of your abilities and unafraid to convey what you know regarding a rule to a player or caddie. I had to tell Tiger Woods at one of his last amateur championships that he was going to incur a penalty because his ball was lying directly on top of a marked hazard line defined as an environmentally sensitive area, which meant he was required to take relief in the form of a one-stroke penalty. It was not the answer he wanted to hear and I remember the look he gave me. But I knew I was right and I had the confidence to handle the situation correctly.”

“Weather!” chimes in John Reis, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association and a volunteer at more than 45 USGA championships. “At the 1994 U.S. Junior Amateur the Rules volunteers were enlisted to squeegee greens and pump out flooded bunkers. I had no idea that was part of the job description. When it’s raining sideways at 30 miles an hour you wonder what the heck you are doing out there, but somehow you get through it.”

“Demeanor and clarity,” says Haas. “As an official you have to establish a good rapport with players while at the same time being very precise when explaining a rule or a player’s options to them. There are often younger players and international players at championships who are not well versed in the rules or have a language barrier that prevents them from fully understanding what’s going on. It’s your responsibility as an official to have an open dialog and to be extremely clear in your communications, so player and caddie both know the implications of their choices in a given situation.”

“Officiating is also a balancing act,” adds Rogers. “I call it visible invisibility. You want to be visible and helpful to players and caddies when they need your assistance, but invisible to them at most other times during their round. You don’t want players feeling like you are in their back pocket. You need to evaluate and base your actions on what player needs may or may not be at any given moment.”

While challenges are part of any job – and perhaps there are more of them when officiating an important championship – these Rules officials agree that the benefits are many.

“Without a doubt, the friendships I’ve formed have been the best part of volunteering as a Rules official,” says Reis. “We all check our egos at the front gate, work together as a team to produce a professionally-run championship, and we have a lot of fun along the way. These are my best friends out here on the course with me.”

Luther agrees. “The camaraderie between officials helps form a team that communicates well with each other and ultimately produces a well-run championship,” he says.

Haas finds special satisfaction in helping young golfers. “When I spend time helping junior players to understand the Rules, whether it’s at my club or at the local high school where I coach, I really feel like I am making them better players. We do situational teaching to help players understand that the Rules aren’t just there to penalize. By knowing them you can save strokes and elevate your overall game. And when I see that knowledge reflected in a young player at a USGA championship – whether it’s somebody I taught or not – it’s pretty gratifying.”

For Rogers, the opportunity to be up close in a competition interacting with great players is both exciting and rewarding. “I love what I do and tell others that the satisfaction I get from volunteering in this manner is tremendous. I encourage anyone with interest in officiating to go for it! Start at the local or state level, work hard, and you’ll be surprised at how far you can go.”

“And don’t forget the courses,” says Haas. “We get to work at some of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in the country. It’s hard not to stand out there at the end of a long day and realize how fortunate you are.”

Fortunate, indeed, as are the players and all the others who benefit from the enthusiasm and dedication shown by this special group of USGA volunteers.

Daniel Hubbard is the USGA’s manager of communications. E-mail questions or comments to dhubbard@usga.org.

2011 Season for MGA is ready to go!

2011-01-25T12:46:00.000-08:00

MEDIA ADVISORY For more information:
Scott Hovis – (573) 636-8994 – shovis@mogolf.org

2011 Missouri Golf Association Schedule Released

(Jefferson City, MO – January 2011)Tournament schedule of Missouri Golf Association runs May – October. Events are open to all Amateur Golfers in Missouri and surrounding States.

The over 1500 golf members of the Missouri Golf Association will have much to choose from in 2011, with some of the state’s top golf courses serving as tournament host facilities. Boys and girls, ages 18 and younger, will have opportunities to play in over 15 events throughout the state of Missouri. The MGA strives to provide affordable access to competitive golf, especially our junior golfers. The Junior Amateur does provide exemptions into American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) open events and will be played this season at Silo Ridge Golf Course in Bolivar, Missouri. The very popular Men’s Senior Series events will begin in May and conclude in October after 16 events at the Meadow Lake Acres Country Club in New Bloomfield, Missouri for the Tour Championship.

The 2011 Missouri Amateur will be hosted this year by Boone Valley Golf Club in Augusta, Missouri on June 21-26. The qualifiers for this event will start at The Falls in O’Fallon on May 31, Dalhousie GC in Cape Girardeau on June 1, Meadowbrook Golf & CC, Prairie Village, KS on June 2, Country Club of Missouri, Columbia on June 3, Twin Oaks CC in Springfield on June 6th. There is a last chance qualifier on June 13 at Oak Meadow CC in Rolla. The MGA has added the Missouri State Club Team Championship to the schedule this year. (Open to all MGA Member Clubs) This event will be held at the number one rated golf course in Missouri by our members, The Club at Porto Cima on September 25-27 in Sunrise Beach.

To view the entire schedule you can visit the MGA website.

About The Missouri Golf Association (MGA) www.mogolf.org

WHAT IS THE MGA?
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.
WHAT DOES THE MGA DO?
Date back to 1905; our Directors have devoted their time and effort to advance the great game of golf in all corners of our state. With the help of its Member Clubs, the MGA works to keep the game great by providing the services described below.
STATEWIDE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The MGA conducts several statewide championships each year. These include the Senior Series, Father/Son, Senior Four-Ball, Amateur, Junior Amateur, Junior Amateur Match Play, Amateur Stroke Play, Junior Collegiate Preview, Four-Ball, Senior Amateur, Mid-Amateur, Junior Team and the Hieronymus Cup Match. These events are open to all amateur golfers who meet eligibility requirements.
HANDICAP SYSTEMS
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.
COURSE RATING AND MEASURING
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.

Two Missouri Golfers Sign with Tigers!!

2010-12-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

//FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE//
Contact: Josh Murray (573) 882-0711
December 6, 2010

Mizzou Men’s Golf Signs Two
Ryan Zech and Wilson Sundvold will join the Tigers next fall.

The Mizzou men’s golf team has signed two high school standouts to National Letters of Intent. MU Head Coach Mark Leroux has announced that Ryan Zech and Wilson Sundvold will join the Tigers in the Fall of 2011.

“We are excited to bring the two of the top three players in Missouri, including the top golfer in the state, to Mizzou,” Leroux said. “They are both strong players as well as being exceptional young men off the golf course. Of course, the Sundvold name will be familiar to Tiger fans. With the addition of these two young players, the future of our program looks very bright.”

Zech is a three-time All-State, All-Metro, All-Conference and All-District performer for Kearney (Mo.) High School. He is the top-ranked player in Missouri. Last summer, Zech claimed two PGA Junior Series wins and took medalist honors at the Midwest Junior Golf Tour event in St. Joseph, Mo.

Zech shot rounds of 72 and 69 at the Missouri Junior Amateur, finishing in fifth place. He took third place at the Western Junior Championships.

Sundvold is a Columbia, Mo. native, who is currently a senior at Rock Bridge High School. He is ranked as the No. 3 best player in Missouri. Sundvold finished eighth at the 2010 Missouri High School Class 4 Championship and was an All-State selection in 2009.

Last summer, Sundvold placed seventh at the PGA Junior Series tournament at Oak Tree Country Club and finished 10th at the USGA Boys Junior Amateur Qualifier in St. Louis. He is the son of Jon Sundvold, who starred for the Mizzou men’s basketball team from 1979-1983.

—MIZZOU—

Did you ever wander what the MGA does besides golf tournaments

2010-12-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

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. It is important in Missouri that a non-commercial and impartial body of amateur golfers exists to administer the principal concerns of Missouri golfers. The MGA needs the continued support of its long-time member clubs and the affiliation of new clubs to help promote, aid, and advance amateur golf in the State of Missouri.

Missouri Golf Association Member Clubs

· MGA Member Clubs receive complimentary course measuring services by certified staff (Non-members $100 hr)

· MGA Member Clubs receive complimentary periodic course rating by certified staff (Non-members $650)

· MGA member clubs receive complimentary course rating and re-measuring services following course architectural changes

· MGA Member Clubs receive complimentary TPP Tournament Management Software with the GHIN Agreement

· MGA provides complimentary TPP consulting/”help desk” services to clubs

o Regional TPP Seminars and workshops

o “Help Desk” services for tournament set-up and administration

o Complimentary software upgrades

o eClubhouse

o eRevision

· MGA provides complimentary Handicap Service consultation with the GHIN Agreement

o Handicap seminars and Workshops

o “Help Desk” service for club Handicap Committee

o Complimentary Stroke Hole Allocation service

o eServices

· MGA provides complimentary USGA licensing and certification services

o Educational assistance with Certification Programs

o Assistance with Auditing and Compliance

· MGA provides complimentary Rules of Golf Consultation

o Course Marking Advisory Service

o Local Rules Sheet advisory service

o Call-in for Rules of Golf Interpretation

o Rules Seminars

o Etiquette Seminars

o Rules of Golf Booklets and publications

o MGA offers Member Clubs NEWS postings on MGA website
o MGA offers Member Clubs Activity postings on MGA website and in broadcast emails.
o MGA offers Member Clubs Directory posted on MGA website
o MGA offers Member Clubs Score Sheet development

Missouri Golf Association GHIN Membership

· MGA Member Clubs may provide their members a USGA Handicap Index through the GHIN Handicap Network

· MGA Members may post visitor scores played at other clubs for re-routing to their home club

· MGA Members may post out-of-state scores via the IGN system for re-routing to their home club

· MGA Members with the appropriate USGA Handicap Index are eligible to compete in USGA National Championships

· MGA Members receive e-mail revisions of their USGA Handicap Index

· MGA Members receive e-newsletters

Missouri Golf Association Services

· Missouri State Championships

o Missouri Amateur Championships – eight throughout the season

o Missouri Junior Championships – nine throughout the season

o Junior Series Events – 11 throughout the season plus a championship

o Senior Series Events – 16 throughout the season plus a championship

o Cup Matches

o Points List to establish Player of the Year

· Membership Services

o USGA Handicap System

o USGA Course Rating System

o Educational Programs

o Publications and Communications

· Missouri Junior Golf Foundation

o Junior Competitions

o Scholarship

· Missouri Golf Hall of Fame

· Team Competitions

· PJ Boatwright, Jr. internships

o USGA funded staff positions for Missouri GA

o USGA funded staff position for Missouri Junior Golf Foundation

o Opportunities for young people to learn golf administration

USGA Regional Partner

Missouri Golf Association is a regional partner of the United States Golf Association and is a licensed provider of USGA programs and services

· Missouri GA is the local authority in Missouri for the USGA Rules of Golf

· Missouri GA is the local authority in Missouri for the USGA Rules of Amateur Status

· Missouri GA is the local authority for Amateur Status processing and reinstatement

· Missouri GA is a licensed provider in Missouri for the USGA Handicap System

· Missouri GA is a licensed provider for the USGA Course Rating System

· Missouri GA assists in the conduct of USGA Championship Qualifying Rounds

http://www.mogolf.org/

· Course Directory

o Course information

o Contact Information

o Course Scorecard

o Hole by hole description

o Directions

o Public/Private status

o Fees/Access

o Web site link

o Photo Gallery

· Golf News

· Golfers Network

o Network Forums

o Game Improvement features

o FSV Advisors

· Member Club News posting

· Member Club Activity Posting

· Foundation

· Junior Golf

· Senior Series

· History

· Hall of Fame

· Tournament Results/Points/Standings

· Handicap and Score look-up features

· On-line score posting

· Championship Video Profiles

o Course Highlights

o Club Pro Interview

o GC Superintendent Interview

Missouri Golf Association

3401 W Truman Blvd Suite 101

PO Box 104164

Jefferson City, MO. 65110

573-636-8994 phone 573-636-4225 fax mogolf@mogolf.org

MGA Staff:
Scott Hovis, Executive Director

Randy Bickel, Director of Junior Golf

Karen Raithel, Director of Member and GHIN Services

Win a trip to the US Open

2010-12-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

2011 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Congressional Country Club
Bethesda, Maryland
June 13-19, 2011

MGA JUNIOR GOLF 2011 RAFFLE FUNDRAISER

Support the Missouri Junior Golf Foundation
Purchase a Raffle Ticket for a Chance to WIN

Two - 7 DAY Grounds Only Ticket Packages for the 2011 U.S. Open for just $25
Click on the BUY NOW button above to purchase by credit card

Mike Dallmeyer winner of the 2010 US Open Raffle tickets "Undescribably cool experience"

The Missouri Junior Golf Scholarship Foundation is conducting a raffle for two 7 DAY grounds only ticket packages for the 2011 U.S. Open Championship to be conducted at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland on June 13 – 19, 2011. The cost of a raffle ticket is $25 (total package valued at $900). The proceeds of the raffle will benefit the Missouri Junior Golf Scholarship Foundation. The events conducted for the junior players in Missouri are expanding and your support is essential to the continued growth of these programs.

To purchase your raffle tickets go to the BUY NOW button above or by calling the MGA office. Each transaction has a unique and distinct transaction identification number that will be used as your raffle ticket identification, if purchasing multiple raffle tickets you will need to submit multiple transactions. There is not a maximum number of raffle tickets that you can purchase. The drawing will be conducted on April 15, 2011 and the winner will be announced that day.

Rules governing the Raffle: Eligibility is open to the public. Staff of the Missouri Golf Association are not eligible to participate. Must be 21 years of age to purchase a raffle ticket and participate in the raffle. Raffle tickets must be purchased prior to 8:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time) on April 15, 2011. Multiple tickets may be purchased, however each purchase is to be a separate transaction, as the transaction code will serve as the raffle ticket. Drawing for the winner will be conducted at 12:00 Noon on April 15, 2011 with the winner announced on the MGA website later that day.

Junior Tickets: Junior Tickets will be available on-site at all admission gates and Will Call. Tickets for Juniors age 12 and under are complimentary, on any day when accompanied by a paid adult ticket holder. Tickets for Juniors age 13-17 will be available for purchase at a reduced price when accompanied by a paid adult ticket holder

Golf Courses are the Place for Natural Social Networking

2010-11-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

Golf Courses are the Place for Natural Social Networking, says ASGCA

Fundamental human need to socialize comes together for friends, family and
business associates on courses of all types
BROOKFIELD, Wis. – In a world of Blackberry devices, Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, there is no substitute for personal interaction, the kind found every day through the game of golf. Golf courses provide the basis for the numerous social benefits provided by golf, says the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA).

“Golf course are a source of tremendous economic and environmental value to a community,” said ASGCA President Erik Larsen. “But the social benefits a golf course provides are just as valuable. Whether you are out for a round with some friends, conducting formal business in a friendly, competitive atmosphere or introducing your son or daughter to a practice range for the first time, the golf course remains a truly unique place; not to mention the health benefits which come from being outdoors.”

Walking a golf course leads to better health. Anyone looking for a moderately paced, cardiovascular workout will benefit by walking nine or 18 holes designed to work with the natural undulations of the land. A recent msn.com article cited additional benefits of walking, including lowering the risk of Type 2 diabetes, reducing stress, preventing heart disease and decreasing the need for medication.

“A course can also be used for other activities which benefit a community, including trails for jogging and cross-country skiing or concert space,” Larsen said in the most recent issue of By Design, the definitive source of information for individuals and organizations seeking best practices in golf course design. “The practice range at a course is a great place to bring in a portable movie screen. A course manager or owner who invites area residents for an evening’s entertainment under the stars may find they will return for a lesson or round of golf.”

For additional information on the Value of the Golf Course, visit www.asgca.org, call ASGCA at (262) 786-5960 or email info@asgca.org. By Design is available free of charge to anyone wishing to receive the electronic publication each quarter by completing the form at http://www.tudor-rose.co.uk/bydesign/home.html.
ASGCA Background

Founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit organization comprised of experienced golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Members have completed a rigorous two-year long application process that includes the peer review of four representative golf courses. ASGCA members are experienced golf course architects, able to counsel in all aspects of golf course design and remodeling and comprise many of the great talents throughout the golf industry.

For more information about ASGCA, including a current list of members, log on to the ASGCA website at http://www.asgca.org or call (262) 786-5960.

Getting to be that time again!!

2010-03-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

The clock has been pushed forward an hour, the weather is starting to turn warmer, and people have been spotted dusting off their golf clubs.
What does all this mean?
It’s time to play some GOLF in Missouri! No matter what part of the state you may live in or visit, we have some wonderful golf courses right in our own back yard. And with recent economic challenges, now is the perfect time to take advantage of some great deals.
Packages you may find include a round of golf with a cart, range balls, and either breakfast or lunch. The normal rate for a round of golf with a cart and range balls is usually in the $40 to $50 range, but some packages are extending that offer to as many as four people for the low price of $50. The best way to find deals is to check out the Web site of a course you’re interested in or to look through your local newspaper.
Don’t let these great deals pass you by because they may not be around for long. It’s time for you and your buddies to hit the links for the day or weekend. Some of the best golfing times are in the spring, so let’s all get out there, and I look forward to seeing you on the first tee.

Dalhousie Offers Unique Experience

2010-02-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

Within the hills of southeast Missouri, a truly unique lifestyle experience awaits. Set on a beautiful, 1,000-acre tract of land in the enchanting town of Cape Girardeau, the remarkable community of Dalhousie offers a unique combination of European roots, Southern grace, expert planning and world-class golf.
Boasting a name whose history goes back almost as far as the game of golf, it is fitting this Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course is one the best courses in Missouri. Rated the 48th best Residential Golf Course in the Country by Golfweek magazine, the par 72 course has already hosted many high profile championships, including the 2009 AJGA Rolex Tournament of Championships, which touted the top 80 junior golfers from throughout the world. It has also hosted five Missouri Golf Association Championships and is the host for the 2010 Missouri Senior Amateur Championship and the 2012 Missouri Amateur. The character of the 7,242-yard, core golf layout varies from the undulating terrain to the old-growth forest to spectacular water holes, while gnarly-edged bunkers, imaginative green complexes immaculate Zoysia fairways and large, rectangular bent grass tee boxes add dimension and challenge. A true masterpiece designed to stand the test of time, The Dalhousie Golf Club is undoubtedly one of the best courses in the Midwest.
Dalhousie is a private club that offers a unique National Golf Membership program, presenting an intriguing option for those living outside the Cape Girardeau area. Members of Dalhousie also have access to five on-site member cottages, as well as the “Dalhousie at Waters edge” which provides additional overnight accommodations, welcoming amenities, indoor and outdoor event pavilions and private access to 10 acres of well-stocked fishing ponds.
Dalhousie Golf Club is just one the many wonderful golf courses we have in Missouri. To see more about this wonderful and gorgeous place visit the Web site at www.DalhousieGolfClub.com. Or, if you might be interested in taking a tour in person, contact them at 573-332-0818. I promise you one thing, once you play the course and take advantage of the cottages, you will be planning your next trip real soon.

Until I see you on the first tee!

Win 2 Tickets to the 2010 US Open!!!

2010-02-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

2010 MISSOURI JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION
FUNDRAISER

REGISTER TO WIN
Grounds Only Weekly Ticket Package for Two
U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links
June 14-20, 2010

Buy your raffle ticket now!
Tickets are $25 per chance to win.
You must be 21 or over to purchase a raffle ticket

Rules governing the Raffle: You must be 21 years of age to purchase a raffle ticket and participate in the raffle. Raffle tickets must be purchased prior to 8:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time) on April 30, 2010. Multiple tickets may be purchased, however each purchase is a separate transaction, as the transaction identification number will serve as the raffle ticket number. The Staff of the Missouri Golf Association and the MGA Board of Directors are not eligible to participate in the raffle. The drawing for the winner will be conducted at 12:00 Noon on April 30, 2010. The winner will be contacted and announced on the MGA website.

No refunds, exchanges, rain checks or replacements will be made.

The Missouri Junior Golf Scholarship Foundation is conducting a raffle for grounds only weekly ticket package for two for the 2010 U.S. Open Championship to be held at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California on June 14 – 20, 2010. The cost of a raffle ticket is $25 with the total package valued at $850. The proceeds of the raffle will benefit the Missouri Junior Golf Scholarship Foundation. The events conducted for the junior players in Missouri are expanding and your support is essential to the continued growth of these programs.

To purchase your raffle ticket click on BUY NOW button above. Each transaction has a unique and distinct transaction identification number that will be used as the raffle ticket number. This number is located on your credit card transaction receipt that you will receive in your email. Keep a copy for your records. You can purchase more than one raffle ticket but they are separate transactions.

If you would rather contact the MGA to process your credit card transaction please feel free to do so.

The drawing will be conducted at the MGA office on April 30, 2010 at 12:00 PM and the winner will be contacted and announced that day.

If you have questions contact the Missouri Golf Association at 573-636-8994. Thank you for your support of Junior Golf in Missouri.

Package Includes:
Grounds Only Weekly Ticket Package provides access to the grounds of Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Each Grounds Only Weekly Ticket Package includes:

• One ticket for each day of the Championship–three (3) Practice rounds, four (4) Championship rounds, and one (1) 18-hole

Playoff, if regulation play ends in a tie

• A voucher for one complimentary official U.S. Open Program

Times Are Tough in Golf As Well

2009-11-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

Country Clubs: Stuck in the Rough
Golf courses across the nation are in crisis as memberships and money dwindle

By Dean Foust

From the day it opened its gates in 1998, Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club was one of the "it" clubs in the Phoenix area. Boasting a Spanish Colonial clubhouse and a pair of Jack Nicklaus-designed courses with majestic mountain views, the club exuded an air of wealth and success. And because Superstition Mountain was the host course for a popular Ladies Professional Golf Assn. tournament, its members got to hobnob with such stars as Annika Sorenstam—a perk that made writing a $100,000-plus initiation check a little easier.

But as the economic downturn suddenly made a club membership seem more extravagance than necessity, Superstition's luck took a turn for the worse. With membership slipping and the developer behind the club and the adjoining residential development suffering his own financial problems, Superstition's lenders foreclosed and now plan to sell the property at auction this December. What happens then is anyone's guess, given that Superstition Mountain has only about half the 780 members originally envisioned. "It's just not feasible that the members take it over at this point," says Keith Bierman, the court-appointed receiver for the club.

For generations of golfing executives, joining a private club not only provided a venue to entertain clients but also served as a validation of their success. Now the economic downturn has created an existential crisis for many of the nation's 4,400 country clubs. To be sure, elite clubs such as Augusta National, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club outside New York City, and Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles remain impervious to the current downdraft, as do many of the most established, old-money clubs across the country. Hammered hardest are the thousands of middle- and lower-tier courses, as well as many, like Superstition, that sprouted throughout the Sun Belt during the past decade. Already, dozens are in foreclosure. And according to the National Golf Foundation (NGF), as many as 15% of the rest say they're suffering serious financial problems. Among the troubled are such venerable clubs as the Country Club of Lansing, Mich., and the former IBM Heritage Country Club outside Binghamton, N.Y., both of which are in foreclosure.

The pain isn't over, either. The number of golfers belonging to clubs now is down to 2.1 million—900,000 below the peak in the early 1990s. Experts such as consultant Jim Koppenhaver, whose Buffalo Grove (Ill.) firm, Pellucid, monitors the industry, believes at least 400—and worst case, 1,000—private clubs will have to close, convert to public play, or be absorbed into healthier clubs before the carnage is over. "The whole country club model is at risk," says Koppenhaver. But "for a lot of golfers, the value proposition of belonging to a club is hard to pencil out."

While it would be easy to ascribe the clubs' woes to the economic crisis, experts say the seeds were planted in the early 1990s, when Congress enacted tax reforms that eliminated or reduced the ability of club members—and, more practically, their corporate employers—to deduct club dues as a business expense. That raised the effective cost of joining clubs and gave rise to a new breed of upscale public courses some executives view as suitable, and cheaper, places to entertain clients. Societal changes had an effect as well. While earlier generations of men viewed their clubs as weekend sanctuaries from work, if not from the wife and kids, many executives in their 40s and 50s are opting to spend their weekends not on the course but on sports fields coaching their kids' teams.

SUDDEN SHORTFALLS

The clubs themselves share the blame for their plight. Some took on huge loans to fund extensive renovations to courses and clubhouses, racking up debts they are currently struggling to repay. And while 500 of the clubs surveyed by the NGF say they've been running at a deficit, experts believe 2010 could claim even more victims. Most clubs give members a certain window each fall to suspend or shift to a cheaper plan in the coming year, and experts say many are doing just that. "There are clubs that are finding out right now that they're not going to make it next year," says David Shaw, a Greenvale (N.Y.) consultant to clubs.

To plug these shortfalls, troubled clubs are resorting to a variety of measures. At the roughly 500 clubs that told the National Golf Foundation they were suffering serious financial problems, heavy membership losses were a key culprit. As a result, 90% reported they had tried recruiting new members with discounted initiation fees—and some, such as Inwood Country Club, a 108-year-old establishment on Long Island, N.Y., have waived their initiation charges for golf members. Others are merging with neighboring clubs to cut labor costs, which account for about half the expenses at an average club. That allows the clubs to share the cost of a bookkeeper, food-service director, and other staff. In Cleveland, two clubs facing declining memberships—Sand Ridge and Mayfield—merged three years ago, a move that enabled them to slash overhead enough to keep both courses. But with their combined membership down from more than 700 to 550 in the years since, the renamed Mayfield Sand Ridge Club is entertaining approaches from other clubs looking to merge their way in, too. "We're doing fine, but we're still looking for anything that would help our club," says Jon Outcalt, Mayfield's president.

TEED OFF

Despite their best intentions, some of the clubs' efforts to stay afloat have current members grumbling. The offenses include opening the banquet rooms to outsiders and renting the courses for corporate outings and charity events. Not surprisingly, a number of the disputes involve money—and lawyers. At some clubs, members have sued when the clubs dragged their feet on refunding their initiation fees until replacement members are found, a process that can take years at struggling clubs. In Lexington, Ky., seven members of the University Club of Kentucky filed suit in 2003 after club officials slashed the initiation fee from $12,500 to as little as $6,000. That, said members, violated the club's vows that the value of their memberships wouldn't decline. While the club and litigants reached a private settlement, Randolph Addison, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-club matters, says the courts usually uphold the right of private clubs to alter their fees.

In the end, some industry insiders believe the long-term solution is to reinvent the country club, moving beyond golf to a broader array of services that meet the changing needs of younger members. In San Clemente, Calif., the once-bankrupt Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club has sold 120 new memberships in the past six months by adding pilates, karate lessons, and even a vegetable garden (for the restaurant) that members' kids help plant.

On the golf course, Bella Collina now offers a free junior golf program and permits members to take lessons from the club's instructors at no charge. That last move created turnover among the teaching pros, who viewed the cash from paid lessons as a perk of the job. But club officials say the gesture has helped get more mothers and children out on the course with their fathers. "The country club has to evolve and become like piazzas in Italy, the town square where families—and not just the men who are golfing—meet on weekends," says John G. Fornaro, one of the investors who bought Bella Collina last year. That's good advice, but it may be coming late to clubs where the wolf is already at the door.

Time to Shine!

2009-10-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Hieronymus Cup Matches are here, below you will see the schedule of events and team members for the event being held at Jefferson City Country Club.

Schedule:
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Practice Round
Saturday, October 10th
AM- Four Ball Matches
PM- Alternate Shot Matches
Sunday, October 11th
Single Matches

East Team - Jim Holtgrieve Team Captain	West Team - Ron Brewer Team Captain
Senior Point Members	Senior Point Members
Don Bliss	Steve Groom
Scott Thomas	Gerald Siemons
David Lucks	Rich Gleghorn
Bob Meeh	Andy Smith
Robert Trittler	Ron Eilers
Karl Elbrecht	Don Kuehn
Scott Edwards	Tom McHenry
Darrel Huisinga	Robert Martin
Ben Cantrell (Captains Pick)	B J Curry (Captains Pick)
Jim Holtgrieve	Dee Sanders (Captains Pick)
Randy Bickel (Assistant Captain)	Jack Garvin (Assistant Captain)
Champion Point Members	Champion Point Members
Skip Berkmeyer	Brian Haskell
Darren Lundgren	Brad Nurski
Jeff Johnson	Scott Hovis
Tom Barry	Aaron Murphy
Ted Moloney	Dean Merrill
Bobby Godwin	Tyler Stalker
David Johnson	Harry Roberts
Brevin Giebler	Mark Korell
Paul Neeman (Captains Pick)	Wayne Fredrick (Captains Pick)
Buddy Allen (Captains Pick)	Travis Mitchell (Captains Pick)
	Antonio Serrano (Assistant Captain)

In years passed 14 members were chosen to represent their region (2008 and prior). This year (2009) we have extended the number of members to 20 players per team. 20 players represent the East side of Missouri and 20 players represent the West side. 8 of the 20 are chosen from the top 2009 point leaders. Then 8 players are chosen from the top senior point leaders. The remaining 4 are chosen by the Captain, 2 from the championship side and 2 from the senior division.

The East Team won the matches in 2008 at Dalhouise Golf Club by the score of 15.5 to 12.5. The East leads 8 to 7 in the lifetime standings of these matches. It should be a fun weekend full of some great golf!!

Until I see you on the first tee!!

Scott

Amazing!!

2009-07-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

I hope each of you enjoy this great story as much as I did.

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/golf-videos/meet-butch-lumpkin-9477/?ref=26000

See you on the first tee!

Scott

Young Boy Beats the Odds

2009-04-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

This is an incredible story and I encourage all of you to take the time to watch it. Yes, it is about a golfer, but it is so much more than that! This young boy has overcome more than most of us will ever be faced with in our lives

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1197420/4273255%3e%20GolfStory

Until I see you on the tee,

Scott

Staying Close to Home

2009-03-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

As I sit here I can’t help thinking about the state we Americans are all in right now with the economy. In talking with golfers every day by either phone or email each one has the same question for me, how do you see this year sorting itself out in the golf business? My response each time is the same, it is going to be trying but remember golf is a therapeutic sport. Just think you can get away out on a beautifully manicured golf course with no worries at all, just leave the cell phone in the car and tell your buddies no business talk for the next four hours. Breathe in the fresh air and smell the freshly mowed grass, look up to the see the beautiful sky and be thankful you are not in the office talking on the phone and just have fun. I know this sounds easier than done, but if you just leave all your worries and problems in the parking lot, you can get re energized and back to a happy place.

A tradition that many men and some women have each year is the annual golf trip for a long weekend, however with the times we are in, traveling to those familiar golf designations like South Carolina or Arizona might not be in the budget, however do not let that discourage you and keep you from that needed get away. Instead think close to home and look what great options we have here in Missouri to offer. Just last week my buddies and I changed our annual out of state trip to stay close to home and head down to the Lake of the Ozarks for a three day getaway of golf and fun. The trip is 75% less than what we would have spent on our normal trip and to be honest the courses we are playing are going to be better than what we usually play out of state. The Lake is not the only place you can play in Missouri; Branson has some great courses as well. Both of these locations have wonderful courses that will accommodate groups and help make a golf trip for you and the boys. Go to golfbranson.com website or try golfinginmissouri.com the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council web site and check out what you can do. Sometimes when we think golf trips we never think what we have here in Missouri to offer and that is a shame, so check it out and see what you come up with. I am betting that this year’s trip for us might be the best we ever had.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Drinking the Kool-Aid!!!!

2009-02-24T12:53:00.001-08:00

Look out! The best golfer on the planet is back and ready to ROAR!!! Unless you have been living in a cave with no TV or Computer access for the last 7 months, then you know that Tiger Woods has been out of competition with knee issues. So this week at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Arizona Tiger is having his 2009 coming out party. If you have been watching SportsCenter or reading some articles you can hear bits and pieces that Tiger has been ready to go for a couple of weeks now and that he has been practicing more these days than in years past because now he is longer in pain. So if you are not drinking and liking the Kool-Aid that people are saying they expect Tiger to come back better than ever, then my advice to you is to add more sugar because he is going to prove a point real quick. Wednesday morning Tiger plays Brendan Jones from Australia in the first round match, all I have to say to Mr. Jones is I bet that you can go ahead and book that early flight out of Tucson if you want because your week will be short. Some people are saying that Tiger will not be ready to play the grueling week of over 100 holes if he makes it to the finals, my response to them is you need to add some sugar as well. Tiger has proved time and time again that he only does things if he is able to do them. This guy is ready for this week and is going to show the world that he is ready. When a player admits to the press that his short game has never been in better shape than it is now, that is pretty scary. So I am just going to sit back and drink the gallon of Tiger Kool-Aid while watching him roll this week.

Until I see you on the first Tee

Scott

College Golf Myth

2009-02-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

Every kid who plays the game of golf has dreams of playing college golf at the Division 1 level and they think that to get to that level they must play in every AJGA event possible. I am not going to argue that the AJGA is not a great place for kids to play or be seen by college coaches. However, I am going to argue that kids can be seen just as much and get more experience to help them down the road by playing in the local and state events around them. Yes, I know that each kid has his heart and dreams set on going to a big time golf school like Oklahoma State or Georgia, but those kids that go to those schools are the cream of the crop. There are some very good schools that are not as big but at the same time have great golf programs and are also great academic institutes. Just because you do not get that call or letter from one of the elite schools should not stop you from chasing your dream.

Each year more and more junior golf tournaments are being held throughout the state of Missouri, get involved and play as many tournaments that you can play in, if you live in the St. Louis area play the Gateway PGA Sections junior series which are great. If you live in the Kansas City area get involved with the KCGA junior golf events, the Springfield area has a great junior series along with the Lake of the Ozarks. Also, it does not matter where you live or what level you are to get involved with the great Junior Program that we the MGA put on each year. Just this year in ‘09 we have added more one day events throughout the state, also starting this year we are allowing young ladies for the first time to compete in our Missouri Junior Amateur Championship.

The more you compete and learn how to play under the gun of pressure the better player you are going to become and hence getting the attention of the college coaches. The AJGA is a great association that gives kids a chance to compete against the best, but at the same time they are the problem. Kids need to compete and learn how to win, if a kid who is not one of the top players in the country goes out and plays each week on the AJGA and spends all that money finishing in the middle of the pack and not really leading anything than it was not worth it. However if a kid travels the state of the Missouri all summer playing in events and finishing high, than he or she will learn how to handle pressure and learn how their body reacts to being in that position. College coaches want kids that compete and know what it takes to win and how to react in tough situations. I am not saying for a kid to play just local events, go see where you rank against the best once in a while. However for the most part stay close to home and learn how to win.

So my final advice to you junior golfers is this, play as much as you can and compete as much as you can. Just because you do not get the attention of a Division 1 school should not stop you from chasing that dream, D 2 and D 3 schools play great schedules as well and have just as much fun. So keep practicing and playing and go to our web site www.mogolf.org to get signed up for our great events in 09.

Until I see you on the first Tee

Scott

2009 Is Here

2009-02-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

Well the 2009 MGA season is just around the corner now and before we know it this cold winter weather will be gone and golf balls will be flying through the air. It can’t get here fast enough for me. I am excited about the upcoming year and the great venues where our tournaments will be held.

The 2009 schedule is out and you can see it at http://www.mogolf.org/, also keep watching the web site to see when you can start entering the 2009 events. That date and time should be published soon.

In 2009 we are going to try some new things to better your experience. First off we are going to offer text messaging of your tee time to you. This will require you, the player, to add your cell phone number and cell phone carrier in your player profile when you log in. This new feature is going to be handy because instead of having to find a computer each night to get your tee time for the next day, now your time will be sent directly to your phone.

The other new feature that the MGA is excited to offer in 2009 is a partnership with Drury Hotel Property’s, they will be the official hotel for the Missouri Golf Association. This new partnership is going to allow you, the players, to get discounted room rates where a Drury Hotel is located in city that our Championships are being held in. Also, a MGA code is going to be available that will allow you to get discounts at Drury hotels all over, even when not participating in one of our events. I want to thank Drury for stepping up to the plate and helping us and you out in the upcoming year and years to come.

Keep watching the MGA webs site for new stories about the golfing world and also tips on how to get your game and body ready for the upcoming year. Also, I will be sending out some more blogs in the upcoming days to keep you informed on what is going on.

Until I see you on the first tee!

Scott

**Please add shovis@mogolf.org to your address book and/or safe senders list so you are not blocked from future emails**

2009 Is Here

2009-02-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

Well the 2009 MGA season is just around the corner now and before we know it this cold winter weather will be gone and golf balls will be flying through the air. It can’t get here fast enough for me. I am excited about the upcoming year and the great venues where our tournaments will be held.

The 2009 schedule is out and you can see it at www.mogolf.org, also keep watching the web site to see when you can start entering the 2009 events. That date and time should be published soon.

In 2009 we are going to try some new things to better your experience. First off we are going to offer text messaging of your tee time to you. This will require you, the player, to add your cell phone number and cell phone carrier in your player profile when you log in. This new feature is going to be handy because instead of having to find a computer each night to get your tee time for the next day, now your time will be sent directly to your phone.

The other new feature that the MGA is excited to offer in 2009 is a partnership with Drury Hotel Property’s, they will be the official hotel for the Missouri Golf Association. This new partnership is going to allow you, the players, to get discounted room rates where a Drury Hotel is located in city that our Championships are being held in. Also, a MGA code is going to be available that will allow you to get discounts at Drury hotels all over, even when not participating in one of our events. I want to thank Drury for stepping up to the plate and helping us and you out in the upcoming year and years to come.

Keep watching the MGA webs site for new stories about the golfing world and also tips on how to get your game and body ready for the upcoming year. Also, I will be sending out some more blogs in the upcoming days to keep you informed on what is going on.

Until I see you on the first tee!

Scott

Prayers answered with an Evans Scholarship for caddies

2008-12-22T13:12:00.000-08:00

By Gene Wojciechowski
ESPN.com

You don't know Kawthar Rkein. Neither did I until the 17-year-old caddie walked into a packed ballroom, stepped behind a wooden podium and, as her legs shook uncontrollably, began a 12-minute interview session that one way or another would literally change her life.

Not much was at stake. Only an academic scholarship to such high-priced universities as Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin or, in Rkein's case, Marquette. Maybe that's why Sandra Rkein, a single mom who supports her two daughters and her own mother on a cleaning woman's wages, has been praying to St. Jude so much.

St. Jude -- patron saint of the hopeless.

So on the morning of Dec. 11, Kawthar Rkein, her knees knocking, stood in front of more than 100 Evans Scholars selection committee members at a suburban Chicago country club and told her story. She talked about the three ethnic youth clubs she joined at high school, just so she could meet different kinds of people ... about the money she saved from caddying that she used to pay for school books ... about the honors courses she loved ... about her lifelong dream to go to college. Nobody had time to ask her about her work as a soup kitchen volunteer.

Rkein's tiny but confident voice only cracked once -- when she talked about her mom.

"My mom," she said, taking a deep breath, "is amazing."

So was Rkein and the other 19 finalists who took turns speaking to that selection committee earlier this month on a bitterly cold day at River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst, Ill.
Think about it: You're what, 17, and you're summoned to a room full of adults, many of them wearing the green blazers of the Western Golf Association, which oversees the largest privately funded college scholarship program in the country? There's a waiting area and then, when it's your turn, a WGA rep leads you through a pair of glass doors, to the front of the ballroom, where you shake hands with the WGA big hitters. Then you're directed to the podium, where 100 committee members -- all allowed to ask pointed questions about your academic record, caddying experiences, life aspirations, etc. -- are assembled in front of you. These are the people who will vote yes or no on your scholarship after you leave the room.

Nerve-wracking? One finalist's face turned a splotchy red by the end of the interview. Another finalist kept wringing her hands every eight seconds. Another finalist could have used a beach towel to soak up the forehead flop sweat.

Nearly 600 caddies nationwide applied to the Evans Scholars program this year. It's a breeze: All you need is club sponsorship, a sparkling academic record, a history of community service and/or meaningful extracurricular activities, leadership skills and serious financial need (parents' tax returns are required). Gandhi would have had a hard time winning one of these things.

The finalists appear in front of the state selection committees, like this one. And they tell their stories.

Read more compelling stories...click here

Until I see you on the first tee,

Scott

The Changing of the Game

2008-12-19T14:08:00.001-08:00

As I sat at my desk last week, looking at the walls, trying to find something to do to past the time since I was without my life support, aka “computer”, which crashed. I realized that we as a society have turned all our needs to technology, not only in the working world but also in the game of golf.

I kind of feel like Judge Smails wife in the great movie Caddyshack when she ask Rodney Dangerfield “I cannot believe that you do not have a device that just allows you to sit in the club house and not have to play.”

Think about it for a second, we as golfers get fitted just right for every piece of equipment that we use in our bag. Over 90% of companies now days want you to be hooked up to some sort of a launch monitor to get just the right fit for your swing. Now you can even be fitted to find the right ball you should be playing. The game of golf has been taken over by the robotic world. Players are all trying to have the same mechanics, they want to be able to swing as hard as they can and hit it is far as they can. I see more golfers standing on the range and just waling on range ball after range ball trying to see how hard and far they hit the ball instead of working on how to shape shots and control distance of the ball. So the true art of working the golf ball and hitting different shot has been lost in this golf phase.

So that is why I am so glad to see that the USGA has stepped in to change the groove patterns on the clubs. It has been stated by many touring pros that on golf holes that are tight and narrow and should really reward the player for hitting the fairway, the players right now are just hitting driver of the tee to get as close the green as possible because they know that the short iron they hit for the next shot will stop the ball on the green. In my eyes that has really hurt the game and the great mental side of it. Golf played the correct way is a game that you must think through each shot that you hit, and always be thinking about where you want the ball to go. Right now golf is being played by a bunch of guys that are big and strong and just try to muscle the golf course. That is fine, but with the upcoming changes to the clubs it will not work as well. It evens the field out for all sizes to play; now the guy that might not hit it as far but never misses a fairway is back in the game.

I will tell you what, other than Tiger who is just a freak of nature, I bet next year when the tour players must have the correct grooves in play you will start to see the smaller and not as long hitters back at the top. I like this new wave or I guess you could call it the old school way coming back. However it all comes down to one factor and always will. Whoever is putting the ball the best will win!!

Until I see you on the first tee!

Scott

Bigger and Better!!

2008-12-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

I am proud to be able to announce the 2009 MGA Championship Schedule. As you will see, the Championships are being held at some outstanding Member Clubs. Also, you will notice that we have added a couple of new things. For the first time we are going to have Girls compete in the Missouri Junior Amateur. We are also opening the ever popular Father-Son Championship up to a Professional Division and adding another course. This year each team will play a round at Porto Cima and one round at the Lodge’s signature course Witch’s Cove. This will allow for more teams to compete and enjoy the great event. One final new twist is that we have added 2 more senior series events from 14 to 16.

I can not be more pleased with the quality of courses our Championship events will be held at in 2009. It just goes to show how great our member clubs love to support and promote Amateur golf in Missouri. I am looking forward to the upcoming season and cannot wait for it to start!

Check out the 2009 Schedule Now!!

Have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season,

Until I see you on the first tee,

Scott

Don Bliss is named Senior Player of the Year by the Missouri Golf Association

2008-11-24T11:06:00.000-08:00

Don Bliss, one of the most decorative amateur golfers in the history of Missouri golf, has been named the MGA Senior Player of the year for the fourth time. Bliss who has won four Missouri Amateur Championship titles, had another strong golf season. Bliss got off to a fast start by winning the Senior Division of the Phil Cotton event in early June. He then went on to qualify for match play in the Missouri Amateur and proceeded to make the round of 16. Bliss then qualified for the United States Senior Amateur and made it into the match play portion of the event before being knocked out of the first round. Bliss finished the year by finishing in a tie for 6th in the Missouri Mid Am Championship at the historic Kansas City Country Club. Congratulations Don!!

For all the years results you can check them out http://www.mogolf.org/

Skip Berkmeyer of St. Louis has been named the Missouri Golf Association’s Player of the year for 2008

2008-11-24T09:17:00.000-08:00

Skip Berkmeyer had an outstanding year, not only in the state of Missouri but on the national scene as well. In Missouri, Berkmeyer won the Phil Cotton in early June in Columbia, and was the Runner-Up at the 101st Missouri Amateur Championship at WingHaven Country Club in O’Fallon. He also finished in a tie for 4th at the Stroke Play Championship held at Meadow lake Acres Country in New Bloomfield. On the national level, Skip qualified for the US Amateur Championship held at Pinehurst Country Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina, qualifying for match play and advancing to the round of 32. Then Berkmeyer qualified for the US Mid Amateur Championship in Milwaukee. While there Berkmeyer was the medalist for the two qualifying rounds and was the number one seed and advanced to the round of 32. Skip was one of two players that qualified for match play in both the US Amateur and US Mid Amateur.

“Skip had a solid year from start to finish and has proven that he is one of the top Mid Am players in the US” Scott Hovis, Executive Director of MGA.

This is the third time that Berkmeyer has been named the Missouri Golf Association Player of the Year. Congratulations Skip!!

2009 Senior Series

2008-11-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

People always ask the question “why do you change something even when it’s working just fine?” My answer is “how do you know it can’t be better?” That is where we are at with the MGA Senior Series. With the exception of a few bumps in the road, this series has been a great success so far, which is why we want to make the 2009 season that much better. We’ve had players comment to us that the course is either too short or too long, so we have come up with a way for players to chose where they play from. Before the event, players will specify what flight they want to play, this will allow the players to choose how challenging they want to make it for themselves. This will be a better fit for everyone, and will allow the same amount of players a chance to win something as well.

2009 Senior Series

64 and Under - Open Flight - 6500 Yards

64 and Under - Net Flight - 6250 Yards

65 and Over - Open Flight - 6250 Yards

65 and Over - Net Flight - 6000 Yards

Gift certificates will be given to the top finishers in each flight. Points will also be given to the top finishers in each flight for the year end Tour Championship.

Missouri Wins!

2008-10-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

Last week at Hickory Hills Country Club in Springfield, members of the Missouri Senior Series team beat members of the Kansas Senior Series in a Ryder cup style of matches. In the Association matches, which consist of 6 players over the age of 65, Missouri won by the score of 12 to 1. In the Ozark Cup Matches which consist of 12 players from the ages of 50 to 64 Missouri won again by the score of 13.5 to 10.5

These matches are between the two golf associations that happen on the annual basis. Below you will see the team members, great job guys!!!

Ozark Challenge
Russ Woodbury, Aurora
Jerry Waitulavich, St. Louis
Darrel Huisinga, Fenton
Rocky Walther, St. Louis
Karl Elbrecht, St. Louis
Mike Dallmeyer, Jefferson City
Parker Morgan, Springfield
Tom McHenry, Jefferson City
Denny Payne, St. Louis
Jim Ruck, St. Louis
David Hohler, Cape Girardeau
Steve Slaughter, Jefferson City

Association Cup
Don Dupske, St. Louis
Carl Benbrook, Chesterfield
Bob Martin, Columbia
Jerry Kirksey, Bolivar
Norton Balber, St. Louis
Bob Igelhart, Columbia

Until I see you on the first tee!

Scott

Final Destination

2008-10-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

After wrapping up another successful championship and making sure that we were done in time for ballroom dancing night at KCCC, it was off to Cape Girardeau and the wonderful Dalhousie Golf Club for the end of the year Cup Matches. The top players from the East side of the state compete against the top players from the West side of the state. With the West side winning the event last year at Porto Cima the East was out for a little revenge. The players were treated to some wonderful weather and some fantastic food along with a golf course that was in unbelievable condition. Each time I visit Dalhousie I leave there loving it more. The East came out on top this year with winning 15 and a half points to the 12 and a half by the West squad. A lot of great golf was played by both sides.

So, Sunday afternoon after the Cup Matches came to an end I hopped back in the car and headed down the road again, however this time I got to head home and a chance to get a good nights sleep in my own bed. Yes it might have been a lot of miles driven, (over 1,200) and many nights away from home (12 to be exact) I would have not changed it for anything. What a lucky guy I am to get to visit such wonderful golf courses and be around such great people.

I am the LUCKY ONE!!

Until I see you on the first tee

Scott

Still on the Road

2008-10-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

The next stop on the circuit was Kansas City Country Club for the Missouri Mid Amateur Championship September 29th thru October 1st. Kansas City Country Club is another old historic club that just oozes tradition. You can just feel how special KCCC is once you step onto the property and look around. On Monday morning, while we were out setting the course up for the event, Tom Watson was on property looking at the course that he calls home to see what changes might need to be made for upcoming years. I will tell you one thing, after being there for three days I did not see anything that needs to be changed!! What a classic and wonderful golf course that proved you don't need 7,000 yards or more to make a golf course tough. Just ask the players who competed what a great challenge a course less than 6800 yards can be. I had one player make the comment to me that he could play Kansas City Country Club every day for the rest of his life and never get tired of it. As for the event it self, it turned into a St. Joseph, MO Championship with the top three players all coming from St. Joe. In the end Brian Haskell prevailed on the first playoff hole to defeat Brad Nurski.

Congrats to Brain for his success at the Missouri Mid-Am

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Lucky

2008-10-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks I have lived every Missouri golfers dream! Yes, it might have required a lot of travel and hard work, however, I would not have traded it with anyone.

It all started the week of September 22nd through 24th at the historic Old Warson Country Club with the Senior Amateur Championship. Old Warson, which hosted the 1971 Ryder Cup and is one of the premier country clubs of the Midwest, presented a great challenge for the players. Scott Thomas of St. Louis played 36 holes of solid golf to capture his first Senior Amateur Championship. Once we got the event wrapped up, it was off to Columbia and the Missouri Open the 25th through 27th.

With the Missouri Open having been off the schedule for over 10 years, it was great to have it back and back at a wonderful venue like The Club at Old Hawthorn. What a great opportunity for the top professionals and amateur golfers from Missouri to compete and see who comes out on top. Again with perfect weather and a golf course in great shape the players had a wonderful time. Peter Malanti, a member of the University of Missouri’s golf team, played two spectacular rounds and shot 12 under par to win by four over PGA tour member Jay Delsing.

Congratulations to both Scott and Peter on their victories!

Until I see you on the first tee,

Scott

Making a Statement

2008-09-08T14:10:00.000-07:00

Skip Berkmeyer Takes Medalist Honors At The U.S. Mid-Amateur
Total of 4 Missiourians make Match Play
River Hills, Wis. – Skip Berkmeyer, 34, of St. Louis, Mo., shot a 1-over-par 71 Sunday to earn stroke-play medalist honors with a 36-hole total of 2-under-par 138 at the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Milwaukee Country Club and Brown Deer Park Golf Course.
Berkmeyer, who played his round at the 7,004-yard, par-70 Milwaukee CC, edged Tim Mickelson, 31, of San Diego, Calif., by a stroke. Mickelson, the younger brother of PGA Tour pro Phil Mickelson, bogeyed his last two holes at Milwaukee CC to finish with an even-par 70 and a two-round total of 139.
“It’s great,” said Berkmeyer of being medalist. “To be the lowest guy in this big field is a pretty neat thing.”
The lowest 64 scorers advanced to match play Monday at Milwaukee CC. The championship is scheduled to run through Thursday, with the winner receiving a likely invitation to the 2009 Masters Tournament.
Also making Match play from Missouri are Brian Haskell of St. Joseph who is the 34th seed shooting a two day total of 145. The 18th seed also from St. Joseph is Brad Nurski, and the final player from Missouri to move on to match play is Ted Moloney of St. Louis and he is the 42nd seed.
Berkmeyer, who is playing in his fifth Mid-Amateur, has advanced further in match play with each succeeding year. His best finish was a third-round loss in last year’s Mid-Amateur at Bandon Dunes Resort in Bandon, Ore. He lost in the second round in 2006 and the first round in 2004. He also has played in seven U.S. Amateurs.
There are signs that Berkmeyer has what it takes to last longer this week than in the past. He was one of only six mid-amateurs to reach match play at last month’s U.S. Amateur. He also was runner-up at the 2008 Missouri State Amateur, an event he won in 1999.
“I’ve played well all summer, and I’m pretty pleased,” said Berkmeyer, who owns a trophy and awards shop with his father, Rick. “My game has gotten better as I’ve gotten older. Hopefully, it will get better this week.
“I feel now like I belong and I’m more comfortable out here,” Berkmeyer continued. “This is my favorite event. This is what I play for.”
His mother has enjoyed even more success at USGA championships to this point. Barbara, 64, was runner-up at the 2002 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur.

Coming to an End

2008-09-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday and Wednesday is the last two Senior Series events before the Tour Championship in October. Tuesday afternoon we are heading to Osage National and Wednesday morning at Old Kinderhook. Both of these events are sold out and should be two great events on two wonderful golf courses. This Senior Series has really become bigger than I thought it would. We get more and more compliments on these events each time and it all comes from getting the opportunity to play top notch golf courses. Just last week the Seniors got to play Branson Creek and John Daly’s Murder Rock in Branson. Both courses were in fabulous condition and were great test for the players.

After these last two Senior Series events are over on Wednesday, then we will add up the points and see which top 16 players from each age division will move on to the Tour Championships at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club October 7th and 8th.

I would like to take this time now and Thank all the players that participated in the Senior Series this year and look forward to seeing you all again for the 2009 season.

Until I see you on the first tee

Scott

Doing the Double Dip

2008-08-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

Justin Bardgett teamed up with 2008 Missouri Stroke Play Champion, Darren Lundgren to win the only other major championship that both of them could compete in, the 2008Missouri Four Ball Championship. Bardgett won the Match Play at WingHaven Country Club in June with a convincing final match performance against Skip Berkmeyer. Lundgren followed that up with an equally dominating performance, winning the Stroke Play at Meadow Lake Acres by three strokes over an impressive field.

I knew going into the event with the way the rough was up and the speed of the greens that teams were not going to go very deep the first day. But, after players have a couple rounds under their belts, on a course they can start feeling comfortable on, they’ll start shooting lower scores. However, with the hole locations that I had set for day two I did not expect this low of scores. So, my hats off to the boys for golfing that well.

After the first round, it looked like the magic was gone for the two major champs as they fired a lack luster 69 which put them three strokes off the lead, but more importantly behind more than a dozen teams at 66, 67 and 68. "We thought 62 was the number we needed to win going into the final round," said Bardgett after the tournament. Well they came up one shot short of their goal firing a low round of the championship 63 getting them to 12-under for the tournament with quite a few teams on the course. Early reports were that defending champions Travis Mitchell and Tyler Stalker were again playing well and playing directly behind Bardgett and Lundgren so they would be aware of exactly what they had to do.

With Lundgren and Bardgett waiting for more scores to come in to see how their 12-under total matched up, Mitchell and Stalker knew they had to make birdie on 18 to tie and Mitchell drained a clutch 50 foot birdie on the final green to match the leaders and join the waiting game. I was standing next to the 18th green at the time, and about 10 feet out from the hole he new that he made it. The ball was moving at a pretty good clip when it hit the hole and was dead center.

After all the teams completed play it was just Lundgren/Bardgett and Mitchell/Stalker teams still standing. So it was off to the first hole for a playoff. However only after one hole the playoff was over with the Bardgett and Lundgren team holding the Championship hardware for 2008.
It was a great week on a wonderful course in Blue Hills Country Club. The course could not have been in any better shape. So thank you to the great staff and membership of Blue Hills for allowing us to host the event.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

It's Getting Closer!

2008-08-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

Next week is the BMW Championship in St. Louis at Bellerive Country Club. Yes, I know that Tiger is not going to be there, but the rest of the top players in the world will. These guys are competing in the year end Fed Ex Cup Playoff’s for some big money. So if you can, make the trip out to the event to see how the big boys tackle the new design of the Bellerive Course. I am planning on getting out there over the weekend to see some great golf. It is not very often we have the best in our home state, so take advantage of this.

Ticket information here: http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r028/tickets.html

Until I see you on the first tee!

Scott

It was a Quieter Day at the MGA

2008-08-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

It is a lot quieter around the MGA office today. Yesterday was the interns, Julia and CeAnne’s, last day. They were great!! They did many great things for the Association this summer and there are not enough words to say how much they will be missed around here. Well, let’s take one thing back; we won’t miss that rap music they made us listen too. That is the only thing that will not be missed!!

CeAnne and Julia head back to school now and get ready for their upcoming golf seasons this fall. CeAnne goes to William Woods and Julia goes to the University of Missouri. We here at the MGA thank them for the wonderful job they did this summer and wish only the best to them.

Until I see you on the first tee,

Scott

Time of Her Life!

2008-08-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

I am proud to report that our 2008 USGA Intern Julia Potter is having some great success at this weeks US Women's Am. She made match play and then won her first match yesterday 3 & 2 and play's her second round match today starting at 10:00 a.m. west coast time. Enjoy this great article about her that was on the front page of the USGA website Wednesday morning. I am super proud of her and wishing her only the best the rest of the week. We are cheering hard for her.

Until See you on the first tee!!

Scott

USGA Boatwright Intern Potter Making Most Of Vacation Time

By David Shefter, USGA

Eugene, Ore. – Julia Potter didn’t need to persuade her boss for a break to compete in this week’s U.S. Women’s Amateur at Eugene Country Club.

Not when your summer occupation involves golf.

The 20-year-old from Granger, Ind., and a junior-to-be at the University of Missouri is one of many USGA-supported P.J. Boatwright interns serving various golf associations and organizations. In 1991, the USGA established the P.J. Boatwright Internship Program to give experience to individuals interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting state/regional golf associations, as well as other non-profit organizations dedicated to the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry-level basis.

Potter has spent the last few months with the Missouri Golf Association learning all aspects of golf administration, from conducting championships to understanding how to accurately rate a course.

But when she qualified for the Women’s Amateur, she needed to ask MGA Executive Director Scott Hovis for time off. Hovis, a former Boatwright intern himself at the MGA (1994) who spent five seasons on various professional circuits before getting his amateur status back in 2001, understood the situation. An elite player, Hovis qualified for his first USGA event five years ago (U.S. Mid-Amateur) at Sea Island Golf Club, but did not make the match-play cut.

“We’ve managed to work around her playing schedule,” said Hovis by phone in Kansas City where he was playing in an event.

Potter recently worked the Missouri State Amateur, an eye-opening experience where she assisted Hovis in all aspects of the competition, including the selection of hole locations.

“I think what I’ve learned with the job has actually helped me prepare better for golf tournaments,” said Potter after carding a 2-under-par 70 Tuesday and finishing stroke-play qualifying at 1-under 143, easily within the match-play cut. “I’m really lucky to have a boss who not only understands my golf schedule, but is also there encouraging me.”

During Potter’s sophomore season, Hovis sent an e-mail to the University of Missouri coaches seeking an intern for the summer. Potter had already decided to spend the summer in Columbia, so she applied and landed the position.

“As a player, we don’t really understand all the time and effort that’s put in by not only the [staff] but the volunteers,” said Potter. “Learning how to run tournaments and what it is to work in an office … has been a great experience and I don’t regret a second of it.”

But while she’s received an education in tournament administration, the internship hasn’t solved one major phobia. Potter still hates to fly. The situation has improved since her freshman season when she had several panic attacks. En route to Oregon, she flew with Missouri teammate and fellow Women’s Amateur qualifier Lindsey Haupt of St. Louis, which eased the tension.

Good conversation kept Potter’s mind occupied enough to avoid any harrowing situations.

“It was really nice to have a teammate and somebody I know on the plane with me,” said Potter, who captured her second consecutive Indiana State Amateur title earlier this summer.

Her anxieties apparently didn’t carry over to the golf course, where she was competing in her first USGA championship after six years of trying. Potter came up short in sectional qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open in June, but finally broke through at her Women’s Amateur qualifier in Indianapolis, garnering the last spot via a playoff after carding a 76.

Now the left-hander is into match play, where she’s had previous success. Potter won the 2004 and ’05 Indiana Girls’ Junior title and has competed in the Women’s Western Amateur.

“If I play like today, I’ll feel really confident in my game,” said Potter, hoping to become the first female southpaw to raise a USGA trophy (four males have done so). “Match play is just completely different. It’s just head to head. Anything can happen.”

The fact that Potter is competing at all is remarkable. Four years ago, doctors inserted a metal rod in her back to stabilize a back condition known as scoliosis, which is where a person’s spine is curved from side to side, and may also be rotated. The abnormality can make the spine look like an ‘S’ or a ‘C’ instead of a straight line.

Stacy Lewis, a member of the 2008 USA Curtis Cup team, suffered from the same condition and surgery five years ago helped her continue playing at a high level. She nearly won the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open in her professional debut.

Potter has been to play pain free, but doctors at Missouri have recommended she undergo the same procedure as Lewis. It’s something she will consider after her eligibility expires or as long as she can play without pain.

After Tuesday’s 70, there was no reason to grimace.

David Shefter is a USGA New Media staff writer. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.

Great Week

2008-08-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

Another fun week for all the Fathers & Sons that competed this week at the wonderful Porto Cima Golf Club at the Lake of Ozarks!!! Although we had a quick rain shower Monday morning and then hot weather on Tuesday it was fun for all. This event has turned into one of the favorites on the MGA schedule. It is a great time for Fathers & Sons to bond and enjoy some great quality time. I have been fortunate to play in the event all three years with my dad and it is a great time. I enjoy the event because with my hectic schedule during the summer months I never get the chance to play golf with my dad but this event allows me to. Plus it does not hurt that we are playing one of the premiere courses in the state as well.

Monday night, Mike Kelly “The Voice of the Tigers” was our guest speaker at dinner and he was great. He told some great stories about MU Athletics and also about some of the great personal opportunities that he has had in broadcasting. He even reflected on how he could tell that this event was a great thing even though he was not participating and what a great time for Fathers & Sons to bond.

The oldest Player in the Field was Charles Talley at the ripe young age of 88 and he was great. The man played every hole and hit every shot as if he was leading the U.S. Open. That is what makes the event that much more special for everyone involved. Make sure that you do not miss out on this event next year. More info about the 2009 Father-Son Championship will be soon to follow. So stayed tuned. Here is a picture of Skip and Charlie Talley, they were the oldest team in the field with a combined age of 148!

Until I see you on the First Tee!!

Scott

Captain Named!!

2008-07-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Mike White, President of the Missouri Golf Association, has been named the 2008 Captain of the Missouri team against Kansas in the Ozark Challenge Cup. The event will take place October 21st-23rd at Hickory Hills Country Club. The teams are made up of 16 players from both association’s Senior Series. Last year was the first year Missouri and Kansas competed in this great event. I am looking forward to another great competition this year and hopefully we can defend our title!

Until I see you on the first tee!!

Scott

Time to Play!!

2008-07-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

Well the time has come again for the top golfers in Missouri to compete in the Missouri Stroke Play Championship. The event is being held right outside Jefferson City at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club. This will be the first major event held at the course and the top players in the state will compete. For me it is kind of exciting to see how the guys will score. I grew up on this golf course and have seen it come a long way from the days of non water fairways to now having zoshia fairways and irrigation systems through out the course. The staff at Meadow Lake has done a wonderful job with the course and has it looking great for the event.

Today is the practice round day, Wednesday and Thursday the players will play 18 holes each day. Then we will make a cut to the top 50 scores and ties for the final day which is a 36 hole shoot out. So stay in touch with what is going on with the action by watching the live scoring at http://www.mogolf.org/ this week.

Until I see you on the first tee!

Scott

Voice of Tigers to be Guest Speaker

2008-07-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

Mike Kelly the Voice of the Missouri Tigers is going to be the guest speaker at this years Father-Son Championship being held July 28th and 29th at The Club at Porto Cima. Kelly will speak after the first round of play at the yacht Club at Porto Cima around 7:30 p.m. The Father-Son is going on its third year and is become the players favorite event each year. If you are interested in joining us for dinner please call the MGA office at 573-636-8994.

Mike Kelly has broadcast almost 700 Mizzou Football and Basketball games. The Dupo, Illinois native started his affiliation with the University of Missouri in 1989, when he was named the host of “Tiger Talk” the radio show that features Mizzou’s Football and Basketball coaches. After serving as the color analyst for Mizzou Basketball during the 1990-1991 season, Kelly took over the play-by-play duties the next season. In 1994, Kelly was named as “The Voice of the Tigers” taking over the reigns for Mizzou Football.

A 1984 graduate of SIU-Carbondale, Kelly has broadcast NFL Football and NCAA basketball for CBS Radio. He has also broadcast games for the St. Louis Cardinals.

In addition to broadcasting games, Kelly is employed by The Insurance Group, and independent insurance agency located in Columbia, MO.

Kelly and his wife Laurie will celebrated their 20th anniversary in August. They
are the parents of 17-year old twin daughters Shannon & Shaun. Their youngest child
Megan is 12.

On the Run

2008-07-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

I first off want to apologize for not being very prompt with my blogs lately, I have been pretty busy and just have not gotten around to them. However, I hate excuses so I will stop there.

As I type this out I am in North Kansas City at our 25th Missouri Junior Amateur Championship being held at Paradise Pointe Golf Club. This complex has 36 holes here, one course called the Outlaw and the Other named The Possey. Both courses are in wonderful shape and we have over 180 players competing these two days. This mornings weather was great however this afternoon a storm is brewing west of here and has kicked the winds up and that will kick the scores up as well.

From here I will be making the a short drive to Cape Girardeau which will only take me about 6 hours from the spot I am in now. Nothing like going from Northwest Missouri to Southeast Missouri! Thursday and Friday we are having another Senior Series event at Cape Girardeau Country Club and Dalhousie. There are over 80 players competing at both spots. The players are in for a great treat with these two courses for sure. The rest of the Senior Series Events are sold out for the year. So if you want to participate next year make sure to get your applications in early.

Well time to help bring the kids in off the golf course, we just had lightning in the area and had to blow the horn to halt play.

So until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Congratulations Missouri Amateur Champion - Justin Bardgett

2008-06-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

One year ago at Old Warson Country Club, a young Justin Bardgett found himself in the finals of the Metropolitan Amateur Match Play Championship against Player of the Year, Skip Berkmeyer. On this day, Bardgett looked to defeat the number one seeded Berkmeyer holding a 2up lead with 2 holes to play. But the veteran Berkmeyer found a way to square the match as he has a knack to do, ultimately winning in extra holes and sweeping away the championship from Bardgett.

Turn the clock forward a year and a more experienced Bardgett again was on the cuff of winning a major amateur championship, this time the 101st Missouri Amateur Championship. And again, in his way was none other than Skip Berkmeyer. Both graduates of Chaminade High School, Bardgett has played in the shadow of Skip Berkmeyer for most of his young adult life. A Missouri High School Champion, Bardgett has captured his share of major golf tournaments, but never a Men's major championship like he again had the opportunity to win on Sunday at WingHaven Country Club.

Throughout the week, Skip Berkmeyer had played what he called some of the best golf he's played competitively in his career. He had control over his golf ball, a great feel on the greens and an edge over many of the younger inexperienced competitors in the field. Breezing through his first five matches, you could sense Berkmeyer intimidated his opponents if not because of his reputation alone. But Bardgett had seen it before. He fully understood what Berkmeyer was capable of and also knew that he was one good shot away from defeating him a year ago. Watching the players warm up on Sunday morning, you could sense Bardgett wasn't going to spot Berkmeyer 2up on reputation alone.

As the players began their marathon 36 hole final match ominous clouds hovered over the Nicklaus Design Championship Golf Course and mother nature was evident with gusts of 10 to 15 mph. For most of the week the weather had been perfect with little wind to challenge the golfers.

If anyone had their doubts as to whether the younger and less experienced Bardgett would handle center stage, it took all of 15 minutes to answer that question. After an atypical wayward drive from Berkmeyer off the first tee, Bardgett neatly placed his tee shot on the left side of the fairway. It was Bardgett's second shot that served notice that he was ready for this challenge, as he stuck his approach to 4 feet of the hole. He would go on to make birdie and assume a 1up lead. After both players made birdie on the par 5, 2nd and pars on the 3rd, the players were called off the golf course for 45 minutes due to inclement weather with Bardgett maintaining the 1up lead...Read More

A Fight to Finish at Cotton

2008-06-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

Berkmeyer edges Hovis by a stroke to win tourney.

By STEVE WALENTIK of the Tribune’s staff
Published Monday, June 9, 2008

Scott Hovis had played enough golf with Skip Berkmeyer to know all the traits that have made him arguably the top amateur golfer in the state of Missouri.

Anyone who watched Berkmeyer lock down his third Phil Cotton Invitational championship yesterday on the 18th hole at A.L. Gustin Golf Course knows now, too.

Berkmeyer was 5-under-par when he stepped onto the 18th tee clinging to a one-shot lead over Hovis, who rode along in the same cart as the St. Louisan in yesterday’s final group.

Against a lot of people, I’d probably hit iron off the tee and play it safe and make the guy make birdie," Berkmeyer said. "But Scott, I know his game, I figured he’d make birdie. I figured I needed to make birdie to win."

So Berkmeyer pulled out his driver and ripped his tee shot down the right side - right into trouble. The ball came to rest in the rough with two trees blocking his approach to the green. With Hovis sitting just about 70 yards out in the middle of the fairway, the prospect of the tournament being decided in a playoff for the third straight year looked more and more likely.

But Berkmeyer pitched the ball over the trees and landed it just about 3 feet off the green. When he chipped to within a foot, Hovis’ 8-foot birdie attempt suddenly became a must-make.
Hovis nearly did, sending his putt skirting barely an inch off the left edge.

"I thought I made it," he said. "I hit a good stroke, hit it right on my line. I putted it a little bit outside left edge. It was breaking, and then it straightened out."

Hovis threw his head back and let out a sigh that revealed his frustration and surprise.

But he wasn’t shocked at all to see Berkmeyer escape trouble with the tournament on the line.

"He knows exactly where he’s going to put it," Hovis said. "He knows his misses. He knows every shot. He’s very methodical, very smart. He knows where he’s going to hit it. He’s battle-tested, when you play the events that he does and at the high level. He’s got a very good mental game."

That served Berkmeyer well as he navigated through a stiff wind throughout yesterday’s final round. He played bogey-free on the back nine to card the day’s best round, a 3-under-par 67 that left him at 5-under for the 36-hole tournament. That was one shot better than Hovis and three in front of Chesterfield’s Darren Lundgren, the only other player in the 46-man championship division to finish below par.

The 34-year-old Berkmeyer, who won the Missouri Amateur in 1999 and the Phil Cotton Invitational in 2001 and 2002, began the day two shots behind first-round leader Nick Wilson and one back of Hovis. He’d lost ground to the latter after making bogey on the par-3 fifth.
At that point, the only man making a significant move was Lundgren, who birdied the first three holes to climb into the lead. He finished the front nine at 4-under-par 31.

It took Berkmeyer eight holes to collect his first birdie. He rolled in an 8-footer to get back to even-par for the round.

"I was just trying to be patient," Berkmeyer said. "With the wind, it’s uncomfortable. I knew I was just a couple good holes away."

He drove it into the bunker just right of the green on No. 9 and got up-and-down for another birdie to tie Hovis.

Lundgren and Wilson each faltered early on the back nine. Lundgren made bogeys on 10 and 11 and a double-bogey on 12 after losing a ball off the tee. Wilson, a recent Hickman graduate, made the turn at 2-over-par then bogeyed 11 and triple-bogeyed the par-5 12th after flying his third shot into the tall grass behind the green.

From then on, the competition for the title turned into a duel between the two cart partners. Berkmeyer had gained the upper hand after Hovis bogeyed the par-3 10th, but Hovis climbed back into a tie with a 4-foot birdie putt on No. 14. They remained that way until 16.

That’s about the time their friendly round of golf got serious.

"We both knew the last three holes, neither of us was going to back down," Hovis said. "One of us was going to have to make a birdie to win."

They hit their tee shots little more than 10 feet apart - and 30 yards from the green - on 16. Hovis flubbed his second, dooming him to a par. Berkmeyer, meanwhile, pitched his second to about 12 feet above the hole to set up what proved to be the decisive birdie putt.

"I’ve had that putt before," he said. "I knew it broke right. I was just trying to get the right speed, and lo and behold, it went in."

Hovis, the executive director of the Missouri Golf Association, still had two chances to pull even, but he couldn’t conjure a birdie on 17 or 18. He settled for second place for the second straight year.

The competition for the senior title wasn’t nearly as close. Chesterfield’s Don Bliss pulled away from the field with a 6-under 64 on Saturday, and he followed it up with a round of 73 to beat runner-up Karl Elbrecht by eight shots. It was Bliss’ second consecutive senior title. He also won the championship division in 1999.

Congrats Skip and Don!!

Until I see you on the first tee,

Scott

Under Way

2008-06-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Missouri Amateur Qualifying rounds are under way. So far we have four completed and two still to finish. The results from these qualifiers are on the MGA web site. The Missouri Am is the week of June 16th at Winghaven Country Club in O’Fallon. I am looking forward to a great week and some good golf. You can follow all the action on the MGA web site. http://www.mogolf.org/

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Time Is Running Out!

2008-05-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

DO NOT MISS THE 2008 MISSOURI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP BEING HELD AT WINGHAVEN COUNTRY CLUB JUNE 16TH THRU 22. ENTRY DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY MAY 21ST. YOU CAN ENTER AT http://www.mogolf.org/ OR BY CALLING THE MGA OFFICE @ 573-636-8994

Entry fee: $135
Entry fee includes: Qualifying round, Practice round on Monday, June 16 and the Championship rounds.

Cart fees are not included.

Click Here for More Information

It’s in the Books!!

2008-05-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

After some rain and then some more rain the first Missouri Golf Association Championship is over. Last week, at the beautiful Norwood Hills Country Club, Greg Doss and Chris Killian won the Championship Division on the second hole of a playoff.

It was a true challenge the first day for the Championship flight players. After getting off to a late start because of rain and lighting the players finally teed off around 3:30 p.m. However, the rain came back and at times it was pretty bad, but we kept on trucking along until we had to call play because of darkness. The next day the players came out at 1:30 to finish the first round of competition and then just kept rolling on and got the second 18 in as well. Doss and Killian tied the team of Mark Addington and Jim Seward with a two day score of 7 under par, which was really good considering the weather conditions. On the second playoff hole, Doss sank a three foot birdie putt for the victory.

The players in the Net flight played the first round in perfect weather and some teams took advantage of that. Bob Wilhite and Keith Morrisery got off to a fast start with a score of 11 under par 60, to lead the 50 to 59 age division. In the 60 plus age division we had a four way tie at the top. Ken Brown & Richard Gelner, Robert Galloway & John Finney, Bob Pohl & Gene Adams, Mike Steckler & Ron Janssen all shot a 10 under par 61. As soon as they all got in and turned there scorecards in, the rain came. With the rain in the afternoon and then all night the Net Flight was called after only 18 holes of play.

So we are off and running, I just hope that it will stop raining some day soon.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Check It Out!!

2008-05-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

Check out the new Golfer's Network on the MGA website. Featuring videos that preview upcoming events. This will be an ongoing process throughout the season, so keep coming back for the updated vidoes!

http://www.mogolf.org/

Give Them Some Credit!!!

2008-04-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Who says that college golfers are not athletes? The public persona of college golf is that it is a walk in the park at wonderful golf courses in beautiful weather. Well, walking is part of it, but the major factor is endurance. The first day of a college event is usually 36 holes, which is 36 holes of walking and carrying your own clubs. The day will start by getting up around 530 or 6 so that you can be at the course no later than 7 to be on the driving range. Most events will be a shotgun start at 8 or so. After finishing the morning 18 holes most onlookers think that the players get to stop and have a nice lunch with china flat ware and sip on lemonade. Wrong! The coach will take your score card from you and hand you a nice, yummy boxed lunch. Inside will be a very tasty sandwich with chips, an apple and if you are real lucky a cookie. Oh and you eat this gourmet meal in between shots while playing the afternoon 18.

These days of nonstop concentration last until the sun goes down. Like each of you, that play the game of golf know, you must be totally committed to each shot that you play, mentally and physically or you will not be successful. If you are not in great physical and mental conditions then you’re not going to last long at the college level. I don’t think that college golfers get enough respect for what they have to do, just because they finish the 36 holes does not mean their day is over. The players then head to the range or practice green to work on things that might have not worked that day. Then it is off to dinner and then back to the hotel, by the time they get back to the hotel it is usually past 8 p.m. Then it’s time for school work and sleep, because they are back at it again the next morning for 18 more holes and then a flight or long van ride back home. Yes, they might get to see some wonderful places and play some great golf courses, but it is a lot of hard work and dedication. However, I would do it all over again if I could; it was the best time of my life!

CRAZY!!!

2008-04-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

Let me first apologize for not keeping up my part of the deal here and not blogging enough. As much as you think that you are ready for the season to start you really are not.

It all started for me April 7th & 8th with the UMB University of Missouri Men’s collegiate event at The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia. After the event was over I headed to St. Louis for our video shoot for the new golfers network and the preview of the Senior Four Ball Championship at Norwood Hills Country Club. This video will be up on the MGA website in the upcoming days so make sure to check this new feature out at www.mogolf.org It was then off to begin our second year of the ever popular Senior Series in Kansas City. The first day was at the Country Club of Blue Springs and the second day was at Adam’s Pointe in Blue Springs as well. It was nice to get out and have some sunshine for players to enjoy, even though the wind blew about 100 mph the series got off to a great start. So we are off to a fast start and it is not going to slow down until the middle of October. However that is ok, that is how we like it.

Make sure to get your entries in for all the 2008 MGA events they are beginning to fill up so don’t miss out on some great venues. I promise to give you some info in the upcoming days.

Until I see you on the first tee!!

Scott

Bad Deal

2008-03-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

As we all know, here in the state of Missouri we have been getting hammered with rain. Last week was terrible in the southern part of the state. Below you will see a picture of Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, and it is a shame. I hope that everything goes well for them and they can be back up and running. I hope everyone is doing well and is trying to stay dry. Don’t forget to get your entries in for this summer events at http://www.mogolf.org/

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

It's Back!

2008-03-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

2008 Missouri Open Championship

The Club at Old Hawthorne
Columbia, MO
September 25-27, 2008

Open to all amateurs with primary residence in the state of Missouri. The MGA, on behalf of the committee, will invite the top 24 amateurs based on their point list. There after, the amateur field of 54 will be filled based on the lowest handicap indexes at the time of closing of entries.

More information to follow on the MGA website and also on this Blog Page.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Let The Games Begin

2008-03-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year with March Madness. I am a college basketball junkie and will be trying to watch all the games that I can. So I am going to give you my Final Four Picks, I hate to pick the favorites but I just see them going this year! So here you go. Out of the UCLA, North Carolina, Memphis, (As much as it kills me) Kansas. I have Memphis winning it all. They have something to prove. Let me know what your thoughts are on this as well. Tell me who you like and feel free to rip me for my picks. That is what makes this fun!

Also the rain has stopped falling on my head and we are going to get some nice weather the next two days. I hope some of you can get out to play some golf. Below is a photo that might help you with your swing.

Until I see you on the first tee!!

Scott

It is getting closer!!!

2008-03-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

We are under a month now from the first Senior Series events for 2008. That’s right April 14th and 15th in Blue Springs is where we get the Series rolling. So if you have not entered yet, do not waste any more time and get this done. You do not want to be left out on some great golf, and a wonderful time. Just go to http://www.mogolf.org/ and click on Senior Series and enter on line.

I just wanted to give everyone a news flash if you did not already know, but Tiger is pretty good. Are you kidding me!!! That was just amazing yesterday; I was flipping back and forth between the basketball (which I love) and the golf. Right before he hit that putt the camera shot an up close picture of him reading the putt and I had this funny feeling it was going in. As soon as the ball got about 5 or so feet from the hole I new it was going in and so did he. I loved the shot they showed of Brad Bryant after it went in; he just turned around and shook his head. What can you say? The man is amazing; I am looking forward to seeing what he has up his sleeve next.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

The Time is Here!!

2008-03-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

Okay the time has finally come, starting at 9 a.m. Tomorrow morning you can go online and enter the MGA events for 2008. So don’t miss out on these great events so get your entries in early!!!

Oh by the way, have I told you that I hate this weather!!

Until I see you on the first tee, without snow

Scott

What It's All About

2008-02-22T16:18:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago in Houston, Texas was the USGA Annual meeting. I was unable to attend this years meeting and I am so sorry that I did. This year Former President Bush was honored with the Bobby Jones award. I would like for everyone to go to the USGA web site and watch the videos. Click here and first watch the George Bush Tribute Video to get a understanding for what a great ambassador that he and his family have been for the game of golf. After that video then click on and watch, George Bush Accepts Bob Jones Award and listen to passion that he speaks about the game and why it is the greatest game.

We who play this game and love it understand the meaning of his words. Golf is a great game and there is no other game like it. So thank you to everyone that makes this great game that much better. I hope each of you enjoy the video’s

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Anytime Now

2008-02-22T16:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, I don't know about you but this weather is getting old. I am tired of this white stuff falling from the sky. Bring on the warm weather. I think that it is kind of funny that last July when we were having those awfully hot days we were asking for some cold relief, now that we have it all of us are asking for that July weather again. Oh well, I keep telling myself that it will warm up soon.

Here at the MGA we are still plugging along getting ready for the season. Twelve more days before you can start entering the 08 events online, so make sure you have March 4th circled on your calendar. I am very excited about the upcoming year and I hope all of you are as well.

I have been studying everyday for the past month and half for the USGA Rules School that I have to go to the first week of March. This class is 4 days long with a test at the end. I took this class two years ago and the test was the hardest thing I have ever taken in my life. Going in I thought to myself this won't be too hard, boy was I WRONG, it was brutal. The test is 100 questions long, 50 questions are closed book and the last 50 are open book. However the open book questions are paragraph long questions that have all kind of different situations. When I left that test I was seeing stars and had trouble remembering my name. However this time I am more prepared (I think) to get after it, I hope.

So keep dreaming of the warm weather, Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Amazing!!!

2008-01-23T09:34:00.001-08:00

Well I just got back from a trip to Florida with the family for a week. It was nice to get away for a few days and enjoy some time watching my little girls eyes light up every time she saw one of her favorite Disney characters. Plus it was a lot warmer than what we have here in Missouri now.

Also, while in Orlando I got the chance to head over to the PGA Merchandise show to check out the newest golf toys for 2008. This place was huge, there were over 1200 exhibitors at the show. You can not imagine all the new items I saw. For example, one of the craziest things I saw was the new product from Big Daddy golf. It is driver with an extra big head, however instead of hitting the ball with the club you open the head up and it turns into a weed eater. There are many crazy things like that, but also the club manufactures have their latest things out as well. Callaway and Nickent companies were showcasing the screw on head clubs. You find the right shaft for you then just screw the head on that shaft and away you go. However they are not cheap, the Callaway drivers MSRP is around $850. I guess the wave of the future is the interchangeable shafts. Before long I guess we will have two or three shafts in our bags and some club heads and just screw the head on the shaft you like best for that shot. It is getting pretty amazing with what manufactures are coming out with. The show was great for me and I saw some great things we can use for years to come.

Now that we are back, it is time to get ready for the 08 season. Before long it will be upon us. Make sure to mark your calendars for February 12th and 13th for the Educational Seminar. Information for this is on the web site. http://www.mogolf.org/

Stay warm and I look forward to seeing you all soon on the first tee.

Scott

Here They Come!

2008-01-10T06:51:00.000-08:00

Mark your calanders!! The biggest names in the world of golf, including Tiger, are heading our way. This September The BMW Championship is going to be held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. The dates are September 1st thru 7th. To get ticket info go to the website http://www.bmwchampionshipusa.com. This event rotates between Chicago, St. Louis, and Carmel Indiana. Tiger won the event last year in Chicago and I hope he plans on coming to St. Louis this year to repeat.

What a great way to see the worlds best go head to head in our back yard. I know that I will be there, so make sure you are too.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Here We Go

2008-01-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

The 2008 golfing season is under way, after the Mercedes Championship last week in Hawaii. Wow! What a beautiful place, it would have been nice to have been there. Oh well, maybe someday. The event turned out to be pretty exciting at the end with the great playoff duel between Steve Stricker and the eventual champion Daniel Chopra. To be honest the tourney was pretty boring all week until the last three holes, thanks in part to the lack of the star power that did not play. In my opinion I think the Tour should step in and say "okay boys, you won a great event last year and made x amount of money from the win and endorsement deals that might have come your way. The least you can do is fly over for a week to Hawaii and play in a great event against the best in the world and oh by the way you get money for just playing, if not then there will be a fine coming your way." It would have been great to see the season get started with Tiger and Phil going at it right off the bat. However, I guess neither need the money or like the weather. It is a shame, in all reality it is only hurting the game. The more we see of the big boys go at it, the better the game and tour will benefit.

Things here at the MGA are getting started as well, before long we will see each of you on the first tee. So get up and get off the couch from watching all the bowl games, and get in the gym. Your body needs to get in shape before the season or you might be at risk of an injury and that could keep you from playing this summer. A little exercise will not hurt you each day.

Take care and I will give an update next week from Orlando at the PGA show to let you know all the cool things that are out there for 2008.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Happy Holidays

2007-12-21T09:27:00.000-08:00

The MGA wishes you and your family happy holidays and a wonderful new year! We look forward to seeing you on the links in 2008.

Scott

Here It Is...

2007-12-12T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Missouri Golf Association would like to announce the 2008 Championship Schedule.

You can find the schedule at our web site www.mogolf.org

I am very excited about the venues that we will be at in 2008 and I am looking forward to another great year!!!!

Remember to mark your Calendar for March 4th to start entering the events on line.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Year In Review

2007-12-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

Okay folks 2007 MGA Year In Review is now on the MGA web site. So go to http://www.mogolf.org/ and click on the 2007 Review on left side of the screen. . I hope that you enjoy it, there are some great pictures and all the tourney results.

I hope everyone is staying warm during this great ice storm here in Missouri.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

2008 Senior Series

2007-12-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

I am proud to announce that the 2008 Senior Series Schedule is on the MGA web site. http://www.mogolf.org/. As you will see the schedule is wonderful. We are going back to some same spots as last year; however we have also added some new ones as well. You can also go ahead now and pay your membership fee for the year. We are looking forward to another great year with the Senior Series; I hope to see you all at them. You can start entering the events March 4th, 2008. However you must be a member to play in the events!!!

Until I see you on the first tee!!

Scott

Dear Golfers,

2007-11-19T09:43:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-11-15T07:41:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-11-01T08:54:00.001-07:00

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

2007-11-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

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.

West Prevails

2007-10-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

This past weekend the West prevailed over the East in the Annual Hieronymus Cup Matches held the Club at Porto Cima. This was my first time to compete in the event and it was a blast! Kirk Farmer and I held off Bobby Godwin and Matt Hines Saturday morning in our Four Ball Match. In the afternoon I teamed up with Wayne Fredrick and we defeated the team of Skip Berkmeyer and Jim Holtgrieve. It was great to play with Holtgrieve who has played in Walker Cup Matches, The Masters and won the USGA Mid Amateur Championship. I learned a lot by watching how he went about his business on each shot. Sunday I lost to Darren Lundgren in my singles match, I had him down early in the match and then gave him two gifts on holes 8 and 9 and could not get the momentum back on my side. It was a good match and we had a great time. To view all the match results go to our web site at http://www.mogolf.org/ and click on Cup Results. It is great to get the cup back on the West side of the state.

Next year the Matches will be held at the wonderful Dalhousie Golf Club.

Until I see you on the first tee

Scott

Here We Go!!

2007-10-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year where the East meets the West for the Annual Cup Matches. This year the matches are being held at The Club at Porto Cima Saturday and Sunday. Four Ball and Foursome matches will held Saturday with Singles matches on Sunday. The East put a whipping to the West last year, so revenge is on the mind of Captain Bruce Hollowell and the West. JJ Vastyan is the Captain of the East team again trying to repeat his performance from last year. Here is a list of both teams. May the best team win, it should be fun.

East Team Captain: JJ Vastyan
Dustin Ashby, Joe Behl, Skip Berkmeyer, Don Bliss, Pat Britt, Karl Elbrecht, Bobby Godwin, Matt Hines, Jim Holtgrieve, Darren Lundgren, David Lucks, Brian Kennedy, Paul Neeman and Scott Thomas.

West Team Captain: Bruce Hollowell
Vernon Bennett, BJ Curry, Steve Groom, Kirk Farmer, Wayne Fredrick, Brian Haskell, Jamie Hathcock, Scott Hovis, Travis Mitchell, Dee Sanders, Antonio Serrano, Gerald Siemons, Andy Smith and Tyler Stalker.

Down the Stretch

2007-10-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

This week begins the stretch run for us here at the Missouri Golf Association. Starting tomorrow we have the Senior Series Tour Championship being held at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club. This should be a great event to put an exclamation point on a fabulous first year of the Senior Series.

Then this weekend is the season Hieronymus Cup Matches being held at Porto Cima. Last year the East team spanked the West squad. The event is always a great time and should be another one this weekend on a fabulous golf course.

I just want to say thank you to everyone that participated this year in the events and we look forward to seeing you all again next.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Never Gets Old

2007-09-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Terry Tessary won the Missouri Senior Amateur Championship last week at St Louis Country Club for the 4th time. St. Louis Country Club has a storied history by hosting the 1947 U.S. Open, 1960 U.S. Amateur and the 1971 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Going into the second round of play Tessary trailed former USGA Mid –Amateur Champion and Walker-Cup member Jim Holtgrieve by one shot. However with a strong finish to the house by making eagle on the 15th and birdies on 16 & 17 Tessary pulled away to a four shot victory over Holtgrieve. This was the 4th time in the last five years that Tessary took home the top honors.

The event was a huge success and we are looking for another great event next year when the event goes to Old Warson.

Until I see you on the first tee,

Scott

A Great Year!!

2007-09-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

The first year of the Senior Series events is in the books. We had a great turn out this year and the invitations for the Tour Championship are going out in the mail today. For the most part the series went off with out any hitches, however there is always room for improvement and fine tuning. I always want to hear feedback from you, the players, good or bad. So please let me know what you think.

I just want to say from the staff and myself, Thank you to all of those that participated in the Series this year.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Final Day!

2007-08-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

After a short night of sleep we were back at the course at 6:30am. The morning is the same routine as the day before, however we got to the golf course and I was picked up by the General Manager who took me straight out on the course to show me the storm damage from the night before. A mini storm blew through with high winds and blew over trees throughout the course and a bolt of lightning struck a deer on the 17th tee and killed it. I have never seen anything like it before. With the debris all over the course and chance of weather we had to make sure to get the players off on time and that they were safe. So the plan we came up with was to take the players that were suppose to start on hole 1 and have them start on hole 7, They would play 7 thru 9 and then go back and finish 1 thru 6 before they headed to the back. With the 6th hole beginning so close to the 10th tee it worked out just fine. We got everyone around the golf course and crowned a new Four Ball Champion, Travis Mitchell and Tyler Stalker both of Springfield shot a 61 to finish at 17 under par and win by two strokes over the Defending Champions. Mitchell and Stalker shot a smooth little 28 on the demanding back nine holes, Congrats boys and great playing!!
Once we got the results posted and the awards given out, the trailer was loaded and we are pulling out of town at 8 and heading home. Hope to make to my bed by midnight if not oh well. Back at it Monday and get ready for Thursday thru next Tuesday in Branson.

I would like to finish and say a huge thank you to the staff of Dalhousie, what a wonderful job they did for us and the players. It was a great weekend for everyone involved.

Four-Ball Championship

2007-08-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Today is the first round of the 2007 Four Ball Championship; this will be the longest day for us the staff. We got here at the course at 6:30 this morning. Our first job is to get the First and Tenth tee’s ready for the starters. Make sure that they have the notice to Competitors sheet and the Hole Location sheets along with the Scorecards for each group. As that is being done another part of the staff goes out on the course to check and make sure that hole locations are set in the correct places for the day, while doing this job that person will also set the tee markers for the day. All along the players are showing up for the Championship, asking different questions. It becomes very challenging at times, but we do just fine.

The rest comes after the morning wave is finishing and the afternoon waves are going out. You have to get teams to there starting tee’s and also get the morning scores checked, signed, put in the computer system and posted on the scoreboard. I would say that tonight the last groups will be finishing around 6:30 or so. Once the last group has finished then we have to get ready for the second day by making pairings, getting the scores posted on the web, printing scorecards for the next day, and sending the scores to media outlets. I would say that we will be lucky to leave the course by 8:30 or so. However, that is part of the job and I love it.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Four-Ball Practice Round

2007-08-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday and practice round day here at the Four Ball Championship. The staff and I got to the course at 7:30 this morning to finish setting the hole locations for the event. After getting the locations set, we then proceeded to go out and check all the hazards, to make sure that they were marked correctly and visible for the players to see. With 174 players showing up today, it has gotten a little bit more hectic around here. The final preparation for the event is to select the teeing areas for the event. With this event having a net division we have to set two different tee locations.

The venue we are at is the Dalhousie Golf Club; it is one of my favorite courses in the state. You have to search really hard to find a course that is in better playing condition then this course and also a place that has 18 wonderful golf holes. The players are in for a real treat these next three days.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Four-Ball Time

2007-08-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

The staff and I are heading to Dalhouise Golf Club in Cape Girardeau for the Four-Ball Championship, I am going to give you guys a daily update on what we are doing and what we really do each day for a Championship. I get that question a lot, people always want to know what we do each day. Today is Thursday and we are heading down to meet with the General manager, Head Pro and Superintendent to go over the golf course and see if there are any issues before we get working. After the tour of the course, we will then begin marking hole locations for both days of the Championship. We also mark which tee boxes that we will use each round. If time permits today we will also mark hazards and Out of Bounds. If not then we will get that done first thing in the morning before the practice round starts.

I hope you enjoy reading what it is like to set up and run a Championship event.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

Joe Salazar Jimenez

2007-08-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

The golfing community has lost a great member this past weekend. Long time Jefferson City Country Club Pro and Senior Tour Player Joe Jimenez passed away this past Saturday. Joe, who won the 1978 Senior PGA Championship and numerous Senior Legend events. I had the great pleasure of getting to play a round of golf with Joe this past February in San Antonio. He still amazed me how well he played the game at the age of 80 years young.. Bob Toski the great teacher once said that he would play anyone his age or older for any amount of money except for Joe Jimenez. He will be greatly missed.

For more information you can click on this link http://obit.missionparks.com/obit_display.cgi?id=448136&listing=Current.

Until I see you on the first tee,

Scott

Getting Ready

2007-07-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Well, this past week has been crazy! I have been getting ready for the Stroke Play Championship next week at Milburn Country Club. This course is going to be a huge challenge for the players. I am not looking for very many low numbers to be shot next week.

I have also been getting the Father-Son Championship ready, which is July 29 -31 at the beautiful Club at Porto Cima. We had a record number of teams apply for this event. What a great time for fathers and sons to bond and have a great time. Monday night after the first round we will be having the banquet and former NBA and University of Missouri star Jon Sunvold will be our guest speaker. It is going to be a great time.

How about this heat we are having? I have been watching the British Open this morning for a while and seeing that the players are wearing sweaters, boy that would be nice to have right now. Oh well what do you expect in Missouri in late July.

Until I see you on the first tee!

Let's Go Tom!!

2007-07-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

If you have been watching the past couple of days, Tom Watson a former multiple Missouri Amateur Champion and PGA legend has the lead after two rounds of the US Senior Open at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. I have not had the pleasure of visiting the complex in Kohler that houses three great golf courses. Along with Whistling Straits, there is Black Wolf Run and the Irish course. The views that have been shown on TV are incredible. This place is a must on my golf courses to play!!!!

Here Comes The Future

2007-07-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

This next Monday and Tuesday we will be having our Junior Amateur at Osage National Golf Club at the Lake of the Ozarks. We had over 230 applications for the event; this has to be close to a record for the event. I wish that we could have taken all the applicants. However, we can only get so many on the course in one day. Our new online entry procedure that we have gone to for the first time has made players enter events earlier then they are use to. So for future reference make sure next year you get your applications in early.

All the Championships the rest of the year are already full except for the Mid Amateur the last week of August. We have waiting list for all the events, so if you are not entered in the Father-Son, Four-Ball or the Senior Am just call the MGA office and we can put you on the list.

Until I see you on the first tee.

Scott

The Winner of the 100th Missouri AM is…

2007-06-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

Connor McHenry had a great week!! After being medalist with a score of seven under par, Connor began rolling through the bracket and met up with Mitchell Gregson, a member of the Kansas State Golf Team, in the final match. For me it was nice to see a fellow Wildcat and a fellow Jeff City mate in the final match. Both players played some great golf at a very challenging Jefferson City Country Club. If you put the ball in the rough it was like a one stroke penalty and we had the greens running at about an 11.5 on the stimp meter. So, it challenged all of their skill level. The gallery viewed great shot after great shot until Connor finally knocked Mitchell out on the 33rd hole of the day, winning 5 and 3. The 100th Missouri Amateur was a tremendous success; except for my little mishap of ripping open my hand. Oh well no golf for me for a while.

The Future Looks Bright!!!

2007-06-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at Perche Golf Course in Columbia, the Missouri Golf Association put on the 2nd Annual Little Junior Tourney for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 10. The event was another success!! The youngsters played some holes and then competed in Long Drive, Putting and Chipping contests in their age divisions. Always after hard work on the course everyone needs pizza and PowerAde to help rejuvenate themselves. The youngsters were also treated to a clinic put on by Dennis Goettel and John Utley. This type of event is a great way to get kids involved in a life long great sport. I can not wait for my little girl to be able to join in on the fun. Kudos goes out to the MGA staff of Randy Bickel, Karen Raithel, Justin Doss, and Meredith Robertson. I don’t know who had more fun, the kids or the staff!!!!

Until I see you on the first tee!

Scott

Field is Set

2007-06-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Field has been set for the 100th Missouri Amateur Championship to be held at Jefferson City Country Club the week of June 18th. We got five qualifiers done on Monday throughout the state. The pairings are on the web at www.mogolf.org. Also you can follow your favorite player throughout the whole Amateur Championship by watching the live scoring on the MGA website.

Jefferson City Country Club is starting to shape up very nicely and will be a great test for the players. I have two helpful tips for those playing one, keep it in the fairway and two, always make sure that you are always putting with your left foot higher than your right.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Tyler Hillis for winning the Phil Cotton last weekend and also Don Bliss for winning the senior division of the Phil Cotton. Well done to both of you!

I hope to see you all on the first tee soon!!

Time To Qualify

2007-05-31T08:21:00.000-07:00

It is that time for the Missouri Am qualifiers to take place. Tuesday was the first of the five qualifiers. It took place at Winghaven Country Club in St. Louis. 35 players advanced onto the 100th Missouri Am being held the week of June 18th at Jefferson City Country Club. This Monday June 4th five other qualifiers are going to be held throughout the state. This year we had only 12 players exempt into the Missouri Am, if you have not received your tee time you can go online and see it at www.mogolf.org. Good luck to all those who are trying to qualify.

Also, this Monday is the first of five one day Hieronymus events. This one is being held at Redfield Golf Club in Eugene. If you are wanting to get your son or daughter in call us here at the office. Also next Thursday, June 7th is the second Annual Little Juniors event being held at Perche Creek in Columbia. This is a great event for kids between the ages of 6 and 10. The youngsters get to play some holes, and then we have a junior clinic and lunch. After that we have long drive and chipping and putting contest for all ages. It is a great day for everyone to come out and have some fun.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and see you on the first tee soon.

Scott

Grand Opening

2007-05-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, I had the honor of playing the opening of The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia. The golf course and the clubhouse are absolutely fabulous. The course has changed since the last time I was there in March to rate. Mr. Samp has a gem with this golf course.

Yesterday was the local US Open qualifier at Kansas City Country club. Being one of my favorite courses, I was looking forward to playing, however after only hitting four fairways all day I did not have that much fun. Oh well life goes on!! After finishing my round about 5 last night I hopped in the car and drove across the state to St. Louis for a senior series event today at The Falls Golf Course, we are here this morning and then at Aberdeen tomorrow morning for another Senior Series event!

Applications are still available for the Missouri Amateur Qualifier; just call us at the MGA office, 573-636-8994 and we can help you out.

Until I see you on the tee.

Scott

We Are Under Way

2007-05-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

Well, we have gotten the first day of the 2007 Senior 4 Ball under our belt!! With only a short drizzle in the morning the weather was perfect!! Old Kinderhook Golf Club is in perfect condition. In the Championship Division, defending champions Don Bliss, of Chesterfield, Missouri and Jim Coleman, of St. Joseph, Missouri, lit up the back nine by shooting a six under par 30 to go along with a 33 on the front for a 63. Bliss and Coleman finished the round with birding the last five holes. They are leading the event by three strokes over the team of Carl Benbrook and Stephen Koon.

In the net division we have a three way tie, teams Bill Jonas and Nicholas Mickalski, Bruce Robert and Ed Ewing along with David Maddox and John Hurley, shot a blistering 58.

Don’t forget that May 17^th is the deadline for the 100^th Missouri Amateur to be Held at Jefferson City Country Club. So make sure to go to the MGA web site and get your entry in.

Also, the Father-Son Championship being held in late July at Porto Cima is getting close to full, so if you are wanting to enter do not wait any longer and get your entries in.

Today, we have got the second round off and running here at the Senior 4 ball; the weather so far is perfect. So let’s hope that it stays that way and we can have a rain less day.

Friday morning I am heading to Boone Valley Golf Club in St. Louis for a USGA Family meeting. I am giving my presentation and I have not had time to get it ready with this hectic schedule. I hope that I can find some time this afternoon to get it ready, if not then I guess I will get it done late tonight when I get home or real early in the morning before I leave. The meeting is involving the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association and also the Missouri Women’s Golf Association. The meeting should be very informational and also nice to see everyone with the USGA Committee. I hope that I can get back across the Missouri Bridge when I head home late Friday night, if not then maybe I can rent a boat to get back across the River.

Until next time and I see you on the tee.

Scott

Still Roadtripping!!

2007-05-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

A whirlwind tour continues, last time I talked to you all I was on my way to the USGA Committee meeting in Houston, Texas. As usual when the USGA is involved everything is done first class. There were many great speakers during the weekend; I will only hit a couple of the highlights for you. Fellow blogger and USGA Regional Director Wendy Uzalec did a great job on her presentation on how to mark a golf course for a championship. On the second day, Pete Bevaqua from the USGA talked to us all about what goes on behind the scenes at the US Open. Last year, 350,000 kegs of beer were consumed during the event. Who says that beer does not go with golf!! Come on!! The event ended Saturday afternoon with a round of golf at Panther Creek Golf Course which is apart of The Woodlands complex. Somebody we all know from the MGA staff won the event, but he does not want to brag!! (Way to go me!!)

After the great trip to Houston, I then headed to the Big 12 Championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas. At the event I had the privilege of being a walking rules official, it was a treat to watch the stars of tomorrow battle it out on a fabulous golf course. As usual Oklahoma State won the team championship; the defending national champions are loaded and ready to make another run. People have always asked me how Oklahoma State is so good year in and year out. Well first off it has to do with tradition; the Cowboys have won multiple national championships and also conference championships. Secondly it has to do with facilities and opportunities. Karsten Creek, the home golf course for Oklahoma State is wonderful. The golf course is very challenging and also it has state of the art practice facilities for both programs. Third of all, the players that go to Oklahoma State are very bright; these kids do more than just get it done on the course. They are also very good in the classroom. On top of that each kid is first rate, I have never once seen a player from OSU make a scene, or not answer a question with either a yes sir or yes ma’am. Great programs attracted the great kids and players. In my own eyes, I wish that more college coaches would take a chapter from the OSU book and make more of these kids act and respect the game and people involved in the game with more respect. I get sick and tired of watching young players act like they are better than what they really are. I hope in the future that our junior programs can kick this habit in the butt!!!

From Hutchinson, I headed on down to Bolivar and Springfield for some more successful senior series events at Silo Ridge and Rivercut. Both of these events were sold out in advance, so if you are looking to play in these senior series events make sure to get your money in quickly because they are filling up.

We are now at Old Kinderhook, at the Lake of the Ozark, for the Senior 4 Ball, we have 86 teams. 42 teams in the net flight and 44 in the scratch flight. With all of the recent rain, the course is in great condition. Just one thing, do not hit in the rough, you may never get it out. Well, time to get the course ready for the event. Until next time.

See you on the tee.

Scott

Let the Madness Begin!

2007-04-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

A new beginning has started at the Missouri Golf Association. The first two Senior Series events, presented by Callaway Golf, have been completed. The events were held this past Monday and Tuesday at Leawood South Country Club and Swope Memorial. From the response of the players it was a huge success! With having the inclement weather last weekend in the Kansas City area, we still finished the rounds. Both golf courses were in great condition considering the amount of rain they received a few days before. I am looking forward to this series this summer and I think it is going to be a big hit for everyone involved!!

I am on my way to the USGA Committee meeting held at The Woodlands in Houston Texas for the next couple of days. It is a chance to learn and see what is going on with the USGA for the upcoming year, there are also break out session to attend. I am looking forward to hearing USGA Director of Regional Affairs for the Midwest Region and fellow blogger Wendy Uzalec, http://ihatetoslice.blogspot.com/, give her presentation on the proper way to mark a golf course for a competition. Also, I am looking forward to hearing David Fay, Executive Director of the USGA, speak and inform us on what is new in the world of golf as he sees it. This should be a very good meeting.

From there, I fly back to Kansas City Sunday morning and head straight to Hutchinson, Kansas for the Big 12 Championship. The event is being held at Prairie Dunes Country Club, which is ranked in the top 20 best courses in the country each year. When I played for Kansas State back in the 90’s Prairie Dunes hosted the Big 8 Championship each year. They also have hosted the Women’s US Open and just recently the US Senior Open. What a great and tough golf course. I have not been back since my senior year when I competed in the last Big 8 Championship, before they converted into the Big 12. As you can imagine the wind is always a factor on that course. I remember my sophomore year playing the 5^Th hole in a strong wind, the hole is only about 440 yards, however I had to hit driver, then another driver off the deck and then a full 8 iron to get to the green. Then two holes later on the 7^Th hole I hit a driver and sand wedge straight down wind to a 512 yard par 5. That is what makes the course great and that much more challenging. It should be fun being a walking rules official for two days and watching some of the top college golfers in America compete in one of the best golfing Conferences. I will be keeping you all informed with what is going on from the event each day.

Finally, if you have not entered the Senior Series events for the Springfield area, you need to go online and enter them, they are filling up quickly. Also do not forget to enter the Missouri Am, the deadline for this is May 17^Th.

See you soon on the first tee.

Scott.