AMATEUR CHAMPIONS 25 YEARS OF CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF - KELLY & SCHNURBUSCH In 2004, John Kelly was, for all intent, a relative unknown. He had been a nice player for CBC High School, moving on to the University of Missouri for his collegiate play, where he had a solid career. During the final round of the 2004 Men’s Metropolitan Amateur at Glen Echo, the Norwood Hills player finished atop the leaderboard at 207, with Darren Lundgren gaining the runner-up spot. His total matched the record set in 2001 by Scott Fann at Gateway National, and remains the low 54 hole score for the event. Two years later, John went on to even loftier sites as he reached the finals of the U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine GC in Minnesota. Playing Scotsman Richie Ramsey in John Kelly the finals, John was never able to get his game to peak as he went down 4 and 2 in the match. Nevertheless, it gained him entry into the 2007 U.S. Open and the 2007 Masters. Following this experience, John turned professional and played a number of events on the Web.com and other tours for the next several years, including Latin America and in Canada. After failing to win a spot on the OneAsia Tour at their Q school in Los Angeles, in March 2015, John was competing on the Adams Tour, playing in an event in Louisiana, where he finished 9-under par and a 13th place finish. In May 2015, John competed for a spot on the Canadian PGA Tour at the Canada Q school at Crown Isle Resort and GC in Courtenay, British Columbia, however, he finished out of the top-40. His motto - Process, Patience and Attitude - continues to drive John as he continues to move through the pro ranks toward his goal of playing the PGA Tour. Farmington, Missouri native Craig Schnurbusch is one player you did not want to meet when competing for a title. From the early-1980s through the 1990s, he was as tough a competitor as you could find. Though most of his play was in MGA events, winning a number of individual and team titles along the way, he also played in dozens of two-day events across southern Missouri and Illinois, where his play became legendary. When he did venture into the St. Louis area to tee it up with local players, he did so with much success. In 1995, the former Texas A&M player arrived at Spencer T. Olin for the MAGA Amateur. This was the era of some of the area’s top players still at the top of their game; Jim Holtgrieve, David Estes, Terry Tessary, David Lucks, Scott Thomas, Don Bliss, Tom Barry and Jim Mason. Spencer T. was set up for championship play and the scores reflected it. The hot Craig Schnurbusch August days would make for some challenging play as the temperature hovered around 100 for the final two rounds. Trailing a group of players at 3-under beginning the final round, the talented Schnurbusch, with his home-made swing and powerful fade, lapped the field in the final round, posting a 5-under 67 to finish at 211. Those who knew him were not surprised as his strong short game and good putting more than made up for any other weaknesses. Craig fell ill with cancer in the late 1990s and despite all efforts, passed away in October 2000 at age 45, much too young. For the past 15 years, a Memorial Golf Tournament has been held at Crown Pointe to raise funds for the education of his three children, John, Ben and Julie. His good friends, Don Bliss and Roger Null, remember Craig with great fondness. His good nature and easy manner made him a likeable friend. He is long remembered by those who knew him best.
The Metropolitan
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