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Mid-America Junior Cup 2026

Welcome to the Mid-America Junior Cup Team! The Mid-America Junior Cup is a Ryder Cup style Match Play competition, where players will each participate in a Four-Ball, Foursome, and Singles match across two days. We started this competition as a way to unite and promote comraderie in golf between the youth golfers of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association and Central Links Golf Association. We hope this friendly competition brings the kids together while also providing a unique competitive experience. This competition has alternated between host sites in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas each year since its inception. This allows the teams to keep an equally fair homefield advantage every other year in the hopes of winning the trophy for their association. Each year, we look for some of the most talented junior golfers in the area to represent the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association. We are confident in the team we have selected and are excited to see you come together to compete for the Mid-America Junior Cup trophy this year. Any details not in this guide will be communicated through our staff to you promptly. Please use this guide in preparation of the Mid-America Junior Cup. It details important information for participants so that we can give it our best shot at once again bringing home the win for the Metropolitan. We are looking forward to another great year with Team Metropolitan! - Metropolitan Team Staff

In the Guide Welcome Team & Staff The Team Look Play Schedule Format & Points System Match Play 101 Winning a hole or match Concessions Match Standings/Reporting Practicing on the Course Foursomes Match Play Role of a Partner Order of Play Completion of a Hole Four-Ball Match Play Role of a Partner Completion of a Hole Order of Play Examples Recording Four-Ball Scores History of MAJC

2 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 18 20

Team Metropolitan 2026 Hudson Shy 18U 2nd Year on Team

Ally Suhre 18U 2nd Year on Team

John DeLuca 18U 2nd Year on Team

Annie Rothery 18U 1st Year on Team

Anthony Moore 15U 1st Year on Team

Madison Pyatt 15U 1st Year on Team

Henry Glarner 15U 1st Year on Team

Haley Castello 15U 1st Year on Team

The Team Look All members of the team will be equipped with matching Metropolitan branded gear including a shirt, jacket, and hat. We will coordinate which shirt and bottoms will be worn on each day of the competition.

Navy Shirt Khaki Bottoms - Boys White Bottoms - Girls

Boys Jacket

Your Metropolitan Staff Curt Rohe Executive Director Team Metropolitan

Caroline Buchan Director of Member Services Team Metropolitan Captain

Red Shirt Navy Bottoms - Boys Navy Bottoms - Girls

Hats

Girls Jacket

Please Note: You will be responsible for your own pants/shorts/skirts [in the colors listed], shoes, gloves, rain gear, thermals, and any other items needed to successfully contribute your part to the team’s performance. **Extra Outerwear [i.e. rain/wind pants] worn over the uniform do not have to be in the colors listed.

Thanks to FootJoy for our team threads!

Play Schedule Friday: Practice Rounds 2:00 PM Tee Time **Team Dinner for both teams’ players at the Club following the practice rounds.

Team Captains from the Metropolitan and Central Links will decide pairings/order of play prior to the start of play each day and will notify players accordingly.

Saturday: Foursome Matches Co-ed team play (1 boy & 1 girl)

7:30AM Start Time **Lunch Break: Lunch for Players will be provided between matches

Four-Ball Matches Gender team play (2 girls or 2 boys)

1:00PM (approx) Start Time

Sunday: Singles Matches

Championship Format The Mid-America Junior Cup is a Match Play team competition styled after the Ryder Cup. Each player will play in one Four-Ball, one Foursome, and one Singles Match. Each match result will award one or both teams points, depending on the final match score.

Points System The Mid-America Junior Cup is a team competition where each match played is worth 1 full point with a total of 16 points up for grabs. The team that reaches 8.5 points first will win the competition. If a match finishes the 18th hole with the competitors in a stalemate with a tied match, each team will be awarded 1/2 of a point. Should both teams end all three rounds with total point allocations of 8 points, the championship ends in a draw and the prior champion retains possession of the cup. Even if a team reaches 8.5 points, all matches must still be contested and completed to finalize the competition.

<8.5

8.5+

LOSS

Retain

WIN

7:30 - 8:33AM Start Times

Players will be paired based on age category. 15U plays with 15U and 18U plays with 18U.

1-2-0

What does mean?

This is an individual player’s match record in terms of wins-losses-draws.

Match Play ~ Rule 3.2 in the Rules of Golf covers the specifics of Match Play ~ Match Play: A player and an opponent compete solely against each other on every hole. A winner is determined based on the number of holes won, lost, or tied. A player wins a hole when they complete the hole in fewer strokes than their opponent, the opponent concedes, or the opponent gets a general penalty (loss of hole in match play). A hole is tied when a player and the opponent complete the hole in the same number of strokes or all players in the match agree to treat the hole as tied after the hole has begun. A player wins a match when the player leads the opponent by more holes than remain to be played (i.e. up by four with only 3 holes to play), the opponent concedes the match, or the opponent is disqualified. A match CAN end in a tie if the rules of the competition allow.

Concessions With a hole being won, lost, or tied in Match Play, players can make a concession. A concession is when a player concedes [or omits] the play of the opponent’s next stroke, a hole, or the match. Concessions are an indicator that the player need not make another stroke at the ball to complete a hole. Times you can make a concession: 1. Stroke: Any time before your opponent’s next stroke is made 2. Hole: Any time before a hole is completed Note: you cannot agree to concede holes with the purpose of shortening a match. This results in Disqualification. 3. Match: Any time before the result of the Match is decided A concession is FINAL and CANNOT be declined or withdrawn. If it is the next stroke being conceded, the receiving party has then completed the hole with a score that includes all strokes made AND the conceded stroke. i.e. Player A has made 4 strokes and their ball sits one foot from the hole. Their opponent, Player B, concedes the next stroke. Player A has now completed the hole with a score of 5.

For the Mid-America Junior Cup, the points system allows for match ties, awarding both teams a half point.

If a player hits their ball towards the hole once a concession has been made and misses, this does NOT change the outcome of the hole. Concessions are final and all subsequent strokes after do not count on that hole.

During a match, if no players have won a hole or the number of wins are equal, the match is Tied - or sometimes referred to as All Square. If one player has won more holes than their opponent that player is Up (i.e. Suzie is One Up).

When making a concession, one must clearly communicate the concession. The best way to avoid confusion is to verbally and clearly state that your opponent is okay to pick up their ball (without making another stroke or holing out).

You are also allowed to make a gesture (giving a thumbs up/okay symbol or picking up your opponent’s ball) to indicate a concession. Just make sure whether you are giving or receiving a gesture that it is clear a concession is taking place. If there is a referee/official/scorer with your match, it is good to make sure they are also clear on when a concession is taking place to avoid confusion and misreporting. *Many Metropolitan Officials request that concessions are clearly, verbally comunicated for all to hear, so they can accurately report/monitor your match.

Match Standings/Reporting To avoid deception in this one-on-one format, it is the duty of the players to know the standing of the match and keep an honest communication of the actions and scores of the match. A player can ask their opponent at any point of a hole for the number of strokes they have taken. The opponent MUST give the correct number of strokes taken. If a player gives the wrong number of strokes taken, they are given the general penalty (loss of hole), UNLESS they correct the mistake before the opponent makes another stroke/concedes. If an incorrect score for a hole is given, the player must correct their mistake before either player makes a stroke to begin another hole. When a player gets a penalty, they must tell their opponent as soon as reasonably possible. Failing to do so results in the general penalty (loss of hole). **Often, when the Metropolitan is hosting this event, matches will have a referee - or official - assigned to a match or matches. If a referee is assigned to only one match, they will help keep track of a match’s standing, but players must still be able to provide accurate reporting of scores.

Referees A referee is an official named by the Committee to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules. If a referee is assigned to one Match for the round, they are responsible for acting on any breach of the Rules that they see or are told about (see Rule 20.1b(1)). If a referee is assigned to multiple matches, holes, or a section of the course, they have no authority to become involved in a match unless a player asks for help/requests a ruling or there is an obvious or serious breach - such as Rule 1.2(Conduct), Rule 1.3(1) (Ignoring Known Penalty/Rule), Rule 5.6a & b (Pace of Play), late to the first tee, and ball search time expires.

Practicing In contrast to Stroke Play events, players are allowed to practice on the course before, during, and after their rounds (with a few stipulations). Per the Rules of Golf: A player may practice on the course before a round or between rounds of a match-play competition. A player may chip or putt on or near the putting green of the hole JUST COMPLETED, the teeing area of the next hole, or any practice green between the conclusion of one hole and the start of the next hole. A player CANNOT practice DURING the play of the hole, only AFTER the completion of the hole. Practice does not include practice swings before hitting a ball, but rather the play of a ball that is not the intended ball that counts towards the hole’s score. A player must not unreasonably delay play, either while playing a hole or between two holes. This includes any practicing between two holes. If you choose to practice putting after you have completed a hole, be mindful of your playing partner and pace of play as to not spend excess time between the holes.

Foursomes MP ~ Rule 22 in the Rules of Golf covers the specifics of Foursomes ~ Foursomes: Also known as Alternate Shot - a form of play involving partners where the two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole. Partners compete as one or a side. Either partner may take any allowed action on behalf of the side before a stroke is made (mark the spot of the ball, lift, replace or drop the ball) no matter who is to take the following shot. A partner (and their caddie) may help their partner in any way the player’s caddie is allowed to help. A player must not stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball while their partner is making a stroke. Players CAN help one another when looking at yardages, deciding what club to play, and reading putts.

Completion of a Hole

Order of Play Partners must alternate the order in which they play the first shot from each teeing area. i.e. Partner 1 tees off on the odd numbered holes and Partner 2 tees off on the even numbered holes. All strokes for the remainder of the hole must be alternated between the side. **Each pairing for Team Metropolitan will decide who will start each hole once the partner decisions have been made following the practice rounds.

Who’s turn is it? If the side is playing a provisional ball, it must be played by the PARTNER - whose turn it would be to play the next stroke. When playing again from the teeing area (regardless of if you are playing a mixed Foursome or not) for any reason, the ball MUST be played from the SAME teeing area. i.e. if the player hit from the blue tees and the ball went OB, the partner must play the next stroke from the blue teeing area. If a stroke is cancelled, replayed or does not count under any Rule, the SAME player who made the stroke (that the Rule applies to) must make the next stroke (aka the replayed stroke). Playing from same teeing area:

In a foursome, the ball in play must be holed out to have a counting score for a side. EXCEPT in Match Play when an opponent has conceded the next stroke.

Cancelled stroke:

x Partner 1 Ball 1

*Partner 1 goes OB Partner 2 then plays next stroke from the same teeing area

Partner 1 Partner 2

Opponent’s Ball

*stroke cancelled by opponent because it was made out of turn

Ball 2 aka replay ball

*played after opponent makes their next stroke but BY SAME PLAYER AS BALL 1

Four-Ball MP ~ Rule 23 in the Rules of Golf covers the specifics of Four-Ball ~ Four-Ball: two partners compete as a side with each player playing their own ball and the side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole. Partners compete as one or a side. Either partner may take any allowed action on behalf of the side before a stroke is made (mark the spot of the ball, lift, replace or drop the ball) no matter who is to take the following shot. A partner (and their caddie) may help their partner in any way the player’s caddie is allowed to help. A player must not stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball while their partner is making a stroke. Players CAN help one another when looking at yardages, deciding what club to play, and reading putts.

Partners are treated as one under the Rules of Golf in a Four-Ball. Any actions taken by a player concerning their partner’s ball or equipment is treated as having been taken by the partner. (The same is also true when caddie’s are involved)

Completion of a Hole In a four-ball, only 1 player for a side has to hole out, but that player’s score will be the one that counts for the side. When playing a four-ball in Match Play, no player for a side is required to hole out IF the opposing side has conceded the next stroke or lost the hole, otherwise one player must still complete the hole. A hole is completed in Four-Ball Match Play when: 1. Both partners have holed out or had their next stroke conceded 2. One partner has holed out (and the other partner cannot create a better score to count) 3. One partner has had their next stroke conceded (and the other partner cannot create a better score to count) 4. The result of the hole is decided by the other side having a lower score that your side cannot make.

Order of Play The side that has a ball furthest from the hole is the side whose turn it is to play. The side that wins the previous hole has the honor on each teeing area. Partners may play in the order the side considers best. This means when it is a side’s turn to play (one of the side’s balls is further from the hole than their opponents’ balls), EITHER partner may play next (even if their ball is closer to the hole). Visual Examples on next page >>

Order of Play Examples (Four-Ball) For the following examples, the Yellow balls will be Partner 1 and the Orange balls will be Partner 2. The White balls will be your opponents. **No strokes have been conceded.

However, if a player’s next stroke has been conceded in Match Play, that player MUST NOT continue play of the hole IF this would help their partner (i.e. line of putt, speed of the green/putt, etc.) Continuing play in this scenario results in that player’s score standing without penalty, but their partner’s score cannot count for the side. Example 3: When to NOT hit a Conceded Ball

Example 1: On The Green

Partner 1 faces a long putt for eagle and Partner 2 is putting for birdie after chipping on to the green. Partner 1’s ball is located the furthest from the hole, therefore it is your side’s turn to play. Partner 2 IS ALLOWED to play their ball first. Partner 2 may (or should) want to sink their short putt first to allow for their partner to really go for it with less pressure knowing they are already in for birdie.

Partner 1 faces a long putt for birdie and Partner 2 is putting for par after chipping on to the green. Partner 2’s ball is in the direct path of Partner 1’s line of play. The opposing team has CONCEDED Partner 2’s next stroke for par due to the proximity (2 feet) to the hole. Partner 2 must NOT make another stroke at their conceded ball, as it could give Partner 1 a reading of the path, break, and speed for their stroke. This would be considered helping their partner and would result in Partner 2’s score of par counting for the side, while Partner 1’s score would become null and void for the side.

Example 4: When you CAN hit a conceded ball

Example 2: In the Fairway/Rough

[though it is still probably best if you don’t]

Partner 2’s ball is furthest from the hole, so it is your side’s turn to play.

Partner 1 faces a long putt for birdie and Partner 2 is putting for par after chipping on to the green. The opposing team has CONCEDED Partner 2’s next stroke for par.

Partner 2 is trying to determine what their next move is. Partner 1 is at their ball, ready to play. Partner 1 IS PERMITTED to play first.

Partner 2’s stroke towards the hole will have no impact on the read of Partner 1’s next stroke. The concession for Par still stands, but Partner 1 can still have a counting score for the side. How to avoid a mishap: Just pick it up. When in doubt, do not hit a conceded ball again [until after all other players have completed the hole].

Note: though any player from a side may play when it is the side’s turn, you CAN permit your opponent to play out of turn. MAKE SURE you get approval from your opponent if and before playing out of turn.

{Playing out of turn may be necessary in a situation where one side is struggling to make their next stroke - i.e. looking for a lost ball, waiting on an official for a ruling, etc. - and you are trying to keep the pace of play from falling behind/holding up following groups.}

Playing out of turn without permission allows an opponent to cancel a stroke and the ball must be replayed from that spot.

Breach of a Rule Penalty Usually, penalties apply only to the player who is in breach of a Rule and not their partner. In Match Play, the general penalty is a loss of hole, which means that player (the Rule breaker) will have no score that can count for the side on the hole, BUT their partner may continue play for the side on that hole to have a counting score. Both players for a side will have the penalty applied when: - a player breaches Rule 4.1b (club limitations) - a player’s breach helps a partner’s play - a player’s breach hurts the opponent’s play

Recording Four-Ball Scores When recording a four-ball score, there must be at least 1 score written down for a side on the scorecard. That score should also be recorded under the player who made that score. i.e. If Partner 1 made a 4 and Partner 2 made a 5, that scores should be recorded accordingly under the correct player. If Partner 2 did not finish the hole, then the 4 should be recorded under Partner 1 and Partner 2’s score should be left blank (and vice versa). The lowest score of the two players for the side will be used to determine which side wins the hole. The Committee of a competition is responsible for determining which score is the one that will count for a side by selecting the lower of the two scores for each hole on the scorecard. The players are only responsible for recording accurate scores for each player on each hole, though you must be able to tell your opponent what the lowest score for your side is. **If an official has been assigned to your match and is keeping score, make sure he or she knows which player is which, and report clearly and accurately to them. i.e. state “4 for Suzie, 5 for Bobby” when reporting to your scorekeeper

History of MAJC The Mid-America Junior Cup is a Ryder Cup style Match Play competition, where players will each participate in a Four-Ball, Foursome, and Singles match across two days. This competition began in 1999 as an effort to showcase the top juniors from the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association (MAGA) and Central Links Golf’s (CLG) - formerly Kansas City Golf Association (KCGA) - respective regions. The event was created as a way to unite and promote comraderie and sportsmanship in golf between the youth golfers of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association and Central Links Golf. The hope is that this friendly competition brings the kids together while also providing a unique competitive experience. The teams for each side consist of four boys and four girls with two of each each gender being aged 15 and under and the remaining two of each gender being aged 16 to 18. When the competition first began, the matches were played in the Four-Ball and Foursome formats. The Sunday Singles matches were added in 2018 to complete the Ryder Cup format. This competition has alternated between host sites in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas each year since its inception in 1999. This allows the teams to keep an equally fair homefield advantage every other year in the hopes of winning the tropy for their association. The team with the most points at the end of the competition win the Mid-America Junior Cup trophy. If the teams draw, the side that last won retains the trophy until the next outright winner is determined. From 1999 to 2017, only 8 points were awarded with the teams needing 4.5 points to win or 4 points to retain the Cup. From 2018 onward, 16 total points are up for grabs due to the addition of the singles matches. The teams need 8.5 points to win or 8 points to retain the Cup. The two sides remain neck-and-neck with each other in the overall record of the championship. Both MAGA and CLG have won 10 times and then tied 5 times, as can be seen on the following page.

Current Record Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

MAGA Host Club 7 Blue Hills Country Club 2 Norwood Hills Country Club 0.5 Oakwood Country Club 5 Missouri Bluffs Golf Club 5 Kansas City Country Club 7 Forest Hills Country Club 4.5 Indian Hills Country Club 6.5 WingHaven Country Club 4 Loch Lloyd Country Club 3 Glen Echo Country Club 2 Milburn Country Club 1.5 Algonquin Golf Club 4.5 Mission Hills Country Club 6 Bellerive Country Club 2 Blue Hills Country Club 4 Fox Run Golf Club 3.5 Nicklaus GC at Lionsgate 3 St. Louis Country Club 4 Shadow Glen Golf Club 7 Bogey Hills Country Club 3 Kansas City Country Club 8 Lake Forest Country Club 9.5 Falcon Lakes Golf Club 8 Bogey Hills Country Club 7.5 Falcon Lakes Golf Club 4 Glen Echo Country Club 4.5 Nicklaus GC at Lionsgate -Bogey Hills Country Club

MAGA - 10 20

~ Ties - 5

CLG 1 2 7.5 3 3 1 3.5 1.5 4 5 6 6.5 3.5 2 6 4 4.5 5 4 g 13 8 6.5 8 8.5 12 11.5 --

Winner MAGA MAGA KCGA MAGA MAGA MAGA MAGA MAGA Retained by MAGA KCGA KCGA KCGA MAGA MAGA KCGA Retained KCGA KCGA KCGA Retained KCGA KCGA KCGA Retained by CLG MAGA Retained by MAGA CLG CLG CLG TBD 2026

CLG - 12

Team Metropolitan