The Metropolitan: Volume 8, No. 3

Volume 8 | No. 3

May 2021

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

The Metropolitan AMATEUR GOLF ASSOCIATION

Gateway PGA Wins Inaugural Robert A. Shogren Cup at Bellerive (Pg. 6)

2021 MAGA Schedules 1

The Metropolitan

May 2021

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

8

6 3. Bio/Numbers 4. Curt’s Corner 5. Boatwright Interns 6. Shogren Cup 8. East Side Amateur 9. Amateur Series No.’s 1&2

10. Carter DeMay - Superintendent 11. Players of the Year Standings

12. Bogeyman 14. U.S. Open Qualifier 18. MAGA Schedules 23. Nicklaus quote

16

12

10

14 2

The Metropolitan

May 2021

By The Numbers

MAGA

How old Phil Mickelson will be when he tees off at Torrey Pines in the U.S. Open, June 1720. Mickelson turns 51 the day before the championship begins. As every golf fan knows, Mickelson became the oldest winner of a major championship last month at Kiawah Island, where he captured the PGA Championship at the age of 50. Mickelson has six major wins, but never has won the U.S. Open, finishing second in the national championship six times. If he could win at Torrey Pines this month, he would be only the sixth player to complete a career Grand Slam. Perhaps more astounding, he would break the “oldest winner of a major” mark less than a month after setting it.

51

WHAT WE DO: - Provide the GHIN Handicap Service to 140+ Member Clubs under the World Handicap System - Conduct ten (10) Metropolitan Championships each season - Conduct USGA Qualifying for nine (9) USGA Championships each season - Conduct the Amateur Series of Events for golfers of all ages and abilities - Provide the USGA Course/Slope Rating service to our Member Clubs

456

The number of major championships played before a player in his 50s won. Prior to Mickelson’s feat, Julius Boros was the oldest to win a major. Boros was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA. Other “oldest” wins included Jack Nicklaus’ Masters win at the age of 46, Hale Irwin’s U.S. Open win at the age of 45 and Tom Morris Sr.’s victory in the 1867 British Open at age 46.

- Regional authority on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Amateur Championship Old Warson Cup (Match Play Championship) Shogren Cup (Match Play PGA Pros vs. MAGA Amateurs)

28

Open Championship

The number of players who have won major championships at age 40 or older, accounting for 39 major championship wins. Mickelson has done it twice, winning the 2013 British Open at age 43 and the 2021 PGA at 50. Old Tom Morris collected the most major wins after turning 40, winning the 1861, 1862, 1864 and 1867 British Opens - the last at age 46. The youngest winner of a major championship remains John McDermott, who became the first American-born champion when he won the 1911 U.S. Open. McDermott was 19 years 10 months 11 days when he prevailed at Chicago Golf Club. He repeated his victory the following year, but when McDermott was beset by mental illness in his early 20s, his playing career came to an end.

Women’s Amateur Championship Junior Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Metropolitan Cup Matches Four-Ball Championship 9-Hole Championship Mid-America Junior Cup USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDS U.S. Open

349

The number of years the oldest course in the world has been around - Musselburgh Links in East Lothian, Scotland. The course was founded in 1672, or more than 100 years before the United States arrived. While Musselburgh is only nine holes long, it is one of just 14 clubs that have hosted a British Open. The championship was played at Musselburgh six times in the late 1800s. The course also is known as the place where the 4 ¼ hole diameter was first adopted.

U.S. Senior Open U.S. Women’s Open U.S. Amateur U.S. Mid-Amateur U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur U.S. Junior Amateur U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur

0

U.S. Amateur Four-Ball

The number of college golf teams in the state of Alaska - it is the least of any state. On the other hand, there are 104 college golf teams in the state of Pennsylvania, the most of any state. So if you want to play college golf, boys and girls, look to Pennsylvania.

U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball U.S. Senior Amateur U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur

3

The Metropolitan

May 2021

Curt’s Corner

MAGA STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Curt Rohe - Executive Director

Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org 2020 EXECUTIVE BOARD Officers Stan Grossman, President Scott Engelbrecht, Secretary/Treasurer At-Large Members Kelli Kirchoff Mike Marquart Rick Meyer, Jr. John Moore Mick Wellington ADVISORY COMMITTEE Scott Thomas, Chairman Dustin Ashby Tom Barry Skip Berkmeyer Chris Kovach Ryan Eckelcamp Tom Portner Curt Rohe DIRECTOR, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Will Redmond P.J. BOATWRIGHT INTERNS Mary O’Leary Steven Wendling John McCauliffe THE METROPOLITAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Greetings Members! As we approach the halfway point of the season, I cannot believe I am saying that; it has been busy around the MAGA headquarters. We got off to a roaring start this past month. The first month or so is always hectic as we welcome our PJ Boatwright Interns for the season during the latter part of May! Grateful to have Steven, John and Mary all on board as we get into June.

May was a great month in many ways! The Amateur Series kicked off with 105 players at WingHaven CC, truly amazing, as we have never had more than 70 in an Amateur Series event before. That was followed up with 85 at Woods Fort just a couple weeks later! The inaugural Robert A. Shogren Cup could not have gone any better to wrap up the month. From the opening ceremony, where MAGA Founder Tom O’Toole, Jr. kicked off the competition with a spirited speech about the beloved namesake of the event, to an amazing couple days of competition and camaraderie between the best amateurs and pros from the region, the first Shogie Cup was a huge success.

Shogie would have been proud!

The one event that had to be cancelled in 2020, the Old Warson Cup, is back to kick things off June 5-6. Sixteen of the top amateurs from the region will see Old Warson Country Club this weekend in search for the coveted Old Warson Cup title. Many, if not all, of the 16 will see Old Warson CC’s new 16th and 17th holes for the first time. It is always special to visit Old Warson CC and this field earned their place in the 2021 field. Crimson Callahan captured the 2019 Cup when last played.

If you do not follow us on our social media channels, I really encourage you to do so. The social media presence this first month of the season has been spectacular and we look to continue growing and expanding our reach. Shout out to Will Redmond on his work since coming aboard and please go follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with everything going on at MAGA. Thank you for reading The Metropolitan and keep it down the middle!

Dan O’Neill

4

The Metropolitan

May 2021

MAGA Adds to Staff & Welcomes P.J. Boatwright Interns MAGA is grateful each year for the opportunity to hire interns through the PJ Boatwright Internship grant provided by the USGA. This is an invaluable program Allied Golf Associations around the country are able to take advantage of and provide opportunities for young men and women. Please meet our 2021 Boatwright interns. Steven has been with us since Mid-May, and Mary and John joined us on June 1st.

Mary O’Leary – Communications Intern Mary is completing her senior year at the University of Missouri, pursuing a Bachelor of Journalism degree in Strategic Communication. She is a native St. Louisan and learned of the Boatwright program through her cousin, and former MAGA intern, Nick Wojciechowski. Mary will be with MAGA for 3-months.

Steven Wendling – Operations Intern Steven is a junior at the University of Missouri, studying Accounting. He is from St. Louis and went to Priory High School where he played golf. Steven has played in MAGA championships in the past. He will be with us for 3-months.

John McCauliffe – Operations Intern John is a senior at the University of South Carolina where he will graduate in May studying Sport and Entertainment Management. He is from Glenwood, MD and has always had a passion for golf. John will be with MAGA for 5-months. His mother attended Washington University in St. Louis.

Will Redmond - Director, Marketing & Communications Will Redmond joined MAGA as the new Director of Marketing and Communications in March.

Will is a native St. Louisan and 2013 graduate of DeSmet Jesuit High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Business degree in Marketing from Xavier University and a Masters degree in Journalism from the University of Mississippi. Will worked as a Graduate Assistant for Communications during his time at Ole Miss primarily with the men’s and women’s golf programs. At Xavier, he was a student intern working with the golf programs and men’s basketball.

5

The Metropolitan

March/April 2021

Gateway PGA Wins Inaguaral Ro

Curt Rohe, Stan Grossman, Susan Shogren, Brett Moomey, Ali Wells

Creve Couer, MO - The Gateway PGA Section won the inaugural Robert A. Shogren Cup, played May 23-24, at Bellerive Country Club. The Ryder Cup style format featured Four-Ball Matches on the first day of competition, followed by Foursomes and Singles matches on the second day to decide the Shogren Cup. The event was named to honor the late Bob “Shogie” Shogren, who passed away in March of 2020. Last February, MAGA honored Shogren with its highest honor, the Meritorious Service Award, for his long-standing dedication and service to golf in this region.

Sunday afternoon was started with an opening ceremony where Tom O’Toole Jr., MAGA founder and past president of the USGA, introduced the teams and spoke about the late Bob Shogren.

“As great as Bob’s professional accomplishments were, we’re not here about those today,” O’Toole said. “We’re here about his contributions to the game he loved, and more specifically, for his contributions to the Rules of Golf.”

Susan Shogren, Bob’s widow, attended the ceremony and officially kicked off the event by hoisting the Shogren Cup with Curt Rohe (MAGA Executive Director), Stan Grossman (President of MAGA), Brett Moomey (President of Gateway PGA), and Ali Wells (Executive Director of Gateway PGA).

Brian Lovett, who qualified for the U.S. Senior Open this week, got the match started with the first tee shot off No. 1. Lovett and his playing partner, Ryan Sullivan, halved their match, and had to battle on the back-nine to salvage the half point. The pair were three-down after 10, and a birdie on No. 17 got them back in it. A par on No. 18 was enough to tie the Gateway PGA team of Jeff Whitfield and Gideon Smith.

Tom O’Toole Jr. at Shogren Cup Chris Kovach and Brad Carpenter earned the first full point for MAGA, Opening Ceremony winning 3 and 2.

Christopher Ferris and Chad Neizing earned a half-point in a back-and-forth match with Brett Moomey and Mike Suhre. Skip Berkmeyer, captain of the MAGA team, turned in one of two wins for the amateurs on day one with his 2 and 1 victory with Max Kreikemeier. The pair gained the lead with a birdie on No. 4 and never gave it up.

Things were all square after day one. MAGA and Gateway PGA scored 3.5 points apiece after Four-Ball matches Sunday afternoon.

6

The Metropolitan

March/April 2021

obert A. Shogren Cup at Bellerive

Second day of competition featured Foursomes in the morning and Singles matches in the afternoon.

The MAGA amateurs came out swinging early, winning five of seven Foursomes matches, and took an 8.5-5.5 lead going into singles in the afternoon.

Foursomes matches were highlighted by 4 and 3 wins by two MAGA teams. Tom Portner and Joe Malench, and Skip Berkmeyer and Max Kreikemeier, both went 1-up after one hole and never gave up the lead.

Singles matches got underway shortly after Foursomes. MAGA amateurs had control of many matches early, but Gateway PGA clawed back and won crucial matches down the stretch to get the points necessary to win.

Crimson Callahan turned in a needed win, defeating Mike Suhre 3 and 1 in the last group of the day. All eyes turned to Matt Gindler and Brad Carpenter starting on No. 17. If the match halved, Gateway PGA would get to 14.5 to win. If Carpenter won, it would likely end up in a tie, 14-14.

Gindler and Carpenter both had approach shots from the right side of the green. Gindler, going over tall trees, stuck it within ten feet. Carpenter, with a bump and run, nestled it in to the same range. Both made birdie, and it was all square heading to No. 18 with the score being 14-13 in favor of Gateway PGA. Callahan had not won his Singles match yet.

“I had about 90 yards to the pin and I knew I had to fly it 80 or so,” Gindler said. “I could have gone low but it would’ve gone over, these greens are firm, they’re awesome. I thought I could get over the tree and I did, and it turned to be a great shot. Brad (Carpenter) made a great birdie in front of me and I was fortunate enough to have mine roll in.”

Carpenter and Gindler both hit perfect tee shots to the middle of the fairway 150-odd yards out. Gindler, going first, hit it within 15-feet while Carpenter’s shot rolled off the left side of the green. Carpenter, needing a chip-in, ran it just past the hole. Gindler sank the putt to win 1-up & give the Gateway PGA the cup.

“I was excited to play in this event, just to make this team is an honor. To honor Shogie is awesome, I hope we can get this going every year. It’s a lot of fun and I Winning putt by Matt Gindler on No. 18 hope to make the team every year to have more moments like this.”

7

The Metropolitan

18th East Side Amateur

January/February 2021

Gumper Wins Open, Malench Makes It Back-to-Back in Senior Division

Tony Gumper

Joe Malench

No. 10 at Gateway National

Madison, IL – The MAGA championship season got officially underway with the playing of the East Side Amateur, May 15-16, at Gateway National Golf Links. The 18th running of the tournament went 36 holes over two days.

Tony Gumper took home the win in the Open Division, shooting back-to-back rounds under par on his way to a five-shot victory. The Old Hickory Golf Club member went 4-under his last 13 holes today. After an opening 6-under 65, Gumper followed it up with a 3-under 68 Sunday for a two-round total of 133 (-9).

“I hit it really well both days, had a couple bad swings both days off the first tee that woke me up a bit,” Gumper said. “I played really solid from those points. Did a lot of work over the winter on my short game and it has certainly paid off.”

Gumper’s partner in the U.S. Amateur Four Ball next weekend at Chambers Bay, Ryan Eckelkamp, was also in the field and finished top-5 going 67-74–141 (-1).

“When I started the year, I had a goal of getting one win before heading out there to gain some confidence, was able to win two, winning the District Mid-Amateur on Tuesday which was nice going into here,” Gumper said.” Obviously, a strong field out there and a hard golf course, we’re going to need to take it one shot at a time and play as hard as we can and hopefully make it to match play.”

Chad Niezing claimed runner up after a final round 4-under 67, the low round of the day on Sunday. Niezing went 6-under his first 13 holes today, including four straight birdies from holes 2-5. His two-round total of 138 (-4) put him five shots back of Gumper and one clear of third place.

Adam Pfiefer joined Gumper in being the only two to fire two straight rounds in red figures. The Spring Lake Country Club member went 69-70–139 (-3) to finish in third place.

Joe Malench made it back-to-back wins in the Senior Division for him after an even par 71 on Sunday. Making the turn at 3-over, Malench knew he had to make up ground and did just that, making an eagle on the par 4 15th holing out from the fairway with a 3-wood. A birdie on No. 18 gave Malench a two-shot victory.

“After a bogey on the par 3 14th, I got really fortunate on 15,” Malench said. “I hit a drive a long way away, and then a great 3 wood that happened to go in the hole. A couple pars coming in and a long putt on 18, I was really fortunate to get back to even.”

Paul Neeman finished runner-up in the Senior Division after going 69-77–146 (+4). Neeman was the only player in the Senior Division to shoot an under-par round.

The 102-player field featured 31 players in the Senior Division and 71 in the Open Division.

This marked the first point event of the year for Metropolitan Player and Senior Player of the standings.

8

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

Successful First Two Amateur Series Events Winghaven Country Club | May 3 MAGA recieved a record 105 entries for the first event of the year. It was the first event having a Women’s Net Division on its own.

Woods Fort Golf Course | May 20 87 players teed it up in their respective divisions in the second event of six before the Amateur Series Championship in October.

9

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

The Environmental Impact of Golf Carter DeMay Superintendent

Tavern Creek Golf Course Country Club at Saint Albans

We all know golf courses as beautiful, and sometimes very tough, greenspaces to enjoy the great game of golf. Maintenance departments work diligently to put forth great playing conditions that provide positive and memorable experiences for members and guests. What you may not notice is the positive impact these same spaces have on the wildlife and natural landscapes.

Golf Course Superintendents love the outdoors, many of us are fishermen and hunters in our spare time. It is a natural feeling for us to take an appreciation and feel a responsibility to preserve the ecosystem that is within and surrounds the golf course. We do this by having naturalized areas that require less maintenance. These areas grow up tall and provide scenic improvements to the golf course and allow for an undisturbed habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Naturalized areas, once established, receive minimal chemical intervention, and only require two to four mows a year for weed management.

Naturalized areas promote grasses and wildflowers that are natural to the area.

Water conservation is another way Golf Course Superintendents express their environmental stewardship. You may think, there is no way golf courses conserve water with the number of acres of maintained turfgrass. Advancements in irrigation system technologies and research in watering needs for turfgrass, golf courses are not using as much water as it would appear. Golf courses use water out of necessity and we use many different data collection tools that help us determine when our turfgrasses are at the point of needing water.

The GCSAA worked with the 99 regional chapters to develop Best Management Practices for all 50 states. These BMPs help show how Golf Course Superintendents operate and have a positive impact on the environment through preservation and providing greenspace.

Next time you are out on the golf course, take notice of the wildlife you see, the flowers on the property, and the pollinators that are enjoying those flowers. Without the golf course there, those living things may not have been present.

No. 11 on Tavern Creek 10

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

Player of the Year Points Standings Presented by:

Name Tony Gumper Ryan Eckelkamp Matthew Hoeman Chad Niezing Adam Pfeiffer Ryan Sullivan Crimson Callahan Corey Choate Chris Kovach Michael Becker Paul Neeman Reilly Ahearn Ryan McNeil Name Brian Lovett Joe Malench Paul Neeman Buddy Allen Barry Yehling David Bremer Scott Edwards Tom Portner Tony Nolfo

Men’s Player of the Year

Affiliation

No. Events No. Wins Total Pts Pts Behind Old Hickory GC 1 1 625 Franklin County CC 1 0 462.5 162.5 Franklin County CC 0 0 300 325 Metropolitan eClub 1 0 200 425 Spring Lake CC 1 0 175 450 Tapawingo NGC 1 0 137.5 487.5 The Legends CC 1 0 110 515 Meramec Lakes GC 1 0 100 525 Old Hickory GC 1 0 85 540 Metropolitan eClub 1 0 85 540 Persimmon Woods GC 1 0 50 575 Persimmon Woods GC 1 0 50 575 Persimmon Woods GC 1 0 50 575

Senior Men’s Player of the Year

Affiliation No. Events No. Wins Total Pts Pts Behind Bellerive CC 0 0 400 Metropolitan eClub 1 1 200

200 Persimmon Woods GC 1 0 125 275 Metropolitan eClub 1 0 100 300 Gateway National 1 0 72.5 327.5 Persimmon Woods GC 1 0 72.5 327.5 Metropolitan eClub 1 0 50 350 Green Hills GC 1 0 50 350 Metropolitan eClub 1 0 50 350

Exposure: Recaps Using Unique Photo Layouts Click on the photos below for our Exposure recaps from the first two MAGA championships of the season!

11

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

Phil’s PGA Win & Modern Te The Bogeyman Dan O’Neill

(Editor’s note: This story appears courtesy of Morning Read (www. morningread.com) There’s a number of reasons why a baseball player like Adam Wainwright can still pitch effectively at the age of 39. He keeps fit, uses his knowledge and experience, and there are eight teammates competing along with him.

Likewise, you can explain Tom Brady quarterbacking a Super Bowl win at age 43 in a lot of similar ways. He’s a remarkable talent, to be sure, and he succeeded with the help of his offensive line, receivers and running backs. How does Zdeno Chara patrol a blue line for the Washington Capitals at age 44? He’s big, he’s tough, he’s smart.… and he shares his ice time with four teammates and a goaltender playing a team game.

But how do you explain Phil Mickelson winning one of golf ’s four major championships at the age of 50, a PGA that featured 99 of the top 100 players in the Official World Golf Rankings playing the same golf course? Golf is different from baseball, football or hockey, different from the team sports entirely. You have a caddie, but you have no teammates in golf. No one’s blocking for you, no one’s catching or hitting for you, no one’s back-checking or making saves on your behalf.

No one else impacts your performance, other than you. So how do you explain it?

outplay 27-year-old bombardier DeChambeau at the 2020 Masters? H 48-year old Lee Westwood finish 13th at the 2020 U.S. Open? For that how does DeChambeau win at Wing while hitting just 23 fairways all w fewest by a U.S. Open champion sinc

A lot of factors are in play: fitness know-how, guts. But the explana Mickelson’s victory last month, a performances of Langer, or Westw DeChambeau, includes one other pro ingredient - equipment.

Yes, the golf adage remains true i ways. When it comes to repeating making smart decisions, course kno reads, poise, accuracy…. it rema Indian, not the arrow. But the tec that goes into the arrows these d considerably. They are more forgiv dynamic than ever before. And in can be lethal.

They even cause some of the most p the game is headed.

“There’s only two ingredients in t and direction.” said Hale Irwin, wh prolonging his illustrious career. “A direction, big time.”

How does Mickelson out-drive brawny Brooks Koepka (31 years old) with a 366-yard bomb on the 16th hole on Sunday at Kiawah Island. How does Mickelson average 313.1 yards off the tee during the championship?

That’s to take nothing away from th among just 14 players to win as to win more than one past a 40th championship ever played, he beca birthday.

And while we’re at it, how does 63-year old Bernhard Langer

Time travel has a special place in

12

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

echnology in the Game Today

Bryson How does tied for at matter, ged Foot week, the ce 1981?

s, talent, ation of and the wood or ominent

in many a swing, owledge, ains the Phil Mickelson on No. 18 green at The Ocean Course (Getty Images) chnology been part of the charm. It doesn’t happen frequently, but it happens days have altered the relationship occasionally. And when it does, it enriches the scrapbook and adds to ving, more empowering and more the historical fiber. the hands of the right Indian, they

prominent Indians to wonder where

the game of golf, and it’s distance ho is quick to credit technology for “And distance has all but displaced

he resurgence of “Lefty.” He is now many as six majors, one of seven h birthday. And in the 457th major ame the first to win after his 50th

Irwin is part of that colorful display, with his U.S. Open win at the age of 45. Jack Nicklaus won the Masters at 46, Julius Boros captured a PGA at 48 and Old Tom Morris won four British Opens in his 40s, the last in 1867 at age 46. In all, 39 majors have been won by 28 different players older than 40.

Perhaps Mickelson can add another chapter at Torrey Pines Golf Course, site of the 121st U.S. Open June 17-20. Perhaps he can chase away the demons of six second-place finishes in the U.S. Open. Perhaps he can become the sixth player to achieve a career grand slam.

If he does, it will be a remarkable moment in golf. If he does it will be because he is among the game’s greatest practitioners. And if he does, it will be because the technology in today’s equipment has given him a chance.

n golf. Reunion tours always have 13

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

Four Advance to U.S. Open Final Alton, IL – The first step in the road to the U.S. Open went through the Saint Louis area on Monday, May 10th.. 76 players teed it up for an 18hole qualifier for the chance to advance to final qualifying for the 121st U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

Three players tied for Low Scorer of the day, taking up the first three qualifying spots.

Michael Feagles, fresh off a Big Ten team title with Illinois, carded a 3-under 68 after going off in the early morning in the third group of the day.

His clubhouse lead stood until the very end and he grabbed the first qualifying spot.

The fifth-year senior went bogey-free 2-under until his first miscue on the 11th hole.

Another bogey and three birdies down the stretch, including one on No. 18, saw him finish in red figures at 3-under.

The Stillwater Regional is next for Feagles and the Illini before he goes to final qualifying later this month.

“The USGA does a great job of

presenting opportunities for anyone and everybody to be able to contend for a national open,” Feagles said. “I’m excited and looking forward to the opportunity.”

Knowing the number he needed to qualify, Vernon went bogey-free 4-under on the back-nine to grab the third qualifying spot and tie for Low Scorer.

Shane Smith earned the second qualifying spot. The Korn Ferry Tour player played consistent golf all day (Four birdies, one bogey) on the way to his 3-under 68. The Godfrey, Illinois native made the turn at 1-under and added two birdies on the back to tie Feagles on the leaderboard.

“It was a grind out there,” Vernon said. “I started off well with a couple birdies, then a couple bogeys. I knew I had to get back under to qualify, I just hung in there and made birdies here and there to finish off.”

“There are a few pins out there you can’t be too aggressive into,” Smith said. “I managed myself well on those, minimized the mistakes, and made some birdies.”

Carr Vernon used a big back nine to post a 3-under and tie Feagles and Smith. The Poplar Bluff native qualified in 2019 at Fox Run Golf Club and got the same result this time around grabbing a top-four spot again.

Vernon went into red figures early with birdies on No.’s 2 and 5, but bogeys on 7-89 quickly got him over par.

14

Chris Naegel earned the fourth spot with a 2-under 69. The Wildwood native put together a solid round with four birdies and just two bogeys to advance to final qualifying.

The four will be headed to a final qualifying spot for the chance to earn a spot in the field at Torrey Pines.

Michael Pfitzner and Wesley Hunter claimed the first and second alternate spots.

The 121st U.S. Open is set for June 17-20 at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

l Qualifying from Spencer T. Olin

Michael Feagles

Shane Smith

Carr Vernon

Chris Naegel

Big Thank You to Spencer T. Olin for hosting!

15

The Metropolitan

January/February March/April 2021

Chipper Grip This edition of Rules Quiz features an excerpt from MAGA official John Thorman’s e-book, Let’s Get It Right.

Dear John: One of my golf buddies and I have been discussing a rule. I have a chipper wedge (single-faced) in my bag, and I want to put a putter grip on it (bigger and flattened on one side). My buddy says that only one putting grip can exist in your bag. But I read recently that Adam Scott had two putters in his bag. Why can’t I put a wider grip on my chipper and call it a putter? With the chipper, I only have 14 clubs. In any case, I want my buddy to buy a similar chipper and quit making terrible chips with his irons! - GetAGrip Dear GetAGrip: That’s a lot to digest. Some players like using a putting stroke with a single-faced chipper around the putting green for improved chip shots. But please don’t put a putter grip on the club! That will make the chipper a non-conforming club and making a stroke with it that counts towards the player’s score will result in disqualification (Rule 4.1a(1)).

The reason is that a chipper is considered an iron (USGA/R&A “Equipment Rules” (v1.1. Part 2 - Conformance of Clubs, I. Clubs a. General). A chipper generally has greater than 10 degrees loft, versus 10 degrees maximum for a putter, and otherwise conforms with the requirements of woods and irons. As an iron, the chipper must have a grip with a circular cross-section*. A putter is the only club that may have a non-circular grip (e.g., flattened on one side). Here’s a thought – consider a jumbo circular grip on your chipper.

I don’t know how often players carry multiple putters, but it’s allowed within the 14-club limit (Rule 4.1b(1)).

Indeed, Adam Scott carried two putters every day but Friday during the 2018 PGA Championship at the Bellerive Country Club in St Louis, as well as at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Tournament the previous week. His strategy was to use a long putter for short putts, and a short putter for long putts! Adam finished in third place behind Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods. * There are two exceptions to circular cross-sections for grips on clubs other than putters. One is a continuous, straight, slightly raised “reminder” rib along the length of the grip. The other is a slightly indented spiral on a wrapped grip.

16

UP NEXT FOR MAGA The Metropolitan

January/February March/April 2021

Month of June

Old Warson Cup June 5-6 | Old Warson Country Club

Women’s Amateur Championship June 7-8 | St. Clair Country Club

U.S. Junior & U.S. Girls Junior Qualifying June 14 | The Legends Country Club

Metropolitan Open Championship June 17-19 | Lake Forest Country Club

Amateur Series Event No. 3 June 24 | Annbriar Golf Course

9-Hole Championship June 26 | Ballwin Golf Course

Junior Amateur Championship June 28-29 | Normandie Golf Course

17

The Metropolitan

May 2021

2021 MAGA Ch

Championship Location

East Side Amateur

Gateway N

Robert A. Shogren Cup

Bellerive

Old Warson Cup

Old Warso

Women’s Championship

St. Clair C

Open Championship

Lake Fore

9-Hole Championship

Ballwin G

Junior Championship

Normand

Four-Ball Championship

Franklin

Amateur Championship

St. Louis C

Normandie Amateur

Normand

Senior Championship

Sunset CC

Southern Illinois Amateur

Green Hil

Thomas O. Sobbe Cup Final Algonquin

Mid-America Junior Cup

Kansas C

MAGA Cham

18

The Metropolitan

May 2021

hampionships

Date Entries Close

National GL May 15-16

CC

May 5

May 23-24

Invitational

on CC

June 5-6

Invitational

CC

June 7-8

May 26

est CC

June 17-19

June 7

GC

June 26

June 16

die GC

June 28-29

June 16

County CC July 11-12

June 30

CC

Aug. 5-7

July 21

die GC

Aug. 21-22

Aug. 11

C

Aug. 24-25

Aug. 11

lls GC

Sept. 11-12

Sept. 6

n

Sept. 24

City, Mo.

TBD

mpionships

19

The Metropolitan

May 2021

2021 USGA Qua

Qualifier Locatio

U.S. Women’s Open

Old Hic

U.S. Open

Spence

U.S. Girl’s Junior Ama.

The Le

U.S. Junior Amateur

The Le

U.S. Amateur

Aberde

U.S. Senior Amateur

Quincy

U.S. Senior Women’s Am.

Quincy

U.S. Mid-Amateur

Kokop

‘22 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball CC of S

USGA Qualif

20

The Metropolitan

May 2021

alifying Rounds

on

Date

ckory GC

April 28

Entry Close April 14

er T. Olin GC May 10

April 21

egends CC

June 14

May 19

egends CC

June 14

May 26

eeon GC

July 5-6

June 23

y CC

Aug. 9

July 14

y CC

Aug. 9

July 14

pelli GC

Aug. 16

Aug. 4

St. Albans

Aug. 30

Aug. 11

fying Rounds

21

The Metropolitan

January/February 2021

2021 Amateur Series

Tournament

Date

Winghaven CC

Woods Fort GC

May 20

Annbriar GC

June 24

Birch Creek GC

July 29

Persimmon Woods

Aug. 16

Sunset Hills CC

Sept. 20

The Quarry GC

Oct. 11-12

MAGA Amateur Series

22

May 3

“The appeal of this project to me was to be involved in an effort that could serve as a catalyst to change needed in our country today, beginning with parts of St. Louis County. Restoring Normandie for a community in need will have a long-lasting positive impact on the lives of youth in St. Louis.” .

- Jack Nicklaus on his involvement in Normandie GC project

23