The Metropolitan: Volume 8, No. 7

Volume 8 | No. 7

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

The Metropolitan AMATEUR GOLF ASSOCIATION

Curtis Brokenbrow Men’s Player of the Year (Pg. 6)

Mid-America Junior Cup Champions (Pg. 10)

1

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

8

6 3. Bio/Numbers 4. Curt’s Corner 5. MAGA Member Trip 6. Players of the Year 8. Sobbe Cup Recap 10. Mid-America Junior Cup

12. Supe’s On 14. Bogeyman 16. Southern Illinois Amateur 17. Amateur Series Champions 18. MSHSAA State Champions

19

10 14 2

18

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

By The Numbers

MAGA

8 - The number of players who reportedly applied for

permission to play in The Saudi International, scheduled Feb. 3-6 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. The possible Eight Men Out include Dustin Johnson, Abraham Ancer, Kevin Na, Jason Kokrak, Lee Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson and Graeme McDowell. The PGA Tour has previously made clear it would deny issuing waivers for members to play in such events. Players are required to secure a release to compete on other tours, and golf publications recently have advanced stories indicating the Saudis intend to begin a new golf series, with Greg Norman as commissioner. The Saudis have shown interest in backing a new golf league in the past, promising lucrative contracts for the biggest names in the game At the same time, past responses from the PGA Tour have declared that any member joining a rival league might face a lifetime ban. Stay tuned.

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 - Regional authority on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status

276 - The number of yards Jack Nicklaus averaged driving in

1967, according to statistics kept over 11 tournaments that year

by IBM. Nicklaus was 27 at the time and his average was the longest on the PGA Tour, 4.5 percent longer than the average of 260.2 yards for PGA Tour players overall. Of course, the equipment was a bit different then, and the numbers don’t give a clear indication of how far Nicklaus might hit the ball at age 27 using today’s tools. The “Golden Bear” didn’t have his swing speed measured until many years later, or until he was a veteran on the Champions Tour. He was 58 years old when his swing speed registered at 118 miles per hour in 1998. A swing speed of 118 would have ranked 38th on the PGA Tour in 2019. Years ago, Lee Trevino was asked how far Nicklaus might hit the ball using modern equipment: “If Jack in his prime could have played the clubs and balls these guys are playing today, he would have hit that sumbitch 400 yards,” Trevino told Golf Digest.

METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Amateur Championship Old Warson Cup (Match Play Championship) Shogren Cup (Match Play PGA Pros vs. MAGA Amateurs) Open Championship Women’s Amateur Championship Junior Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Metropolitan Cup Matches Four-Ball Championship 9-Hole Championship

1811 - The year the first recorded golf tournament for

Mid-America Junior Cup

women was held. The event took place on Jan. 9, 1811 at Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland. Local fishermen’s wives played a tournament on the 18-hole pitch-and-putt course. The winner received a creel and a shawl, with the runner-up receiving two fine handkerchiefs from Barcelona. In 1867, or 56 years later, the first women’s golf club was formed at St. Andrews. Initially formed as The Ladies Club of St Andrews, the club later became known as the St Andrews Ladies Putting Club and is currently known as The Ladies Putting Club of St Andrews.

USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDS U.S. Open U.S. Senior Open U.S. Women’s Open U.S. Amateur U.S. Mid-Amateur U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur

5 - As in $5 million, which is what Jon Rahm was paid for

U.S. Junior Amateur

finishing second in the recent FedExCup Playoffs. For a little perspective, that amount is roughly $1.5 million more than Lee Trevino earned (3,478,328) for his entire career. Trevino had 29 PGA Tour wins and six major championships.

U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur U.S. Amateur Four-Ball U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball

1097- The yardage of the longest golf hole in the world, i.e.

U.S. Senior Amateur U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur

No. 3 on the Jeongeup Course at Gunsan Country Club in South Korea. The hole has a Stroke Index of 1 and features water just about everywhere. The hole is a par-7 on the card, meaning if you reach the green in five you have yourself a Green In Regulation.

3

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Curt’s Corner

MAGA STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Curt Rohe - Executive Director

Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org 2021 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 golfers!

As we send this 7th issue of The Metropolitan out we are approaching the final stretch of score posting for the year. As you know, we are a seasonal association and scores are posted for handicap purposes from March 1 to November 14, two weeks away. Many ask why we are seasonal? The USGA Course/Slope Rating System is an integral part of the calculation of handicap indexes. When courses are rated in our region (same for all of of Missouri and Illinois), they are rated as they are in peak season. Peak season meaning trees are full of leaves, consistent maintenance practices are being followed (i.e. greens mowed daily, certain rough heights are being kept, green speeds are consistent, etc.). All factors that would affect the ratings and produce, while maybe slight, differences in the USGA Course/ Slope Rating and thus differences in the calculation of indexes.

We ended October on a very high note with a wonderful group of young men and women going to Kansas City and capturing the 23rd Mid-America Junior Cup, more inside. It had been since 2012 since MAGA had outright won the cup, so we were due! The juniors that represented MAGA and our region were focused, played hard and brought home the win with a 9.5-6.5 victory over the team from Central Links Golf.

The 2021 Player of the Year Awards night is coming up this week at Old Warson Country Club! A wonderful night recognizing the accomplishments of four incredible golfers from the area and all of the champions from the 2021 season. A great night to celebrate another incredible season of championships and golfers.

As we close out the 2021 championship season with this issue, I want to say thank you to our Rules Committee for another exemplary season of conducting MAGA championships, USGA qualifying rounds and our record-breaking Amateur Series! We are extremely fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers who give so much time and effort in ensuring golfers get the best experience in competing on our schedule. We cannot do it without you and I am grateful to each and every one of you, thank you!

I am busy working on the 2022 schedule, by the next issue of The Metropolitan I plan to have that complete as we gear up for the 2022 season. Thank you for taking the time to read The Metropolitan and have a wonderful upcoming holiday season with family and friends.

Dan O’Neill

4

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Get out of the Missouri cold and join us for a January golf getaway! 15 spots are available.

WHEN: January 10-13, 2022 WHERE: Streamsong Resort, Bowling Green, FL WHAT: Three-nights single occupancy deluxe accommodations Three rounds of golf, playing all 3 courses Walking Only - caddies or pull carts available Opening night reception hosted by Curt Rohe Skins game each day $75.00 in Streamsong Resort Golf Shop credit MAGA Golf Shirt and Cap COST: $1,950 *Travel, meals and caddie fees not included Streamsong’s three courses are all ranked in the top 35 on Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses list for 2021.

Red #20

Blue #26

Black #34 5

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

2021 Metropolitan

Curtis Brokenbrow

Brian Lovett

2021 Men’s Player of the Year

2021 Senior Men’s Player of the Year

Curtis Brokenbrow claims his first MAGA Men’s Player of the Year honor after a season full of top-finishes in several prestigious events. Brokenbrow started the summer with two match play events. He was part of MAGA’s inaugural Shogren Cup team in May and made it to the quarterfinals of MAGA’s match play championship, the Old Warson Cup, in early June. The Missouri Baptist graduate’s first stroke play competition came at the 16th World Wide Technology Metropolitan Open Champion, where he earned the honor of Low-Amateur after going 2-under (70-74-70–214) in a field of 94 professionals and only 40 amateurs.

Brian Lovett had an exceptional summer of golf that led him to his first MAGA Senior Men’s Player of the Year award. Lovett was Sectional Qualifying medalist at the Fort Wayne U.S. Senior Open qualifier. He fired a 1-under 70 and earned a spot in the field at Omaha Country Club in July. He won the Metropolitan FourBall Championship with Buddy Allen at Franklin County Country Club. The team fired a 13-under over two rounds to win the Senior Division by seven strokes.

“It’s a great honor to win the player of the year as it shows that I have played consistently throughout the summer having good finishes in big events,” Brokenbrow said.

“Graduating with my master’s degree and then playing well in the Metropolitan Open really helped get my summer underway.”

“It’s an honor to be recognized for my play this year,” Lovett said. “I love competing in the MAGA events against all the great players from our region. This caps off a great summer of events and is validation of all the hard work I have put in on my game.”

Brokenbrow finished runner-up at the 31st Metropolitan Amateur Championship in August, firing the thirdlowest 54-hole score in the championship’s history. His final round 6-under 65 was the lowest final round score in championship’s history. Brokenbrow won the Missouri Amateur at the Club at Porto Cima in late June. In MAGA events, he had a 71.4 stroke average and fired six round paror-better.

6

Lovett was part of MAGA’s inaugural Shogren Cup team at his home club of Bellerive in May. He made match play at the STLDGA’s Griesedieck Men’s.

Lovett finished in a tie for seventh at the Metropolitan Senior Amateur and runner-up at the Missouri Senior Amateur.

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Players of the Year

Ellen Port

Kathy Glennon

2021Women’s Player of the Year

2021Senior Women’s Player of the Year

Ellen Port’s incredible summer of golf on a national and local scale leads her to being named MAGA Women’s Player of the Year. Port’s play this season was highlighted by her win at the Metropolitan Senior Amateur, where she was the first women to compete in the championship flight and first woman to win MAGA’s premier senior men’s championship.

Kathy Glennon’s summer started out with a top-three finish at the Metropolitan Women’s Amateur. In July, she got in as an alternate to the U.S. Senior Women’s Open after qualifying down in the Sarasota, Florida area. In August, she medaled at the St. Louis Women’s District Golf Association’s Three-Day Stroke Play. She finished third at the Missouri Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

“It is a thrill to be honored by MAGA as Player of the Year,” Port said. “I appreciate all that Curt and his staff continue to do each year to give us an opportunity to test our skills and reach our goals! I am Very fortunate that my hard work was rewarded with some strong finishes this season.”

“I would like to thank the MAGA for recognizing me with this award,” Glennon said. “I had the thrill of my career playing in the US Senior Women’s Open this summer. If not for the continued support of MAGA I don’t believe I would have ever had the chance to compete on a national level. I will be forever grateful.”

At the end of July, Port gained national attention when she made a run at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open title. Through two rounds, she was tied for third and only three shots behind eventual champion Annika Sorenstam. The 7-time USGA champion finished runner-up at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur a few weeks after her Metropolitan Senior Amateur win. The month of September ended with a run at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur where Port made it to the Round of 32.

In April, Port played in the U.S. Women’s Amateur FourBall with Lara Tenant at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrolton, Texas. Tenant beat Port in the finals of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in September.

7

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Old Hickory Golf Club Wins

Old Hickory Golf Club Webster Groves, MO – Old Hickory defeated Spring Lake Country Club 4-2 in the finals of the Thomas O. Sobbe Cup Friday night, September 24th, at Algonquin Golf Club.

This marks Old Hickory’s first win at the Sobbe Cup. The club had finished second twice, in 2006, and more recently in 2019.

Jeff Cleveland sunk a 40-foot putt just before darkness to get the winning point for his club. The four-ball handicap match of Cleveland and Josh Crume of Old Hickory was tied with Spring Lake’s Haily Meyer and Andrew Smith. A win by Spring Lake on No. 18 would send the cup into a playoff, but Cleveland’s putt gave Old Hickory the win by two points.

Tony Gumper gained the first point for Old Hickory in the finals. Going 2-0 on the day and never making it to hole 18, Gumper won 3 and 1 in his final match. Gumper made 16 birdies in regulation to lead all players.

Zach Holland joined Gumper in going 2-0 in scratch matches. Holland won his finals match 5 and 4 and made 13 birdies through his two matches.

Andrew Francis won 1-up in his singles handicap match getting Old Hickory to 3 points. Francis was 3-up after 10 and traded birdies on the last with Spring Lake’s Gary Boots was enough to get the point.

Spring Lake’s Jason Traeder won 7 and 6 in his professional match to get his team’s first point. Bill Latour and Mike Ridder won their senior four-ball handicap match 3 and 1.

Old Hickory defeated Greenbriar Hills in the semifinals 3.5-2.5. Tony Gumper earned the first point for Old Hickory after winning 8 and 6. Gumper birdied seven of his first nine holes to take a commanding lead at the turn. Two more birdies on 11 and 12 got his team the first point of the day early on.

8

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

s 2021 Thomas O. Sobbe Cup Matt Gindler, Director of Golf at Greenbriar Hills, earned the first point for his side winning 3 and 2 over Zach Conlin, PGA Teaching Professional at Old Hickory. The first singles handicap match between Andrew Francis and Jeff Marquitz was halved shortly thereafter to get it to 1 ½ points apiece.

Gary Hill and Joe Amlong added a point for Old Hickory with a 3 and 2 win in the senior fourball handicap match and all eyes turned toward Zach Holland who was 1-up headed to No. 18. A win would close it, a halve would open the door for a possible tie for Greenbriar Hills. Holland knocked it on in three for 30-foot birdie putt on the par 5 18th and he holed it to get Old Hickory to 3.5 points. Holland came from back from being 1-down through 15.

The second semifinal between Spring Lake Country Club and Westborough Country Club needed extra holes. Spring Lake got out to an early 2-0 lead after wins in the professional and singles handicap matches. Jason Traeder won 3 and 2, while Gary Boots won 2 and 1. That lead quickly went away after Sean Brennan and Kevin Shapiro of Westborough won their scratch matches 3 and 2 and 5 and 4, respectively.

Spring Lake added a point with a 2 and 1 win by Andrew Smith and Haily Meyer in a four-ball handicap match. One group before, Westborough’s Bill Newhouse and Steve Stolze would win their senior four-ball handicap match 2-up to make it 3-3.

Sean Brennan (WCC) and Jamie Blaesing (SLCC) would go into a sudden-death playoff starting on No. 1 to see who would face Old Hickory in the finals. The pair both parred No. 1. A par on No. 2 for Blaesing would be enough to make it to the finals.

2021 Thomas O. Sobbe Jr., Cup Final Bracket 9

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Mid-America Junio

M

CL

SI

Ad Bubba Chapman, John Guerra, Harper Ackermann, Ryan Walsh, Riley Lewis, Addy Surber, Izzy Arro, Eva Brown

Kansas City, MO – Team MAGA used a strong showing on Sunday in singles matches to win the 23rd Mid-America Junior Cup, defeating Central Links Golf by a score of 9.5-6.5 to bring the cup back to Saint Louis.

The score was all square at 4 points apiece after Saturday Foursomes and Four-Ball matches, but the St. Louis area squad took five and a half out of the possible eight points from singles to beat Kansas City’s team by three.

John Guerra clinched the winning point on hole No. 17 Sunday. The junior at Chaminade rolled in a birdie putt to win his match 2 and 1. The other four singles wins for MAGA on Sunday were Addy Surber (2-up), Harper Ackermann (4 and 2), Bubba Chapman (6 and 5) and Riley Lewis (6 and 4).

Ryan Walsh (Chaminade) and Riley Lewis (Edwardsville), two of three seniors on the team, got MAGA on the board with a dominant 6 and 5 win in their Foursomes match Saturday morning. Bubba Chapman and Eva Brown turned in a 3 and 2 win and the match was tied 2-2 heading into Saturday afternoon FourBall.

MAGA and Central Links Golf split the afternoon Four-Ball matches with the girl’s pairing’s getting both points for MAGA. Riley Lewis and Isabella Arro won 2 and 1 while Eva Brown and Addy Surber won 4 and 3.

The Mid-America Junior Cup matches are an annual competition between Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association (MAGA) and Central Links Golf (CLG), formerly the Kansas City Golf Association (KCGA).

The competition began in 1999 as an effort to showcase the top juniors from each Associations respective regions. The event was created to foster camaraderie and sportsmanship between MAGA and KCGA. MAGA now leads the all-time series with ten wins to Central Links Golf nine. The matches have been halved four times.

10

Ha

Bu

Ri

Jo

Ry

Ha

M

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

or Cup Champions MATCH RESULTS

MAGA 9.5

FOUR-BALL (MAGA 2, CLG 2) Riley Lewis/Isabella Arro (MAGA) def. Libby Green/Maya McVey (CLG) 2 and 1

LG 6.5

INGLES (MAGA 5.5, CLG 2.5)

ddy Surber (MAGA) def. Ella Slicker (CLG) 2-up

Harper Ackermann (MAGA) def. Myles Tarvin (CLG) 4 and 2

ubba Chapman (MAGA) def. Tyler Strong (CLG) 6 and 5

iley Lewis (MAGA) def. Libby Green (CLG) 6 and 4

ohn Guerra (MAGA) def. Carson Baker (CLG) 2 and 1

yan Walsh (MAGA) halved vs. Chance Rinkol (CLG)

Hadley Neese (CLG) def. Eva Brown (MAGA) 1-up

Maya McVey (CLG) def. Isabella Arro (MAGA) 1-up

Eva Brown/Addy Surber (MAGA) def. Ella Slicker/Hadley Neese (CLG) 4 and 3 Carson Baker/Chance Rinkol (CLG) def. Ryan Walsh/John Guerra (MAGA) 2 and 1 Myles Tarvin/Tyler Strong (CLG) def. Harper Ackermann/ Bubba Chapman (MAGA) 5 and 4 FOURSOMES (MAGA 2, CLG 2) Ryan Walsh/Riley Lewis (MAGA) def. Carson Baker/Libby Green (CLG) 6 and 5 Bubba Chapman/Eva Brown (MAGA) def. Tyler Strong/ Hadley Neese (CLG) 3 and 2 Myles Tarvin/Ella Slicker (CLG) def. Harper Ackermann/Addy Surber (MAGA) 2 and 1 Chance Rinkol/Maya McVey (CLG) def. John Guerra/Isabella Arro (MAGA) 2 and 1

MAGA now leads the all-time series 10-9. The match has been halved four times.

11

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Supe’s On Khris Rickman, GCS The Quarry Golf Club

Mississippi Valley GCSA President

Greetings golf enthusiasts, I hope this message finds everyone well!

Another golf season is behind us. It wasn’t too bad of a year all things considered. Hopefully you were able to play as much golf as you were looking to play.

Whenever I write one of these articles for the Metropolitan I always go back to the MAGA website and click on the Communications tab and pull up the last few months of Issues. Then I refresh my memory of the topics that my colleagues wrote in the previous months as to not repeat a topic.

I always enjoy listening to or reading something that my peers have to say. The people who are involved in the operation of our local golf courses are some pretty impressive individuals.

Maybe you already knew that about our local Superintendents and their staffs. But what you may not know is how close we all are. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it a fraternity but there is definitely a bond we share. After all, no one knows what we go through more than our peers. It’s hard for me to imagine trying to mentally survive a St. Louis summer without the support of my Superintendent friends. Whether it be a phone call, a text or lunch, it seems my Superintendent buddies always make themselves available when I need an opinion or need to vent some frustrations.

Ideally we would all have such an awesome support system no matter your profession. Even way back in 1967 Ringo Starr knew that I get by “With a Little Help From My Friends.” But I think the local Superintendents have perfected it.

The Mississippi Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association (MVGCSA) celebrated its 75th Anniversary this year (delayed one year by Covid). For 75 years local Golf Course Superintendents have been working together trying to improve Turfgrass conditions here in the transition zone. It’s certainly an ongoing battle but together we are up to the challenge!

Thanks for reading!

The Quarry at Crystal Springs 12

June 2021 September/October 2021

The Metropolitan

Player of the Year Points Standings Presented by:

Award-winning dining, a booming craft beer scene and exceptional year-round golf on courses along Men’s of the the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail await youPlayer in Alabama.

Plus,Year with Jerry Pate’s Kiva Dunes and Arnold Name Affiliation No. Events No. Totalyou Pts Palmer’s Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, from the mountainsWins to the coast can take it Pts all in.Behind

Curtis Brokenbrow Chad Niezing Christopher Ferris Sam Migdal Tony Gumper Max Kreikemeier Ryan Eckelkamp Peter Weaver Jason Landry Ryan Sullivan

The Quarry

3 1 2 0 Aberdeen GC 0 0 Norwood Hills CC 2 1 Old Hickory GC 2 2 Forest Hills CC 1 0 Franklin County CC 3 0 www.GolfAlabama.org Bellerive CC 0 0 Greenbriar Hills CC 2 0 Tapawingo National GC 3 1 Metropolitan eClub

1275 975 940 932.5 925 832.5 727.5 595 480 437.5

300 335 342.5 350 442.5 547.5 680 795 837.5

Full standings here Name Brian Lovett Buddy Allen Joe Malench Paul Neeman Joe Richardson Joe Timpone Kevin Giese David Bremer

Senior Men’s Player of the Year

Affiliation No. Events No. Wins Total Pts Pts Behind Bellerive CC 0 0 710 Metropolitan eClub 1 0 450 260 Metropolitan eClub 1 1 350

360 Persimmon Woods GC 1 0 267.5 442.5 Old Hickory GC 0 0 200 510 The Quarry 1 0 200 510 Metropolitan eClub 1 0 162.5 547.5 Persimmon Woods GC 1 0 132.5 577.5 Full standings here

Name

Women’s Player of the Year

Affiliation

No. Events No. Wins Total Pts Pts Behind McKenna Montgomery Persimmon Woods GC 1 1 1075 Kathy Glennon Country Club of St. Albans 1 0 750 325 Alyssa McMinn Far Oaks GC 1 0 525 550 Ellen Port Sunset CC 0 0 400 675 Melanie Wolf Bogey Hills CC 1 0 400 675 Madeline Larouere Metropolitan eClub 1 0 350 725 Full standings here Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Birmingham

13

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

R e a c t i o n s to U S G A a n d R & A The Bogeyman Dan O’Neill

(Editor’s note: This story appears courtesy of Morning Read (www. morningread.com) Reaction to the recent announcement by the USGA and R&A concerning a reduction in maximum shaft length underlines how ambiguous and equivocal golf can be.

The announcement by golf ’s governing bodies was issued in the form of a Model Local Rule, which essentially means it’s a suggestion, implemented or dismissed at the pleasure of tournament organizers or various tours. And the suggestion is that maximum shaft length for non-putters be reduced from 48 inches to 46 inches.

To bring it home, the rule is not being incorporated by the Allied Golf Associations and will not be implemented by the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association, either at MAGA championships or USGA qualifiers. The only time you need worry about taking the lamppost out of your bag is if you qualify for one of the USGA, R&A, PGA or PGA Tour championships.

Therefore, the players who might be predominately impacted by this local rule are professionals, or PGA Tour members. “Might” is the proper context because only a tiny smattering of those members employ a driver that is longer than 46 inches. Among the few, the proud, the lengthy is Phil Mickelson, who stunned the sports world by winning the 2021 PGA Championship at the age of 50, and did so while using a 47½ inch driver.

Aware this governing announcement was coming, Mickelson was ripping the shaft-reduction recommendation before it ever got announced. He tweeted: “Stupid is as stupid does.” Mrs Gump. Really though, are the amateurs trying their best to govern the professional game the stupid ones? Or the professionals for letting them?”

Later, he added: “What data was there to say that the driver length should be capped at 48 inches? What data is there that says it should go to 46 inches?

14

We’re addressing the wrong problem, an data yet again much like the grooves in

Mickelson has been at odds with th least we forget 2018 and the 13th gre his comments shouldn’t be dismissed is intelligent and articulate about the history, sensitive to its nuances. In thi doesn’t make a convincing argument.

For instance, when he won the Constella in early October - his third Champions - Mickelson was 81st in the field in explained it thusly: “I look at longest, farthest out here and I was No. 1 in d the way I look at it. If you want to look have at it. What I’m looking at is dist want to fly it 305 and try to - because I’m wedges in my hand, I’m going to be tou

Sure, understood, you’re good with we essence of “bomb and gouge” golf. An fathers had in mind, at least not the ar supposed to be “irrelevant.” Fairways reason, and it’s not strictly aesthetics. Th The concept of “where” should matter a

Does a 47½ inch driver allow a 50-yea Maybe. Is it a contributing factor to on other starts during the same season? M a golf ball farther in his early 50s than h

Mickelson’s birthday is June 16. During full season on the PGA Tour. He aver 65.37 percent in Driving Accuracy. I Mickelson averaged 301.8 yards in D Driving Accuracy.

His scoring average in ’93 was 71.205 71.897. To suggest the distance/scoring an over reach. A number of factors cou and scoring is unrelated might be equa

Moreover, relating the shaft recommen

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

A’s Ne w D r i v e r L e ng t h R u l e

nd we’re misreading the n 2010.”

he USGA in the past een at Shinnecock. But d categorically. “Lefty” game, cognizant of its is instance, however, he

ation Furyk and Friends s Tour win in four starts Driving Accuracy, and , like I try to hit it the driving distance. That’s at stuff that’s irrelevant, tance, I want to hit it, I ’m a really good wedge player, so if I get ugh to beat.”

edges. But the philosophy describes the nd that’s not exactly what the founding rchitects among them. Accuracy is not s are designed and maintained for a The golf bag harbors 14 clubs, not three. at least as much as “how far “… At least.

ar old to win the PGA Championship? ne finishing out of the top-20 in his 22 Maybe. Should one be empowered to hit he could 30 years earlier? You tell me.

g 1993, at ages 22-23, he played his first raged 269.2 yards in Driving Distance, In the 2020-21 season, at ages 50-51, Driving Distance and 54.47 percent in

5, his scoring average last season was g numbers things are directly related is uld be considered. To suggest accuracy ally naive.

ndation to “grooves in 2010” loses a bit

of weight, given the length limit has little or no impact on recreational types.

The idea has been considered and discussed for a number of years, with several stops and starts, and with input and engagement from both professional and amateur players.

Research has been done and papers published that project gains in distance when the average player goes from 46 to 48 inches. At the same time, most players don’t use the longer drivers - currently - because they can’t control them as well. That is, the announcement is not reactive, it’s proactive.

“Is that the answer to hitting it shorter? No,” said Collin Morikawa, not a long hitter, but a two time major champion “You know, I think yeah, if you have a long drive and you see what Bryson (DeChambeau) did, you see what long drive guys do, they have a longer driver, right, and they’re able to hit it farther.

But can you maintain that on the golf course?

“Hasn’t been done yet. Not saying it won’t be done, but you know like if a guy wants a 47‑inch driver, I think they should let them because why not.”

Why not? Because in the 1990s the typical driver length on the PGA Tour was 43 inches and now it’s between 44 ½ and 45 ½. Why not? Because, left to their own devices, technicians and practitioners will push it to 48 and beyond.

Why not ? Because the game continues to become too much about power and not enough about precision. The shaft length limit doesn’t change the trend on its own, not even close. In fact, it’s just a recommendation. But it’s not a bad one.

15

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Carpenter Wins Open Division at 2021 Southern Illinois Amateur

Brad Carpenter

Tom Portner

Buddy Allen

Mt. Vernon, IL – Brad Carpenter took home the title in the Open Division at the 2021 Southern Illinois Amateur at Green Hills Golf Club on Sunday, September 12th.

It took one extra hole as Carpenter and Brandon Bullard each finished at even par through 36 holes.

Carpenter shot even par the first 18 holes and followed that up with a 1-under performance Sunday.

The two were in the last group on Sunday and had to go back to No. 18 for the start of the playoff.

The both of them hit the green in two and were some 20 feet out. Carpenter rolled his in, and Bullard came up just short.

“The first round was quite an adventure, had three chip-ins the first seven holes and also hit it out of play two times,” Carpenter said. “Played really solid today. The putt on that playoff hole was really cool to see it drop in.”

Carpenter’s win makes it back-to-back years a Franklin County Country Club member has won the Open Division at the Southern Illinois Amateur. With the win, Carpenter earns valuable points in the MAGA Men’s Player of the Year points standings.

“That’s why I came out here, to move up the rankings and it feels good to get inside the Old Warson Cup standings.”

Brandon Bullard finished runner-up after going even par (68-74–142). The Green Hills member had the low round of the tournament in the Open Division with his 3-under 68 on Saturday, Tom Portner and Buddy Allen were declared co-champions in the Senior Division.

Portner was 18-hole leader after firing a 5-under 66 on Saturday but struggled the final round shooting 5-over to get in at even.

Allen, who began the day six shots back of the lead, turned in a 1-under 70 to tie Portner on the leaderboard. Allen was the only one in red figures on the final day in the Senior Division.

16

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Division Winners Crowned at 2021 Amateur Series Championship

Maryland Heights, MO – The 2021 Amateur Series presented by Imperial came to a close Tuesday, October 12th, at the Amateur Series Championship. The two-day competition saw 68 players compete in six divisions.

To have received an invite, a player needed to to finish in the top-18 of their respective division points-wise and had to have played in at least two events. All six division leaders were in the field, with just one coming out on top after the 36hole final event.

Courtney Cooper came in as the season points leader in the Open division. The Falls Golf Club member went 81-76–157 and beat Matthew Hunt in a one-hole playoff after they were tied at 17-over after 36 holes. Cooper put together three wins on the season including Tuesday, and placed top-three in five of the seven events.

David Rudd won the Senior Open division after a three-hole playoff with Ollie Crow. Rudd shot a 5-over 75 on day two to tie Crow on the leaderboard. Rudd played in six events with two wins including his victory Tuesday.

Chris Canfield came out on top in the Net division. Canfield went 4-over (69-75–144) to win by two strokes. The Metropolitan eClub member played in all six regular season events and had three third-place finishes before his win Tuesday.

Bill Abanathie won the Senior Net title after going 7-over (79-68–147) and winning by seven strokes. The Metropolitan eClub member tallied his third win of the season Tuesday after playing in four events, including the championship.

Kevin Ortyl took home the title in the Senior Net division after shooting par-or-better both rounds. Ortyl went 1-under (69-70–139) to win by five strokes. The Sunset Country Club member picked up his first win Tuesday and playing in five regular season events with two top-five finishes.

Linda Meyer won the first Women’s Net division title on Tuesday after going 15-over (73-82–155). The Whitmoor Country Club member played in five regular season events with two runner-up finishes.

Courtney Cooper

Kevin Ortyl

Chris Canfield

Bill Abanathie 17

David Rudd

Linda Meyer

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Three St. Louis area high schools win MSHSAA Girls Golf State Championships St. Joseph’s Academy made it six state titles in a row with their win Tuesday at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Missouri.

Senior Mia Rallo made it 4-4 in state titles during her time as an Angel, joining two other former St. Joseph’s standouts in Grace Aromando (’20) and Drew Nienhaus (’21) as four-time state team champions.

St. Joe Angels with the Class 4 State Trophy Photo via Paul Halfacre, stlhighschoolsports.com

Head coach Carol Fromuth, recipient of MAGA’s Meritorious Service Award in 2011, won her sixth state title. Senior Izzy Arro finished runner-up after going 71-77--148. Rylie Andrews (8th, 77-77--154) and Mia Rallo (10th, 82-73--155) both finished top-10 along with Arro.

Visitation Academy won the Class 2 State title in commanding fashion at Columbia Country Club. Four out of the five starters finished in the top-20 individually, including senior Lucille Trover who finished fifth in the medal race, going 7883--161. Metropolitan Girls’ Junior Amateur champion Avery McLaughlin finished 16th after shooting 81-94--175.

Visitation posted a four-player score of 686 and Ursuline Academy was second at 755. The Vivettes captured their fourth state title, first since 2008.

Visitation with the Class 2 State Trophy

Villa Duchesne won the Class 1 State Title by 45 shots. It was a solid team effort with every player finishing in the top-20 led by Kathryn Fesler who finished runner-up (95-82--177).

It was the Saints third state championship, first since 2010.

Villa Duchesne with the Class 1 State Trophy

18

The Metropolitan

September/October 2021

Who Plays First??

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

Dear John: I was playing a match at Orange County National’s Panther Lake Course in Florida. My opponent was playing the set of tees in front of mine. I had the honor on the par 4 3rd hole. Unfortunately, my drive hit the tree partially overhanging his tee box and bounced backwards between his tee and mine. He wanted me to go ahead and hit my second shot before he hit his drive. I wasn’t sure, but I told him that he had to put his ball in play before I hit my second shot. Was I right?

Dear OrderNowPayLater: Yes, it’s your opponent’s turn to play next. The protocol of the player farther from the hole playing first does not start until after both players in the match start the hole (Rule 6.4a(1) - third bullet). This is true regardless of which teeing areas are involved. The exception is if the players agree to play out of turn to save time.

What if the fate of your drive had prompted a provisional ball or playing again under penalty of stroke and distance from the teeing area? Same answer. It would be your opponent’s turn to play next (Rule 6.4c), except for an agreement to play out of turn to save time.

19