ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (June 30, 2024) — Brad Nurski (St. Joseph) etched his name into Missouri golf history once again, securing his fourth Missouri Amateur Championship with an 11 & 9 victory at St. Joseph Country Club.
Nurski dominated the final 36-hole match against Presten Richardson (Mt. Vernon), going bogey-free and not losing a single hole throughout the round.
Richardson has competed in the Missouri Amateur four times from 2021 to 2024, holding a 10-3 record in matches compared to Nurski’s impressive 50-13 record. Richardson played college golf at Western Carolina University before transferring as a grad student for 2024-25 at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. He recently won the Oklahoma State Stroke Play tournament just last week.
Nurski started strong, remaining at least tied with Richardson until hole 5, where he made a decisive birdie to take the lead. Richardson’s bogey on hole 7 extended Nurski’s lead to 2-up. Despite Richardson’s efforts, Nurski maintained his lead, and a par save on hole 12 ignited his momentum.
On the back nine of the first 18 holes, Nurski won four holes, advancing to a 6-up lead. In the final nine holes of the match, he secured victories on five holes, including birdies on holes 3 and 6. Richardson’s missed par putt on hole 9 sealed Nurski’s win, crowning him the 2024 Missouri Amateur Champion.
Nurski entered the tournament as the No. 12 seed, progressing through his matches with commanding performances: 6 & 4 in the round of 64, 1 up in the round of 32, 2 & 1 in the round of 16, 5 & 3 in the quarterfinals, and 5 & 4 in the semifinals.
With this win, Nurski has earned an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. He becomes the sixth player to win the Missouri Amateur Championship four times, joining an elite group that includes James Manion, Bob Cochran, Jim Jackson, Don Bliss, and PGA Tour champion Tom Watson.
Nurski is an assistant golf coach at Missouri Western State University, and his caddy, Matt Thrasher, is the head coach. Nurski also played college golf at Missouri Western State University.
“We hang out together, we live two neighborhoods away from each other, we coach Missouri Western together,” Nurski said. “He has full rein to rein me in or pump me up and he’s just an extra special guy.”
St. Joseph Country Club, Nurski’s home course, saw enthusiastic support with at least 30 carts following the championship match on the course.
“The whole week, you feel like you’re kind of the host, and you want everybody to be welcome and you also still have to focus on your job,” Nurski said. “And that’s what I did this week, especially the last three days.”
The Missouri Golf Association extends its gratitude to St. Joseph Country Club and its staff for hosting the 117th Missouri Amateur Championship.
Our next men’s event is the Stroke Play Championship at Glen Echo Country Club in St. Louis, scheduled for July 8-10.
For complete results of the 117th Missouri Amateur Championship, click here.
For more information on other MGA tournaments, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994 or at [email protected].
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (June 29, 2024) — Only two players remain in the 117th Missouri Amateur Championship after today’s quarterfinal and semifinal matches at St. Joseph Country Club.
Local favorite and three-time Missouri Amateur Champion Brad Nurski (St. Joseph) showcased his dominance in the quarterfinal, defeating Alexander Wiseman (Poplar Bluff) 5 & 3. Nurski, who is also an assistant coach at Missouri Western State University and the 2023 Missouri Stroke Play Champion, maintained his lead throughout the match, losing only one hole to Wiseman.
In the semifinal round, Nurski continued his strong performance against 2023 Missouri Amateur Runner-Up and Wichita State University golfer Michael Winslow (Overland Park). Nurski held the lead from start to finish, winning 5 & 4 after dropping just one hole to Winslow.
Nurski entered match play as the No. 12 seed, previously winning his matches 6 & 4 (round of 64), 1 up (round of 32), and 2 & 1 (round of 16). If Nurski wins tomorrow, he will become the sixth player to win the Missouri Amateur Championship four times.
On the other side of the bracket, Presten Richardson (Mt. Vernon), who will be a graduate student on the Oral Roberts University golf team in the fall, staged an impressive comeback against Ryan Schuenke (Palmyra) in the quarterfinal. Schuenke went 1 up on the first hole and maintained his lead until hole 12. The match was tied from holes 12 to 14, but Schuenke regained the lead on hole 15. Richardson, however, surged ahead by winning holes 17 and 18, taking the match 1 up.
In the semifinal round, Richardson held the lead over Easton Johnson (Kansas City) for most of the match. He went 1 up on hole 2 and extended his lead to 3 up by hole 5. Although he lost hole 6 to Johnson, Richardson remained in control, making birdies on holes 13 and 14 to win the match 5 & 4.
Richardson entered match play as the No. 26 seed, with preceding victories of 2 up (round of 64), 1 up (round of 32), and 5 & 4 (round of 16).
The championship match will commence at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 30, featuring a 36-hole match format. The winner will earn an exemption into the U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota.
For more information on other MGA tournaments, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994 or at [email protected].
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (June 28, 2024) —The round of 32 and round of 16 at the 117th Annual Missouri Amateur Championship at St. Joseph Country Club featured several upsets with higher seeds falling, while others advanced to the quarterfinals.
No. 2 seed Jeffrey Johnston (St. Joseph) was defeated by No. 34 seed and University of Central Missouri golfer Alex Gentry (Jefferson City) 4 & 3 in the round of 32 this morning.
No. 41 seed Michael Winslow (Overland Park) overcame No. 9 seed Bryan Wright (Stanberry) with a score of 6 & 4, while No. 42 seed Noah Naugle (Nixa) secured a victory over No. 10 seed and 2024 Arizona Amateur Runner-Up Carl Miltun (Gilbert) with a score of 2 & 1.
Several matches were tightly contested, with winners prevailing by just one hole. No. 61 seed Alexander Wiseman (Poplar Bluff) defeated No. 29 seed Ryan Eckelkamp (Washington), No. 20 seed Hunter Parrish (Columbia) bested No. 13 seed Sam Migdal (St. Louis), and No. 43 seed Ben Pearson (Overland Park) triumphed over No. 11 seed Bubba Chapman (St. Louis), all winning 1 up.
The round of 16 this afternoon generally favored the higher seeds, but three of the eight matches resulted in upsets.
Winslow defeated No. 8 seed Harry Satterlee (Joplin) 4 & 2, Wiseman emerged victorious in a closely fought match with Parrish to win 1 up, and No. 14 seed Easton Johnson (Kansas City) controlled his match against No. 3 seed Alex Downing (Lee’s Summit) to win 2 & 1.
Local golfer and three-time Missouri Amateur Champion Brad Nurski (St. Joseph) battled through a tough match with No. 28 seed Hunter Jowers, making a birdie on hole 17 to win 2 & 1. University of Central Missouri golfer Brooks Baldwin (Warrensburg) also had an exciting win, defeating No. 64 seed Nicholas Sheppard (Springfield) 3 & 2.
Ryan Schuenke (Palmyra), Presten Richardson (Mt. Vernon), and Tom Buffington (St. Peters) also advanced to the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal matches will begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning with the semifinal rounds following in the afternoon. Baldwin will face Winslow at 8 a.m., Wiseman will face Nurski at 8:09 a.m., Schuenke will face Richardson at 8:18 a.m., and Johnson will face Buffington at 8:27 a.m.
For final results from today and matchups for tomorrow, click here.
For more information on other MGA tournaments, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994 or at [email protected].
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (June 27, 2024) — The field at the 117th Missouri Amateur Championship has been narrowed down to 32 following the first day of match play at St. Joseph Country Club.
In a dramatic upset, No. 64 seed Nicholas Sheppard (Springfield), who secured his spot in a playoff last night, defeated the No. 1 seed Kevin Kring (Springfield) in 20 holes to advance to the round of 32.
Five other matches went into extra holes, including No. 58 seed Jonathan Jordan (Rolla) winning against No. 7 seed Blake Skornia (St. Louis) after 22 holes. No. 61 seed Alexander Wiseman (Poplar Bluff), another player from the 13-player playoff the night before, triumphed over No. 4 seed Chad Niezing (Manchester) in 21 holes, sinking a 30-foot putt to clinch the match.
Two of the youngest players in the field, 14-year-old Anson Munzlinger (Columbia) and 15-year-old Hudson Shy, also advanced. No. 40 seed Munzlinger won his match against No. 25 seed Quinn Boyle (Kansas City) 2 & 1, while No. 50 seed Shy defeated No. 15 seed Tony Gumper (St. Charles) 4 & 3.
Underdogs continued to shine, with seven others pulling off victories: No. 41 seed Michael Winslow (Overland Park), No. 34 seed Alex Gentry (Jefferson City), No. 42 seed Noah Naugle (Nixa), No. 35 seed Patrick Britt (St. Louis), No. 46 seed Hank Lierz (Overland Park), No. 38 seed Tom Buffington (St. Peters), and No. 43 seed Ben Pearson (Overland Park).
2023 Missouri Amateur semifinalist Zach Vandolah (Kansas City) made a remarkable comeback against No. 49 seed Chase Gafner (Springfield). Gafner led from hole one and maintained his lead until hole 13. They were tied through holes 14 and 15, but Gafner regained the lead on hole 16. Vandolah then won the last two holes to win his match 1-up.
Some players dominated their matches, including No. 10 seed Carl Miltun (Gilbert), who secured the largest win of the day against No. 55 seed Pedro Marchioni (Columbia) 8 & 6. Three-time Missouri Amateur Champion Brad Nurski (St. Joseph) also had a commanding match, defeating 2023 Senior Amateur Champion Sean McQueary (Springfield) 6 & 4.
Other favorites who secured their matches before the 18th hole include Brooks Baldwin (Warrensburg), Harry Satterlee (Joplin), Bryan Wright (Stanberry), Ryan Eckelkamp (Washington), Sam Migdal (St. Louis), Hunter Parrish (Columbia), Jeffrey Johnston (St. Joseph), Ryan Schuenke (Palmyra), Max Kreikemeier (Chesterfield), and Bubba Chapman (St. Louis).
Friday’s round of 32 begins at 8 a.m., followed by round-of-16 matches in the afternoon.
For full results from today’s round of 64, click here.
For more information on upcoming qualifiers or other MGA tournaments, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994 or [email protected].
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (June 26, 2024) – Kevin Kring (Springfield) led the field at the 117th Missouri Amateur Championship at St. Joseph Country Club after two rounds of stroke play, earning him medalist honors. Kring shot an 8-under-par on Tuesday and a 3-under-par today, totaling 11-under, 131 to secure the first-place seed going into match play. His impressive performance included two eagles on hole 18, 11 birdies, and just four bogeys over the two days.
Jeffrey Johnston (St. Joseph) follows in the 64-player field for the first round of matches, finishing at 9-under-par, 133 after the first two rounds. Johnston, who competes collegiately for Missouri Western State University and is a member at St. Joseph Country Club, sunk three eagles and nine birdies over the two days. He also advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2023 Missouri Amateur Championship.
Alex Downing (Lee’s Summit) and Chad Niezing (Manchester) tied for third place in the stroke-play portion, both finishing at 4-under 138.
In total, 14 golfers ended the stroke play portion under par. The cut was set at 5-over, 146 to narrow the field to the 64 match play qualifiers.
Following the second round, 13 players competed for the final nine spots: Kris Casburn (Greenwood), Jonathan Jordan (Rolla), Wayne Fredrick (Springfield), Dylan Comstock (Orrick), Jimmy Siegfried (St. Louis), Tyler Linenbroker (Chesterfield), Benjamin Berger (St. Charles), Nicholas Sheppard (Springfield), Trigg Lindhal (Hermann), Chris Martin (Rolla), Alexander Wiseman (Poplar Bluff), Tim Holmes (Springfield), and Drew Hatten (Leawood). With the sun setting at 8:51 p.m., the competitors made it through two playoff holes to determine the final spots. Martin and Hatten birdied the first playoff hole to advance, while Jordan, Comstock, Siegfried, Berger, Sheppard, Lindhal, and Wiseman clinched the remaining spots on the second playoff hole.
The first round of match play will begin at 8:00 a.m. All golfers will tee off from hole one. If needed, a hole-by-hole playoff will follow directly after the group has finished their round. The field will be halved after each round until a 117th Missouri Amateur Champion is crowned.
To view final results from day two and matchups for tomorrow, click here.
For more information on the 117th Missouri Amateur Championship, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994 or at [email protected].
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (June 25, 2024) — The first day of competition at the 117th Missouri Amateur Championship at St. Joseph Country Club saw an impressive 28 players finish under par. Local favorite Jeffrey Johnston (St. Joseph) and Kevin Kring (Springfield) are tied for the lead, each shooting 8-under-par, 63 in the opening round.
Johnston, a member of St. Joseph Country Club and a rising senior golfer at Missouri Western State University, ended the day with two eagles, five birdies, and only one bogey. He previously advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2023 Missouri Amateur Championship at Payne’s Valley. Kring, who played collegiately at the University of Colorado Boulder from 2008 to 2012, matched Johnston’s performance, finishing his round with an eagle and eight birdies.
In third place, John “Bubba” Chapman (St. Louis), a rising freshman golfer at the University of Missouri, carded a 6-under, 65. Chapman impressed with seven birdies and just one bogey. Ian McCrary (Overland Park), a Kansas State University golfer, sits in fourth at 5-under, 66, with five birdies and an eagle on hole 12 securing his spot in the top five.
Round 2 will feature staggered starts, with groups teeing off from both the first and tenth holes. Tee times will range from 7:30 a.m. to 2:31 p.m.
Tomorrow marks the final round of stroke play. The top 64 scorers will advance to match play on Thursday. If necessary, a playoff will occur immediately following the conclusion of the last group’s round.
For final results from day one and tee times for tomorrow, click here.
For more information on upcoming qualifiers or other MGA tournaments, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994 or at [email protected].
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ABOUT MGA: The Missouri Golf Association is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf throughout the State of Missouri.
The Missouri Golf Association was started in St. Louis in 1905 to run the Amateur Championship. Four founding clubs would be the ones in existence in St. Louis in those early years – St. Louis Country Club, Algonquin Golf Club, Glen Echo Golf Club and Normandie Golf Club. Four years later, the invite-only Missouri Amateur was held in Kansas City at Evanston Club. 1911 marked the real organization of the MGA with Bonner Miller as Secretary and Executive Director. Ever since then, the MGA has striven to provide tournaments and spaces for Missouri golfers to sharpen their skills and enjoy the game.
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