2015 Player of the Year – Brad Nurski, St Joseph

Two familiar names to Missouri golfers topped the MGA points lists and won the MGA’s Player of the Year awards in the “open” and senior divisions–Brad Nurski of St. Joe and Steve Groom of KC.

These guys share a lot of “good” qualities one would list as important in successful tournament play, but perhaps the quality that distinguishes both is what one would call “self belief.” They have that rare ability to ignore a poor shot or result, and just keep plugging along at an even keel. They don’t get too worked up over results, good or bad, and just have that quality of belief in self and in the work they’ve put in…

Brad rode the momentum from his runner-up finish in the 2014 US Mid-Am to another excellent 2015 season. (He won FIVE matches  in the 2014 Mid-Am against some of the best mid-ams in the country before losing in the finals.) Brad played a limited schedule in Missouri in 2015, but played nationally in the US Am and US Open. He finished in third in the 2015 Missouri Stroke Play event.

He said, “Although I wasn’t around much this year, it was still fun! Playing in the US Four Ball with Skip was a great experience, (they’ve qualified for the 2016 Four Ball next spring) as was making match play (and winning one match)in the US Amateur. I was honored this year to represent the MGA and our great state at the national level. There are so many great players in Missouri, and I’m thrilled to win the Player of the Year for 2015.” (Brad also won the POY in 2014.)

2015 Senior Player of the Year – Steve Groom, Raytown

Speaking of dominance, Steve won his 7th Senior Player of the Year–and his SIXTH in a row. He finished third this year in our Senior Am, but again made match play in the Missouri Am competing against the “kids.”

He said, “In looking back on this year, I always enjoy traveling around the state playing in MGA events. And I love seeing and competing against all of the guys–they’re like brothers! I feel like this has been my most consistent year. Two highlights were playing in the Midwest Cup matches and in the Director’s Cup. They were both so much fun!”

So, another year in the books–and two very worthy Player of the Year winners for the MGA.