COLUMBIA, Mo. (July 18, 2024) – The Missouri Golf Association concluded the 2nd Junior Amateur 13 & Under Championship today at L.A. Nickell Golf Course in Columbia. Junior golfers showcased their skills in an exciting final round of stroke play, with many improving on their first-day performances.
In the 12-13 Boys Division, Graham Henley (Eldon) claimed first place with a total gross score of 4-over, 144, despite shooting 7-over today. Henley maintained his strong lead from the first round. Blaine Munzlinger (Columbia) shot 3-over today for a total gross score of 8-over, 148, moving up to second place. AJ Warren (Chillicothe) shot 5-over today for a total score of 9-over, 149, highlighted by an eagle on hole 17.
In the 9-11 Boys Division, Hudson Marcolla (Chillicothe) won this division with a total gross score of 25-over, 165, shooting 11-over today. Calvin Sears (Columbia) placed second with a score of 41-over, 181, shooting 15-over today, improving his day one score by 11 strokes. Brett Benbrooke took third place with a total score of 70-over, 210, shooting 34-over today.
In the 12-13 Girls Division, Alexi Omillian secured first place with a strong performance, shooting 3-over, 73 today for a total gross score of 10-over, 150. Her round included three birdies. Drew Maze (Columbia) finished second with a total gross score of 30-over, 170, shooting 16-over today. McKenzie Martin (Jefferson City) earned the bronze medal with a total score of 40-over, 180, shooting 19-over, 89 today, improving her day one score by two strokes.
In the 9-11 Girls Division, Emma Patterson (Columbia) completed her round with a score of 43-over, ending with a total gross score of 89-over, 229.
In the 6-8 Girls Division, six-year-old Emerson Munzlinger (Columbia) finished the nine-hole round with a score of 6-over, bringing her total gross score to 16-over, 86. She ended her round strongly with a birdie and two pars on the final three holes. Eight-year-old Allison Knaebel (Columbia) shot 14-over today, totaling a gross score of 34-over, 104.
The Missouri Golf Association congratulates all participants on their efforts and sportsmanship. The MGA would like to extend its gratitude to L.A. Nickell Golf Course for hosting this event and to all the players for their enthusiastic participation.
For full results from the tournament, click here.
For more information on upcoming MGA events, contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994 or at mogolf@mogolf.org.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (July 17, 2024) – The Missouri Golf Association kicked off the first round of the 2nd Junior Amateur 13 & Under Championship today at L.A. Nickell Golf Course in Columbia. A total of 29 junior golfers, aged six to 13, participated in a round of stroke play on the par-70 course.
L.A. Nickell Golf Course, located in the picturesque 533-acre Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area (also known as Cosmo Park), features three sets of tees, mature trees, expansive zoysia fairways, bentgrass greens, lakes, golf cart paths, and a comprehensive tee-to-green watering system. The driving range includes fully irrigated bermuda grass tees and target greens. The course provides an enjoyable yet challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels, with lower handicappers finding it adequately challenging and higher handicappers and beginners benefiting from generous landing areas.
Graham Henley (Eldon) currently leads the boys’ division with an impressive score of 3-under, 67. Henley’s round included five birdies, four of which were on the back nine, and an eagle on hole seven. AJ Warren (Chillicothe) is in second place with a score of 4-over, 74, followed closely by Blaine Munzlinger (Columbia) at 5-over, 75. Warren notched three birdies, while Munzlinger secured two.
In the boys’ 9-11 age group, Hudson Marcolla (Chillicothe) posted the lowest score of 14-over, 84. Calvin Sears (Columbia) is in second with a 26-over, 96, and Brett Benbrooke is in third with a 36-over, 106.
For the girls, Alexi Omillian leads with a score of 7-over, 77. Drew Maze (Columbia) follows in second place at 14-over, 84, and McKenzie Martin (Jefferson City) is in third with a 21-over, 91.
Emma Patterson (Columbia) is the sole competitor in the 9-11 girls’ division, completing her round with a score of 46-over, 116.
The 6-8 age division features two competitors: six-year-old Emerson Munzlinger (Columbia) and eight-year-old Allison Knaebel (Columbia). Both played nine holes, with Emerson finishing at 10-over, 45, and Allison at 20-over, 55.
The juniors will return to the course tomorrow, July 18, for another round of stroke play. The boy and girl with the lowest gross scores in the 9-13 divisions will be crowned the Junior Amateur 13 & Under Overall Champions. Each division will also have its own set of gold, silver, and bronze medalists.
This marks the second year that the annual Missouri Junior Amateur Championship has been divided into two separate tournaments: 13 & Under and 14-18. The MGA introduced the 13 & Under Championship to provide the youngest junior golfers with a dedicated event. The 14-18 Junior Amateur Championship took place from July 8-10 at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington. More information about this event can be found here.
For full results from today’s round and tee times for tomorrow’s round, click here.
For more information on the Junior Amateur 13 & Under Championship or other MGA events, contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994 or at mogolf@mogolf.org.
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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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