SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 21, 2025) – The Missouri Golf Association kicked off the 2025 Senior Series season today with its first event at Highland Springs Country Club. The par-72 course welcomed senior golfers from across the state to compete in various divisions on a challenging layout.
Highland Springs, located in Springfield, Missouri, has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments over the years and provided an ideal setting for the season opener.
In the 50-54 Open division, Brad Thielemier (Poplar Bluff) led the field with a 1-under, 71, highlighted by six birdies. Tod Rose (West Plains) followed closely with a 2-over, 74, and Mark Lee (Miller) finished third with a 4-over, 76.
Troy Bell (Poplar Bluff) topped the 55-59 Open division with a 7-over, 79, while Neil Atkinson (Eldon) finished second at 10-over, 82. Paul Patrikus (Springfield) took third with a score of 104.
The 60-64 Open division saw a tie for first between Steve Groom (Raytown) and David Pfeil (Eureka), both carding impressive rounds of 2-under, 70. Groom notched three birdies, while Pfeil scored four. A three-way tie for third at 2-over, 74 included Jeff Spies (Ozark), Tim Holmes (Springfield), and Dan Luebbert (Holts Summit).
Dennis Osborne (Ballwin) claimed the 65-69 Open division title with a 2-over, 74 that included two birdies. Bobby McKay (Joplin) followed with a 4-over, 76, and Russ Trippensee (Jefferson City) finished third with a 10-over, 82.
In the 70+ Open division, Ron Eilers (Columbia) took first with a 2-over, 74, boosted by four birdies. Robert Trittler (Wentzville) finished one stroke behind with a 3-over, 75. Don Kuehn (Kansas City) and Tony Brown (St. Louis) tied for third at 6-over, 78.
In the Net divisions, which apply each golfer’s handicap, Mark McCarter (Jefferson City) won the 50-59 Net division with a 1-under, 71. Jeff Brown (Sunrise Beach) finished even-par, and Tim Borman (Kingdom City) and Russ Hinds (Ozark) tied for third at 2-over, 74.
Russ Fees (Dadeville) led the 60-64 Net division with a 3-under, 69. Joseph Blandina (St. Charles) was close behind at 1-under, 71, and Bill Moseman (Blue Eye) posted even-par, 72.
Joe Brown (St. Joseph) earned the 65-69 Net title with an even-par, 72, and included an ace in his round! Tony Farris (Fulton) and Leo Beardslee (Raytown) rounded out the top three at 1-over, 73, and 3-over, 75 respectively.
Mark Benedetto (Columbia) took the 70-74 Net division with a 2-under, 70. Ray Burton (Warrensburg) finished second at 1-under, 71, while Dana Elwell (Nixa), Ron Hogue (Springfield), and Terry Souchek (Columbia) tied for third at 4-over, 76.
In the 75+ Net division, Gerald Oney (Walnut Shade) carded a 1-under, 71 to secure the win. Lee Larscheid (Kansas City) and Thomas Allen (Wildwood) tied for second at 2-over, 74.
Click here to view full results from this event.
Congratulations to all the competitors for starting the season strong!
The next Senior Series event is scheduled for tomorrow, April 22, at Millwood Golf & Racquet Club. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.mogolf.org/ or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994.
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ABOUT MGA: The Missouri Golf Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the best interests and true spirit of golf throughout the state of Missouri.
Founded in 1905 in St. Louis, the MGA was established to conduct the Missouri Amateur Championship, originally hosted by four founding clubs—St. Louis Country Club, Algonquin Golf Club, Glen Echo Golf Club, and Normandie Golf Club. In 1909, the invite-only championship expanded to Kansas City’s Evanston Club, and by 1911, the MGA became formally organized under Bonner Miller, its first Secretary and Executive Director. Since then, the MGA has grown to provide a variety of competitive tournaments, junior programs, and resources that support golfers of all ages and skill levels, continuing its mission to grow and enhance the game across Missouri.
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