COLUMBIA, Mo. (June 25, 2025) — The Missouri Golf Association hosted a Champions and Hall of Fame Dinner on Monday, June 23, honoring some of the state’s best contributors to the game. The special evening celebrated the accomplishments of new Hall of Fame inductees Roy “Rocky” Walther and Steve Groom, recognized a group of Missouri Amateur Champions in attendance, and presented the Mal Mayse Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri State High School Activities Association to MGA Executive Director Scott Hovis.

The Mal Mayse Distinguished Service Award is presented each year by MSHSAA to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to interscholastic activities across the state. Hovis was recognized for his ongoing support of high school golf, including promoting inclusivity through the Ken Lanning Golf Center and supporting state championship tournaments. 

The MGA Hall of Fame also added two distinguished names to its roster. Walther has served the MGA for nearly three decades, including as a Board member from 1997–2024, president from 2002–04 and 2019–21 and Senior Series director from 2022–25. As a player, Walther qualified for the 1981 U.S. Mid‑Amateur, won the Missouri Senior Four‑Ball in 1997 and claimed the Super Senior Four‑Ball in 2016.

Groom was honored for an exceptional competitive career that includes 17 USGA qualifications — nine in the U.S. Amateur Public Links, five in the U.S. Open local qualifiers, two in the U.S. Mid‑Amateur and one in the U.S. Senior Amateur. Groom has also accumulated 22 Missouri championships and 10 Kansas City Golf Association titles, and earned 19 player-of-the-year honors across both organizations.

In addition to honoring Walther, Groom and Hovis, the MGA celebrated the accomplishments of 12 past Missouri Amateur Champions in attendance, representing the best of competitive golf in the state.

From junior events to state championships, the Missouri Golf Association works to create opportunities, build connections and inspire a passion for the game that lasts a lifetime.

For more information about the 118th Missouri Amateur Championship, 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 Country 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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Ella Fixsen

Director of Marketing, Media & Communications

efixsen@mogolf.org