mga logo with an image of a golf ball
Bell, Munzlinger Clinch Junior Match Play Championship in Close Finals

SEDALIA, Mo. (June 13, 2025) – The 25th Junior Match Play Championship came to a close Thursday at Sedalia Country Club as Anna Bell and Anson Munzlinger captured the girls’ and boys’ titles following two highly competitive semifinal and championship matches.

In the girls’ semifinals, Bell (Poplar Bluff, Class of 2029) defeated Kate Ryan (Columbia, Class of 2025) 6 and 5. Bell, 14, won the opening hole and never surrendered the lead, closing out the match on hole 13. Ryan, who will compete for Coastal Carolina University in the fall, was unable to win a hole in the match. 

In the other semifinal, Betsy Mitchell (Kansas City, Class of 2029), also 14, edged Page Bowman (Springfield, Class of 2026) 2 up in a back-and-forth match that reached the 18th hole. Bowman, who is committed to the University of Missouri, led as many as 2 up on the front nine before Mitchell rallied to take control on the back nine and close out the match.

On the boys’ side, Munzlinger (Columbia, Class of 2028) advanced to the final with a 4-and-3 victory over Noah Naugle (Nixa, Class of 2025). Munzlinger went on a run with wins on holes 7, 8 and 9 to build his lead before closing out the match on hole 15. 

In the other semifinal, Cole Packingham (Lake St. Louis, Class of 2026) defeated Ben Christian (Dexter, Class of 2025) 3 and 2. Packingham took the lead for good on hole 10 and extended his advantage to close out the match on hole 16.

In the girls’ championship match, Bell and Mitchell battled through another tight contest. Mitchell took an early lead, going 3 up through seven holes after a strong front nine. Bell responded with wins on holes 8 and 9 to close the gap before tying the match on hole 10. Bell took the lead for the first time on hole 15 and closed out the match with a 2-up victory after reaching the 18th green. With the win, Bell earned an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship, set for July 14-19 at Atlanta Athletic Club.

The boys’ championship match between Munzlinger and Packingham also came down to the 18th hole. Munzlinger opened with a birdie on hole 1, but Packingham grabbed the lead by hole 6 and held it until Munzlinger birdied hole 15 to tie the match. After trading pars on 16 and 17, Munzlinger birdied the 18th to secure a 1-up victory and claim the title. With the win, the 15-year-old earned an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, scheduled for July 21-26 at Trinity Forest Golf Club.

Congratulations to Anna and Anson on their championship wins, and to all players on a great week of competition at Sedalia Country Club. The Missouri Golf Association would also like to thank the entire staff at Sedalia Country Club for their hospitality and excellent course conditions throughout the championship.

Click here for full results from the 25th Junior Match Play Championship. 

For more information, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994.

###

SEDALIA, Mo. (June 11, 2025) — The third day of the 2025 Junior Match Play Championship wrapped up Wednesday at Sedalia Country Club, featuring two full rounds of match play and plenty of competitive matches across both the boys’ and girls’ divisions.

The day began with the top 16 golfers from stroke play competing in the Round of 16.

In the boys’ division, top seed and stroke play medalist Anson Munzlinger (Columbia, Class of 2028) advanced with a 6-and-5 win over Caleb Kim. No. 2 seed Ben Christian (Dexter, Class of 2025) also moved on, winning 3 and 2 against Owen Zastrow. No. 3 seed Cole Packingham (Lake St. Louis, Class of 2026) edged Garrett McIntosh 1 up, while No. 4 seed Noah Naugle (Nixa, Class of 2025) survived a close match against Eli Cummings, winning 1 up.

The only boys’ match to reach extra holes saw No. 7 seed Hayes McIntosh (Lee’s Summit, Class of 2028) defeat No. 10 seed Michael Atnip  in 20 holes. No. 9 seed Dawson Schnieders (Jefferson City, Class of 2026) and No. 11 seed Cason Bekemeier (Republic, Class of 2025) also advanced with upset wins.

In the girls’ division, the top four seeds each advanced comfortably. Stroke play medalist Anna Bell (Poplar Bluff, Class of 2029) defeated Annie Rothery 6 and 5, while No. 2 seed Page Bowman (Springfield, Class of 2026) earned a 6-and-4 win over Rylee Allred. No. 3 seed Betsy Mitchell (Kansas City, Class of 2029) won 4 and 2 over Grace Tiedemann, and No. 4 seed Kate Ryan (Columbia, Class of 2025) defeated Vanessa Ocampo 6 and 5.

Two matches went to extra holes, as No. 10 seed Alexi Omillian (Kansas City, Class of 2029) defeated No. 7 seed Gabby Vineyard in 24 holes, and No. 11 seed Avery Wells (Eldon, Class of 2025) outlasted No. 6 seed DeLaney Daniels in 19 holes.

In the afternoon quarterfinal matches, Munzlinger secured his spot in the semifinals with a 2-up win over Schnieders, while Naugle birdied the 18th hole to defeat Bailey 1 up. Christian advanced with a 3-and-2 victory over Hayes McIntosh, and Packingham defeated Bekemeier 2 and 1 to complete the boys’ semifinal field.

On the girls’ side, Bell advanced with a 3-and-2 win over Addie Swan. Ryan defeated Avery McLaughlin 4 and 2, highlighted by two eagles. Bowman earned a 3-and-1 victory over Omillian, and Mitchell won her second match in extra holes, defeating Wells in 19 holes.

The semifinal rounds will begin Thursday morning at Sedalia Country Club. In the girls’ division, Bell will face Ryan at 8 a.m., followed by Bowman and Mitchell at 8:10 a.m. In the boys’ division, Munzlinger will play Naugle at 8:20 a.m., and Christian will face Packingham at 8:30 a.m. Championship matches will follow in the afternoon.

For complete results and additional information, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994.

###

SEDALIA, Mo. (June 10, 2025) – The second and final round of stroke play wrapped up today at Sedalia Country Club, officially setting the 16-player match play fields for both the boys and girls divisions at the 25th Junior Match Play Championship.

In the girls division, Anna Bell (Poplar Bluff, Class of 2029) earned stroke play medalist honors after firing a 1-under 69 in the second round. Bell finished with a two-day total of 1-over 141, becoming the only player in the girls field to post an under-par round during stroke play. She recorded three birdies and just one bogey on the day.

Page Bowman (Springfield, Class of 2026) secured second place at 4-over 144. Bowman, a past semifinalist and 2023 runner-up in this event, parred every hole on the front nine during her second-round 72. She is committed to play golf for the University of Missouri after graduating next year.

Betsy Mitchell (Kansas City, Class of 2029) carded a 1-over 71 in round two to finish at 6-over 146, while Kate Ryan (Columbia, Class of 2025) and Avery McLaughlin (Town and Country, Class of 2025) rounded out the top five at 8-over 148 and 9-over 149, respectively. 

Addie Swan (Lee’s Summit, Class of 2027) made the biggest move of the day, bouncing back from an opening 83 with a 71 that included four birdies to secure her match play spot.

The cut for match play was set at 20-over, with 16 players advancing without the need for a playoff. 

In the boys division, Anson Munzlinger (Columbia, Class of 2028) defended his stroke play medalist title for the second straight year. Munzlinger matched his opening round score with another 3-under 67, posting a two-day total of 6-under 134. He carded four birdies and just one bogey on Tuesday, with a clean back nine to close out stroke play.

Ben Christian (Dexter, Class of 2025) also shot 67 in round two to finish second at 3-under 137. Christian, who will play collegiate golf at the University of Southern Indiana this fall, tallied three birdies and an eagle on the day. 

Cole Packingham (Lake St. Louis, Class of 2026) placed third at 2-under 138, followed by Noah Naugle (Nixa, Class of 2025) and Jaxon Bailey (Monett, Class of 2025), who tied for fourth at 1-under 139. Only five boys in the field finished stroke play under par.

Hayes McIntosh (Lee’s Summit, Class of 2028) recorded the low round of the day, shooting 4-under 66 to climb into a tie for seventh after opening with a 76.

The cut to qualify for match play was 5-over. A six-for-four playoff determined the final spots in the bracket. Eli Cummings (Eldon, Class of 2028) and Garrett McIntosh (Columbia, Class of 2025) both birdied the first playoff hole to advance. Owen Zastrow (Washington, Class of 2027) and Caleb Kim (Springfield, Class of 2027) each secured spots after making par on the third playoff hole.

Girls Match Play Qualifiers (Top 16):

  • Anna Bell (Poplar Bluff, Class of 2029)
  • Page Bowman (Springfield, Class of 2026)
  • Betsy Mitchell (Kansas City, Class of 2029)
  • Kate Ryan (Columbia, Class of 2025)
  • Avery McLaughlin (Town and Country, Class of 2025)
  • Addie Swan (Lee’s Summit, Class of 2027)
  • DeLaney Daniels (Bolivar, Class of 2026)
  • Gabby Vineyard (Kearney, Class of 2028)
  • KC Lenox (St. Peters, Class of 2025)
  • Alexi Omillian (Kansas City, Class of 2029)
  • Avery Wells (Eldon, Class of 2025)
  • Addison Davis (Kirksville, Class of 2025)
  • Vanessa Ocampo (Raymore, Class of 2028)
  • Grace Tiedemann (Rogersville, Class of 2026)
  • Rylee Allred (Ash Grove, Class of 2027)
  • Annie Rothery (St. Louis, Class of 2027)

Boys Match Play Qualifiers (Top 16):

  • Anson Munzlinger (Columbia, Class of 2028)
  • Ben Christian (Dexter, Class of 2025)
  • Cole Packingham (Lake St. Louis, Class of 2026)
  • Noah Naugle (Nixa, Class of 2025)
  • Jaxon Bailey (Monett, Class of 2025)
  • Hayes McIntosh (Lee’s Summit, Class of 2028)
  • Landon Barks (Poplar Bluff, Class of 2027)
  • Hudson Shy (St. Charles, Class of 2027)
  • Dawson Schnieders (Jefferson City, Class of 2026)
  • Michael Atnip (Jefferson City, Class of 2026)
  • Cason Bekemeier (Republic, Class of 2025)
  • Grayson Moore (Jefferson City, Class of 2026)
  • Eli Cummings (Eldon, Class of 2028)
  • Garrett McIntosh (Columbia, Class of 2025)
  • Owen Zastrow (Washington, Class of 2027)
  • Caleb Kim (Springfield, Class of 2027)

Match play competition begins tomorrow morning at Sedalia Country Club with both the Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches scheduled. Tee times begin at 8 a.m. 

Click here to view full results from today’s qualifying round. 

For complete pairings and more information, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994.

###

SEDALIA, Mo. (June 9, 2025) – The Missouri Golf Association’s 25th annual Junior Match Play Championship teed off this morning at Sedalia Country Club, with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m. for the first round of stroke play.

The top 16 boys and top 16 girls after tomorrow’s second round will advance to match play on Wednesday. Any ties for the final spots will be determined in a sudden-death playoff immediately following stroke play.

Sharing the lead in the boys division are Michael Atnip (Jefferson City, Class of 2026) and Anson Munzlinger (Columbia, Class of 2028), who each carded a 3-under-par 67. Atnip recorded four birdies and an eagle on the day, while Munzlinger—last year’s stroke play medalist—posted a clean back nine with four birdies overall.

Cole Packingham (Lake St. Louis, Class of 2026) sits in third place at 2-under 68, finishing the round with three birdies and just one bogey. Tied for fourth at even-par 70, are Ben Christian (Dexter, Class of 2025) and Noah Naugle (Nixa, Class of 2025). Christian, who will play collegiate golf at the University of Southern Indiana, and Naugle, who will join the Missouri State University golf program this fall, both recently graduated high school.

In the girls division, Page Bowman (Springfield, Class of 2026) leads the field with a 2-over-par 72. Bowman, a semifinalist in this event last year and the 2024 Junior Amateur Champion, made two birdies during her round.

Tied for second at 3-over, 73, are Anna Bell (Poplar Bluff, Class of 2029) and Kate Ryan (Columbia, Class of 2025). Bell, an incoming high school freshman, is the youngest player in the top 10. Ryan, who will compete for Coastal Carolina University in the fall, also remains in contention after a strong opening round.

Betsy Mitchell (Kansas City, Class of 2029) is currently in fourth at 5-over 75, while Avery McLaughlin (Town and Country, Class of 2025), a University of Richmond commit, rounds out the top five at 6-over 76.

Tomorrow’s second round of stroke play will begin at 7:30 a.m. The top 16 in each division will move on to match play, with the Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches scheduled for Wednesday.

Click here for full results from today’s round. 

For full scores, tee times, and more information, visit www.mogolf.org or contact the MGA office at (573) 636-8994.

###

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.

Media Contact: 

Ella Fixsen 

Director of Marketing, Media & Communications

efixsen@mogolf.org