NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. (Oct. 8, 2025) — The Missouri Golf Association wrapped up its season-ending Senior Series Tour Championship today at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club, where top point earners from this season’s Senior Series Tour were invited to compete in a two-day finale.
The championship featured shotgun starts at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. today and showcased the depth of senior golf across Missouri in both open and net divisions.
The Senior Series is a season-long schedule of events for men ages 50 and older contested at both private and public courses statewide. Players accumulate points throughout the season; those standings determine invitations to the Tour Championship.
In the 50–54 Open division, Brad Thielemier (Poplar Bluff) claimed the title at 5-over 149 with rounds of 75 and 74, carding three birdies each day to seal a season-capping win after taking first or sharing first in two other Senior Series events. Tod Rose (West Plains) finished runner-up at 153 with 78–75, and Tony Nolfo took third on 157 after rounds of 79–78.
The 55–59 Open division belonged to Brian Mitchell (Monroe), who continued his dominant 2025 form with a winning 152. After opening with a 79, Mitchell posted a composed 1-over 73 in the final round featuring two birdies against only three bogeys. The result adds to a spotless Senior Series ledger this year—first place in all four events he entered—while Rodney Dolbeare (Louisiana) and Greg Crawford (Joplin) shared second at 165.
A late charge decided the 60–64 Open division, where John Gafner (Springfield) turned in a 1-over 73 today to finish at 6-over 150 and secure the trophy. Gafner’s five birdies in the final round provided the edge as he added this win to a season that included one other shared victory in the series. David Pfeil (Eureka) nearly matched the surge, improving to 73 for a 151 total after opening with 78, cleaning up the card with two birdies and only three bogeys, while Scott Whittaker (Scottsdale) was steady on twin 77s for 154.
In the 65–69 Open division, Joe Bellmer (Columbia) closed confidently with 78–75 for 153, highlighted by four birdies today to cap a season that already featured three wins on the Senior Series. B.J. Curry (Sunrise Beach) finished second at 155 with rounds of 79–76, and Bobby McKay (Joplin) and Russ Trippensee (Jefferson City) shared third at 157.
The 70+ Open was a wire-to-wire statement from Don Kuehn (Kansas City), who won by 10 shots at even-par 144. Kuehn opened with a 73 that included five birdies and followed with a 1-under 71 featuring four birdies and just three bogeys, adding the championship to a season in which he has already won or tied for first in four other Senior Series events. George Bowler (Warrensburg) claimed second at 154 after rounds of 75–79 with eight birdies across the two days, and Ron Eilers (Columbia) placed third at 164 with 84–80.
With handicaps applied, the net competitions produced their own storylines. Kyle Adkins (Camdenton) topped the 50–59 Net division at 5-over 149 on rounds of 72–77, notching another trophy in a year that also included two other wins. Tim Borman and Mark McCarter shared second at 152.
The 60–64 Net division ended in a tie between Doug Grooms (Camdenton) and Ronald Wofford (Warrenton) at 11-over 155, a fitting finish for two players who each posted three wins or ties during the season. Bill Moseman (Blue Eye) finished a single stroke back at 156.
In the 65–69 Net division, Samuel Puckett (Holts Summit) prevailed at 7-over 155 on rounds of 74–77, adding to three earlier wins this year. Tony Farris (Fulton) finished one shot behind at 152 with 80–72, while Dave Pingel (Branson West) followed closely at 153 after 78–75.
The 70–74 Net division went to Terry Soucheck (Columbia) at 6-over 150 with 76–74, continuing a standout run that already featured four other wins or ties this season. Mark Benedetto (Columbia) placed second at 153 with 80–73, and Darrell Oller (Maryville) took third at 157 after rounds of 79–78.
Rounding out the Net slate, King Edmondston (St. Louis) captured his first Senior Series Tour win of the season in the 75+ division at 5-over 149 with 75–74. Thomas Allen (Wildwood) finished second at 160 after 77–83, and Ben Ellis (Sunrise Beach) was third at 161 with 75–86.
The MGA extends its thanks to Meadow Lake Acres Country Club for its hospitality across both days. Congratulations to all qualifiers for earning their places in the field, and to our champions for closing the season on top!
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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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