POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (September 16, 2026) — John Moore of Hannibal captured the 2026 Missouri Senior Amateur Championship on Wednesday at Westwood Hills Country Club, finishing the 36-hole championship at 3-under par to hold off Paul Neeman by one stroke.
The two-day championship featured Championship (50+), Super Senior (65+) and Net (50+) divisions, with players battling temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s throughout the event.
Moore put himself atop the Championship leaderboard with an opening-round 67 (-4). He made his move on the back nine, playing his final nine holes in 3-under par. After a birdie on No. 13, Moore closed his round in style with an eagle on the par-5 18th to take a one-stroke advantage into Wednesday’s final round.
Tim Holmes of Springfield sat one shot back following an opening 68 (-3), while Neeman of St. Louis and Jerrod Murphy each carded rounds of 69 (-2).
Moore maintained his position atop the leaderboard during the final round, recording birdies on Nos. 4, 9 and 14. His final-round 72 (+1) gave him a two-day total of 139 (-3), enough to hold off a charge from Neeman and secure the championship.
Neeman followed his opening 69 with an even-par 71 to finish alone in second at 140 (-2). Buddy Allen of Pevely fired a final-round 69 (-2) to climb into a tie for third alongside Holmes at 141 (-1).
Defending champion Brian Haskell of St. Joseph made one of the biggest moves of the final day. After opening with a 75 (+4), Haskell improved by eight strokes with a 67 (-4), finishing tied for fifth at even-par 142 alongside Sean McQueary of Springfield.
Groom Takes Super Senior Title
Steve Groom of Raytown led the Super Senior Division from start to finish, opening with a 70 (-1) to take a one-stroke advantage over Mike O’Neill of St. Louis.
Groom followed with a final-round 73 to finish at 143 (+1), earning a two-stroke victory. O’Neill finished second at 145 (+3) following rounds of 71 and 74, while Robert Trittler of Wentzville placed third at 150 (+8).
Souchek Wins Net Division
Terry Souchek of Columbia also went wire-to-wire in the Net Division. Souchek opened with a net 69 (-2), giving him a three-stroke advantage after the first round.
An even-par net 71 on Wednesday brought Souchek to 140 (-2) for the championship and secured a two-stroke victory.
Mike Domenick of Festus made a final-round charge, improving eight strokes from his opening 75 with a 67 (-4) to finish second at 142 (E). Arnold Bailey of Linn finished third at 147 (+5).
Missouri Golf would like to thank Westwood Hills Country Club and its staff for their hospitality and efforts in hosting the 2026 Missouri Senior Amateur Championship.
Full Results:
https://mga-2026missourisenioramateurchampionshi.golfgenius.com/pages/5801234
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About Missouri Golf
Missouri Golf is the official governing body for amateur golf in Missouri. Founded in 1905, Missouri Golf serves golfers and member clubs across the state through championships, junior golf programs, course rating services, handicapping and initiatives designed to grow and support the game of golf.
