Tanner Elder, Jefferson City, MO
2015 Junior Player of the Year

Junior’s compete in a number of events throughout the season to accumulate points to determine the Player of the Year.

Tanner is a senior at Blair Oaks High School and a member of their Golf team. Tanner who is no stranger to the MGA, has played in many events since he was in the 8th grade. This year he competed in two Hieronymus Junior Series events where he finished 1^st in Eugene and 1^st in Jefferson City. At the Junior Match Play at Rivercut in Springfield, he made it to the round of 32. Tanner then came back and was crowned the Champion at the 2015 Junior Amateur Championship at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville.

Tanner also qualified for the 108^th annual MGA Missouri Amateur Championship, Buffalo Ridge GC in Hollister MO. He made it through the Stroke Play portion with an impressive 36-hole score of 6 over par. Tanner won in the round of 64 against Kory Bowman 2&1 then lost in the round of 32 to Wilson Sundvold after 19 holes.

I have dedicated my time and energy solely to the game of golf since I was in 8th grade. I knew at that time golf was my passion and hopefully my future.

My greatest accomplishments for 2015 were winning the MSHSAA Class 2 State Golf Tournament, winning the MGA Junior Amateur Championship, and earning MGA Player of the Year honors.

I will be signing to play for Coach Tim Poe and the UCM Mules Golf Team on early signing day (November 11).

“My first ever golf tournament was a Missouri Junior Golf Association Tournament at Perche Creek at the age of 10. I won the putting competition and the chipping competition and took 2nd place in the tournament. The Missouri Junior Golf Association has played a large role in my golf career so far, and I look forward to playing MGA competitions for years to come. I would encourage any young people interested in pursuing the game of golf to participate in and support the Missouri Junior Golf Association. It is a great organization.”

Thanks, Tanner