EUREKA, Mo. (October 5, 2026) — The West continued its run in the Hieronymus Cup on Sunday at Fox Run Golf Club, capturing its fifth consecutive Championship Division title, while the East Senior Team retained its Cup in dramatic fashion with the competition coming down to the final hole.
The 33rd Hieronymus Cup Matches brought together many of the top players from across Missouri for two days of Ryder Cup-style match play on Oct. 3-4. Players earn their way onto the East and West teams through their performances during the Missouri Golf season, with U.S. Highway 63 serving as the dividing line between the two sides of the state.
The West entered Sunday’s singles matches with a 7-3 advantage in the Championship Division after the opening day of foursomes and four-ball matches. The West then earned 5.5 points during singles to close out a 12.5-7.5 victory and secure the Cup for the fifth consecutive year.
Hunter Parrish helped lead the West’s effort with an 8 & 7 singles victory over Ryan Schuenke, while Jeffrey Johnston defeated Ryan Eckelkamp, 3 & 1. Kory Franks added a 2 & 1 victory over Brad Carpenter, Julian Taylor defeated Ryan Sullivan, 1 up, and Brad Nurski earned a 1-up win over Tony Gumper. Ben Tummons added the West’s final half point by tying John Kelly.
The victory continued a dominant stretch for the West, which has now captured the Championship Division in five consecutive editions of the Hieronymus Cup.
While the Championship Division belonged to the West, the Senior Cup provided a finish that came down to the final hole of the weekend.
The Senior East and West teams entered Sunday’s singles matches tied at 5-5. With the final matches coming down the stretch, neither side could create separation, and the Senior Cup ultimately hinged on Brian Lovett’s match.
Lovett came to the 18th hole 1 down and needing a half point for the East to retain the Cup. He won the final hole to halve his match and secure the crucial half point, bringing the final Senior score to 10-10 and allowing the East to retain the Senior Hieronymus Cup after winning the competition in 2025.
The tie marked the first in the history of the Senior competition. The West now holds a 9-7-1 advantage in the all-time Senior series.
The Hieronymus Cup traces its roots to the Missouri Cup, which Missouri Golf began in 1994. The competition was renamed in 1997 in honor of Damon Hieronymus (1909-1997) of Sedalia, a longtime Missouri Golf board member and junior golf supporter. Hieronymus and Ken Lanning were instrumental in Missouri junior golf throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, and Hieronymus left a trust to the association for the betterment of amateur and junior golf in Missouri.
The annual matches serve as a fitting conclusion to the Missouri Golf championship season, rewarding players for their performances throughout the year with an opportunity to represent their side of the state in team competition.
Missouri Golf congratulates each member of the 2026 East and West teams on earning a place in this year’s matches and thanks them for their participation throughout the championship season. Their performances and support throughout the year continue to make championship golf in Missouri special.
Missouri Golf would also like to thank Fox Run Golf Club and its staff for hosting the 2026 Hieronymus Cup Matches and for their hospitality throughout the weekend.
2026 EAST TEAM
Captain: Brad Carpenter
Ryan Sullivan
Corey Choate
Ryan Schuenke
Thomas Wuennenberg
Adam Pfeiffer
John Kelly
Chad Niezing
Tony Gumper
Ryan Eckelkamp
2026 WEST TEAM
Captain: Kory Franks
Hunter Parrish
Chase Gafner
Derek Reynolds
Dylan Bekemeier
Ben Tummons
Julian Taylor
Brad Nurski
Hunter Jowers
Jeffrey Johnston
2026 EAST SENIOR TEAM
Captain: Bobby Godwin
Buddy Allen
Tod Rose
Paul Neeman
Brian Lovett
John Moore
Tony Nolfo
David Strickland
Ronnie Strong
David Johnson
Brad Thielemier
2026 WEST SENIOR TEAM
Captain: Antonio Serrano
Brian Haskell
Wayne Fredrick
Tim Holmes
Sean McQueary
Harry Roberts
Scott Whittaker
Steve Aldridge
Jeff Eiserman
Ed Brown
Travis Mitchell
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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 across the state through championships, junior golf programs, member services, handicapping and initiatives designed to grow and support the game.
