OTA April Meeting Recap - 2025

Our April Ozark Turf Association meeting, sponsored by Harrell’s, was well attended with 38 members participating in our educational event. Dr. Xi Xiong from the University of Missouri presented information on the history of billbugs in Missouri along with research on the best control methods.

Prior to Dr. Xiong’s presentation, members were treated with a wonderful breakfast buffet, put together by the staff at Osage National Golf Resort, with many of the following favorites, eggs, sausage, bacon, and sausage gravy and biscuits

After the education event, members headed out to play the Mountain and Links nines of Osage National, and after prizes were handed out, some of the members went to check out the renovations of the River nine. Host superintendent Jeff Sommerer and his staff had the course in great condition for our golfers.

Results are as follows:

Proximity winners were,

Mountain # 2 sponsored by Brandt - Matt Strong from VanWall Equipment

Mountain # 4 sponsored by Harrell’s - Chuck Ermisch from Ermisch Golf Architecture

Links # 4 sponsored by SiteOne - Paul Lewis, Golf Course Superintendent, L. A. Nickell G.C. City of Columbia

Links # 8 sponsored by GreensPro - Les Lents staff at The Oaks, Margaritaville Resort

Scramble Team Results:

With a score of 61 - Team Margaritaville, Superintendent Jay Ballad, staff members Les Lents, Spencer Melville, and Chuck Sharamito.

2nd place with a score 64 - Jed Spencer with Harrell’s, Joey Roberts, superintendent, Holiday Hills, Cody Gray, superintendent at Carthage G.C. and his assistant, Ryan McInerney.

3rd place with a score of 67 - Brad Seidt, golf course superintendent at Lake Valley Golf Club, his assistant Chris Smith, along with Austen Gearhart with Advanced Turf Solutions.

Individual Results paid out two flights, 3 places:

First flight -

1st place - Aaron Borland with a 76

2nd place - Randy Robinson with an 81 - Central Region GCSAA representative

3rd place - Travis Thompson with an 82 - assistant superintendent The Oaks at Margaritaville

Second fight -

1st place breaking a tie using the scorecard, Kolby Armbruster golf course superintendent Ledgestone Country Club with an 85

2nd place with an 85, Russel Cole, Kansas Golf and Turf

3rd place with an 89, Tyler Cook, assistant superintendent L.A. Nickell.

Low Net was Melvin Waldron III, CGCS, superintendent at Horton Smith Golf Course who took advantage of his high handicap and breaking a scorecard tie finished with a net score of 74.

Thanks again to our host Superintendent Jeff Sommerer and all of the staff at Osage National Golf Resort, Jed Spencer and sponsor Harrell’s, and Dr. Xi Xiong for our education presentation.