Payne's Valley Hosts the 116th Missouri Amateur Championship

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Payne’s Valley the Big Cedar Golf Course designed by Tiger Woods, hosted the 116th Missouri Amateur Championship.

The week started with two days of stroke play to find the 64 golfers who would then switch to a match play format. Cade Uhlenhake was the medalist from the stroke play portion of the Championship firing 5 under each day, with his pair of 67’s he headed into match play shooting 10 under 134. The cut portion to get into match play was at six over 150, where 10 players had to battle for the last two spots in Match Play.

Four rounds of Match Play left Peter Weaver battling Michael Winslow for the scheduled 36 hole final match. Peter Wever emerged victorious with a 4 & 2 win as the final lasted 34 holes. Congratulations to Peter.

Congratulations go also to our Ozark Turf Association members who helped produce the great conditions for the event. Jeff Steen, CGCS - VP of Golf, Steve Johnson CGCS - Director of Golf Maintenance, Ryan Wilkinson, golf course superintendent, and Clint McKee, Equipment Manager, along with the help of their teams supported the event.

(Photos courtesy of the Missouri Golf Association, and thank you for recognizing the maintenance staff)

OTA June Meeting Recap

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The June 14th meeting hosted by Hidden Valley Golf Links and sponsored by SiteOne Golf and Landscape Supply, was well attended. Our speaker Jonathan Prange, CGCS, Superintendent at Highland Springs Country Club talked about setting up aperies. Jon started it as a hobby when he was in Arkansas, he continued it at his new home here in Missouri and they have also started hives at Highland Springs. A good reminder for those volunteering for the Price Cutter Championship, as the bees like to swarm around sweet drinks.

Lunch was catered in from Flat Creek Restaurant in Republic, the BBQ pulled pork was good and the chicken tenders were great, they included sides of baked beans and mac and cheese. Unfortunately, Flat Creek felt our location was a little far to include their famous catfish on the lunch menu.

After lunch the group enjoyed 18 holes of golf. We played our own ball and had prizes in three flights.

In the Championship flight placing first after a scorecard playoff, was Dusten “Duck” Buckner, using his local knowledge, shot a 76. Duck in the assistant superintendent at Hidden Valley and probably put the pins in his favorite spots. Also shooting 76 was Russell Cole, territory manager for Kansas Golf and Turf, he took second place. Coming in third place with a 77 winning a scorecard playoff was Barry Siems, owner of Precision Turf Products.

In the first flight, coming in first with a score of 80, was Andrew Jones territory manager for SiteOne. In second place also using his local knowledge was Hidden Valley Superintendent, Adam Camp with a score of 82. In third place also using local knowledge from all the rounds he has played there was Mark Slaughter of GreensPro, who had an 83. Adam and Mark must have had a side match going, their group had to play an emergency nine holes after prizes were handed out.

In second flight, coming in first with a score of 95, was Jon Prange, CGCS winning a scorecard playoff with second place Chad Short, Mt. Vernon Golf Course Manager. Third place with a 96 was Austen Gearheart, territory manager for Advanced Turf Products.

Proximity winners were as follows:

Hole # 3 sponsored by Brandt - Adam Camp, this was probably the one pin placed by Adam, it held up to the onslaught of all the other groups including the Buckner group who were the last ones to play the hole. We must of put too much pressure on them, as they were aware that Adam did have the closest to the pin but couldn’t knock his name off the card.

Hole # 5 sponsored by SiteOne - Barry Siems

Hole # 11 sponsored by GreensPro - Russell Cole

Hole # 16 sponsored by VanWall Equipment - Melvin Waldron III, CGCS, Superintendent at Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

Thanks again to everyone who attended, Adam, Duck and all the staff at Hidden Valley for hosting us, SiteOne for sponsoring the meeting, Flat Creek Restaurant - Republic for lunch, proximity sponsors Brandt, SiteOne, GreensPro and VanWall.

Hopefully we will see many of you at the Price Cutter Charity Championship helping prepare the course for the Korn Ferry Event, there is still time to sign up. If not there we look forward to seeing everyone at our family fun night at the Springfield Cardinals on Friday August 11th sponsored by Syngenta.

GreenSight Agronomics Joins the OTA

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GreenSight Agronomics, providers of technology for golf courses, which includes aerial drone imaging along with TurfCloud, a cloud-based service to help monitor and manage data collection, along with analysis and other agronomic and management tools, has joined the Ozark Turf Association as a vendor partner for 2023.

We welcome GreenSight’s support that allows us to offer networking and educational opportunities to our members. Please thank regional representative Zach Severns the next time you see him.

OTA Members Prepare Courses for MGA Events

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Many of our Ozark Turf Association Members have been preparing their golf courses for Missouri Golf Association events so far this year.

It started in April with Chad Hoerschgen at Millwood Golf and Racquet Club and Jon Prange, CGCS at Highland Springs Country Club hosted the MGA Senior Series.

In May, the MGA returned to Millwood for their Senior Fourball Championship.

In June, Dan Kersting and crew at Rivercut Golf Course, hosted one of the Missouri Amateur qualifying tournaments. Also the MGA vistied another Springfield-Greene County Park Board Course, for their Jr. Match Play Championship, held at the Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course, prepared by Scott Welsh and his staff.

For results of any of these events, visit the Missouri Golf Association website:Missouri Golf Association | Official Website of the Missouri Golf Association (mogolf.org)

As the season progresses, we will continue to spotlight where our members are providing championship conditions for various tournaments. Members, please share your tournaments so we can recognize everyone’s efforts.

OTA Scholarship and Research Fundraiser a Success

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The Ozark Turf Association Scholarship and Research Fundraiser hosted by Silo Ridge Country Club was a success. With a record number of participants, (101), we were able to raise over $7,000 dollars, with $6,000 earmarked for scholarships and the rest for funding OTA’s portion of the University of Arkansas research project that the OTA and other GCSAA affiliated chapters are supporting through the GCSAA Chapter Cooperative Research Program.

The weather was perfect as was the golf course, prepared by OTA member, golf course superintendent, Ronnie Harman and his crew. The traditional taco bar lunch with cookies and hors d’oeuvre served as scores were being tallied, was sponsored by Syngenta.

We would like to thank all of the following partners for sponsoring teams and tee signs.

Midwest Turf                                                 Precision Turf Products

Syngenta (2 teams)                                         SiteOne                                              

PBI Gordon                                                   Turfwerks                                                     

BASF                                                              Corteva

Knox Fertilizer                                              Advanced Turf Solutions

GreensPro                                                      Professional Turf Products       

envu                                                                The Andersons                                             

Kansas Golf and Turf                                   FMC (2 teams)

VanWall                                                          Nufarm

Reinders                                                         Redexim Turf Equipment

Clear Creek Golf Car and Utility Vehicles

Team winners were as followed:

First place in first flight, with a score of 55 and winning in a scorecard playoff was the Precision Turf Products team, consisting of Barry Siems, owner of Precision Turf Products, Mike Irvine, Golf Facility Manager for Springfield-Greene County Parks, Scott Welsh, Golf Superintendent, Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course, and Josh Black, GM/Pro at Hail Ridge Golf Course.

Second place in first flight, also with a 55 was the VanWall team, consisting of Matt Strong, regional sales VanWall, Ryan McInerney, assistant superintendent at Carthage Golf Course, Tristen Donald, assistant superintendent at Old Kinderhook, and Hayden Eichelberger, superintendent at California Country Club.

Third place in first flight, with a score of 58, was the envu team, with Wes Kleffner, with envu, Kolby Armbruster, golf superintendent Ledgestone Country Club, Justin Thomas, (no, not that JT), superintendent at Top of The Rock, Big Cedar Lodge, and Craig Linson.

Hitting the sweet spot of second flight with all winning teams shooting 62, in first place was the Advanced Turf Solutions team of Austen Gearhart, territory manager for ATS, Maron Towes, superintendent at Schifferdecker Golf Course, Aaron Borland, current OTA Champion, and Eric Campbell.

Second place in second flight, taking advantage of home knowledge was the Silo Ridge team of superintendent Ronnie Harman and crew members Andy Routh, Derek Kelly, and Darrel Cloyd.

Third place in second flight was the Professional Turf Products team, which was basically the Lake Valley Golf Club team, with Brad Gray with Professional Turf Products, Brad Seidt golf course superintendent, Dale Harrison and Chris Smith, assistants, all at Lake Valley Golf Club.

The third flight teams had a score of 64 with first place going to the FMC Team 1 with Nathan Strait field operations coordinator with the Springfield Cardinals, Jeremy Thomas, superintendent at Indian Tree Golf Course, Cody Gray, superintendent at Carthage Golf Course, and Conner Antonetti, assistant superintendent, Hickory Hills Country Club.

Second place third flight was the Syngenta 1 team, of Paul Carlson, Syngenta represenitive, Ty Lewis, superintendent/GM at Mt. View Golf Course, Brian Bauer, superintendentn at Windmill Ridge Golf Course, and Travis Thompson, assistant superintendent at Margaritaville Resort

Third place in third flight, was FMC team 2 with Rob Ritchey with ATS, Matt Overton, superintendent and Joey Roberts, assitant superintendent at Holiday Hills Golf Club and Tony Tetrino.

Proximity winners were:

Closest to the Pin # 2 - Sponsored by Greens Pro - Justin Thomas

Closest to the Pin # 5 - Sponsored by SiteOne - Scott Welsh

Closest to the Pin # 11 - Sponsored by Cortiva - Loren Bernstein

Closest to the Pin # 17 - Sponsored by VanWall - Tyler Scroggins

Longest Drive # 7 - Sponsored by FMC - Hayden Eichelberger

Again, we thank Silo Ridge Country Club for being a wonderful host, all our sponsors who without their support we would not have a successful event, and to all our golfers who spend a day away from their facilities to support this worthy cause.

VanWall Renews their 2023 Gold Partnership

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Van Wall Golf, distributers of John Deere equipment have renewed their Gold Partner for 2023. They have been long time Gold Partners.

Van Wall will also be our 2024 Education/Annual Meeting Partner and the lunch partner at this year’s OTA Golf Championships.

Along with those partnerships, VanWall also sponsored proximity prizes for the Scholarship and Research outing and the June monthly meeting.

We thank VanWall for making possible education and networking opportunities for our members.

Please thank Matt Strong, Golf and Turf Territory Manager the next time you see him.

Former Karl Anderson Legacy Scholarship Winner Graduates

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Congratulations to former Karl Anderson Legacy Scholarship winner, Maycee Fishel who recently graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Recently Maycee completed a yearlong marketing internship at O’Reilly Auto Parts corporate office in Springfield MO. She is now working full time with O’Reilly as an email marketing specialist.

Maycee is the daughter of Christina and Tyler Fishel, Tyler is a long time OTA member with GreensPro, suppliers of turf products. Maycee, is a 2019 graduate of Marshfield High School, Mayce also spent some time working in the golf business taking care of carts at Whispering Oaks Golf Course where OTA Member Kevin Taylor is the Golf Course Superintendent.

The Ozark Turf Association congratulations Maycee on her great accomplishment and we’re proud to have played a small part, supporting her in achieving her goals. We thank all of our members and vendor partners for their support for our scholarship and research fundraising efforts every year that makes these scholarships possible.

FMC Renews their Gold Partner status with the OTA

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FMC has renewed as a Gold Partner for 2023 with the Ozark Turf Association. Along with sponsoring two teams, they are also sponsors of our long drive contest at our Scholarship and Research Outing, which coincides with the OTA’s strong showing in the golf simulator in the FMC booth at the 2023 GCSAA Conference and Show. FMC will also be the OTA lunch partner at the 2024 Education/Annual Meeting, they have also partnered with us for the 2023 March meeting and will be sponsoring 4 proximity prizes at upcoming monthly meetings.

FMC’s support of our chapter helps us provide educational and networking opportunities for our members. Thank you, FMC and Matt Bradley Market Specialist, for supporting the Ozark Turf Assocation.

Ozark Turf Association Member Achieves GCSAA Class A Status

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Brad Seidt, Golf Course Superintendent at Lake Valley Golf Club in Camdenton, Missouri, achieved Class A status last month with the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA). Brad was recognized in the May 2023 issue of Golf Course Mangement.

The Ozark Turf Association would like to congratulate Brad for reaching this milestone.

The definition of a Class A member is a golf industry professional; who possesses knowledge, skills and abilities through a combination of education, experience, professional development and environmental stewardship; and has met and continues to fulfill on-going Class A renewal requirements.

For members looking to earn Class A status, it consists of a combination of formal education, experience as a golf course superintendent, continuing education and providing proof of a valid pesticide license or passing the GCSAA IPM Exam. Class A membership demonstrates a personal commitment to lifelong learning, environmental stewardship and elevating the golf course management profession. It also shows employers that your achievements and competencies are documented and validated. For those looking to pursue Class A status, reach out to Randy Robinson, Central Field Representative at GCSAA.

Ozark Turf Association Scholarship Applications Are Now Open

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Applications for the two scholarships offered by the Ozark Turf Association are now open.

We offer the Karl Anderson Legacy Scholarship, open to children and grandchildren of OTA Members.

We also offer the OTA Industry Scholarship, which is open to students working on the golf course for OTA Members, who are preferably working on turf degrees or similar fields.

Both applications can be found on our website and downloaded. Applications are due by July 31st, 2023.

Mother Nature Finally Defeated at April OTA Meeting

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With a light steady rain early that April 27th morning, we still had 31 OTA members and guest attend the April Ozark Turf Association Meeting, presented by Professional Turf Products, hosted by Fremont Hills Country Club. Attendees enjoyed a lunch creating their own versions of goodness from the fajita buffet.

After lunch, as attendees kept an eye on the radar, 17 golfers decided to challenge Mother Nature. The rain lightened up during the front nine and had stopped, as groups started making the turn. The format for golf consisted of individual Stableford scoring, which was flighted.

Winning the first flight with a total of 33 points was Justin Thomas, Golf Course Superintendent at Top of The Rock, Big Cedar Golf Resort. Second place went to guest Jeremy Thomas (no relation), Golf Course Superintendent at Indian Tree Golf Course, he had 28 points. Third place with 27 points was Brad Seidt, Golf Course Superintendent at Lake Valley Golf Club.

Second flight winners were, in first place with 16 points, Dustin (Duck, which was approprite with the weather) Buckner, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at Hidden Valley Golf Links. Second place also with 16 points went to Chase Shipley, second assistant at Highland Springs Country Club, with third place with 15 points going to David Moore, branch manager of SiteOne, Springfield.

Since we weren’t sure we would be able to get all 18 holes in, we decided to have a drawing for our closest to the pin prizes. The winners were as follows:

  • Hole # 3 sponsored by Brandt - Kolby Armbruster, Golf Course Superintendent at Ledgestone Country Club

  • Hole # 5 sponsored by FMC - Tyler Fishel, GreensPro

  • Hole # 12 sponsored by GreensPro - Dale Harrison, Assistant Superintendent, Lake Valley Golf Club

  • Hole # 15 sponsored by SiteOne - Mark Slaughter of GreensPro

Thanks again go to our hosts Fremont Hills Country Club and Golf Course Superintendent Sam Richart. Brad Gray and new territory sales manager, Josh Thomas of Professional Turf Products. Proximity sponsors, Brandt, FMC, GreensPro, and SiteOne.

Our next event will be Thursday May 25th, our annual Scholarship and Research outing, hosted by Silo Ridge Country Club and Superintendent Ronnie Harman. Our lunch provider is Paul Carlson with Syngenta. Get your teams together now!

Nufarm Renews Ozark Turf Association Membership for 2023

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Nufarm, leaders in turf and ornamental protection products, has renewed their 2023 OTA Membership. They also will be supporting the OTA Scholarship and Research event, sponsoring a team at Silo Ridge Country Club later this month.

Please welcome and thank new Midwest Regional Sales Manager Sam Wineinger to the Ozark Chapter. He is replacing longtime supporter Randy Beussink, who is enjoying his retirement.

Kansas Golf and Turf Renews their Gold Partnership with the OTA

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Kansas Golf and Turf, Distibutors of Jacobsen Turf Equipment and other product lines, has renewed as a Gold Partner of the Ozark Turf Association for the 2023 season.

Their support for the OTA allows the chapter to provide our members networking and educational opportunities. Please thank Russell Cole and the team at Kansas Golf and Turf the next time you see him.

March OTA Meeting Results

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The March 2023 Ozark Turf Association Meeting, presented by FMC was a success. Matt Bradley PNW/Midwest T and O Market Specialist with FMC presented his lecture “Under the Microscope: Things to Consider When Building Effective Fungicide Programs in Turf”. It started with a brief history of FMC and there were just a couple of us old timers whose hands were raised, that remember spraying with the old FMC Bean sprayers, (yet they still didn’t let me hit from the senior tees). Matt presented a lot of good information, and also threw in some nutsedge control information at the end.

Lunch was then served where we dined on hamburgers with all the fixings, potato salad, and everyone’s favorite, baked beans, many were asking for the receipe.

After lunch we played nine holes on the Betty Allison Par 3 course. The results are as follows:

Closest to the pin winners were:

  • Hole # 3 sponsored by FMC - Jeff Tennyson, assistant superintendent Lake of the Woods Golf Course, City of Columbia

  • Hole # 5 sponsored by SiteOne - Jeff Tennyson, Lake of the Woods Golf Course

  • Hole # 9 sponsored by GreensPro - Maron Towse, OTA President and Superintendent at Schiffferdecker Golf Course, City of Joplin.

Flight winners were as followed: Joey Johnson with Clear Creek Golf Car and Utility Vehicle shot a 29 and won in a scorecard playoff with a birdie on # 6 (playoff was # 7 backwards. In order to maintain his amateur status, Joey donated his prize back to the field.

First place in championship flight also with a 29, was Mike Irvine, OTA Past President and Golf Facilities Supervisor with the Springfield Greene County Park Board.

Second place also with a 29, was Mark Slaughter of GreensPro.

Third place with a 30, went to Barry Siems, owner of Precision Turf Products.

First place in 2nd flight with a 31, was Scott Welsh, Golf Course Superintendent at Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course, Springfield Greene County Park Board.

Second place also with a 31, was Paul Lewis, Golf Course Superintendent at L. A. Nickell Municipal Golf Course, City of Columbia

Third place with a 32, was Maron Towse, Schiffendecker Golf Course

First place in 3rd flight with a 35 was Ty Lewis, General Manager/Superintendent, Mt. View Municipal Golf Course, Mt. View MO

Second place with a 37 was Tyler Fishel, with GreensPro

Third place with a 37 was Melvin Waldron III, CGCS, Golf Course Superintendent at Horton Smith Golf Course, Springfield Greene County Park Board, and OTA Secretary/Treasurer.

We thank Matt and FMC for sponsoring the meeting and giving the presentation, and we thank FMC, GreensPro and SiteOne for sponsoring the proximity markers.

We will see everyone April 27th at Fremont Hills Country Club, Presented by Profesional Turf Products.

The Andersons renews OTA Gold Partnership for 2023

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The Andersons makers of turf fertilizers and plant protectant products has renewed their Gold Partner status for 2023 with the Ozark Turf Association. They have been long time sponsors of our Scholarship and Research event.

The Andersons support of our chapter allows for educational and networking opportunities for our members. Please thank Darrin Johnson, Turf and Ornamental Sales Rep. the next time you see him.

Professional Turf Products Renews their OTA Gold Partnership for 2023

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Professional Turf Products, distributor of Toro Golf Equipment has renewed their Gold Partnership with the Ozark Turf Association for 2023.

Along with their Gold Partnership, they will be sponsoring our April and September monthly education/golf meetings. They will also be sponsoring the OTA Christmas Party.

With their partnership we are able to provide education and networking opportunities to our members. Please thank Brad Gray, Territory and Branch Manager, the next time you see him.

GreensPro Renews OTA Gold Partnership for 2023

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GreensPro distributors of fertilizers and plant protector products has renewed their Gold Partnership with the Ozark Turf Association for the 2023 season. They are also sponsoring proximity prizes at the chapter education/golf meetings and the Scholarship and Research Outing.

Their support allows the OTA to provide educational and networking opportunities to our members. Please thank Mark Slaughter, Tyler Fishel and new team member Dustin Irvine when you see them.

Advanced Turf Solutions renews as an OTA Gold Partner

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Advanced Turf Solutions, suppliers of turf nutrient and plant protection products has renewed their Gold Partnership with the Ozark Turf Association for 2023

The OTA appreciates Advanced Turf Solutions for their support of our chapter members, allowing us to provide educational and networking opportunities.

Please thank one of the ATS team members for their support, Austen Gearheart, Brock Phipps, Jeff Olsen and Brian Winka.