After a 13 year absence, a state open returned to Missouri this past week with the help of Commerce Bank and The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia, MO. The Gateway PGA joined approximately 20 other PGA sections who conduct an annual state open as one of the premier events on their respective tournament schedules. We had a total field of 120 players including 40 top amateurs. The overall winner with a tremendous 36 hole score of 132 (12 under Par) was amateur Peter Malnati, a senior from Mizzou. Jay Delsing was the low professional ( 2nd overall) posting an 8 under par 136. Mike Suhre was the low GPGA professional tying for 4th overall with a score of 140 (4 under par). Scott Bess won the Sr. Division with a 36 hole score of 136 (8 under par).
For only the second time in the tournaments history, an amateur captured the overall title. Peter Malnati, originally from the Knoxville, TN, area, shot rounds of 67 and 65, to capture the title on the challenging 7200 yard layout. His round of 65 tied the course record set earlier in the day by fellow Mizzou golfer Will Hogan, a 19 year old red shirt freshman from Ozark, MO. Other Mizzou players sweeping the top 4 spots in the Amateur Division were Jace Long (5 uder par) finishing second, Hogan (4 under par) third, and Ryne Fisher (2 under par) came home fourth. Missouri Golf Assn. Executive Director Scott Hovis, finished at even par to round out the top five.
Jay Delsing took a break from his busy tour schedule to return to capture the win in the Professional Divison by shooting back to back rounds of 68 to finish at 8 under par and take the $7000 first prize. Tied for second were first round leader Mike Suhre of Edwardsville, IL, and Aaron Clark from Springfield, MO, who finished at 4 under par. One shot back at 3 under par were Britt Pavelonis of Harrisburg, IL, Shawn Jasper of Marthasville, MO, and Brice Garnett from Gallatin, MO.
In the Senior Division, Columbia, MO, pro Scott Bess closed with a round of 69 to finish at 8 under par and overcome a two shot deficit to first round leader Alan Phillips from Camdenton, MO. Larry Emery of Carterville, IL, came home third at 3 under par, while Dale Boggs of St. Louis and Steve McDonald of Topeka, KS, tied for fourth at 1 over par. Bess collected $2500 for his win.
With a great field of players on hand, a fantastic venue at Old Hawthorne, and fabulous weather, The Commerce Bank Missouri Open's future looks bright for 2009 and beyond. |
