The St. Louis chapter kicked off its fall season south of the St. Louis metro at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington, MO.  Crown Pointe is a fun layout, and the course would play firm and fast with the wind playing a large factor.  71 players made the hour drive south of St. Louis to officially kick-off the 2024 season. 

In Division 1, Matt Minder reached the par-5 1^st setting up a 2-putt birdie to get off to a hot start.  After a 2^nd birdie on the 3^rd hole, pars would be a great score as Minder parred every hole other than dropping one at the difficult par-3 13^th for a smooth 1-under par 71.  Nick Heller (Central Illinois) made the drive up and played well, shooting a 3-over par 75.  Kent Van Cleve, recently promoted after a Player of the Year effort in Division 2 last season, shot 77 to tie for 3^rd with Adam Friga. 

In Division 2, the 2024 season would start out with a bunched field yet again.  Billy Davis used a rare eagle on the 11^th hole to propel him to a score of 76 and a victory. Mike Mervis, Dave Adams, and Brad Garrett all had chances down the back 9 to overtake the lead, but each finished one shot short in a tie for 7^th.  Greg Miller made the most of his debut in Division 2, finishing in 5^th place with a solid round of 78. 

In Division 3, Andy Cherry got off to a hot start on the front 9 and was able to hold on for a 2-shot victory with a stellar round of 78.  Simay Souvannarath, fresh off of earning her National Senior Player of the Year honors started her 2024 campaign with a round of 80 that earned her solo 2^nd and the senior division 3 title.  Josh DeJarnette, Turner Holland, and Mark Ralph finished tied for 3^rd with scores of 81.  Mark Ralph also finished solo 2^nd on the senior side. 

In Division 4, 18 holes would not be enough to decide a champion as both Norm Toon and Shannon Brooks finished tied atop the leaderboard with great rounds of 80.  On the first playoff hole, both players made excellent up and downs to continue the playoff as both players found the greenside bunker.  Brooks tee shot would find a bad break, settling behind a tree on the 2^nd playoff hole.  While a great recovery shot would leave him a chip shot, Norm Toon’s approach would finish just 6 feet from the hole.  A par would be all Norm needed to win the playoff and take home the title of Division 4 and Senior Division 4 Champion.  Chris Jones shot 81 to finish just one shot off the pace. 

In Division 5, new member Gus Harris would have a day, firing a 17-over 89 to win by 2 over Chris Brockmeyer and Dane Kearns, who finished tied for 2^nd with 91.  Chris Brockmeyer was coming off his Division 5 Senior National Player of the Year award from the North American Championship just 2 weeks ago.  Roger Eberlein would continue his solid play of late, shooting a 92 to finish in solo 4^th, while Esther Flora finished in 5^th with a 93. 

The next stop for the tour is the Fall Finale at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course on October 29^th.  Tee Times will start at 10:00am and the field is limited to 72 players.  This will be the final event of the calendar year 2023.  Hope to see you at Spencer T. Olin and stay tuned for an announcement for a schedule release party in November!