News

Ballwin, MO - It was a damp but beautiful morning at Ballwin Golf Club as players arrived ready for the 8th Metropolitan 9-Hole Championship. They competed from varying yardages based on their division, taking on the par-36 course in hopes of putting together some strong rounds. 

Austin Donovan of the Gateway PGA Jr Golf Club was the first to tee off and immediately set the tone for the day. Competing in both the Junior and Men’s (Gross) divisions, Donovan recorded just one bogey early in his round before adding three birdies. He finished at two-under-par (-2), winning both the Junior and Men’s (Gross) divisions despite being only 15 years old. Behind Donovan in the Men’s (Gross) division was his dad, Mark Donovan of the Metropolitan eClub, who shot two birdies and finished at one-over-par (+1). 

 Following the Donovan duo was the Men’s (Net) division. Justin Zhang of Ballwin Golf Club started strong on his home course, carding a birdie on the first hole. He followed up with another birdie and then an eagle. However, Matt Brugner of MAC Golf Club came in with consistency. He shot three birdies with only one bogey, landing him in first after nine. Brugner ended two-under (-2) as the Men’s (Net) Division Champion, with Zhang in second at one-under (-1). 

Then, Chris Scaglione and Harold Hogan of the Metropolitan eClub competed for the Senior (Gross) trophy. Scaglione teed off first, recording an eagle on the second hole and adding two pars late in his round. Hogan followed directly after Scaglione and, like Brugner, relied on consistency throughout his round. He shot par on six of nine holes, finishing atop the leaderboard at four-over (+4) to claim the Senior (Gross) title. Scaglione finished in second at 12-over (+12).  

Next was Brendan Moore of the Metropolitan eClub, competing in the Senior (Net) Division. Moore began his round confidently, opening with pars on the first two holes. Despite facing a couple of bogeys, he quickly regained momentum with two birdies to keep himself in contention. His steady play throughout the round helped him finish at five-over-par (+5), earning him the title of Senior (Net) Division Champion.  

After the seniors came the Super Senior (Gross) division. Despite a rough start with two bogeys, John Chastain made an impressive comeback with a birdie on hole 3, followed by pars on the remaining holes. Rick Seebeck of Bellerive, who played alongside Chastain, also carded one birdie during his round. However, Chastain finished atop the leaderboard at one-over (+1), while Seebeck was second at four-over (+4).  

The Super Senior (Net) division was second-to -last. Buck Clement of the Metropolitan eClub put up a fight toward the end of his round with an eagle followed by a birdie on hole 7 and 8. John Jelovic, also of the Metropolitan eClub, answered with a solid round, recording pars on six holes and adding two birdies of his own. His birdies helped him reach the top of the leaderboard at one-under-par (-1), while Clement finished at two-over-par (+2).  

Lastly was the Parent/Child Scramble where Jillian Tedesco and Salvatore Tedesco of Meadowbrook Country Club teamed up to card a birdie on the fourth hole while adding pars on four additional holes. Their steady performance throughout the round helped them finish at four-over-par (+4), earning them the Parent/Child Scramble trophy.  

Overall, the 8th Metropolitan 9-Hole Championship showcased memorable rounds across every age division. Congratulations to all division champions and participants for making this year’s championship a success!