Jul. 1—Joplin Hall of Fame golfer David Pawlus edged out Richard Clemons to claim the title in the first-ever Senior Ozark Amateur on Sunday at Schifferdecker Golf Course.
The win was especially sweet for Pawlus (71,72-143). It was his first tourney win in more than 20 years, after winning the Ozark Amateur in 2003.
“It’s been awhile,” Pawlus said of the win. “It felt good to win again.”
Pawlus credited his short game for the victory.
“When I putt good, that’s usually how I win,” Pawlus said. “So I give the credit to my putter.”
Clemons (74,70-144) was behind by one stroke. Tony Turner (72,74-146) finished third and Keith Reardon (73,74-147) was fourth. Wayne Smith posted the lowest round of the tourney with a 2-under 69 on Saturday but struggled on Sunday, finishing with an 84 for the second round.
The two-day tourney, which kicked off with Saturday’s opening round, also included a Super Senior Division for men age 65 and older.
Charlie Weems (71,74-145) won the Super Senior division with a 3-over 145. Chad Walker (73,76-149) and Rick Utter (75,74-149) tied for second and three golfers — Keith Phillips (79,72-151,) Frankie Jacobs (76,75-151) and Steve Bale (75,76-151) tied for fourth.
The senior division was formerly part of the traditional Ozark Amateur, which has quickly filled its 185-man limit year after year, necessitating the exclusion of some golfers. With the advent of the senior tourney taking place on a different weekend, spots opened for those golfers who might have otherwise been excluded.
Senior golfers may still participate in the Ozark Amateur, and the top 15 finishers from the Senior Ozark Amateur will automatically receive invitations.
Joplin Golf Club President Jim Schriever shared how the Senior Ozark Amateur got started.
“The Ozark Amateur has been going on for 76 years and in the past few years, golf has gotten so popular, we have been turning a lot of participants away,” Schriever said. “So this year we separated out our senior group into a new tournament.”
Schriever said the traditional Ozark Amateur, which tees off July 16-17, is already sold out.
‘Word will get out’
He also said he believes participation in the senior tourney will double next year.
“Word will get out,” Schriever said. It’s something that will grow for Schifferdecker in the future. This is something that’s been on our minds to try and do, we just didn’t know if it would have enough legs to survive. We’ve more than exceeded our expectations.”
He said the popularity of the course is a big reason for the success of both the Ozark Amateur and now the Senior Ozark Amateur.
Course conditions are also a draw for Schifferdecker’s Senior Shambles tournaments, which have grown exponentially from last year.
Tournaments take place on 10 Wednesdays over the summer and offer yet another golf opportunity for seniors.
He said they have been averaging about 72 golfers every third Wednesday at the course for the Senior Shambles events.
Schifferdecker Golf Pro Austin Shipman assessed the success of the senior tournament’s first year, after drawing 52 golfers in two divisions with two flights of 13 golfers in each division.
“I’m very pleased with the numbers,” Shipman said. “I thought with this being the first year and the tradition behind the Ozark Amateur, there might be some growing pains, but I think everyone really enjoyed it. They loved the idea of having their own weekend to be able to really challenge themselves against other athletes in their age group.”
Shipman also talked about the future of the Seniors tournament: “I think it’s only going to get better and I think it’s only going to grow in the future, so I think it was a success all the way around,” Shipman said.
Shipman said the Senior Ozark Amateur and the Ozark Amateur offer the chance to showcase the course to a wide range of players.
“It’s our chance to shine and show how much effort our staff puts out to provide not only a quality golf course, but a quality experience, so it’s a great time to share that with everybody,” Shipman said.
“It worked.” Pawlus said “I know it’s going to get better every year and Maron (Schifferdecker greenskeeper Maron Towse) has made this course excellent. It’s a joy to play on. Hats off to him.”
Weems, the winner of the Super Senior division, shared his thoughts on the first-ever Senior Ozark Amateur and the invitation to the Ozark Amateur that comes with his win: “It means a whole lot, just to come and get to play a really good golf course that is in really good shape and to get to come and play in the Ozark Amateur is going to be a thrill.”