This year marks the 11th playing of the Metropolitan Open Championship. The brainchild of then MAGA Executive Director Tom O’Toole, Jr. and Gateway PGA Executive Director Dick Shaiper, the Open began to bring together the best amateurs and professionals from the St. Louis area to compete.

 Since the inaugural Open, the event has grown to invite professionals from all across the country.  In 2014, 13 states and Canada were represented among the professionals entered.

 The inaugural champion in 2006, was an amateur, Skip Berkmeyer. Berkmeyer defeated Bob Gaus in a playoff to claim the title. Gaus would collect the $5,000 first prize for being the low professional in the event.

 Only one other amateur has claimed the title, Scott Langley did so in back-to-back fashion in 2008 and 2009 while starring at the University of Illinois. Langley did go for the 3-peat in 2010, but Shawn Jasper claimed the first of his consecutive titles that year.

 Mitchell Gregson earned his first win as a professional in 2012. Gregson would fire a tournament record 13-under par 197 over the 54 holes to claim the victory.  Edwardsville, Illinois native, Chris Brant, captured the championship title last year by persevering in a multi-hole playoff.

 In 2010, the James S. Manion Trophy was donated by Jimmy Manion. The trophy came from the archives of trophies that Jim Manion won through this years as one of the best amateurs to play in the country. This particular trophy was from the St. Louis Open in the early 1920’s. The trophy is prominently displayed in the Country Club of St. Albans clubhouse throughout the year.

 The 2014 championship took a big step into making it the premier Open championship in the Midwest.  Plaza Motors became the Presenting Sponsor of the event. With the support of Plaza Motors the purse rose to provide a $15,000 first place check. Additionally, St. Albans added scoreboards and live scoring was expanded to keep players and fans informed of what was taking place during the Championship.

In 2015, Adam Schenk won the championship with a birdie on his 54th hole - earning the $25,000 first place prize (highest in the championships history).  

PAST CHAMPIONS, 54 HOLE SCORE