Sep. 30—Don Chancey becomes the latest St. Joseph native to claim hardware in a Missouri Golf Association tournament.
Earlier in September, Chancey claimed the 35th Annual MGA Senior Amateur Championship in Kansas City, but it wasn’t without a little drama. The final round of the two-day tournament at Blue Hills Country Club saw Chancey and Wayne Frederick compete in a playoff to see who would be named the next MGA Senior Amateur Champion. Chancey claimed the victory on the first playoff hole, and ended the tournament by shooting even par.
“It was just a long process of getting better over the years, and finally having everything come together and putting it together for two days and win it was really cool,” Chancey said.
Tournaments held by the Missouri Golf Association invite golfers from all across the state. Chancey was a decent distance between his home in St. Joseph and the golf course in Kansas City, where the tournament took place, making it a real benefit to his success.
“Driving down and back, I probably had an advantage over some people having to travel,” Chancey said.
Still only in his mid-50s, Chancey has a chance to compete in the tournament again and defend his crown. But while looking ahead towards the next competition is exciting, Chancey wants to relish the one he just won.
“It’s just a little bit of validation. “Chancey said. “Putting a lot of time in and playing, playing a lot of tournaments and stuff and you finally come through and win one, it feels really good.
Chancey isn’t the only St. Joseph resident to claim a MGA title this year. Brad Nurski of St. Joseph, also an assistant coach for Missouri Western golf, won his fourth Missouri Amateur Championship in late June. Chancey knows Nurski well, and the accomplishments of the two speak to the pool of golf talent in the city.
“I get to play a lot of golf with Brad and that helps a lot. You can really measure your game up against somebody like that and he makes everybody better that gets to play with him,” Chancey said.
Jacob Meikel can be reached at jacob.meikel@newspressnow.com.
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