The Missouri State High School Championships are taking place this week.  The U.S. Open local qualifying was conducted at Persimmon Woods Golf Club last week and the Normandie Amateur crowned it's 2009 champion yesterday.  Also this past weekend, the University of Illinois solidified it's place in the NCAA Championship to be played in late May. 

Golf's championship season is among us and at each and every level there is one thing in common.  A current and / or former player of the Gateway PGA Junior Program will be participating. 

The University of Illinois wouldn't be competing for the National Championship if not for the outstanding contribution of former Gateway PGA Junior golfer, Scott Langley.  Freshmen of the year in the Big 10 last year, Langley's next target is a national championship for the Fighting Illini.  Fellow Big Ten player and St. Louis Metro native, Chris Brant will be joining Langley at Inverness and the NCAA Championship.  The Iowa Hawkeyes also qualified for the National Championship; Brant posted three rounds of 70 for a 3 under par finish at regionals.

On Wednesday, the area's top amateurs and professionals were competing for one of six spots in the US Open Sectional Qualifying at Persimmon Woods.  In the field were numerous graduates of the Gateway PGA Junior Program, but none more accomplished than Skip Berkmeyer.  Berkmeyer claimed one of the six qualifying positions with a 1-over par, 71 to join other local players, Darren Lundgren, Parker LaBarge and Gateway PGA Professional, Kevin Triefenbach.  

And if the Normandie Amateur and US Open Qualifying weren't enough, the St. Louis area welcomed the Hooters Tour to Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, IL.  Participating in the event were several local players and former Gateway PGA Junior program alumns.  Former Missouri standout and runner-up in the US Amateur a few years ago, John Kelly was in the group of players cashing a check this weekend.  Chris Naegel finished in the top 10 and Gateway PGA Professional, Mike Suhre held his own against the young guns of the Hooters Tour.  

It's going to be a busy summer of golf and another great year for current and former members of the Gateway PGA Junior Golf Program.