The Back Nine - Brad Nurski vs. Matt Miller for Missouri Amateur Championship

Nurski, Miller to tee it up for Missouri Amateur Championship

Updated: Sun 6/27/2010 10:19 pm

Springfield, MO - Twin Oaks CC - Brad Nurski, St. Joseph, MO will square off against Matt Miller, Eldon, MO for the Missouri Amateur Championship on Sunday Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield, MO. Nurski defeated defending champion and 2-time past champion, Skip Berkmeyer to advance to his first Amateur final. Miller eliminated the last remaining local Springfield player in Kevin Kring to earn his spot alongside Nurski on Sunday.

Nurski's had his share of close calls in Missouri Golf Association events. Two years ago, playing in the Missouri Mid-Amateur Championship at Kansas City Country Club, Nurski lost to friend and fellow St. Joe native, Brian Haskell in a playoff. Just last year, Nurski again lost in a playoff in a Missouri Golf Association major championship. This time it was the Missouri Stroke Play Championship at Dalhousie Golf Club and it was none other than Matt Miller who kept Nurski from winning his first major championship. Nurksi considers the Missouri Amateur Match Play Championship as his favorite and is looking to not add a fifth runner-up finish to his total in Missouri Golf Association major championships, "this is the most fun tournament for me to play in," said Nurski. "I schedule my vacation for this week every year and it would be my greatest golf accomplishment to win."

Before knowing he would be facing Nurski in the semi-final, defending champion Skip Berkmeyer referenced how well Twin Oaks Country Club set up for Nurski and even considered him the favorite as the elite eight headed into Saturday play. Nurski acknowledged Berkmeyer's kind words, "Obviously it is a great compliment to receive comments like that from a person with his experience. But even knowing that I still have to go out and make good shots and make a few putts."

It's long week for the players making it out of stroke play qualifying on Tuesday and Wednesday and then to advance through five matches over a period of three days. And yet, a 36-hole final match still remains for the players on Sunday to decide the Missouri Amateur Champion. It's understandable if the players are a bit tired and mentally exhausted. Matt Miller commented after winning his semi-final match against Kevin Kring, "I'm feeling pretty good right now just because of the excitement of winning the match. I'm sure I will crash as soon as I get back home." Miller has good reason to crash as he not only played in the scorching heat on Saturday, winning matches against the likes of Jace Long and Kevin Kring, but he carried his clubs the entire day. "The last couple of days weren't too bad because I had my brother caddying for me, but today he had to go back home to be in a wedding so I carried my own bag all day today." Miller's brother will be returning on Sunday to loop for the Central Missouri State University golfer as he looks to add a Match Play title to his 2009 Missouri Amateur Stroke Play victory.

Not only did Miller have to endure the heat and competition without a caddy on Saturday, he also found himself playing an "away" game during his semi-final match against Springfield native and University of Colorado golfer, Kevin Kring. "My mom was here with me and watching and on the 3rd hole today I told her it was me and her against Springfield," in response to the gallery on hand supporting their local player. Kring grew up playing at Twin Oaks Country Club and understandably garnered the galleries support. However it was Miller who persevered and advanced to the Sunday final and he's excited to have a few more supporters in the gallery. "My brother who was at the wedding is with a lot of my golfing buddies so they have been checking in to see how I was doing. I think some of them will be coming tomorrow," said Miller. While having his buddies in the crowd will be nice, it's his father that may give Miller the extra boost of energy needed to get past his opponent on Sunday, "Also my Dad may come to watch so that would be huge since he has never played golf a day in his life and has only got to see me play 2 or 3 times." Miller continued, "He is going to take some time out from doing hay at the farm so I'm going to make sure I make it worth his while to come watch me."

So there you have it. Nurski, looking to finally win a Missouri Golf Association major championship vs. Miller, looking to win his 2nd consecutive MGA major championship. It's going to be an exciting day of golf at Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield, MO and a worthy champion will be crowned on Sunday afternoon.

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