Golf Professional Joe Rotarius and his team of Mark Wootten, Mike Gwaltney, and John Richardson (Whitmoor Country Club) commenced their tournament with a strong performance and concluded with a commanding victory at -17, securing the 2026 St. Louis District Golf Association’s Etzkorn Pro-3 Senior Championship at Sunset Hills Country Club on Wednesday, May 20.
The championship, which features a golf professional and three district members who are at least 50 years old, was held on a cloudy day after two days of rain had soaked the St. Louis region. Cool, damp, and humid conditions greeted the 37-team field. Rotarius’ team carded -2 on five of the first nine holes, including Richardson’s net eagle on the 322-yard second hole. Through the front nine, they maintained a lead over the team of Golf Professional Joe Hof, Jim Story, Andy Acker, and Wayne Klenke (Glen Echo Country Club), who were -10 through nine, including Klenke’s net eagle on the 355-yard ninth hole. Both teams recorded -6 on the back nine, but Rotarius’ team managed to secure -1 on five of the last six holes, ultimately defeating the Hof group.
Golf Professional Clayton Morrow partnered with Dustin Ashby, Ed Moore, and David Caldwell (Winghaven Country Club) to finish third at -13. They were tied for the lead through the front nine at -11, including Caldwell’s net eagle on No. 2, but their performance declined in the latter stages. Golf Professional Bobby Pavelonis, along with Keith Liston, Ron Snider, and Robb Jeffrey (Bogey Hills Country Club), achieved another swing back at -12, despite both teams having a strong start. Snider and Jeffrey each achieved a net eagle on the 355-yard ninth hole.
Utilizing the Stableford System for the professional golfers, Kyle Szyhowski (Norwood Hills Country Club) emerged as the top performer with 40 points, while Craig Wise (Lake Forest Golf & Country Club) secured the second position with 38 points. Ray Farnell (Whitmoor Country Club) and Brett Moomey (Algonquin Golf Club) each accumulated 37 points, resulting in a tie for third place.
For over a century, Sunset Hills has served as a sanctuary for its members who seek exceptional golf, dining, recreational, and social experiences. It has been the venue where families commemorated significant life milestones or where business and leisure seamlessly intertwined.