In an exhilarating display of shot-making, Algonquin Golf Club’s Shawn Jasper roared back to shade Bubba Chapman (Bellerive Country Club) in a one hole playoff to claim the inaugural James Millard Holtgrieve Trophy at the 40th annual Jim Jackson Invitational at Algonquin on Sunday, Oct. 12. Jasper became the first Algonquin member to win the Jackson on his home course.
Chapman came out blazing Sunday with seven birdies and sprinted to 8-under through 12 holes and was seemingly on his way to victory, but bogeys at 14 and 17 came back to haunt him. Jasper started his move on the back nine with a birdie at the 10th, but was still trailing by five strokes through 12 holes. He followed with four consecutive birds on holes 13-16. When Chapman bogeyed 17, remarkably the event was even at 7-under.
Chapman recovered from a poor drive on the 18th hole for an incredible up-and-down save for par, meanwhile Jasper missed a 14-foot birdie putt to create the playoff.
In the playoff, Jasper converted a challenging up-and-down for par, while Chapman missed a difficult 5-foot downhill putt and that bogey handed the title to Jasper. They both finished regulation at 133.
Saturday’s first round delivered a tightly compacted field with eight competitors in the hunt that led to Sunday’s dramatic conclusion. Chad Niezing (Meadowbrook Country Club) and David Pfeil (The Legends Country Club) shared the lead at 3-under 67. Neither could keep pace with the playoff finalists as Pfeil finished third at 2-under 138, while Niezing was fourth at 1-under 139. Meanwhile, Chapman and Patrick Britt (Norwood Country Club) were one shot back at 2-under. Jasper and Drew Pranger (Glen Echo Country Club) were lurking two shots off the pace at 1-under.
Seeking to repeat his 2024 title, Jason Landry (Greenbriar Hills Country Club) was tied for 16th at 4-over on Saturday, but fired a 4-under 66 in round two, yet couldn’t close ground on the leaders. He finished fifth at even-par 140.
Playing in his final event as a tribute to his friend and mentor Jim Jackson, Jim Holtgrieve finished tied for 25th in the 32-player field. Earlier in the week, the St. Louis District Golf Association named the tournament trophy for the legendary Holtgrieve, arguably the greatest amateur golfer in Missouri history.
The championship is open to district members who qualified in district events throughout the year, and the club champion from each member club in a 36-hole stroke-play championship.
