Story byThe Joplin Globe, Mo.

Spencer claims Ozark Amateur title after 1-hole playoff

Laurie Sisk, The Joplin Globe, Mo.Mon, Jul 13, 2026·3 min read

The 78th annual Ozark Amateur at Schifferdecker Golf Course came down to a one-hole playoff Sunday between Missouri Southern State University golfer Zach Gardner and University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Jack Spencer, with Spencer taking the title after logging a birdie on the playoff hole.

Spencer (67, 67-134) sank a 10-foot putt on the playoff hole, but Gardner (66, 68-134) had to settle for par after his 8-foot try missed the mark. Spencer, who also won the 57th annual Briarbrook Invitational last month in Carl Junction with a birdie putt on the final hole, claimed his second Ozark Amateur title after winning the tourney in 2024.

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“I felt confident, I think, after the Invitational (at Briarbrook), where I kind of proved to myself that I can come through in those moments,” Spencer said. “So when it got tight down the stretch, I wasn’t nervous or scared of anything. I didn’t play my best, but I played with confidence, and that’s what worked out for me.”

Gardner, competing in his first Ozark Amateur, held the lead after Saturday’s first day, carding a 5-under 66. Three other golfers — Spencer, Max Templeman and Fabian Oeschle — came in one stroke back of Gardner at 67, setting up a competitive final round Sunday.

Gardner talked about his round Sunday.

“I didn’t play my best today,” he said. “I left some out there, but that’s all right.”

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Spencer went bogey-free Sunday and birdied four times to set up the playoff hole. Gardner carded five birdies Sunday but bogeyed on holes 9 and 10, opening the door for Spencer, with both golfers at 8-under.

Oeschle (67, 70-137) finished third at 5-under, and Templeman (67,71-138) was third at 4-under.

Brent Wilson (74, 66-140) won Flight 2. Tug Baker (75, 68) and Quinn Robertson (74-69) tied for second with 1-over 143, and Andrew Maier (74-70) was fourth with a two-over 144.

Tony Fuentez (78, 70-148) captured Flight 3. Jordan Burks (77, 73-150) was runner-up. Kyler Brown (77, 75-152) was third, and Brandon Stidham (77, 76-153) was fourth.

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In Flight 4, Kenton Cole Parrish (81, 68-149) shot a 7-over to finish first. Chad Walker (80, 74-164) was second, and Andy Pochik and Derrick Ashe both shot 80s and 75s to finish tied for third with 155 each.

Austin Carter (83, 72-155) won Flight 5. Jeremy Haase (85, 76-161) was runner-up, Adam Williams (85, 77-162) was third, and Patrick McClain (83, 80- 163) finished fourth.

Kyler Cook (88, 78-166) won Flight 6. Eric Parker (87, 80-167) finished second. Treghan Parker (88, 81-169) was third, and Johnathan Williams (87, 83-170) was fourth.

Cody Jolly (92, 76-168) won Flight 7. Rylan Childers (91, 80-171) was second. Doug Gaddis (91, 81-172) was third, and Seth Helton and Kobe Bailey tied for fourth with first-round 92s and second-round 82s, for 174.

Charles Gaudet (96, 80-176) won Flight 8. Sammy Burks (94, 83-177) was runner-up. Quinn Price (98, 84-182) was third, and Tim White (94, 89-183) finished fourth.