It could be difficult to decide whether Jim Weaver deserves induction into the Joplin Golf Hall of Fame for his playing ability or for his accomplishments as course superintendent at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.
Actually, Weaver’s impressive credentials have earned him a spot as both a player and a superintendent in the Joplin golf shrine.
Friends, family and the area golfing community will celebrate Weaver’s official elevation to the Hall of Fame at an induction banquet on Saturday night, May 16, at Twin Hills.
The ceremony is a highlight of the annual Joplin Golf Hall of Fame Classic, a two-person best-ball scheduled May 16-17 at Twin Hills and Briarbrook Golf Club. Entry fee is $250 per team and the field will be limited to the first 72 paid entries.
Here are a few of Weaver’s golfing accomplishments:
- Eight-time club champion at Twin Hills.
- Three-time club champion at Center Creek Golf Course in Sarcoxie.
- Twice winner of the Twin Hills Invitational Seniors title.
- Finished third or tied for third in the Twin Hills Invitational twice.
- Third three times in the Missouri Golf Association Seniors Championship, at Whitemore C.C. in St. Charles, at Indian Hills C.C. in Kansas City and at Oakwood C.C. in Kansas City.
- Tied for third in the Joplin Globe City Championship.
- Tied for second in the Ozark Amateur and Loma Linda Invitational.
- Won the Twin Hills member-guest with Tom Lasitter, the Twin Hills Show-Me Classic with Ron Shultz and the Loma Linda Country Western with Bob Belmonte.
- Lost in a playoff for the Center Creek Open to Robert Russell, also a member of the Joplin Hall of Fame.
- Has been a multi-time member of the Joplin Horton Smith and Ky Laffoon Cup teams.
But wait there’s more. Jim qualified for stroke play in the Missouri Amateur four times and made it to match play in 1997 and at Highland Springs C.C. in 1996.
That’s not just an impressive record, but one that clearly qualifies him for the Hall of Fame.
Jim’s credentials as a certified golf course superintendent for 32 years are impeccable. Only about 2,000 superintendents out of 25,000-plus nationwide are certified by the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America.
But, I suspect that Weaver is even more proud of his assistants who have gone on to become golf superintendents: Kirk Youngblood at Monett Golf Course and now at Twin Hills; Danny Endicott, Briarbrook Golf Course and now at Pointe Royal in Branson; George Mckee, Schifferdecker Golf Course (now retired); Ernie Watson at Neosho Golf Course; and Charlie Dopp, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In addition, Jim found time to serve as president of the Ozark Turf Association, he worked with Karl Anderson of Hickory Hills and Ken Smith of Highland Springs and Jimmy Thomas of Joplin to set up a scholarship program for individuals interested in becoming a golf course superintendent.
He also was a member of the Heart of America Turf Association and the Kansas Turf Association.
So take your pick: golfer or golf course superintendent?
Here’s something to keep in mind: He got into taking care of a golf course at Sarcoxie when the greenskeeper left and he stepped forward to keep the course going. As for playing golf, he didn’t take up the game until his 20s when some Air Force buddies encouraged him to play.
His greatest disappointment in the game came nearly a decade ago when he was trying to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open at Leawood South.
“I had a two-shot lead going into the last hole,” he said in an interview last year. But he ran into trouble and missed qualifying by a shot. Only two players advanced from a 60-man field.
But that gut-wrenching experience didn’t dim the competitive fires. He continues to be one of the top amateurs in the area.
