Briarbrook Invitational gets underway in Carl Junction
· Yahoo Sports
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The first of three rounds of the 57th annual Briarbrook Invitational got underway Friday with a number of returning champions vying for this year’s title. Round 2 will be Saturday with the tournament concluding Sunday.
Among the 100 golfers returning is last year’s champion Harry Satterlee, of Joplin. He jumped out to a quick lead last year with a 4-under 68 in Round 1 and held the lead throughout the tourney, finishing first with a 209 through the three rounds.
Visit hilogame.news for more information.
Also in this year’s field is Carl Junction’s Jack Spencer, who plays for the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Spencer was runner-up at Briarbrook in 2025 with a three-day 213 total and was grouped with Satterlee for Friday’s 2026 first round.
That grouping puts two of the best golfers in the area going head-to-head in the opening round.
“I think it helps both of us out a lot,” Spencer said before teeing off Friday. “I think we both push each other to be better, and I think it’s going to be a really fun day.”
Satterlee echoed Spencer’s sentiments.
"It’s going to be a fun weekend, and I think it will help us both to compete against each other,” he said of the grouping. “We’re just out here trying to make each other better, and that’s all that really matters.”
The field also includes 2025 Ozark Amateur and 2024 Briarbrook Invitational champion Austin Hafner. Hafner captured the 2024 title with a 9-under 207 that included a 6-under 66 in Round 2.
Briarbrook golf pro Nate Benedict talked about what draws golfers back year after year.
"Tradition,” Benedict said. “It’s considered one of the marquee events here and in the area. If a player can get a victory here, it’s quite a feather to have in their hat. I think that attracts the better players in the area. We also have flights for the guys that may not be competing in the championship flight, so they also have an opportunity to win some money. I think that gets their competitive spirits up and going.”
The invitational traditionally features prizes for a championship flight, several regular flights and two senior flights.
Last year’s seniors champion Shawn Plattner and runner-up Scott Whittaker are both included in this year’s field of 27 seniors.
Festivities for the annual invite kicked off Thursday with a par-3 tourney on Briarbrook’s front nine.
Dustin Edge and Chris Miller tied at 26 strokes for the Flight A title. Matt Otey, Bryan Gaddy and Brad Barton tied for third with 28s.
In Flight B, three competitors — Steve LaRue, Ken Longnecker and Wade Sterling — tied for first after each carding 30. Rich Castillo, Cohen Elick, Jake Reed, Jack Spencer and Carl Francis all tied for fourth with 31s.
Ryan Eck, Randy Brownlow and Matthew Wyrick all shot 34s and tied for first in Flight C. Jim Ellis and Bill Albright both carded 35s to tie for fourth.
Benedict said the course is in good condition for the three-day event, adding: “We are very happy with how the golf course presents itself for the weekend.”
Results of the first day were not available at press time; full coverage of the tournament will be in Tuesday's print edition of The Joplin Globe.