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 Saturday,
June 28, 2025 at The
Landings at Spirit Golf Club,
Chesterfield, MO
On
June 28, 2025, Nino Memorial 23 unfolded at The Landings
in the Chesterfield Valley. The weather was steamy, but
no one anticipated it would end with two first-time champions.
For the first time in tournament history, the field consisted
of just three threesomes.
Leading off the
tee was the team of David “Dusty” Hoffman, Jaeson
“Nino” Becker, and Brett “Noodles”
Bunsick. The second group—eventual champions—featured
Robbie Mentle, Dane Kearns, and Phil “Chip”
Ruben. The third and final team was led by Tim “Eagleglass”
Spiegelglass, with Scott “Bubba” “Maynard”
Chelist and Jeremy “KDawg” Klaven.
After the front
nine, it was clear the tournament was a two-team race
between Groups 2 and 3. Dusty’s squad unraveled early,
thanks in part to Noodles—who distracted his own
teammates on a birdie attempt and later putted while looking
backward. Whether he was trying to entertain or sabotage
remains unclear, but the result was undeniable: a performance
that defied explanation.
 KDawg
noted that Bubba’s game showed improvement, but it
wasn’t enough to lift Team Spiegelglass. They finished
at +2, with Spiegelglass fuming post-round and laying
blame on his teammates—despite multiple missed opportunities
of his own.
In stark contrast,
Team Kearns executed with poise and consistency. Even
Chip, despite an ever-present haze, contributed meaningfully.
Mentle built on his strong 2024 showing and elevated his
play in 2025, capping it off by outdriving Dane on the
final hole. They closed the round at an impressive -3
to clinch victory.
Team
Dusty faltered with a tournament-worst +9. None of the
players could convert under pressure, with Noodles’
erratic play proving especially costly.
The Eagleglass
Skills Competition provided a thrilling encore. Dusty
won closest to the pin on Hole 8, while KDawg launched
the long drive of the day on Hole 11.
Bubba and Noodles,
meanwhile, achieved the coveted “Decader” status,
marking their 10th Nino Memorial appearance. However,
Noodles left his commemorative jacket crumpled on a bench—an
act of disrespect that will not soon be forgotten.
The award ceremony
took place at The District, held outdoors despite Dusty’s
vocal protests. Before the festivities wrapped up, the
group reconvened to address an unresolved matter: Dusty’s
2023 tribunal. Following his destruction of winner certificates
at Fast Eddie’s in protest, he publicly accepted
responsibility. While forgiven, his actions remain etched
in tournament lore.
There is early
talk of a potential makeup Nino Memorial in fall 2025.
Until then, Dane, Chip, and Robbie will savor their hard-earned
title.
dz + ChatGPT
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