Body discovered on golf course

The victim hanged himself near hole seven of A.L. Gustin golf course.

By Amanda Wysocki

Published April 6, 2009

A man's body was discovered Saturday morning on MU's A.L. Gustin Golf Course, but police do not suspect foul play.

The body of Mark R. Volek, 53, of 204 Edgewood Ave., was found near hole seven of the golf course around 8:56 a.m., an MU Police news release stated.

"We suspect that he walked on," head golf professional Jim Knoesel said. "Where it happened is pretty close to the MKT Nature and Fitness Trail. There was no car out here, so he got here on foot."

MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer said Volek hanged himself.

"Suicides are not common, but we've had them in the past," he said. "You have to make sure you look into all possibilities. Right now, there is nothing to indicate there was any type of foul play."

Weimer said that though there are fences stopping people from coming onto parts of the course, it is largely open.

"We can't secure all of it," Weimer said. "That would be like trying to stop someone from coming onto the campus."

Weimer said MUPD does not have any indication there was a special significance to Volek going to the golf course.

"That's just where he chose to go," Weimer said. "We don't know why he chose that particular location."

Maintenance workers doing their morning duties around the golf course discovered Volek, Knoesel said.

Weimer said golf course workers cut the body down before police arrived.