Author: Baile Stephenson

Stroke Play Qualifying at Kansas Amateur

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The 113th Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship began Tuesday at Falcon Lakes Golf Club. The players finished their starting round early Wednesday morning after two rain delays on Tuesday. The field comprises 144 players, 32 players are 18 or younger, and 14 players are over 50. 

Park Ulrich led the tournament after round one, carding 65 (-7). Ulrich had nine birdies in his first round. He carded five birdies in his second round to score 70 (-2).

Zach Sokolosky will be the number one seed in Thursday’s round of match play. He carded 68-62-130 (-14) after the two rounds. Sokolosky tied Falcon Lakes course record, scoring 62 (-10) in his second round. He had nine birdies, an eagle, and a bogey to finish his incredible round. 

There was a play-off between eight players for two remaining spots in the match play. Brian Freeman made a birdie on the second hole to advance, and James Hill birdied the fourth hole to advance.

Players to watch this week are Alex Springer (-11), who is in sole second; Jacob Lackey and Park Ulrich (-9), tied for third; Nathaniel Spencer, Ian McCrary, and Will King (-8), tied for fifth place.

Match play begins at 7:30 on Thursday morning. 

Tournament information & pairings can be found here >>

Schartz Adds Another Title To Her Standout Summer

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The Kansas Women’s Amateur, presented by Mommy’s Helper, took place at Crestview Country Club on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A familiar name was at the top of the leaderboard, Emerie Schartz, who won the Kansas Junior Amateur in June and was Runner Up at the Kansas Women’s Amateur in 2022, added a new title to her resume. The 15-year-old from Wichita, lead the Championship wire-to-wire and is the youngest known player to have won the event. After shooting 69-68-70-207, Schartz finished at nine-under par for the tournament to win.

“Today I putted really well, stuck to my plan, and stayed really patient out there,” Schartz said, “I tried to stay out of the rough as best I could. I knew the greens were fast, I just tried to two-putt everywhere I could, [I aimed] for the middle of the greens and the middle of the fairways.”

Sticking to her plan clearly worked, Schartz carded 19 birdies during the tournament. She also earned the Low Junior Title by seven shots over Lyla Louderbaugh (-2).

Hanna Robinett, Westwood, finished in second place shooting 73-66-72-211 (-5)
Morgan Brasser, Andale, finished in third place shooting 71-70-71-212 (-4)
Katy Winters, Wichita, finished in fourth place shooting 70-69-74-213 (-3)
Lyla Louderbaugh, Buffalo, finished in fifth place shooting 73-70-71-214 (-2)
2022 Kansas Women’s Amateur Champion, Maya McVey finished tied for sixth shooting 73-73-70-216 (E)
Avery Schartz, Wichita, finished tied for sixth shooting 75-68-73-216 (E)

Martha Linscott earned the title of Low Senior shooting 81-81-78-240 (+24).

Full tournament results >>

Juniors & Seniors Shine at KC Match Play Championship

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Kansas City Junior and Senior Match Play Championship, presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City, took place this week at Shoal Creek Golf Course. The tournament began on Wednesday morning with an 18-hole stroke-play qualifying round.

JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION

In the Junior Girls Division, Emree Cameron fired an impressive 66 (-5) on Friday’s qualifying round, earning her the number one seed going into match play. She didn’t slow down, in the round of 16 matches she defeated Gabby Vineyard 6&5. In Thursday’s Quarterfinal match, she defeated Reagan Kauthn 6&5, and in the Semifinal match, she won 1 up over Liz Lyons. Cameron faced Hadley Neese in the Final match, winning 8&7. “I just wanted to go out and play some good golf,” Cameron said, “and I birdied the first hole; I was just kind of on fire from there.”

JUNIOR BOYS DIVISION

In the Junior Boys Division, Nick Nickloy was crowned Champion on Friday afternoon. Nickloy shot 72 (+1) in Wednesday’s qualifying round earning him the 13-seed going into the round of 16 matches. Nickloy defeated Noah Holtzman 5&4 in his first match. In the Quarterfinal match, he defeated Elliott Cowden 3&1, and in the Semifinal match, he defeated Peyton Smith 3&1. In Friday’s Finals, Nickloy won 1 up over Jacob Fratzel. “I started out playing some tough guys, but won those early matches which led me to the win,” Nickloy said.

SENIOR DIVISION

Ed Brown won the KC Senior Match Play after defeating RJ Oplinger 2&1 on Friday. Brown shot 72 (+1) during the qualifying round and won his first match against Michael Bickley 3&1. In the Quarterfinals Brown defeated Jon Platz 1 up, and in the Semifinals he defeated Johnathan Valuck 6&5. After making some changes to his driver, Brown said that his driver was “his biggest weapon” this week.

Junior Results >>

Senior Results >>

Pannier Wins on Final Hole at CLG Women’s Match Play

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The final match of the CLG Women’s Match Play Championship, presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City, was completed Wednesday morning at Firekeeper Golf Course.

The match was played between Kate Tilma and Kiser Pannier. Tilma, an incoming Sophomore transfer to the Wichita State University Women’s Golf Team, earned medalist honors after shooting 73 in Monday’s Stroke Play Qualifying round. She went on to defeat Elizabeth Grant 5&4 during the round of 16, Brooke King 5&3 during the Quarter-Finals, and Allison Comer 6&5 in the Semi-Finals.

Pannier, a rising sophomore on the Missouri State Women’s Golf Team, shot 78 in Monday’s Stroke Play Qualifier, “I wanted to be seeded really high and ultimately lost focus of just going out and finding pars,” Pannier said, “Going into Match Play, I knew that my score doesn’t matter, and neither did my seeding.”

She proved herself right.

Pannier defeated Hannah Robinett 2&1 during the round of 16, Jaylee Castro 3&2 during the Quarter-Finals, and Liz Lyons 7&5 during the Semi-Finals, gaining her the momentum she needed going into the Final Match. “Knowing I could make birdies and eagles, I felt really confident going into the Final Match,” Pannier said.

The Final Match was very back-and-forth between Tilma and Pannier. Pannier would win a hole and Tilma would tie the match on the next, going into 18, the match was tied. Tilma made par and Pannier made birdie, winning her the match 1 up.

“This was one of the most mentally grueling matches I’ve ever played,” Pannier claimed, ” Kate is a very strong player with a great game, so I knew that today would be a grind. This win means a lot to me. I had a great Freshman year at Missouri State but towards the end of the Spring season, I fought mentally and physically with my golf game. I ultimately lost a lot of confidence and so knowing that I persevered these last couple of months just validates that I am a high-level player and that I have the skill and talent to win.”

Full Results >>

Hogan & Lyons Win KC Junior Championship

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The 2023 Kansas City Junior Championship, presented by Granite Garage Floors, was held at Winterstone Golf Course in Independence, Missouri, and concluded on Tuesday, June 6th.

Alex Hogan won the event for the boys at five-under for the two days. Hogan carded two rounds of 71-68 for a 36-hole total of 139. Liz Lyons won the event for the girls at six-over-par the two days. Lyons went 74-73 for a two-day tournament total of 147.

Alex Hogan claimed his first Central Links Champion event at five-under. He was tied for fourth, scoring one-under, after the first round at the KC Junior Championship. However, Hogan started his final round strong with a birdie on number one. He ended the day with five birdies and one bogey. Jacob Frazel finished runner-up after his first round of shooting even par. Frazel had two eagles in his final round, which helped him finish three-under. He claimed solo second, beating Benjamin Wheeler, Tyler Strong, and Jack Randall by one stroke. 

Liz Lyons started Monday’s round with a birdie on the second hole and a double bogey on the fourth. However, she stayed in it and finished her day two-over, leading the tournament by one stroke. In the final round, Lyons started with two bogeys but kept her head in there and birdied fourteen and sixteen for a nice comeback. Lyons claimed her first Central Links Junior Championship title at three-over par.

Alexa Garrett earned runner-up, finishing the tournament at nine-over-par. On Monday, Garrett had a tough day finishing her round with three double-bogeys. However, she was on a hot streak in the final round, finishing the day with six birdies. Garrett ended her final-round one over and beat Lynn Powell by one stroke to claim solo second.

Benjamin Wheeler, Tyler Strong, and Jack Randall tied for third place at two-under. Lynn Powell and McKenzie Kelso tied for third place at ten-over.

Full Results >>

A Win at Home: Nicklaus Golf Club Head Pro Wins at Watson Challenge

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Round 3 Results >>

The final round of the Watson Challenge concluded on Saturday afternoon at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate. Robert Russell, Head Golf Professional at the Nicklaus Golf Club, won the event by two shots over Davis Cooper and Joseph Winslow.

Russell started his day one shot back from the lead and stayed steady shooting even-par on his front nine. After making the turn, Russell turned up the heat. He birdied four holes in a row and made a fifth birdie on the 15th hole. He shot 68-71-68 (-9) for the event. His Challenge win also earns him an exemption into next year’s AdventHealth Championship Korn Ferry Tour event.

Joseph Winslow made a run for the leaderboard after starting his day in eighth place. Winslow made early strides on the front nine, making birdies on holes four through seven and nine. He fired an impressive round of 67 on the day, finishing seven-under-par along with Davis Cooper. Cooper, 2022 Challenge defending Champion and a member at the Nicklaus Golf Club, shot 71 during his round today.

Michael Letzig finished in fourth place shooting rounds of 70-69-71-210 (-6). Sean Dougherty finished fifth shooting rounds of 70-70-72-212 (-4). Rounding out the top ten were Ty Lasley and Jackson Foth in sixth place at three-under-par. Ben Hadden, Julian Taylor, Will King, and Michael Winslow were tied for eighth-place at two-under-par.

Julia Misemer, the only woman to play in the event, shot rounds of 75-76-72-223 (+7) to tie for 26th.

Pairings, Live Scoring, and Results can be found here >>

Media Contact:
Baile Stephenson
baile@clgolf.org
(913)-558-3663

Cooper & Jarchow Lead After Round Two at the Watson Challenge

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Round 2 Results >>

The second round of the Watson Challenge began Friday morning at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate. Leading the pack of golfers for the second day in a row was Davis Cooper, a Senior of the University of Kansas Men’s Golf Team and 2022 Watson Challenge Champion. Cooper shot 70 (-2) on his round which included making an 8-foot putt on hole 10 for eagle.

New to the leaderboard is Austin Jarchow, PGA Professional, who shot 67 (-5) on his round after shooting 71 (-1) on Thursday. Jarchow carded seven birdies on his scorecard today, “I executed the small things better [today], I really hit it well enough yesterday to go low and made some dumb mistakes,” he said.

Michael Letzig and Robert Russell are tied for third at five-under-par going into the final round on Saturday. Sean Dougherty and Michael Winslow are tied for fifth at four-under-par. Ben Pearson finds himself in solo-seventh at three-under. Rounding out the top ten are Jackson Foth, Joseph Winslow, and Will King at two-under.

Julia Misemer, the only female in the field, sits T26 after shooting 75-76 (+7).

The Final Round of the Challenge will begin at 7:30 AM Saturday morning. Tom Watson will be present at the awards ceremony following play.

Pairings, Live Scoring, and Results can be found here >>

Media Contact:
Baile Stephenson
baile@clgolf.org
(913)-558-3663

Three Lead During Round One at the Watson Challenge

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Round 1 Results >>

The Watson Challenge began Thursday morning at the Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate. The field comprised of 47 men and one woman, are competing to determine the best golfer in Kansas City.

Leading the field at four-under-par are Davis Cooper, Michael Winslow, and Robert Russell.

Cooper won the Challenge in 2022 and holds a home course advantage as a member at Lionsgate. Cooper carded an early double bogey in his round but wasn’t concerned “I knew I still had four par fives left on the day so I wasn’t too stressed about it”, he said after going on to make eight birdies during the round.

Russell, who also holds a home course advantage as the Head Golf Professional at Lionsgate, had an impressive round today. After an unfortunate bogey on the par-three-eighth hole, Russell holed out for an eagle on nine; “I knew it was going to be good, but I never dreamed it would be in the hole,” Russell said.

M. Winslow, a Junior on the Wichita State University Golf Team, also shot 68 today. Winslow carded five birdies on the front nine this morning on holes two, four, five, six, and seven. The key to his success? “I putted the ball really well today and my wedges were really good,” Winslow said.

Players to watch going into Friday’s round include David Jenkins who shot 69 (-3). Will King, Sean Dougherty, Michael Letzig, and Julian Taylor all are tied for fifth after shooting 70 (-2). Joseph Winslow and Austin Jarchow shot 71 (-1) to round out the top 10.

Round two begins at 7:30 AM Friday morning.

Pairings, Live Scoring, and Results can be found here >>

Media Contact:
Baile Stephenson
baile@clgolf.org
(913)-558-3663

Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate Set to Host Watson Challenge

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For Immediate Release

Overland Park, Kansas – The Watson Challenge, hosted by namesake Tom Watson, is set to take place Thursday, June 1 through Saturday, June 3 at The Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate. The Watson Challenge offers the strongest field of amateur and professional golfers in the Kansas City area.

The Watson Challenge is an annual 54-hole golf championship held “To Determine the Best Golfer in the Greater Kansas City Golf Community.” The event has a 50-golfer field, consisting of the top PGA Club Professionals from the Midwest Section PGA, and the top amateurs living in the greater Kansas City golf community.

Players to watch:

  • 2022 champion, Davis Cooper, a Senior on the University of Kansas Golf Team
  • Past champion, Alex Springer, won the Challenge when it was last hosted at the Nicklaus Golf Club in 2019
  • Three-time past champion, Andy Spencer
  • Brothers Joseph and Michael Winslow are paired together in Thursday’s round
  • Nicklaus Golf Club Head Golf Professional, Robert Russell
  • One woman will compete in the field, Julia Misemer, an incoming sophomore at the University of Arizona

Tom Watson will be unable to compete due to an injury.

The event will raise funds for the First Tee of Kansas City.

Spectator Information

Tickets to the 2023 Watson Challenge are free, but we strongly encourage a donation of $25 to the First Tee of Greater Kansas City. Tickets are available at the Nicklaus Golf Club.

Parking Information

Only players, sponsors, staff, and rules officials are allowed into the clubhouse parking lot. Public parking for the event will be at the Blue Valley campus of Legacy Christian Church at 14301 Metcalf Avenue. There will be a shuttle running from the church to the clubhouse during the event. Do not park on roads in the Lionsgate neighborhood.

Schedule of Events

Tee times will run from 7:30 am until 10:00 am each day, June 1st through 3rd. The leaders will tee off at 10:00 am for rounds two and three. There will be a trophy presentation at approximately 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 3rd.

For tournament information, pairings, and players click here >>

Round 1 Pairings>>

Media Contact:
Baile Stephenson
(913) 558-3663
baile@clgolf.org

Yonke Wins Kansas City Match Play

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The Kansas City Match Play Championship presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City began on Friday afternoon. The tournament started with a stroke-play qualifying round where the top 32 golfers made the cut into the match play portion of the event. The round of 16 matches and Quarterfinal matches were played Saturday, followed by the Semifinal matches and Championship match on Sunday.

Curtis Yonke, a former professional golfer on PGA Tour Latin America, clinched his first amateur win since having his amateur status reinstated. Yonke shot 69 (-3) during Friday’s stroke play qualifying round, making him the #6 seed going into match play.

Yonke won his first match Friday afternoon against Quinn Earwood. After losing his early lead in the match, Yonke made a down-hill five-footer on 18 (his ninth hole) to win the hole. “When I made it, I feel like it gave me a lot of momentum,” Yonke said. He proceeded to win two of the next three holes, leading to his 3&2 victory.

On Saturday morning, Yonke won his match 6&5 against Jeff Mason and his Quarterfinal match against Rj Opliger 3&2.

Yonke played his Semifinal match against Friday’s Medalist, Kit Grove. Grove who made a hole-in-one during the qualifying round shot 67 (-5) on Friday. Yonke made early strides in the match and won 4&3.

Matthew Rau won his Semifinal match Sunday morning against Benjamin Pearson 3&2. Yonke and Rau went head-to-head in the Final match. After an unfortunate three-putt on the second hole, Yonke knew he needed to make his 8-footer for birdie on three, as Rau had an easy birdie. “When I made, I felt like it was crucial from keeping momentum away from him,” Yonke said.

Yonke certainly kept the momentum in his favor, he won holes 5, 6, and 7 before making the turn at 3 up. On the back nine, the match alternated from 2 up to 3 up before Yonke went 3 up on 16 to win the match.

“This is my first amateur win since getting my status back and it was really cool and a ton of fun. It was one of my goals this year and to achieve it this week, especially on Mother’s Day with my wife and girls with me, was really special. My wife is the reason I get to play a decent amount of golf, so this one goes out to her,” Yonke said, “My hope is that this is just the begging of a successful amateur career for me.”

Yonke’s win also gets him an exemption into the Watson Challenge on June 1-3 at Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate.

View full results here >>

Final Four at the Kansas City Match Play

Four golfers will continue to the Semifinal matches on Sunday Morning at the Kansas City Match Play Championship.

Benjamin Pearson vs. Matthew Rau
Kit Grove vs. Curtis Yonke

Pearson won his morning match against Chance Rinkol 2&1, and his Quarterfinal match against Drew Carlson 4&2.

Rau won his morning match against Cam Wilste after 19 holes, and his Quarterfinal match against Joseph Kinny 3&2.

Grove, the qualifying round Medalist, won his morning match against Justin Wingerter 6&5, and his Quarterfinal match against Nathaniel Spencer 3&1.

Yoke, a former professional golfer on PGA Tour Latin America, won his morning match against Jeff Mason 6&5, and his Quarterfinal match against RJ Opliger 3&2.

The Semifinal matches will begin at 7:30 AM Sunday morning.

Pairings, live scoring, and results can be found here >>

Day 1 Recap

The Kansas City Match Play Championship Presented By Granite Garage Floors Kansas City began today at Swope Memorial Golf Course.

Grove Makes Hole-in-One and Earns Medalist Honors with Carlson

The Stroke Play Qualifying round took place on Friday morning at Swope Memorial Golf Course. The top 32 golfers advanced into the Match Play Bracket.

Kit Grove and Drew Carlson shared medalist honors after shooting five-under-par in Friday’s qualifying round. Grove made four birdies and a hole-in-one on the front nine. His ace, on the eighth hole, was followed by a birdie on the ninth. Grove made two birdies and two bogies on the back nine to shoot 67. Carlson made six birdies and one bogey on his round, including two sets of back-to-back birdies on holes 12 & 13 and 15 & 16.

2021 KC Match Play Champion, Doug Albers, is looking to add a second KC Match Play Title to his name after shooting 70 (-2).

The Round of 32 Matches began Friday afternoon.

Notable Matches

#1 Seed Drew Carlson vs. #32 Seed Kris Casburn >> Carlson, who earned Medalist in Round 1, won his match 3&2.

#2 Seed Kit Grove vs. #31 Andrew Conrad >> Grove, who earned Medalist in Round 1, won his match 2&1.

#15 Seed Justin Wingerter vs. #18 Seed Connor MacGee >> Wingerter the 2018 KC Junior Champion and MacGee who just qualified to play in the Watson Challenge went head-to-head this afternoon, Wingerter won 2&1.

#4 Seed Lucas Larson vs. #29 Seed Matthew Rau >> A fun match to track, Larson and Rau went back and forth throughout the afternoon. Eventually, Rau won 1 up.