Author: Baile Stephenson

Not Just About Mowing Grass | Three Local Superintendents Share Their Stories

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September 13 is Thank A Golf Course Superintendent Day

There are a few common themes among golf course superintendents: they love spending time outside, they take amazing pictures of sunrises, and they all wake up (very, very) early. Although each superintendent is unique, they all maintain a common goal to make the course the best it can be.

Matt Gourlay
Colbert Hills Golf Course | Manhattan, KS

You might know him on Twitter from the sunrise pictures of Colbert Hills or as the guy with the cutest #GolfDog (Lexi) in the business, but what you don’t know is the work he’s doing behind the scenes – his before 5:00 AM wake up call, the water conservation efforts, and the education of future golf course superintendents.

Since its inception in 2000, Matt has helped Colbert Hills reduce its water usage by nearly 72 million gallons per year. How? When asked, Matt began listing several reasons: the addition of 50 acres of native area, the removal of about 1,000 irrigation heads on the property, the use of wetting agents to help distribute water uniformly, the use of warm season grass (Zoysia), and more.

Matt leads the next generation of golf course superintendents by serving as an adjunct faculty member who shares his experience with students at Kansas State University in the Golf Course and Turf Management programs. Colbert Hills is also home to a unique internship opportunity for students pursuing a career in Golf Course Operations. The program allows interns to be “Superintendent for the Week” and make all decisions related to the entire golf course turf operation. Matt consults with the interns during their week, asking them questions and helping them think through their decisions. This opportunity allows them to come out of their internship seeing a lot more than just a task that needs to be done, truly giving them a full picture of what it is like to be a superintendent.

“I’m kinda a morning person, I love seeing sunrises on the golf course.”

When asked, “What is the best part about your job?”

Photo taken by Matt Gourlay

Vance Marlin
Cimarron Valley Golf Club | Satanta, Kansas

About an hour from Dodge City on Highway 56 you will find Cimarron Valley Golf Club, a 9-hole course with about 60 members nestled into the hills of Southwest Kansas.

Vance Marlin is the guy doing it all; he serves as the general manager, “clubhouse guy”, and (most importantly) golf course superintendent. Formerly in the agriculture industry, Vance was looking for something new to do with his career when he became a golf course superintendent in 2019. He has quickly learned through on-the-job experience while consulting with his brother who is also a superintendent.

With the exception of a local teacher who helps during the summer, Vance is a one-man show who is responsible for all turf management, mowing, chemical applications, mechanics, and clubhouse operations.

“I like that I get to choose what the most important thing to work on is. [My job is] a new challenge every day….there’s always something to figure out,” Vance said, “Most people don’t know how much work it is – it’s not just about mowing grass.”

When asked, “What do you wish more people knew about your job?”

Photo taken by Vance Marlin

Clay Payne
Buffalo Dunes Golf Course | Garden City, Kansas

He answered the phone a little out of breath, he said he was laying sod (alone) on Friday afternoon and because it has to get done – he is the one doing it. He commented on the small staff size and expressed immense gratitude for his team – but if there is something that needs to get done, he will likely be doing it too.

Buffalo Dunes is undergoing a six-year complete golf course renovation, all while remaining open to play and on a municipal budget – the brain behind the operation is golf course superintendent, Clay Payne.

Growing up in Garden City and having worked at top 50-rated clubs throughout the United States, Clay wanted to make a top-tier venue available to people living in his hometown.

Each year of the renovation will include three greens getting reshaped, resurfaced, seeded, and bunker changes or repairs. Clay noted that typically the cost to reseed new greens would cost around $140,000 but they are doing it for close to $1,200 by growing their own grass. Through progressive renovation practices, Clay and his team are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars to create a top-quality golf course that is open to the public to play for only $25. The renovation is set to be complete in 2026 – just in time for the course to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

“Everyone deserves to come out and have an affordable world-class experience.“

When asked, “Why are you undergoing this renovation?”

#ThankASuper

Often being a golf course superintendent is a thankless job. Many golfers can play multiple rounds without thinking about the people behind the operations. At Central Links Golf, we work with superintendents across the state to conduct our championships. These are people we get to know and love working with — we feel that they deserve all the thanks in the world for making golf happen. We encourage golfers to thank their local superintendents and maintenance crews today and every day.

For more information about golf course superintendents, please visit the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America at https://www.gcsaa.org/.

Asked & Answered: Tiffany Greens Approach Shot Dilemma

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Question: When playing at Tiffany Greens last weekend I hit my approach shot just off the left of the green on a par four. When looking for the ball I was unable to find it but there was a creek on the left side of the green. After a couple of minutes of looking for it, I just assumed bounced into the creek. I took a drop and finished out the hole. As I left the green and went towards the cart I found my ball. Am I able to finish the hole with my original ball at that point?

Answer: The short answer is no, once you drop a ball with the intent of putting it in play, the original ball can no longer be played, and this is true if the 3-minute search time has passed or not.  Additionally,  it sounds like the 3-minute search time was up so your original is now lost and cannot be played under any circumstance.

Long answer: Now if you dropped a ball and were not sure it was in the creek, then you find the original ball within 3 minutes of searching, it is your lucky day!  The original ball is still in play and there is no penalty to play it. 

But if you are sure (at least 95% sure) the original ball is in the creek and you drop a ball, it becomes the ball in play no matter what.  If you then happen to find your ball outside the creek, it is NOT your lucky day, that ball is no longer in play.  If you find your original ball in the creek, you still can’t play it, but it may change the reference point where you must drop the ball. Great Question!!

Todd Stice is our in-house Rules of Golf Expert. You can learn more about Todd here.

Youth on Course Member Spotlight: Savannah Gentry

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Savannah Gentry is a freshman at the University of Kansas. She recently completed the three-month USGA Boatwright Internship with Central Links Golf and is an Evans Scholar. Among her many achievements, Savannah benefited from the access to golf Youth on Course provided her.

How did you get started playing golf?

I got involved with the game when I was about 10. My sister and I were looking into sports we hadn’t played or given a try yet, and a golf academy opened right next to where we were going to school at the time. She and I were their first swing lessons! Ever since then it’s stuck and become my favorite sport.

What do you enjoy about playing golf?

I love that it’s more than just a game and that I am reminded of that every time I play or am involved with it. There are so many aspects to it from meeting new people, playing, going to new places, getting involved in more ways than just playing, and so on. 

How have you benefitted from Youth on Course?

I found and was introduced to Youth on Course in the parking lot of a golf course during my first year playing by another junior golfer and his dad. It has been a huge benefit being able to have the opportunity to play for such a low rate and so many courses throughout the city. I definitely would not have been able to play as much as I have without it. I was extra appreciative especially after my first time paying for a full greens fee this summer!  

“Even though I’ve aged out of Youth on Course, I still encourage anyone I’m around to get signed up if they haven’t, because it really is a great program and seeing youth golfers is always an awesome thing!”

What are your next steps after having graduated from the YOC program?

I had an awesome internship with Central Links Golf this summer. Aside from focusing on school in the fall and upcoming year, I plan to stay involved with golf in any way I can. I also plan to major in business and sports management to later end up somewhere in the golf industry!

Tell us about the scholarship you received.

This spring I received the Chick Evans Scholarship from the Western Golf Association Evans Foundation. It’s a full tuition and housing scholarship for high-achieving caddies. I’ll be attending the University of Kansas this fall with it and living in the Evans house on campus. Very excited!

For more information about how to join Youth on Course click here >>,

To make a donation, click here>>

“How Do I Get More Turn in My Golf Swing?”

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By Dr. Wade Roberts

This is perhaps one of the most common questions I get from golfers about their game as it relates to the physical side of golf.

The golfer will often say, “Wade, I’m not making a big enough or efficient turn and it’s killing my consistency and distance. I need some stretches to help improve my flexibility.”

It’s at this point that I reassure them that they’re in the right place and that there are a lot of things we can do that will improve their turn.

However, this golfer is making a bold assumption…that their lack of turn they may be feeling is because of muscle tightness and that stretching will help improve it….Sounds reasonable right?

It does if, in fact, it’s the muscles that are what’s tight and that stretching is the most effective remedy.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of different reasons why someone may not have good ‘flexibility or mobility’ in their body.

To name a few, it could be due to:

  • Joint limitations
  • Neural tension
  • Fascial tension
  • Trigger point activity
  • Hypertrophy
  • Scarring and fibrosis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Guarding
  • Overload
  • Fusion
  • Inflammation
  • Ischemia

While I don’t expect you to know what each of these means, the point is, there are multiple reasons why a person can have a limited range of motion in a particular part of their body.

The Key: Know the underlying problem that’s limiting YOUR mobility.

I can’t emphasize enough that only once you know the underlying cause of your limited mobility, can you be prescribed an effective ‘flexibility’ routine. Some mobility problems cannot simply be solved by exercise or stretching alone.

Specific to stretching, it may feel good when you’re done, and it may in fact be the right intervention for you, but that’s only if that was determined by a thorough evaluation to sort through all the potential problems listed above. Otherwise, you may not ever make a lasting change, chasing your tail stretching over and over again, never realizing your full potential for a complete turn in your swing.

Getting to the root cause of why someone is lacking the mobility to make a good turn in their golf game, fixing it through whatever appropriate intervention is warranted, and then following that with a good stability/strength routine afterwards to hit the ‘save’ button on your gains in motion, is one of the most common things I do.

Do you think something is limiting your turn? Let’s get you on a path to success with a targeted, golf-specific mobility program put together by a Doctor of Physical Therapy and TPI Medical Professional.

Hit em’ straight –
Wade

Click Here to Set Up a Call

Dr. Wade Roberts is a contributing writer for Central Links Golf. He graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology. He then earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Lynchburg College. Dr. Roberts is able to provide specialized therapies for a variety of patients but has a special interest in decreasing pain, increasing speed, and achieving longevity in the golf community.

Asked & Answered: Member-Guest

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Question: During our Member-Guest earlier this year. We were playing the gunch as a penalty area. The player hit his ball into the gunch or possibly OB, and proceeded to hit a provisional. While looking for his ball I asked why did he hit a provisional when we are playing this as a penalty area. He says “oh, yeah, I’ll just drop one,” I told him since he already hit a provisional he had to play that. He was not pleased. What’s the ruling?

Answer: If a ball may be possibly OB, the player may play a provisional, even if a penalty area is where the ball could be. This player had the right to play a provisional. However, once it is determined where the ball is or where it is lost, we must proceed with that Rule. So if it was determined the ball was OB, then the provisional becomes the ball in play. If it is determined the ball is in the penalty area, then the provisional must be abandoned, and then proceed under the penalty area rule. Those options are stroke and distance (and cannot use the provisional), back-on-the-line relief, or two club-lengths from where it entered the penalty area. If the player knew the ball was in the penalty area, then yes, you cannot play a provisional, it would become the ball in play.

Todd Stice is our in-house Rules of Golf Expert. You can learn more about Todd here.

Two Golfers Win Cars at Falcon Wealth Advisors Tour Event

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Two golfers made holes-in-one on the 17th hole during Thursday’s Falcon Wealth Advisors Tour event at Falcon Lakes, winning them both one-year Toyota car leases.

According to the PGA, the odds of making a hole-in-one on the same course is once in every 3,500 rounds. The last time the Falcon Wealth Advisors Tour had a hole-in-one was nearly eight years ago. So when Jake Falcon owner of Falcon Wealth Advisors said he wanted to give away a one-year Toyota lease to golfers who made a hole-in-one on Tour this year, we didn’t think it would happen, and we certainly didn’t think it would happen TWICE in the same day.

Falcon remarked, “when Todd told us that there had not been a hole-in-one on the tour in the last eight years we found that hard to believe, I guess it’s been far overdue.”

In order to win a car on tour, the golfers must make a hole-in-one on a predetermined hole in each event. Thursday’s hole was #17, golfers must carry their tee shot over a creek with bunkers guarding the left side of the green and sloping off the right side of the green, the 17th green is deep and narrow, forcing golfers to choose the right club.

The first hole-in-one of the day was carded by Pete Robbins. Playing in the Super Senior Division, Pete had a 155-yard shot and used a 6-iron from a new set of clubs he played with for the first time during his round on Thursday. Robbins is headed to the Kansas Senior Amateur next week. When asked if he plans to continue using the new clubs he replied “yeah, I think I’ll keep them in the bag”.

The second hole-in-one was made by Brian Schmidt, who played in the Players Division. Schmidt’s shot was from 178 yards and he used a 5 iron, making this his first career hole-in-one. “I couldn’t have hit it any better,” Schmidt noted about the shot “This is my first year playing in the FWA Tour and I couldn’t have picked a better way to make a hole-in-one.”

Falcon has been a member of the FWA Tour for many years, when the tour was previously known as the Stateline Amateur Tour.  

“We are thrilled for Pete and Brian and are glad that this brings more notoriety to KC’s best Amateur Tour! The tour players should know that the hole-in-one hole will be quite a bit more challenging the rest of this season. They can thank Pete and Brian for that, haha!”

Jake Falcon

Report from the US Adaptive Open Championship

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Story by Kim Richey (retired Kansas Golf Association Executive Director)

It has been my honor to represent Kansas at over 30 USGA championships since 1995 as a member of the rules committee.  Whether it is a US Open or a national amateur championship, the USGA always goes the extra distance to make the event memorable for the players and historical in the world of golf.   The Inaugural US Adaptive Open Championship recently conducted at Pinehurst #6 was, according to one USGA executive, “one of the best things the USGA has ever done!”

Having been delayed two years by a pandemic, the launch of this Open championship for golfers within 8 classifications of disability assembled an inspirational field of 96 golfers from around the world who played 54 holes to determine an overall champion for both men and women and the top male and female player in each of the categories.   One of those golfers was Greg Hollingsworth from Peck, Kansas. 

Hollingsworth, age 53, competed in the leg impairment category.  His right leg was amputated below the knee in 2019.  This was only his fifth competition since his amputation and for it to have been a “US Open experience” was truly special for the self-employed electricity safety consultant. 

While Greg admits that he did not play as well as he would have liked, he can’t be faulted for it.  For the first two rounds, he was paired with a young professional from Korea that played in the Intellectual Impairment category.  His name was Simon Lee and the following he had of Korean media, ESPN and other media would make any golfer nervous.  Turns out, Lee lead the event wire-to-wire shooting under par, and became the eventual overall champion surviving a 2-hole aggregate playoff on the final day.

After the golfing experience of a lifetime, Hollingsworth commented that “my score and results were just a piece of the week for me.  I received so many texts, emails, messages on social media, and phone calls encouraging me and letting me know that my play and play of all participants was inspiring and helping people to know they can do hard things.  I have to remember that sometimes it’s not all about the golf!”

Hollingsworth reports that he has two more adaptive golf competitions on his schedule for this year and he is entered in the Kansas Senior Amateur Championship to be played in August at Terradyne Country Club in Andover, Kansas.

For me personally, the US Adaptive Open had a special significance.  I became a member of this “community” myself in 2017 when a life-saving above left knee amputation cured me of a sarcoma cancer.   When the USGA announced the formation of a feasibility study to create a championship for golfers with disabilities, I was quick to raise my hand.   The USGA staff did all of the hard work to get this new championship off to a successful start, but I was happy to provide a few ideas on the subject.

If you did not see or read any of the coverage of this amazing event, a quick Google search of “US Adaptive Open Championship” will lead you to some outstanding video of these remarkable golfers. 

Here are some of the players that I was fortunate to meet:

Amy Brockerstette, from Phoenix, Arizona.  This engaging young woman became our Gary Woodland’s new best friend at the 2019 Waste Management Open PGA Tour stop when during a practice round with Gary, she single-handedly parred the 16th “stadium hole” in front of the large crowd.  When Gary asked Amy if she would like him to extract her tee shot from the greenside bunker, her response was simply “I’ve got this”!  Gary claims her attitude and spirit inspired him to go on to win the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach.   While meeting Amy and her parents and taking a few photos together, Amy was busy texting the photo to Gary!  Turns out anyone that knows Gary is Amy’s friend too!

Chad Pfiefer from Boise, Idaho.  Chad led the way for golfers with leg impairments.  The Army vet has managed to develop a very strong and solid golf game.  He played his way into the final group for the last day and I was honored to be assigned to that group as its rules official.  He shot the low round of the event with a 4-under par 68 on a 6600 yard Fazio layout.   He finished at even par for the championship, three strokes behind the winner Simon Lee.

Simon Lee from Korea.   Simon won the overall championship from the Intellectual Impairment category.  Autism effects his ability to communicate, but not his golf game.  I followed him during the final round and was impressed with his consistency.   He did not need any rulings from me until the 18th hole when his drive found a rough area next to a cart path that was marked as part of the obstruction.  I have given this or similar rulings hundreds of times, but this was the first time to do so with a player that doesn’t speak English.   Fortunately, his Korean caddy understood my instructions well enough that we finally got his ball back in play.  From a precarious pine straw lie, Lee hit his approach to two-putt distance and then won the event in a two-hole aggregate playoff with a Swedish Intellectual Impairment player, Felix Norrman.

Grace Anne Braxton from Fredericksburg, Virginia.  This remarkable woman was in my group for the first round.  It was the first group of the day and she was designated as the player to make the opening shot of the new championship.   She must have been a little nervous with all of the cameras and the large crowd.  She missed the fairway and her ball found a penalty area.  Her father later told me that it was probably “the first fairway she’s missed in 14 years!”  I believed it.  Her swing was perfectly timed.  She came within six inches of a hole-in-one and she made several putts in excess of 20 feet.   She won the first place medal for her category.  Turns out she has been ranked the Special Olympics #1 woman golfer in the world for many years and she was inducted in the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame earlier this year.   I will never forget the “Woo-Hoos” she would yell out after a solid drive!  (No pictures to share, but it’s worth it to find her on YouTube!).

Jeremy Bittner from Moon Township, Pennsylvania.   Jeremy was in the Leg Impairment category and made history.  He made the first hole-in-one (and only one) in the USAOC!   They awarded him the #4 hole flag, where his 187-yard tee shot was perfection.   He donated the ball to Golf House for the museum!  I met Jeremy at a small social event on the day he made the ace and he was still on an adrenalin high!

Ken Green from West Palm Beach, Florida.  You may remember this PGA Tour winner and former Ryder Cupper.  He was a “colorful” player (usually green!) in his youth.  He lost his right leg below the knee in 2009 as a result of a tragic RV accident.    I watched in amazement just how solidly Ken still hits a golf ball.  He quickly became an ambassador for this championship and was very approachable to all.  His book “Hunter of Hope” details his life, both on and off the course.

I was pleased to meet many other players from the adaptive golf community and watch several others.   Each player has written a remarkable story.   Stay tuned for chapter two in July 2023 when the 2nd US Adaptive Open Championship will return to Pinehurst #6.   I also got to meet the Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper!

David Jenkins wins KC Amateur

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The Kansas City Amateur Presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City was held at Creekmoor Golf Course on July 29-31.

The Open Division

The Open Division was headlined by extremely good play from several players. David Jenkins won shooting ten-under-par with rounds of 66-68-72-206. Calvin Dillon finished second with a strong tournament finish with rounds of 73-67-69-209. Former Watson Challenge champion, Alex Springer, finished third with rounds of 67-77-66-210.

The Senior Division

Tim Barry won the Senior Division by one shot shooting 69-74-75-218 (+2), Jon Platz and Greg Goode both tied for second place at three-over-par for the event.

The Super Senior Division

Thomas Leonard won the Super Senior Division shooting an impressive three-under-par for the tournament.

The Players Division

In the Players Division, Song Kim finished in first place with rounds of 76-76-77-229. Nathan Deadmond won the Net division.

FULL RESULTS >>

Wire-to-Wire Victory for Misemer

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The Prairie Invitational presented by Dr. Douglas Cusick and sponsored by Toyota Dealers of Kansas City took place at Blue Hills Country Club last week.

Dr. Cusick & Barbara Cusick smile while being thanked at the Prairie Invitational awards ceremony.

The weather controlled the opening round; the event began with an hour delay due to heavy rains that continued at the beginning of play on Monday. Julia Misemer, the soon-to-be Freshman at the University of Arizona, got off to a hot start with an opening round of 72 which consisted of three birdies and an eagle. There were seven rounds of 75 as well including one shot by Kansas Women’s Amateur champion, Maya McVey. The weather cleared in the afternoon on the first day and the clear weather carried over into the second day of the event.

Misemer held her lead following day two, she shot two under in the second round with six birdies. Aristelle Acuff shot even par round on day two to find herself five shots back headed into the last round. Abby Glynn found her one-shot back of Acuff headed into the last round. Acuff was able to narrow the gap to four and headed into the back nine of the final round. Misemer suffered a double on hole sixteen narrowing the lead to just two. Acuff and Misemer made a birdie on the last resulting in Misemer’s first Prairie Invitational victory, earning her the title of Low Junior too.

Julia Misemer tees off on the fourth hole during round two.

The Alane Studley Low Senior

New to the tournament was the Alane Studely Low Senior Award. This award was named to honor the life and legacy of Alane Studley, who was a Central Links Golf Board Member and avid golfer. Martha Linscott won the award shooting rounds of 82-80-162.

Craig Studley (left), the husband of Alane, stands next to Low Senior winner, Martha Linscott (right)

Opal Hill Division

The Opal Hill Division is 36 holes. Aliyah North held the lead after day one with a round of 82. Home course favorite and defending champion, Diane Sparks shot a round of 83. North controlled the lead the entire day in the Gross division with a final round of 74 headlined by a bogey-free 35 on the front. North won in commanding fashion, and Annie Johnsen and Charley Strahm finished in a tie for second. The net division was won by Heidi Calvin, who shot net rounds of 74 and 71 to win the title.

The Prairie Invitational had another successful year by raising over $30,000 Girls Performance Initiative. The 2023 Prairie Invitational will be played at Kansas City Country Club in honor of the tenth anniversary of the event.

FULL RESULTS >>

Thrilling Finish at the Kansas Women’s Amateur

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It was a hot week at the Kansas Women’s Amateur presented by Mommy’s Helper, with temperatures climbing into the mid-90s, the greens became dry and fast, making the already challenging Topeka Country Club, even more difficult.

Emerie Shartz, a fourteen-year-old from Wichita, was leading the event after shooting 70-76 on Monday. Maya McVey, an incoming Senior at Blue Springs South High School, fired an impressive round of 71 on Tuesday to put her in contention after shooting 75-78 on Monday.

After Shartz had a few hiccups on her back nine, she was tied with McVey at five-over-par for the tournament, leading to a playoff on the 18th hole.

Both girls hit impressive drives just short of the green on the 277-yard par-4. They both proceeded to hit their chip shots close to the hole. Shartz just barely missed her putt, making par. McVey was next to play and sunk her short 2-footer to win.

“Through all three rounds, I was just trying to keep a relaxed mindset,” McVey said, “My approach shots were the best part of my game this week, I was hitting them all pin-high…they were like darts,” she added when asked what led to her victory.

Shartz and McVey won Low Junior honors. Martha Linscott of Mission Hills won Low Senior after shooting 78-82-85.

Other notable players included home course favorite, Megan Lucas who shot 77-75-75, earning her solo-third place. Megan Whittaker from Elkhorn, Nebraska shot 77-70-81 was in solo-fourth. Local Kansas golfers, Abby Glynn (Topeka), Kinslea Jones (Wichita), and Hanna Hawks (Wichita) each tied for fifth place.

Full results >>