Author: Baile Stephenson

KS Women’s Amateur Day 1 Recap

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Ladies Wrap Up Play During Day 1 of the 2022 Kansas Women’s Amateur Championship

TOPEKA, KS – Day 1 of the Kansas Women’s Amateur has ended with the completion of Rounds 1 & 2, hosted at The Topeka Country Club in Topeka, KS Monday evening. The event is sponsored by Mommy’s Helper.

The 2022 Kansas Women’s Amateur has kicked off at The Topeka Country Club, a golf course with a rich history of hosting Kansas Championships. The field of 56 is filled with the top players in the state, fighting for the Women’s Amateur trophy in our 54-hole championship. With few clouds in the sky and the sun shining all over, the course was in perfect shape, playing at 6,029 yards. The tree-lined golf course has the feel of an old-style country club, with narrow fairways and slick greens, adding a challenge to the championship.

As the wind started to pick up later in the evening, players faced more challenges towards the end of the round, except for Emerie Schartz and Megan Whittaker, who both shot under-par rounds today. Emerie shot a 70 in Round 1 with five birdies and two bogies, and a 76 in Round 2 to put her at even par through Day 1. Megan Whittaker finished Round 1 with a 77, but turned on the fire in Round 2 with five birdies and two bogies, ending with a score of 70 and putting her at 1 over par through Day 1.

The final round of the Kansas Women’s Amateur Championship continues tomorrow as Emerie Schartz and Megan Whittaker battle to secure the win. With multiple scores just above par, the race will be tight as the first group of ladies tee off at 7:30 a.m. CT. Live scoring will be posted throughout the day, and available on our website.

Acuff Victorious at KC Women’s Match Play

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The Kansas City Women’s Match Play presented by Granite Garage Floors was held this week at Hillcrest Golf Course.

Aristelle Acuff, a graduate student on the Georgia State Women’s Golf Team, was victorious at the Kansas City Women’s Match Play on Wednesday. Acuff who was the two seed, defeated Abby Glynn the one seed 3&2 in the final match.

Acuff, who shot 74 in the stroke-play qualifier said “the results from the stroke-play qualifying gave me a lot of confidence and momentum heading into match play. There were a lot of good players in the field, I thought I had put myself in a solid position to go all the way.”

Going into her final round she knew it would be a tough match. Glynn and Acuff were former teammates at Kansas University, “Abby is a great golfer and we have a very similar golf game. I just wanted to keep it simple and stay in the moment,” Acuff noted.

On the 7th hole, a par-three, Acuff hit a solid tee shot into the green and stuck it to about three feet. Without missing a beat, Glynn followed it up by hitting her tee shot a similar distance from the hole. “I think that sums up the type of golf that was played today,” Acuff said, “It was a blast getting to play against Abby. I got this one, but I know Abby will be waiting for the next one!”

In the Silver Bracket, Sam Maceli defeated Faith Hedges 3&2.

Full results from the event can be found here.

The Kansas Junior Am is underway at Ironhorse

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The Kansas Junior Am got underway today at Ironhorse in Leewood, Ks. This tournament consists of the deepest field in junior golf in the state of Kansas. Former and present high school champions and future collegiate athletes line the field this week. The biggest factor today was no doubt the weather. With a heat index over 100 and high winds the players faced a difficult challenge. The field went off in two waves today, giving the morning wave a slight advantage with the afternoon heat brewing. In the morning wave Kyle Kasitz of Wichita fired an impressive 69 which begin with a 5 birdie stretch between holes two and six. Kyle suffered a double on 9 and a bogey on 11, but locked back in to birdie the 14th in route to his impressive 69. Zackary Clark also fired an under par round in the afternoon wave. He made 3 birdies and 2 bogeys to end with a 71. Chance Rinkol sits in third place following a round of even par that included three birdies and an eagle.

The girls only had to play in the morning wave which allowed for some really good scores. Kinslea Jones of Wichita led the field with a 73. Her round consisted of two birdies and three bogeys. Bailey Burkett of Kansas City shot a 74 with an eagle on hole 14. Brooke Thiele made the trip down from Nebraska to compete. Brooke will only be in eight grade, but that didn’t stop her from making 3 birdies on the day and shooting a 76, finding herself in third.

Today was also highlighted by a hole-in-one from Blaine Sullivan. Blaine hit a 153-yard pitching wedge on the downhill 12th hole. Following tomorrow’s round, there will be a cut before the final day of play on Wednesday.

Day 2

High winds and intense heat created more of a challenge today. Jacob Fratzel led the boy’s side with an impressive 69. Will King kept his strong playing going by carding an even-par round. Zack Clark struggled out of the gate with two bogeys, but managed to claw his way back and still remain tied for the lead at the end of the day. 12 players set within 4 shots of the lead making tomorrow a guaranteed day of excitement. 

On the girl’s side of the competition, Kinslea Jones picked up right where she left off. Jaylee Castro had the round of the day with a 69, shooting 14 shots better than yesterday and moving into the fifth position. Can Jones hold onto the lead will be the question tomorrow? She currently holds the lead by 4 shots. 

On another note, there were two hole-in-ones today. Avery Hershman made one on 5 and Wiley Curtis made one on 12. Jaylee Castro also holed out for an eagle from 76 yards on 11. 

Kansas City Junior Championship Recap

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The 2022 Kansas City Junior Championship presented by Granite Garage Floors got underway today at Heritage Park. The stage was set for a very competitive day with a large field headlined by former and current state champions in both Kansas and Missouri. Ty Lasley was the only one in the boys division to fire a round in the 60s, shooting a 69(-2). His round consisted of 4 birdies and 2 bogeys. Luke Walsh, Peyton Smith, Jack Randall, Myles Tarvin, and Caden Mickelson fired a one under par round of 70. 38 players shot 75 or better today as well. Tomorrow is bound to be a very competitive day in the boys division as so many sit close to the lead.

Jaylee Castro leads the girls after round one with a score of 69(-2). Castro’s round was highlighted by five birdies including one on her last hole of the day. Castro has opened a large margin against the field with a seven-shot lead. Ella Slicker and Hillary Currier sit seven shots behind Castro in a tie for a second.

The girls will tee off first tomorrow starting at 7:30 with the lead group going off at 9:09. The boys will follow starting at 9:18 with the lead group going off at 1:48

Day 2 – June 7th 2022

Jaylee Castro opened her round with a seven-shot advantage against Ella Slicker and Hillary Currier. However, neither of them were the one who would end up putting pressure on her down the stretch. Averi Mickelson shot an impressive 69 with two birdies on 17 and 18. She improved 10 shots from yesterday and ended only four shots back off Castro. Castro fired a 75 “I was not nervous at all,” said Castro. “I took it hole by hole,” was what Castro said helped her. Her mindset helped to fuel a victory she won’t victory. “This is definitely one of the top tournaments I have won,” Castro said. She will be playing next week in the Kansas Junior Am as well as many high level tournaments across the country this summer.

In the Boys Divsion, Ty Lasley left off right where he ended yesterday. He got off to a hot start early in the round by shooting a 32 on the front nine. Ty said, “I really tried to stay focused and think through every shot before I hit it.” In second place was Jack Randall who fired an even-par round of 71 today.

Results:

KC |Junior Championship

Watson Challenge

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Recording Breaking Day at the Watson Challenge

Cooper sets three new Watson Challenge records

“We found out who the best player in Kansas City was,” Tom Watson said as he congratulated Davis Cooper on his Watson Challenge victory on Saturday afternoon at Indian Hills Country Club.

Cooper broke Challenge records for the lowest total score, score in relation to par, and margin-of-victory, after he shot 65-64-68-197 (-13), to win the Challenge by 8 strokes.

“That’s what you work for, you don’t know when your time is going to come and these last three days I have put three pretty good rounds together, so that was special” Cooper said, “to have all my friends and family here made it even better.”

Cooper’s victory also earned him an exemption into the 2023 AdventHealth Korn Ferry Tour event at Blue Hills Country Club in Kansas City.

The Price is Right for Letzig

Davis Cooper wasn’t the only one leaving Indian Hills on Saturday with a smile. Michael Letzig also won big. Going into the final hole, Letzig was two shots back from taking solo-second. On the par-five 18th hole, Letzig his third shot perfectly, hopping right into the cup to make eagle. Because of Cooper’s amateur status, Letzig went home with the $10,000 Watson Challenge purse.

Wade Binfield, Korn Ferry Tour player, finished in third place after shooting 71-67-68-206 (-4).

Tom Watson shot even par on Saturday putting him T15 for the event.

Full Results >>

Past and Present Jayhawks Shine During the Second Round of the Watson Challenge

Davis Cooper holds a strong lead going into the final round tomorrow.

Davis Cooper, entering his Junior year at the University of Kansas, holds a six-shot lead going into the final round of the Watson Challenge on Saturday. Cooper shot an impressive six-under-par, 64 during the second round on Friday.

“I stayed patient out there and waited for my birdies to come,” Cooper said, and they definitely came. He made five birdies before making his first and only bogey of the tournament on hole 13, then quickly recovered by making a birdie on 14. He finished his round with yet another birdie on 18 to card 7 birdies on his round.

Charlie Hillier, a professional on the PGA Tour Latin America and former University of Kansas golfer, shot 68 (-2) today to put him at five-under-par for the tournament, six shots back of Cooper.

Thursday’s leader, Zach VanDolah shot 73 (+3) today, putting him tied for third place with Michael Letzig who shot 70 (E) today.

Tom Watson bounced back after his day yesterday, carding 71 (+1) on his round today. Watson will tee off at 10:00 AM on Saturday.

With an improved forecast, the “best golfer in Kansas City” will be determined tomorrow.

Results from Round 2 >>

Pictures & Video from today >>

VanDolah Leads After the First Round at the Watson Challenge

The first round of the 2022 Watson Challenge began today as 50 men and 1 woman, took on Indian Hills Country Club, to see who will be crowned “the best golfer in Kansas City”.

Coming off his Kansas City Match Play Victory, Zach VanDolah leads the first round of the Watson Challenge after shooting 64 (-6) in his opening round. His round consisted of seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. When asked what the key to his success was he said “I made everything I looked at.”

Not far behind VanDolah is Davis Cooper, the current Kansas University Golfer, who shot a bogey-free 65 (-5), as he relied on his wedges to gain success around the greens today.

Justin Wingerter holds solo third after shooting 66 (-4).

Tom Watson, tournament namesake, shot 74 (+4) during his opening round this morning. Watson tees off at 9:50 AM Friday morning.

Gianna Augustine, the first female to play in the Challenge, shot 76 (+6).

Although not in the field, Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer George Brett could be found on the bag, as he caddied for Prairie Village’s Kevin Ward who shot 74 (+4).

Round Two will begin Friday morning at 8:30 AM.

Pairings & Results >>

Media Dropbox Kit >>

Friday’s Pairings:

Youth on Course Member Spotlight: Makenna Kincheloe

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Get to know Central Links Golf Youth on Course Member, Makenna Kincheloe.

How did you start playing golf?

I first started playing golf when I was around 12 years old. I started swinging the club when I went out with my dad and he introduced me to the challenging game. I instantly fell in love with the sport and knew that I wanted to continue to pursue my passion. From then on, I started taking lessons, going to the golf course more, and now playing in more and more golf tournaments.

What do you like about being a golfer?

I like being a golfer because it is an independent sport. Or as my parents would say, “You have no one else to blame but yourself.” When they say this they mean that if you mess up on a shot or a hole you have to take it upon yourself to have a good next recovery hole. Or that if you want to get any better you also have to take it upon yourself to go out to the golf course and put in the work to get better. I also like the challenging aspect of golf, both mentally and physically. If you mess up it can really challenge your mental game to want to break down, but as a golfer, you learn that you can’t do that.  You have to come back and do something about that bad shot or hole and not let it bring you down.

Why is being a Youth on Course Member important to you?

Youth on Course is important to me because it allows me to play different courses all around the Kansas City area for a less expensive price. It is also important to me because I can build new friendships with different kids that are my age that have the same passion as I do. 

I believe that every young golfer, especially girls, should participate in Youth on Course…

I believe this because it can give them the opportunity to play a usually expensive game for a cheaper price. Whenever I go out to the golf course I usually see one other woman golfer if that, this is because golf is usually stereotyped towards men. However, Youth on Course can change that. Youth on Course can allow many young female golfers around the world to have a better opportunity to pursue their passion in a sport they love.

Being a member of Youth on Course has impacted me in many ways…

It has shown me many different course management skills. It has also made me a better golfer and allowed me to perform better in golf tournaments. It has done this by allowing me to play different courses around the Kansas City area that are more challenging than others. It has also allowed me to play different courses that I play in tournaments to better prepare myself.

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

To make a donation, click here>>

The 2022 Watson Challenge | at Indian Hills Country Club

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For Immediate Release

Mission Hills, Kansas – The Watson Challenge, hosted by namesake Tom Watson, is set to take place Thursday, June 2 through Saturday, June 4 at Indian Hills Country Club. 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 competing include Tom Watson, 2019 Watson Challenge Champion, Alex Springer, Indian Hills Country Club Director of Golf, Mike Ricket, and for the first time in the Challenge’s 15-year-history, a woman will be in the field. Gianna Augustine, PGA Teaching Professional at the Overland Park Golf Division was awarded an invitation to the event.

After many years of renting the land that is currently Kansas City Country Club, the 130 acres that are now home to Indian Hills Country Club were developed by legendary golf course designer, A.W. Tillinghast. Indian Hills has previously hosted the 2001 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, the 2012 Watson Challenge, and more than 50 USGA and State Amateur qualifying events. The challenging 6554 yards, par 70 championship course will force golfers in the field to hit tee shots into narrow landing zones and compete on the course that Tillinghast called “one of the greatest opportunities I have ever had for creating a notable golf course.”

The event will raise funds for the First Tee of Kansas City. Tickets are available at the door and a $25 donation to the First Tee is suggested. Parking and shuttles are available at Prairie Elementary.

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

Round 1 Pairings >>

Media Contact:
Baile Stephenson
(913) 649-5242 x4
baile@clgolf.org

Wolff & Perkins Secure First Spring Triple Threat Title

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It was a beautiful day on Monday at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wichita for the Spring Triple Threat. Thank you to the staff and members for hosting and helping make the event go smoothly!

Results

Overall Gross: Abby Wolff & Hannah Perkins
Overall Net: Donna Nelson & Karen Brown

Flight 1
Low Gross:
1st: Jennifer Slayton & Madison Slayton
2nd: Denise Desilet & Patricia Sherwood
Low Net:
1st: Paula Routon & Shirley Blick
2nd: Jordan Boone & Susan Mueller

Flight 2
Low Gross:
1st: JoAnn McCormack & Teri Wray
2nd: Peggy Ricketts & Rose Schuh
Low Net:
1st: Jennifer Fry & Nancy Knopp
2nd: Deb Hager & Janet Ast

Flight 3
Low Gross:
1st: Kathy Thomas & Lora Walenz
2nd: Deb Slater & Holly Anderson
Low Net:
1st: Deb Christian & Lori Payne
2nd: Barb Fisher & Vicki Worrell

Flight 4
Low Gross:
1st: Paula Gill & Shirley West
2nd: Cindy Langlois & Rhonda Scheffler
Low Net:
1st: Jane Farmer & Marci Williams
2nd: Donna Roth Hillis & Mary Troy

Closest to the Pin
Hole 6: Missy Donaldson
Hole 9: Karen Brown
Hole 13: Julie Young
Hole 17: Deb Nittler

VanDolah Wins Kansas City Match Play Championship

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VanDolah Wins Kansas City Match Play Championship – Presented by Granite Garage Floors

Zach VanDolah won the Kansas City Match Play Championship on Sunday evening.

Going into the week, VanDolah was feeling confident because he knew the golf course well. Swope Memorial Golf Course has been home to the event since its resurrection in 2013. “I was able to work on the pieces of my game that I knew I would rely on at Swope which was mainly tee shots and wedges to tight pins.” VanDolah said.

VanDolah, the 2 seed, shot 69 in Friday’s Qualifying Round, and he didn’t slow down from there. He won his first match 3&2 against Jeff Mason. In the round of 16, he defeated Park Ulrich 5&3. In the Quarterfinals, he defeated 2021 KC Match Play Champion, Doug Albers, 4&2. In the Semi-finals, he played against Max Ernst and won 4&3.

During the Final Match, he was struggling to hit greens and had to make a lot of up and downs. “I missed it right on 13, the long par 3, and had a long pitch across the green to a left pin. I hit the pitch like I wanted to, but it hit the green and was running a bit hot. It ended up hitting the pin and going in.”

VanDolah had a few more shots go his way leading to his 4&2 victory over Drew Carlson in the Final match.

When asked how he feels about this win, VanDolah says “I’m fortunate to get to compete a lot, and to finally seal the deal was huge. I feel like I have been knocking at the door for a while and have lost some heartbreakers throughout my life. It’s a good feeling to get the win, especially against the competition I faced. All my matches were against great players. All of whom could have won this thing.”

Full results >>

Tournament history >>

Saturday Update:

Final Four at the Kansas City Match Play

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

Drew Carlson vs. Andrew Campbell
Zach VanDolah vs. Max Ernst

Carlson won both of his matches 4&3, the first against Liam Coughlin and his Quarterfinal match against Ben Pearson.

Campbell won his first match of the day against Jeff Spradlin 2 up and his Quarterfinal match against Nathan Hughes 4&3.

Carlson, the 25 seed, will play Campbell, the 29 seed, in the Semi-finals Sunday Morning at 7:30 am.

VanDolah will look to earn his KC Match Play crown on Sunday, after finishing Runner Up in the 2021 Championship. He defeated Park Ulrich 5&3 and the 2021 KC Match Play defending Champion, Doug Albers, 4&2 during the Quarterfinals.

Ernst defeated Conrad Roberts 2 up in his first match and defeated Will Harding 4&3 during the Quarterfinals.

VanDolah, the 2 seed, and Ernst, the 22 seed, will play in the Semi-finals Sunday Morning at 7:38 am.

Live scoring and tournament updates can be found here >>

Friday Update:

Baldwin Earns Medalist in Qualifying Round

In perfect Kansas City Match Play style, there was a weather delay to begin the Championship Friday morning at Swope Memorial Golf Course. One hundred men teed it up in the stroke-play qualifying round in hopes of making it into the Match Play Bracket, which was determined by the best 32 scores.

Leading the field was Brooks Baldwin of Warrensburg, shooting five-under-par. Baldwin started his round with an eagle on the par 5, 12th hole. He made another birdie on hole 15 before making the turn at three-under-par. On the front nine (his back nine) he birdied holes 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9…a total of six birdies appeared on his card for the day.

2021 KC Match Play Runner Up, Zach VanDolah fired an impressive round of 69 to secure his spot in the Match Play bracket safely.

The cut line into match play was four-over-par. Kit Grove won the 6 for 1 playoff, earning him the 32nd seed.

16 Will Continue Playing In Saturday’s Championship

With the weather cleared, the 32 qualifiers began their matches around 3:00 PM Friday, beginning an upset-filled afternoon.

Notable Matches Include:

  • 2021 KC Match Play Champion, Doug Albers, defeated Ryan Thompson 3&2
  • #32 seed, Kit Grove, defeated #1 seed, Brooks Baldwin, 1up
  • #30 seed, Jon Platz, defeated #3 seed, Andrew Hatten, 4&3
  • #29 seed, Andrew Campbell, defeated #4 seed, Jay Gregory, 5&4
  • #28 seed, Nathan Hughes, defeated #5 seed, Brian Fehr, 2&1
  • The Match against Caleb Carter & Max Ernst went into extra holes, with Ernst winning on the 21st hole of the match

16 golfers will tee off Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 AM.

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

Four Indian Hills caddies awarded Evans Scholarships

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In our Centennial Year, four Indian Hills caddies have been awarded four-year, full tuition and housing college scholarships by the Western Golf Association.  The new Evans Scholars include Paige Bruce (Lee’s Summit North HS), Savannah Gentry (St. Teresa’s Academy), Cooper Goss (Rockhurst HS), and Jaisen Guier (St. Michael the Archangel HS).

All the new Evans Scholars will be attending the University of Kansas, as Freshmen in September 2022, where they will be living with 35 other scholars in the KU Evans Scholar Chapter House on campus.  Indian Hills caddie and graduating KU Evans Scholar,  AnhDao Do, will serve as next year’s Graduate Resident Advisor at the KU Chapter House.

To be awarded an Evans Scholarship a caddie candidate must be recommended by their Club Pro, have caddied for at least two years, have achieved high academic standing, evidence family financial need, and demonstrate exemplar character.  All of our new Indian Hills Evans Scholars met these high standards and greatly impressed the WGA Interview Committee in their early February interviews. The four-year scholarship has a value of $120,000.

The Evans Scholarship Foundation, sponsored by the Western Golf Association, will have 1200 students on scholarship in 2022, at 20 universities throughout the nation.  The Program is funded from proceeds of the BMW Championship and by club members, golfers, and Evans Scholar Alumni, who make annual contributions to the WGA Par Club.  Three Indian Hills members serve as Directors of the WGA:  Bob Hartnett, Dan Scherman, and Jack Holland.

As a result of the decades-long support of Mike Ricket and his staff, Indian Hills has the strongest and oldest caddie program in the region, and over 60 Indian Hills caddies have been awarded Evans Scholarships, including four in our Centennial Year!