Author: patrick

Campbell Wins Kansas Women’s Amateur by 6 Strokes

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Prairie Dunes CC, Hutchinson, KS –

Round 3 Update:

Campbell Wins Kansas Women’s Amateur by 6 Strokes

Alanna Campbell kept her lead throughout the day at the Kansas Women’s Amateur Tuesday. Campbell came into the day with all eyes on her to make a stunning victory at Prairie Dunes Country Club on the 100th Anniversary of the event. Campbell will add her name to the trophy that includes names such as Marilynn Smith and Judy Bell. She finished the tournament with rounds 73-66-72 (211), winning the event by 6 strokes over Rachel Stous. Stous was four-over-par on the day finishing at 73-68-76 (217), earning her Runner Up status.

Sera Tadokoro made strides throughout her day shooting 71 (-1), after birdies on holes 3, 5, 7, and 11 with an unfortunate double bogey finish on hole 18. Tadokoro finished in 3rd Place.

Kenni Henson of Derby, Kansas, finished her day under par after having only two bogies and three birdies on her scorecard. Henson finished in 4th place with a three day total of 75-75-71 (221).

Megan Propeck won the Low Junior Competition, after shooting 74-72-77 (223). Propeck finished in 5th overall and won Low Junior by 3 shots over Julia Misemer (226).

There were two Holes-In-One on Tuesday. Megan Lucas made her ace on 10th hole with her 7-iron from 160 yards. Faith Hedges made her ace on the 4th hole, just minutes after Lucas made hers. Hedges used her 5-iron from 150 yards.

The Kansas Golf Association thanks all the players, volunteers, and staff at Prairie Dunes Country Club. The 2020 Kansas Women’s Amateur Venue will be announced in the soon future.

 

Round 2 Update:

Alanna Campbell Leads at -5

As the weather was heating up, so was the leaderboard this afternoon at The Kansas Women’s Amateur.

Leading the way was Alanna Campbell with eight birdies on her round, shooting 66 (-6). Campbell had back-to-back birdies on holes 2&3, 5&6, and 11&12. She also had birdies on holes 9 and 18. The incoming Junior at Iowa State University, is not unfamiliar with having a scorecard full of birdies. Campbell had 90 birdies during the 2018-2019 collegiate season, with 9 coming from her round at the Mountain View Collegiate.

Rachel Stous, KC Women’s Match Play Champion and Fore-State Team Member, had an impressive afternoon. Making her way to solo second place, Stous had a bogey free round this afternoon and shot 68 (-4). Key holes on her day were birdies 5&6, the 13th hole where she saved par by making an up and down and birdies on 11&18.

Megan Propeck had a good afternoon, shooting even par and moving herself up the leaderboard. Propeck continues to lead the Low Junior Competition going into the final round tomorrow.

Sera Tadokoro finished the 36-hole day with a total at three-over-par, after shooting even par during Round 1.

Megan Whittaker, Round 1 Leader, moved a few spots back after shooting 78 (+6) during her second round of the day.

With a lot of excitement at the top of the leaderboard, all eyes will be on Campbell and Stous tomorrow as they take on the final round of The 2019 Kansas Women’s Amateur

Round 1 Update:

Whittaker Leads After Round 1

Blue skies and calm winds made for an exciting morning at The 2019 Kansas Women’s Amateur this morning at Prairie Dunes Country Club. With a field composed of 60 elite female amateur golfers, all competing for the title shared by great names such as Marilynn Smith and Judy Bell.  This marks the 100th anniversary of the championship, first played in 1919.

Round 1 was led by Megan Whittaker of Elkhorn, Nebraska. Whittaker started her round with a bogey on the par-3, 10th hole finishing her front-9 at one-over-par. She made great strides on her back nine, after birdieing hole 2 and making an eagle on the par-5, fifth hole. Whittaker finished her round shooting 71 (-1).

Sera Tadokoro, incoming Junior on the University of Kansas Women’s Golf Team, was just one shot back from Whittaker after the first round. Key holes for Tadokoro included three birdies in a row on holes 4-6. Other notable players include, Alanna Campbell and Rachel Stous who are tied for 3rd place after shooting 73 (+1).

Megan Propeck leads the Low Junior by 3 shots after this morning. Propeck made key birdies on holes 5, 11, and 13, shooting 74 (+2). Julia Misemer and Kayla Pfitzner were tied for second place in the Low Junior competition; both shot 77 (+5).

With another round in progress for this afternoon, a new set of leaders will emerge. The tournament will conclude on Tuesday afternoon. View results: http://www.kansascitygolfer.org/2019-kansas-womens-amateur/

Allen Comes From Behind to Defend KC Amateur Title

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Blake Allen Comes From Behind to Defend KC Amateur Title

Championship Sunday at the Kansas City Amateur was one for the books. At the beginning of the day our top three competitors were Zach Sokolosky (-1), Joe Bultman (-2), and Sam Parrott (-4). Blake Allen had a different plan however, after making the turn with a four-under, front nine of 32. Allen’s birdies on Hole 5, 6, 8, and 9 catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard.

Our final group all made the turn at even par or higher, and Allen found himself with a two-shot lead over Sam Parrott through nine holes. Allen’s run continued on the back nine with another three birdies and a hole-out eagle on the Par-4, 16th hole. Two bogeys would temper the back nine and put Allen in the clubhouse with an amazing seven-under round of 65 and make him the leader in the clubhouse.

Parrott, Sokolosky, and Bultman yet to finish all came in over par for their round on the day. Parrott carded a 76 (+4), Sokolosky a 73 (+2), and Bultman a 76 (+4). Sokolosky and Parrot ended the tournament in a tie for second place with a three-day total of 216 (E). Grant Herrenbruck finished solo fourth place with an even-par third round of 72. Joe Bultman finished out the top five with a three-day total of 218. Justin Wingerter finished as our low junior of the tournament with a three-day total of 219 (+3).

Blake Allen’s great round of 65, the second lowest round of the tournament, gave him a seven-shot victory and his second, consecutive Kansas City Amateur title with a three-day total of 209 (-7).

Steve Grooms Wins Yet Another KC Amateur Senior Title

Steve Groom held on to his lead heading into day three of the KC Amateur. Despite a double bogey on 18, Groom’s two birdies helped card him a round of 75 (+3) and secured him another KC Amateur Senior title – a title he’s won at least 6 times. Jay Gregory made the biggest move of the day with a one-under round of 71 to get in the clubhouse with a 228 (+12). Groom followed in with a good round to win the title by four strokes with a 224 total (+8).

Don Kuehn Wins Legend Division by 8 Strokes

Don Kuehn followed up his great second round of 68, with another solid round of 72 (E). Kuehn had six birdies on the day that offset a couple mistakes to end with a 72 and win the Legends division by 8 strokes over Bob Bezek. Bezek had a great tournament with rounds of 72, 78, and 76 to finish at solo second with a 226 (+10). David Hornaday finished in third place with rounds of 75, 70, and 83 (228).

Derryck Curchin Wins First KC Amateur Players Title

Curchin put up his second-best round of the tournament with a 76 to secure his victory over Mark Pesek by three strokes. Curchin’s round was highlighted by two birdies on the day and gave him a three-day total of 231. Mark Pesek followed closely behind with rounds of 75, 83, 76 to finish solo second with 234.

It was a great finish for the 2019 KC Amateur Championship, and we wish a congratulations to all of our winners today. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and we hope to see everyone back at Creekmoor next year at the end of July for the 2020 KC Amateur Championship!

Moving Day Brings New Leader, Parrot, at KC Amateur

Round two of the KC Amateur saw a lot of shakeups at the top of the leaderboard, including a new leader in the clubhouse.

After shooting an eight-under, 64, Zach Sokolosky struggled a little today and carded a seven-over, 79, for a two-day total of 143 (-1). Sam Parrott, who began the day tied for second at three under, shot a one-under round of 71 that featured a double bogey and three birdies. Parrot’s two-day total of 140 (-4) was enough to give him the lead heading into Sunday by two strokes.

Joe Bultman led a big charge on day two with the low round for the day of four under (68). With only one bogey and five birdies, Bultman shot up the leaderboard with a two-day total of 142 (-2) and in second place. Sokolosky is only three shots back and in solo third place heading into Championship Sunday.

Zach VanDolah and Blake Allen are tied for fourth at even par, 144. VanDolah shot a one-under, 71, to get himself into contention and only four shots back. Defending champion, Blake Allen, is also only four shots back after a one-over, 73.

Ryne Fisher tied for the low round of the day with Joe Bultman after shooting a 68 (-4) after two bogeys and six birdies. Fisher’s round was good enough to shoot himself up the leaderboard and into tied for eighth and six shots back.

Overall, eight players carded an under-par round on day two and only three players currently sit in the red after two days. The cut for the Open was determined by the low 36 and ties to advance to Sunday and play for the title.

Steve Groom Leads Senior Division

Steve Groom had the second lowest round of the day with a three-over, 75 to make his two-day total of 149 to lead the Senior division by one stroke over John Scarsella. Scarsella’s up and down round of three birdies, five bogeys and a double for 76 has him in second place over Mark Addington by one stroke. Addington had a two-over, 74, to add to his day one, 77, for a total of 151. All three players are no stranger to KCGA competitions and it will be a close finish tomorrow for Championship Sunday.

Hornaday and Curchin Hope to Hold on in Legends & Players

David Hornaday shot a two-under round of 70 to complete his two-day total of 145 (+1) and find himself on top of the leaderboard thanks to five birdies and three bogeys. Don Kuehn shot himself into contention with a four-under round of 68 that was bogey-free and put him in solo second at 146 (+2). Bob Bezek and Thomas Leonard sit tied for third at a two-day total of 150.

Derryck Curchin leads the Players division by three strokes with rounds of 75 & 80 (155). Mark Pesek is in close second place with rounds of 75 & 83 (158).

All divisions will play tomorrow morning starting at 8:00 am. Live scoring will be available through the Golf Genius app using 19KCAM or on our KCGA homepage.

It’s going to be an exciting finish!

Sokolosky Cards Bogey-Free 64 to Lead Day One at KC Amateur

The 2019 Kansas City Amateur kicked off on Friday July 26th at the Golf Club of Creekmoor in Raymore, Missouri with 140 players competing in four different divisions: the Open, Players, Seniors and Legends.

91 players consisted of the Open division, gross-only division playing from approximately 7,000 yards in windy conditions. 3 players carded even-par rounds of 72, sitting at tied for seventh: Mark Terranova, Justin Wingerter, and Matt Kelley. Only 6 players carded an under-par round for the first day of competition. Grant Grego, Grant Herrenbruck, and defending champion Blake Allen all tied for fourth with rounds of one-under, 71. Between the three players, eight bogeys were carded on the day and ten birdies. Grego’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the Par-5, 5th hole.

Tied for second after Round 1 was Brent Mertz and Sam Parrott, who both shot three-under, 69. Both Parrot and Mertz finished with five birdies on their round and two bogeys. The leader in the clubhouse came from Zach Sokolosky, Kansas University golfer, who carded an amazing round of 64 (-8), tying the course record in a competition round. Sokolosky’s bogey-free round featured eight birdies, five of them coming on the back nine. Sokolosky has a five shot lead and tees off at 1:21 pm on day two.

Brett Allen Leads Senior Division

18 players battled it out in the Senior division, a gross-only scoring division for players 50 and older playing from approximately 6600 yards. The low round of the day came from Brett Allen with a one-over, 73 that featured three bogeys and two birdies. John Scarsella and Steve Groom tied for second with two-over, 74’s.

Bezek Shoots Even Par for Low Round in Legends Division

15 players comprised the Legends division, a gross and net scoring division for players 60 and older that played from approximately 6,000 yards. Bob Bezek leads the Legends division after an even-par, 72 round that featured four birdies, two bogeys and a double. David Hornaday and Tom Freitag both carded rounds of 3-over, 75, to tie for second.

Tie for First in Players Division

16 players made up the Players division, a gross and net scoring division that played from about 6600 yards. After round one, the Players division saw a tie for first. Derryck Curchin and Mark Pesek both shot three-over rounds of 75. Curchin’s round was highlighted by three birdies. Pesek had two birdies on his round as well. Brian Moeller and Thai Hong tied for third with rounds of 81.

Round Two begins Saturday, July 27th at 7:30 am and will go until 2:51 pm. Follow along with live scoring using the Golf Genius app and 19KCAM or with the portal here! Following round two, a cut in each division will be made for Sunday. In the Open division, the top 36 and ties will move on to Sunday. In the Seniors and Players, the top 12 and ties will advance and the top 9 and ties will make Sunday in the Legends division.

The 2019 Prairie Invitational Recap

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Sarah Bell Claims The Cusick Family Trophy

A Champion has been decided after the third and final round of The Prairie Invitational. Sarah Bell, of Jackson, Missouri, won the championship by 2 strokes over Sera Tadokoro. Bell found herself in the lead on the back nine after making back-to-back birdies on holes 13 and 14. Bell knew she was in the lead after someone mentioned it to her on the 17th hole. Feeling pressure going into 18, she said to herself “Sarah, it’s your last hole, just stay mentally strong. Don’t think about anything, just play this like it’s a normal hole,” and she did just that. Finishing her round with a par secured her as the leader in the clubhouse. Bell shot 74-78-71-223 and was the only golfer in the field to shoot under par during the tournament.

Tadokoro started the round as the leader and fell a couple of shots back after a double bogey on the 16th hole. She earned her Runner Up title, shooting 74-74-77-225.

Other notable players include Whitney Pyle who finished in 3rd Place shooting 77-76-74-227. 2017 Prairie Invitational Champion, Kristen Samp won the Midwest Section PGA Champion Award which is the award given to the best player in the field representing the Midwest Section PGA; Samp shot 77-75-77-229. The Low Junior Award was given to Danica Badura of Aurora, Nebraska for shooting 76-79-79-234 and the Low Senior Award was given to 7-time USGA Champion, Ellen Port who shot 79-75-77-231.

For full results: http://www.kansascitygolfer.org/2019-prairie-invitational-recap/

Players Division Champions Awarded, Top 21 Open Division players move onto Round 3

Players Division

Maggie King took home The Prairie Invitational Players Division Championship Title by four shots over Neely Adler. King, a Junior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, shot 80-79-159 with impressive birdies today on holes 8 and 16. Audrey Rischer of Columbia, Missouri finished in 3rd place shooting 83-84-167. Jaclyn Koziol of Loch Lloyd, Missouri and Lauren Muller of Blue Springs, Missouri tied for fourth.

Jacci Kelly of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was the Players Division Net Champion. With net scores of 71-73-144 she took the championship by 7 shots over Harley Hiltibrand or Brule, Nebraska.  Judy Moning of Raymore, Missouri finished in third place, and Sandra Pepper of Leavenworth, Kansas and Izzy Puk of Omaha, Nebraska tied for fourth place.

Open Division

21 Players in the Open Division will continue to Round 3 at The National Golf Club of Kansas City. Sera Tadokora leads the division shooting two rounds of 74. Tadakoro had a strong front 9 with two birdies and seven pars.

Aristelle Acuff is right behind Tadokoro by one stroke. Acuff made strides throughout her round bringing in 5 birdies on her day. Gianna Augustine, Rachel Stous, and Kenni Henson share 3rd place with two-day totals of 151, 3 shots back from the lead. Augustine birdied her first three holes of the day, though she struggled throughout the front 9, she played consistently on the back 9. Henson also had an impressive back 9, shooting (-2), 34.

2016, 2017, and 2018 Prairie Invitational Champions, Kayla Eckelkamp, Kristen Samp, and Emma Whitaker, are all four shots back from the lead. Going into the final round, many players are within reach of The 2019 Prairie Invitational Title.

Rigsby, Bell, and Tadokoro Lead The Prairie Invitational after Round 1

Cooler than usual temperatures and moderate winds made for a perfect day of golf at The National Golf Club of Kansas City.

In the Open Division, several golfers ended their round tied for the lead at (+2) 74. Abigail Rigsby was the early leader after birdieing her opening hole and getting an eagle on her second hole of the day. Sarah Bell, Sophomore at Oral Roberts University, got off to a hot start birdieing her first two holes. Sera Tadokoro, the University of Kansas Junior, also had a great round finishing even par on the front nine and two over on the back.

The 2016 Prairie Invitational Champion, Kayla Eckelcamp, Gianna Augustine and Rachel Stous are tied for 4th, (+3) 75.

Gianna Augustine

Rounding out the top ten was the 2018 Prairie Invitational Champion, Emma Whitaker, along with Danica Badura and Aristelle Acuff all are tied for 7th place, (+4) 76.

With the top of the leaderboard crowded, the Cusick Family Trophy is still within reach for many Open Division Competitors.

The Players Division

Maggie King (+8)  leads the Players Division by one stroke over Neely Adler (+9) after the first round. Following her double-bogey start, King made her comeback on the back nine shooting even par. Adler had an exciting beginning with an eagle on the par 5, second hole and had birdies on holes 8 and 15.

Harley Hiltibrand, Sam Maceli, and Audrey Rischer are tied for 3rd place at (+11) 83.

Other notable players include the 2018 Players Division Champion, Hope Robinette (+16). Robinette is currently tied for 11th place. 2017 Players Division Champion, Barbara Cusick (+18) is tied for 16th place.

 

Danica Badura hits her third shot into the green on hole 18 at The National Golf Club of Kansas City

Follow along on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook tomorrow for updates @prairieinvitational for live scoring click here.

Addington, Dillon, and Johnson Take the Triple Crown

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This weekend at Swope Memorial, the KCGA crowned three more champions in 2019. The Senior and Junior Match Play Championship were played in conjunction with each other and all began with an 18-hole, stroke-play qualifying round to determine the top 16 players in each division to move on to match play that afternoon.

In the Senior division, Ed Brown finished with the low qualifying round with a four-under, 68, in a round that featured 7 birdies and three bogeys to capture the first seed heading in to match play. Steve Groom finished as the 2 seed with a two-under, 70. The top 16 faced off Friday afternoon and the lower seed took 5 out of the 8 matches. Upsets included David Rismiller (12) over John Scarsella (5) and Dennis Keglovits (14) over Kevin Handlan (3). The 1 & 2 seed, Brown and Groom, both moved on with convincing wins.

For the Quarterfinal round, the lower seed took all 4 matches, including the 1 and 2 seed. Mark Addington (4) took down David Rismiller 5 and 4 to advance to the semifinals. Groom defeated Mike Steiert 2 and 1 while Brown narrowly advanced with a 24 hole win over Ritch Nigh. The semifinal round took place Saturday afternoon featuring matches between Ed Brown (1) vs Mark Addington (4) and Steve Groom (2) vs Brian Schorgl (11).

Ed Brown’s run came to an end when his meeting with Addington ended in a 3 & 2 defeat. Addington got out to a hot start winning the first four holes and followed it up with a win on Hole #7 to go 5 up over Brown. Brown fought back winning Holes 8, 10, and 13 to cut the lead to 2 up. Addington won Hole 14 to go 3 up with four to go and Brown was unable to win Hole 16 which ultimately sealed the deal. The 2 seed, Groom, would also fail to make the final match after a 3 & 2 defeat to Brian Schorgl. It was a back and forth match the whole way as Groom and Schorgl traded holes 3, 6, 8, and 9. On the back nine, Schorgl started off quick, winning Hole 10 with a birdie and kept the momentum going with a win on Hole 14 & 15 to go 3 up over Groom heading in to Hole 16. With Groom unable to win Hole 16, Schorgl advanced to the finals on Sunday with a 3 & 2 win.

In the Senior final, Addington again worked quickly, winning Holes 1 & 2 and following it up with a win on Hole 7. Schorgl fought back with a birdie on Hole 10, but Addington would cancel it out with a win on Hole 11 to keep his 3 up lead. Addington’s great play continued throughout the back nine and sealed his win with a win on Hole 14 to go 4 up with 4 holes remaining. Schorgl could not win Hole 15 and the winner was decided. Mark Addington played great all weekend, something the KCGA is used to by now, to become the 2019 KC Senior Match Play Champion!

In our Junior Match Play, stroke-play qualifying turned some really low scores. In the girls division, Caroline Setter earned the one seed with a four-over, 76, followed by Averi Mickelson (77), Jaclyn Koziol (78), and Maggie King/Victoria Klausner (79). In the boys division, Tanner Collins turned in the low round of qualifying with a great four-under 68, followed by Cole Elling/Calvin Dillon (69), and a four way tie for fourth between Michael Bessenbacher, Justin Wingerter, Davis Cooper, and Blake Mullen (71).

In the Boys Round of 16, the low seed took five out of the eight matches. 1 seed Tanner Collins cruised to victory over Connor Hanrahan (16) with a 3 & 2 victory. Daniel Duffin (8) took out Griffin Brassell (9) with a 5 & 3 win. Justin Wingerter (5) defeated Liam Coughlin (12) after a 2 & 1 win and Calvin Dillon (2) cruised past Kobe Jenkins (15) with a 4 & 3 victory.

Daniel Duffin upset Tanner Collins (1) in the Quarterfinal round Friday morning, 3 & 2. Wingerter stayed hot and defeated John Gardner (13), 2 & 1. Ian McCrary (14) upset Blake Mullen (6) after a 5 & 4 win and Calvin Dillon cruised by Zach Molzer (10), 3 & 2, to set up a great semifinal match up. Friday afternoon, the semifinal round began between Daniel Duffin (8) vs Justin Wingerter (5) and Calvin Dillon (2) vs Ian McCrary (14). Ian McCrary’s underdog run would come to an end thanks to Calvin Dillon, who would advance to the final match after a narrow 3 & 1 victory. Wingerter took care of Duffin handily with a 5 & 4 to punch his ticket to the Boys Junior Match Play finals against Dillon.

Sunday morning, the final round began with a back and forth opening nine. Dillon would find himself 2 up after 3 holes, only to lose the lead over Hole 4 & 5. Another quick bounce back for Dillon would increase his lead again to 2 up after winning Holes 6 & 7. Wingerter fought back with a par on Hole 9 to decrease the lead to 1 up. The back side was a little more one sided as Dillon won Hole 11 and 12 after Wingerter struggled a bit. Justin battled with a win on Hole 13 with a clutch par save, but Dillon would grab another hole with 15. Dillon was able to hold off Wingerter on the par-3, Hole 16 to claim his 2019 Boys Match Play Champion title!

In the Girls Round of 16, the low seed only took 3 out of the 8 matches. 1 seed Caroline Setter was victorious over Kayla Kimbley, 4 & 2. Victoria Klausner (4) would also handle business over Sam Maceli (13), 3 & 1. Averi Mickelson also narrowly took her first round match over Lauren Muller (15), 1 up. Upsets included Lia Johnson (11) over Vera Bohning (6), 3 & 1, Hope Robinett (12) over Maggie King (5), 1 up, and Hanna Robinett (14) over Jaclyn Koziol (3), 2 & 1.

In the Saturday morning quarterfinals, Caroline Setter (1) would see her match play run end after losing to Libby Green (9), 5 & 4. Averi Mickelson (2) also saw her run end with a 3 & 2 defeat to the 10 seed, Abby Howard. Lia Johnson (11) advanced to the semifinal round after beating Hanna Robinett, 6 & 5. Her sister, Hope, would also lose to Victoria Klausner in a close 2 & 1 match. Saturday’s semifinal round looked like this: Libby Green (9) vs Victoria Klausner (4) and Abby Howard (10) vs Lia Johnson (11).

Both semifinal matches were back and forth contests. Lia Johnson after being two up through two holes, would trade holes with Howard on 3, 4, and 5 to see her lead diminish to 1 up after 5. Johnson saw some momentum shift her way after winning Holes 8, 9 and 10 to go 4 up over Howard. Howard tried to gain ground on Johnson with a win on Hole 11, but after halving the next three holes and losing Hole 15, Johnson punched her ticket to the finals. In the second semifinal, Klausner saw herself down 1 after Hole 6, but quickly grabbed Holes 7-11 to go 3 up over Green. Green would earn Holes 11 & 12, but Klausner bounced back with a win on Hole 13 to stay 2 up. Klausner would win Holes 15 & 16 with two pars to defeat Green 4 and 2 and face Johnson in the Sunday final.

The Sunday Girls final would prove to be the closest of three. Klausner and Johnson traded Holes 3 through 6 and would head in to Hole 9, all square. Klausner struggled a little bit and left the door open for Johnson to grab Holes 9-11 and go 3 up. Klausner proved to be a true competitor as she battled throughout the back nine and took three out of the next four holes to get the match to all square heading in to Hole 16. With a par on 16, Johnson would again go 1 up over Klausner with two holes to play. With a great second shot on Hole 17, Klausner found herself putting for birdie to win the hole and head to 18, all square. She ended up with a par, but was still good enough to win the hole and even the match. Johnson needed a clutch par save on the 18th green to tie the hole and continue the match to extra holes. Sinking a 10 footer, Johnson did just that. Klausner and Johnson fought for three more holes (21st hole) to decide the 2019 Girls Match Play Champion. With a par on Hole 3, the 21st hole of the match, Johnson would take the crown over a hard fought match by Victoria Klausner.

It was a great weekend with all three events going on together. We hope the entire field had a great time this weekend battling it out in match play. Thank you to Swope Memorial for hosting another great event. Congratulations to our match play champions: Mark Addington, Calvin Dillon, and Lia Johnson!

Davis Cooper Wins Prestigious Golf Honor to Add to Great Year

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Davis Cooper, Blue Valley North golfer, recently received a prestigious golf honor – the Kenneth Smith Award. The award is presented annually to the top high school golfer who demonstrates excellence in academics, leadership, community service, and golf. Cooper is the first Mustang to ever win the award. $5,000 was donated to the First Tee in Cooper’s name as a result of winning the Kenneth Smith Award.

On top of placing fifth at the Kansas 6A state tournament this spring, Cooper also recently won his first AJGA event at the Kyle Stanley Championship and finished in the top 10 in the Watson Challenge. Cooper is also participating in the 2019 Kansas Amateur this week at Milburn Country Club.

Despite some personal hardships, Cooper has worked extremely hard to improve his game and we are extremely proud of all the success he has had. The award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving player.

Cooper is currently verbally committed to play golf for the University of Kansas and will begin his senior year of high school at Blue Valley North in the fall. Good luck to Davis in his final year of school and also this week as he participates in the Kansas Amateur!

Karen Kornacki and KMBC 9 did a wonderful story on Cooper winning the Kenneth Smith Award. To see that feature, please see here.

2019 Prairie Invitational Player Preview

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The Prairie Invitational is a premier women’s event in Kansas City for amateur and professional players. Its purpose is to enhance women’s golf and junior women’s golf not only in the Kansas City area but on a regional level. Formerly known as the Women’s Amateur of Kansas City, the Prairie Invitational was founded to determine the best female golfer in the Midwest. The 2017 event was the first time the event was conducted over 54 holes in the Open Division and was also the first year the event was included in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

The championship includes two-separate divisions. The Open division is targeted toward expert level players and will be played at championship yardage of 6,100-6,200 yards. The Open Division features a cut to the low 18 players and ties after play on Tuesday with a final-round finish for those who advance on Wednesday. A 36-hole Players division will be for gross and net players who want to play from the traditional ladies’ tees.

The 2018 Prairie Invitational was held on July 23rd-July 25th at Indian Hills Country Club. It proved to be an excellent test of golf for both the Open and Players Divisions.  The tree-lined fairways and undulating greens made making par very difficult and gave up very few birdies. The course gave up a low single-round score of 71 (+1) and a record-high winning total of +14. Emma Whitaker of Wichita, Kansas claimed the Open Division title over defending champion Kristen Samp. She also won the Kansas Women’s Amateur title.  Reagan Zibilski of Nixa, Missouri won the Open Division Low Junior award, while Julia Misemer claimed the Kansas Low Junior. Hope Robinett won the Players Division Gross title, and her twin sister Hanna Robinett won the Players Division Net title.

The 2019 Prairie Invitational will be held at The National Golf Club of Kansas City in Parkville, Missouri on July 22-24, 2019 and will be run as an individual championship with the Kansas Women’s Amateur to be run in August.

Players to Watch

Sarah Bell

With the lowest handicap index of the field of +3.4, Sarah Bell already sticks out as a player to watch for this year’s championship. From Jackson, Missouri, Bell just finished her freshman year at Oral Roberts University. A two-time high school girls golf Champion at Notre Dame High School, Bell’s talent and proximity to the Kansas City area makes her a great choice to take away the trophy.

Kristen Samp

Kristen Samp is no stranger to the Prairie Invitational. Samp’s finishes in the Prairie include a tied for 2nd finish in 2016, Champion in 2017 and a runner-up finish in 2018 after losing in a playoff. Following a tenured professional career and competing on the LPGA Tour, Samp is a PGA/LPGA Professional in Lawrence, Kansas.

After a few years being at the top of the leaderboard in the Prairie Invitational, Samp’s experience in the event gives her the ability to win it all again.

Ellen Port

Ellen Port is a name you should know if you follow amateur golf. A seven-time USGA Champion, Port will be playing in the Prairie Invitational for the second year in a row. From St. Louis, Port is no stranger to the Kansas City area, and it showed with a tied for 5th finish in last year’s event.

Port’s Championship accolades include four US Women’s Mid-Amateur titles and three US Senior Women’s Amateur titles. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her add the 2019 Prairie Invitational to that already distinguished list.

Stacy Dennis

Stacy Dennis is set to make her first appearance in the Prairie Invitational. Executive Director of the Texas Golf Association, Dennis comes all the way from Plano, Texas to compete against a highly talented field.

Dennis’s playing career is not something that goes unnoticed. Dennis was a member of the Texas A&M Women’s Golf team and winner of two Texas Women’s Amateur Championships (2004, 2009). She also won the Women’s State Four-Ball Championship twice (2009, 2015) and was a US Women’s Mid-Amateur semifinalist in 2012.

Her knowledge of the game and experience competing at the highest level gives her an edge in this year’s event.

Emma Whitaker

Emma Whitaker is the current Defending Champion of the Prairie Invitational. Just finishing up her sophomore season at Oklahoma State, the 20-year-old is used to performing under pressure. After winning in a playoff over Samp, Whitaker completed one of the biggest wins of her career.

Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Whitaker is a talented young golfer that should thrive on a course like The National. It will be exciting to see how she fares as the defending champion.

Rachel Stous

Rachel Stous, a Topeka native, won the Kansas City Women’s Match Play in early June in record fashion – with a walk-off Hole-In-One to close out the match.  With length being a strong suit of her game, Stous should thrive on a modern course like The National and will be one of the few players in the field with ability to reach some of the long par-5 holes.  Stous has also advanced through the men’s Topeka City Match Play, winning matches against men while competing from the same tees the last two years.  She played one season at Wichita State and is set to represent Kansas on the Fore State team at the end of the month.

Haley Thiele

Haley Thiele just won her second Nebraska Women’s Amateur Championship in three years.  A standout for the University of Nebraska women’s program, she went deep in the KC Women’s Match Play Championship last month as well.  She will be joined by several of her teammates in the field.

Whitney Pyle

Whitney Pyle was a standout on the Kansas State University team. Whitney has been preparing to play LPGA Q-school in the fall with a solid off-season of play in Florida.

Announcing the 2019 Women’s Fore State Team

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Lenexa, KS – The Kansas Women’s Fore State team has been finalized and is set to begin the annual competition with teams from Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma later this month at Shadow Valley CC in Rogers, Arkansas.  The competition features Four Ball matches on Monday, July 29 in the morning, and Foursomes matches later that afternoon.  It is completed with Singles matches on Tuesday, July 30.  Players are selected from a points list that includes championship results from the prior two seasons and up to the Tee Fore Two Championship in June of this year.  Team Kansas is looking to win the championship for only the third time since the competition was established 20 years ago.  Wish your team the best of luck and follow their matches online during the competition.

Amateur Division Players

Rachel Stous – Topeka High graduate; played one year at Wichita State; 2019 KC Women’s Match Play Champion with a walk-off hole-in-one; quarter-finalist in Topeka GA Men’s Match Play in 2019 & semifinalist in 2018; won 2018 Topeka Women’s City Championship

Anna Zech – Family of four, brother Ryan is a professional golfer; started playing with her dad and brother at age 7; plays on the women’s team at Northwest Missouri State; finished top 25 in MIAA Conference Tournament

Chloe Kraus – Started playing golf in Skip Maiwald golf camps at age 13; has four younger brothers and sisters; Olathe NW graduate; attended Wallace State CC for one year, then to Freed Hardiman University; 4-time NAIA Player of the Week; 5th place in conference – 2018; First Team All-Conference – 2019; Kansas Women’s Amateur Runner-Up – 2018; 4th place at The Prairie Invitational – 2018; just started as graduate assistant coach for men’s and women’s golf at Baker University

Becky Thomas – 2019 Tee Fore Two Champion out of Terradyne GC in Wichita, KS; married to husband Steve for 16 years, has a daughter in the 8th grade and a 5 year-old Weimaraner; works full time as a transactional paralegal at a large Kansas law firm; has played golf since age 10 and been hooked ever since; played four years at Wichita State University finishing as one of the top 10 players in the MVC as a senior; continued playing competitively after college and qualified for the 2010 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Wichita CC; former Wichita City Match Play Champion

 

Mid-Amateur Division Players

Martha Linscott – Family of five – 2 swimmers at the University of Minnesota and 1 sophomore in high school; girl’s golf coach at St. Theresa’s Academy; played in 11 USGA Championships (2 US Women’s Amateur Public Links, 3 State Team Championships, 6 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships); enjoys competing with women who love golf as much as she does

Robbin Wasson – Married to Brian Jackson and has a son, Pierce; is a licensed attorney in Kansas City and has served as a prosecutor handling homicide, major case, and sex crime prosecutions; began playing golf in 2014 after joining Indian Hills CC and began an instant love affair with the game and has worked to improve ever since; 3rd Net in The Prairie Invitational Players Division in 2018; named Most Improved Female Golfer in 2015, 2017, and 2018

Susan DeVoe – Began playing golf in her mid-40s; 2016 KWGA Players Champion; 5-time Kansas Fore State team member; spends time traveling with partner, Mary, and friends; high school social worker and starting a high school golf team at Eudora HS

Kim Wright – Married to Kyle, daughter Madison is 19 and son Logan is 16; has worked in public schools as a speech pathologist for 25 years, currently in Olathe Schools at Indian Trail MS; Earned BA and MA from KU; played collegiate golf at KU; started playing golf as a junior with her parents; enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, playing golf during the summer, and cheering for the Jayhawks

 

Masters Division Players

Terri Albers – Married to husband Chris, has two grown children – daughter is an architect in Colorado and son is a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Force flying C-130s; is a dentist with a practice in Oakley, Kansas; multiple Tee Fore Two champion, multiple top 5 finishes in the Kansas Senior Championship

Jettie Bezek – Met husband Bob on a golf course ten years ago; one daughter and two grandchildren; began playing golf at age 31; won KCGA Tournament of Champions at Hallbrook; qualified for three USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships

Susan Mueller – Married to Mike Mueller, MD; has two daughters, a son, and two granddaughters; enjoys traveling, hiking, golfing and water sports with her family; began playing golf 19 years ago, and it quickly became a passion; plays golf frequently with her husband and lives on the 18th hole of the North Course at Crestview CC; 5-time Crestview CC Ladies Club Champion; has won various tournaments in the state of Kansas and city of Wichita, both gross and net; enjoys teaching her granddaughters golf and sewing; has been a Realtor since graduating from Bethany College in 1977; her father is healthy and active at 101 years old; represented Team Kansas at Fore State in 2017

Barbara Cusick – has MBA & CPA and worked at Disneyland in Internal Audit & Finance; she and husband, Dr. Doug Cusick, have been actively organizing and doing medical missions in Peru for four years with Advent Health; the Cusick family has been involved in overseas and local medical missions for over 30 years; has served on the boards of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Heart to Heart; currently serves on the Asian American Chamber of Commerce KC and is the Foundation Board Chair of Advent Health Shawnee Mission and Advent Health Board of Trustees; started playing golf with her husband so they could play a sport together; loves competing and promoting women’s and junior golf; 2014 & 2017 Prairie Invitational Players Division Gross Champion; three-time Hallbrook CC Club Champion

Captains:

Karen Exon – recently retired as Baker head men’s and women’s golf coach Karen Exon was with the Baker athletics staff since the 1998 school year when she helped start the women’s golf program as head coach; served multiple terms as President of the Kansas Women’s Golf Association

Jacque Madison – Married to Aaron, one son, Braden, who is 20; been a golf professional for 20+ years; PGA and LPGA Class A member; played college golf at Kansas State, Academic All-American 1993-1994; PGA LEAD Class member 2019-2020; qualified for five USGA Championships (US Girls Junior, 2 US Women’s Amateur Public Links, US Women’s Amateur; State Team Championship); Director of The Prairie Invitational; Manages Women’s Championships for the state of Kansas

 

Team Kansas Competing in 51st Junior Girls Four State in Nebraska City

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Singles Matches Update

Team Kansas finished in Third Place at Junior Girls Four State on Tuesday. After winning two singles matches and tieing one match, the team finished with 5 total points for the tournament. Team Nebraska won the event earning 11.5 points out of 12 possible points available.

Alison Comer of Team Kansas won her match 5&4, McKenna Rice won her match 5&4, and Victoria Klausner tied her match against Team Missouri’s Audrey Rischer.

Rounds One & Two Update

Team Kansas was off to a strong start after the first round at the Junior Girls Four State tournament on Monday. Victoria Klausner and Sarah Lawson won their morning match 3&1, while Caroline Setter and Vera Bohning were 1 up through 18, giving Team Kansas a total of two points after the first round.

The team struggled in the afternoon, but put up a good fight against Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa. Sarah Lawson and Allison Comer were the only Four-Ball pair from Kansas to win points after tieing their match against Missouri. Lawson & Comer were 1 up most of their match on the back nine. Comer saved the team with a chip-in birdie on 16 to tie the hole. Comer again made an impressive attempt to win the 17th hole, however, bogies from both Kansas & Missouri tied the hole again. The Missouri team made bogey on the 18th hole and the Kansas pair made a double, leading to a tied match and a half point awarded to both teams.

Kansas is tied for second place going into the final round.

Tee times begin at 8:00 on Tuesday where the teams will play singles matches.

Tournament Information 

Arbor Links GC, Nebraska City, NE – Team Kansas is representing our associations this week at the 51st Junior Girls Four State hosted by the Nebraska Golf Association at Arbor Links GC in Nebraska City.  The teams are selected from a points list based on player’s tournament results in selected events over the past two seasons of play.  Jaci Weber of Derby, Kansas was selected as the team captain.  She played collegiate golf at the University of Kansas and 3-time Kansas Junior Amateur Champion.  Baile Stephenson was selected at the vice-captain.  Stephenson played collegiate golf at the University of Northern Colorado.  Both have represented Kansas in the Junior Four State and adult Fore State team competitions.

This year marks the first year of the new Solheim Cup-style competition.  Historically the competition followed the traditions high school scoring format.  Going forward the competition is comprised of Foursomes (alternate shot) match play, Four Ball match play, and singles match play in a round robin format with Team Kansas playing an equal number of matches in each format against teams from Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri.

This year’s team is comprised of:

  • Victoria Klausner of Olathe who will be a senior at Olathe Northwest HS
  • Sarah Lawson of Shawnee who is a May graduate of Mill Valley HS and will play at Wichita State in the fall
  • Allison Comer of Overland Park who will be a senior at St. James Academy
  • McKenna Rice of Lee’s Summit who is a May graduate of Lee’s Summit West and will play at the University of Central Missouri in the fall
  • Caroline Setter of Topeka who was the 2017 4A Girls State Champion
  • Vera Bohning of Lee’s Summit who will be a junior at St. Michael the Archangel

Foursomes matches began at 8:00am.  Follow the action live at:  https://51stjuniorgirlsfourstatechampionship.golfgenius.com

 

 

Alex Springer Earns First Watson Challenge Title

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Mother Nature Ends Watson Challenge Early – Alex Springer’s Great Second Round Crowns Him Champion

Round 3 of the Watson Challenge has been cancelled due to excessive rain and unplayable course conditions. The Championship has been shortened to a 36 hole championship. After a great round two, Alex Springer has been crowned the 2019 Watson Challenge Champion with an eight-under, two day total of 136. Tom Watson and Andy Spencer finish tied for second with a two-day total of 138 (-6).

Congratulations to Alex Springer for earning his first Watson Challenge title. We look forward to next year’s event and hope the weather cooperates a little more. We hope to see everyone out at Blue Hills Country Club in 2020!

New Leader, Alex Springer, After Moving Day at Watson Challenge – Round 2 Recap

On moving day of the Watson Challenge, a new leader emerged after 36 holes of competition and after another lengthy weather delay. On top of battling the field, players were forced to endure another rain and lightning delay before the second round of the Watson Challenge could begin. 7:30 am starting times were pushed back until 9:45 am.

Alex Springer, Mackenzie Tour player and Central Missouri graduate, made a move in to first place with another great round of 68 (-4) for a total of 136 (-8). Springer started off strong with a birdie on Holes 3, 4 and 6 to find himself with a one shot lead over Tom Watson. Springer’s front nine ended with a bogey on Hole 9, but his back nine featured another three birdies and a solo bogey on Hole 13. Six birdies and two bogeys would be enough to put Springer’s name atop the leaderboard after moving day over second place Tom Watson and Andy Spencer.

Watson’s round featured three birdies through the first 12 holes and the only two blemishes came on the last two holes of the round. A bogey on Hole 17 and 18 would keep Watson from tying Springer as leader in the clubhouse. Spencer also had a few hiccups on the day to erase his five birdies and card a two-under round of 70 to put him tied for second at a 138 (-6) total score with Tom Watson.

The rest of the field sits at least five shots behind second place with Michael Letzig and Tanner Owen at a one-under, 143 total and tied for fourth place. Letzig shot a two-under par round of 70, after a slightly disappointing one-over, 73 on Round 1. Owen fought back after a round one score of 74 that featured a 9 on the Par-5, 12th hole. A three-under, 69, second round that saw four birdies, an eagle, a bogey, and a double would shoot Owen in to the top five.

Four players are tied for sixth with an even-par total score of 144. Clay Devers, Jackson Foth, Nicklaus Mason, and Park Ulrich all sit on the outside looking in.

Championship Sunday will surely bring some exciting golf and leaderboard changes as players vie for the title of Kansas City’s best golfer. Springer is battling for his first ever Watson Challenge in two appearances. Spencer is vying for his third Watson Challenge victory in a row. Watson is trying for his sixth Watson Challenge victory, and first since 2013. Round 3’s final pairing will tee off at 10:00 am with Alex Springer, Tom Watson, and Andy Spencer.

Follow along with the Golf Genius app using the code WATSON19 or click here.

For all professional pictures of the event, see the KCGA Facebook.

Watson’s 67 Shines Through the Rain – Round 1 Recap

In it’s 13th year, the Watson Challenge began with an unlikely turn of events that included a 5 and a half hour rain delay at the Nicklaus Club of Lionsgate. 7:30 am starting times turned in to 9:30 am and then to 1:30 pm after two separate storm delays that lasted a total of 5.5 hours with powerful winds and heavy rain.

Despite the unexpected start to the tournament, round one did not disappoint. Local media and spectators turned up at the Nicklaus Golf Club in Overland Park to see the best golfers compete in Kansas City at the new venue. Media officials snapped pictures and fans paraded around the course as the featured group of the day had some jaw-dropping performances.

Five-time champion, Tom Watson, two-time defending champion, Andy Spencer, and club professional, Robert Russell, created quite the following around the golf course. Leader in the clubhouse, Tom Watson, carded a five-under, 67. After making the turn at even par with two birdies and two bogeys, Watson went on to birdie four in a row and finish with a birdie on the Par-4, 18th. Andy Spencer finished tied for second with a round of 68, (-4), that included five birdies and one bogey. Local favorite Robert Russell started out hot with two birdies, but followed with a little hiccup on the Par-5, 6th hole. Russell fought back with three birdies to card an even-par round of 72.

Also tied for second place after Round 1 is Clayton Devers and Alex Springer with rounds of 68. Devers had a steady round that included only one bogey on the Par-3, 2nd hole and five birdies. Alex Springer’s round featured an eagle on the Par-5, 4th hole and followed it up with a birdie on Hole 6. With two bogeys on the day, Springer had a total of four birdies and the eagle to shoot four-under.

Despite the weather and course conditions, 11 players carded an under-par round. Notable names include two juniors: Nicklaus Mason (-2) and Davis Cooper (-1), Garret (-2) and Blake Allen (-1), and Blue Hills golf professional Sean Dougherty (-2).

Four players sit an even par: Tim Barry, Jackson Foth, and local favorites Park Ulrich, and Robert Russell.

Round two will kick off tomorrow at 7:30 AM and tee times will continue until 10:00 AM. The final pairing of round two will include Tom Watson, Alex Springer, and Andy Spencer. The KCGA and fellow fans of golf hope round two of the Watson Challenge will bring less rain and even better golf.

For live scoring, see here.

Amanda Booth and Rebecca Thomas Take Overall Title at Tee Fore Two

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Rolling Hills CC, Wichita, KS – It took an extra hole for Amanda Booth (Wichita, KS) and Rebecca Thomas (Wichita, KS) to claim their first title in the Tee Fore Two Championship over defending champions Denise Desilet (Wichita, KS) and Patricia Sherwood (Wichita, KS).  Booth and Thomas began the day with a two-stroke lead after Monday’s Four Ball format and made the turn in the difficult Chapman Alternate Shot format with the same margin.  Desilet and Sherwood chipped away at the lead with a birdie on the par-3 13th hole and narrowly missed claiming a second straight title with a missed birdie putt on the 18th.  Booth and Thomas gave away the lead with a bogey at the 18th.  Both teams returned to the 1st hole for a playoff continuing in the Chapman format.  Booth and Thomas parred the first playoff hole to claim the title.

In the net division, Laurie Hughey (Wichita, KS) and Susan Mueller (Wichita, KS) began the day five strokes back after Monday Four Ball.  Chasing Beth Parmley (Loma Linda, MO) and Peggy Hinde (Pittsburg, KS) in the challenging Chapman format, they fired a gross 75 for a net 61 to win the Overall Net Championship by two strokes. The pair made eagle on the 2nd hole and never looked back.

The Monday afternoon Shootout began with 20 teams playing for the championship.  Preliminary action whittled the field down to Betty Skillett & Nancy Thomas, Karen Exon & Cindy Cooper, Bobbi Sauder & Diana Solis, Susan Mueller & Laurie Hughey, Danell Wilbur & Pam Marlow, and Karen Irwin & Lou Ann Buss.  Skillett/Thomas were eliminated on the 14th hole, and Sauder/Solis exited on the 15th.  Exon/Cooper were eliminated after a tough 3-putt at the 16th.  It took a chip-off to eliminate Mueller/Hughey on the 17th.  It looked like Wilbur/Marlow had the advantage on the 18th green, but Buss/Irwin made a long putt for par to change the dynamic and would eventually claim the shootout title.

Kim Wright made a hole-in-one on the 6th hole in the Chapman format. The next women’s championship is The Prairie Invitational at The National Golf Club of Kansas City on July 22-24 followed quickly by the Kansas Women’s Amateur at historic Prairie Dunes CC in Hutchinson, Kansas on August 5-6.

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