LEAWOOD, KS — The final round of the Prairie Invitational was played today at Hallbrook Country Club.

Jessica Meek, Columbia, MO, battled back and forth with Round 2 leader, Katy Winters. Meek opened her round with a double bogey but quickly made up for it with two birdies on the front nine. Winters held her lead after 9 holes, however, Meek played steady on her back nine with one birdie and zero bogies, shooting one-under for the day. Her overall three-day total was 72-71-71-214.

Sera Tadokoro had a great round, making seven birdies to shoot 69 (-3) for her final round. Tadokoro finished in second place overall.

Danica Badura and Katy Winters finished tied for third place with three-day totals of 218.

Jaylee Castro was the only Junior in the field to make the cut, earning her the Low Junior title with rounds of 78-74-80-232.

Opal Hill Division Concludes, Open Cut to Low 18 and Ties

LEAWOOD, KS — Round two of the Prairie Invitational was played this morning. It was the final round for the Opal Hill Division and cuts were made for the Open Division.

Leading the Open Division was Katy Winters after firing an impressive 67 (-5) for her round, carding a total of seven birdies on her day. Winters, who shot 75 yesterday, is sitting at two-under-par with a one-stroke lead over Jessica Meek going into tomorrow. Meek shot 71 (-1) today after shooting even-par yesterday.

Danica Badura sits two shots back from the lead with her rounds of 71-73.

Caroline Klemp, Sera Tadokoro, and Emma Whitaker are all tied for fourth at four-over-par.

Low Senior and Low Professional were awarded after the cut was made today. Susan DeVoe earned Low Senior, shooting 82-76-158 for the tournament. Low Professional was awarded to Jacque Madison with rounds of 85-76-161.

The Opal Hill Division concluded this afternoon with Diane Sparks leading the field with rounds of 82-82-164, Sparks made birdies on two par threes today, holes 2 and 13. First Place Net was awarded to Lyn Daugherty with net rounds of 68-73-144.

Full results and tee times for tomorrow can be found here >>

Three Under Par After Round 1 at The Prairie Invitational

LEAWOOD, KS — 80 women teed it up at Hallbrook Country Club today for the 36/54 hole invite-only event.

Leading the Open Division are Danica Badura, Emma Whitaker, and Sera Tadokoro all at one-under-par. Badura started her front nine at even-par followed by one bogey and two birdies on the back nine. Whitaker, the 2018 Prairie Invitational Champion, had a colorful front nine with a double bogey, bogey, and birdie but then had three birdies on the back nine to secure her 71. Tadokoro had five birdies and four bogies to shoot one-under on her round.

Jessica Meek sits in solo fourth place at even par, followed by McKenna Rice at one-over-par and Caroline Klemp at two-over-par.

The Open Division will be cut to the low 18 and ties after Round 2 tomorrow, with the final round being played on Wednesday for those who make the cut.

Leading the Opal Hill Division are Sarah Brookfield and Hallbrook member, Mary Larson; both fired an 80 in round one. Diane Sparks and Lyn Daugherty follow closely behind with rounds of 82. The completion of the Opal Hill Division will be tomorrow after round two. Awards will be given for both Gross and Net scoring.

Results >>

LEAWOOD, KS — The 2021 Prairie Invitational will be contested at Hallbrook Country Club on July 26^th and will last through the 28^th. The event will have two divisions, the Opal Hill Division and the Open Division The divisions are determined according to handicap index, with the golfers having an index between 5.1 and 15 playing in the Opal Hill division and the golfers having a 5.0 and below competing in the Open Division.  

Open Division 

The Open Division for this year is lined with talent but is led by Rachel Stous. Stous recently won the Kansas Women’s Amateur in commanding fashion by shooting nine-under-par for three rounds. She also won the 2021 Kansas City Women’s Match Play, and she is the reigning champion of the Prairie Invitational.  

Danica Badura will also be featured in the Open Division. Danica, the Nebraska native, placed third at the Kansas Women’s Amateur, plays college golf at the University of South Dakota, and she also won the 2020 Nebraska Women’s golfer of the year award.   

Alongside Danica in the Open Division is Emma Whitaker. Emma is a past champion of the Prairie Invitational, and recently played very well at the Kansas Women’s Amateur, as well as playing collegiate golf at Oklahoma State University.  

Another golfer in the Open Division is Ximena Gonzalez Garcia. Ximena has a decorated collegiate golf career at the University of Arkansas heading into her senior season.  

Katy Winters is also a name to watch out for as we have seen her ability to events like she displayed in 2019 at the Kansas Women’s Mid-Amateur. This year Katy tied for sixth place in a very strong field of competitors at the Kansas Women’s Amateur, shooting a total 221.  

Scarlet Weidig also poses a threat to the title as she displayed her talents in the KC Women’s Match Play event earlier this year.  

Making a return to the Prairie Invitational is 2020 Low Senior Champion, Martha Linscott. Martha had a great year of golf last year, including claiming the Kansas Women’s Senior Championship title shooting a gross 154 through two rounds.  

Another high-level collegiate golfer in this division is Aristelle Acuff who plays at the University of Kansas. Aristelle competed in five events last season including the Gator Invitational where she was the second highest Kansas finisher.  

Kenni Henson, a golfer at Wichita State University, was a runner-up at the KC Women’s Match Play this year. She is looking to bounce back at the Prairie from her performance in the Kansas Women’s Amateur earlier this month.  

Former Wichita State golfer, Laine Evans, who recently won the Women’s Mid-Amateur (75-71-146) in June and is looking to continue her hot streak into this event this year.  

Lastly, making the lengthy trip from Texas is Stacy Dennis. Stacy is the executive director of the Texas Golf Association and looks to leave her mark on the Prairie Invitational this year after Stacy shot a 77-71-82 at the 2020 Prairie Invitational, placing her ninth overall.  

Five local PGA Professionals will also compete in this year’s event. Cassie Auxier is a professional at Hallbrook Country Club, making her a home-course favorite. Former KU golfer and the PGA Head Professional at Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Course, Jennifer Walker will be showing out this year as well. Jacqueline Madison and Jane Yi are returning for another year of competition. Local PGA instructor from the Overland Park Golf Division, Maureen Farrell is also competing.   

The Opal Hill Division  

Formerly known as the Players Division, the Opal Hill Division will honor the legendary golfer for the first time this year. Opal Hill was turned to golf by a doctor prescribing her to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine. She quickly fell in love with the game and began practicing several hours a day. Her passion for golf grew every day and eventually enrolled in tournaments, leading her to win several of them. She then turned professional but after her husband passed, she was forced to quit the game. Although Opal did not play anymore, the game never left her. She was asked to lead the founders of the LPGA, and to help create the teaching division of the LPGA.  

The Opal Hill division is also filled with some great competition. Topping the list is Barbara Cusick. Barbara and her Husband Dr. Douglas Cusick are the tournament title sponsors as well as Barbara being a member of the Prairie Invitational committee, and Hallbrook Country Club. Alongside Barbara on the Prairie Committee and fellow Hallbrook member is Mary Larson.  

Jayne Clarke will also be making an appearance in the field at the event. Jayne is on the Board of Directors of Central Links Golf.  

Lastly, Sharon Henes, the winner of the 2021 Spring Triple Threat, will also be competing in the Opal Hill Division.  

Tournament info >>   

ANDOVER, KS- The final round of the Kansas Women’s Amateur wrapped up on July 13^th, 2021. Rachel Stous, the leader heading into the final day, started her round off with a birdie and four consecutive pars. She finished the front nine holes with a score of 36, and then she shot an even-par on the back nine (35), tallying a 71. Stous ended her round on Tuesday with birdies on 16 and 18 to safely seal her victory. Her three-day total was 66-67-71-204 for an overall nine-under-par finish, leading the field by 10 shots.

Emma Whitaker, 2018 Kansas Women’s Amateur Champion, played consistently carding rounds of 70-71-73-214.

Danica Badura who was in second place going into the final round finished in third place with rounds of 66-70-80-216.

Low Junior was awarded to Meg Tilma and Raychel Nelke. Tilma shot rounds of 72-73-78-223 and Nelke shot 70-76-77-223.

Low Senior was awarded to Martha Linscott who shot 76-82-77-235, winning by 11 shots.

Stous Leads Women’s Amateur

ANDOVER, KS – The first and second rounds of the Kansas Women’s Amateur took place at Flint Hills National Golf Club today. 61 female golfers played 36 holes of stroke play and will complete the event tomorrow with the final round of 18 holes.

Rachel Stous lead the way shooting an impressive 66 (-5) on her first round and 67 (-4) on her second round. Stous carded a total of 12 birdies on her 36 holes. She holds a three-shot lead over Danica Badura going into the final round tomorrow.

Badura fired an equally impressive 66 (-5) on her first round after starting her day with three birdies in a row on holes one through three. She finished her second round shooting 70 (-1).

2018 Kansas Women’s Amateur Champion, Emma Whitaker played consistently today shooting 70 (-1) on her first round and an even-par 71 on her second round.

Additional Results & Tee Times for tomorrow can be found here >> https://centrallinksgolf.org/competitions/womens-competitions/kansas-womens-amateur/