Blog

Are You Ready for 2019 Registration?

Posted on

Registration for the 2019 golf tournament season is now officially open. This year we have changed platforms and will be using the Golf Genius Tournament Management program. To help with any confusion, here are a few tips to prepare you for the registration process.

Do you have an active GHIN number?

To be eligible to play in any KCGA events, players must have an active GHIN handicap number. Players can get a GHIN number through their golf club or through the eClub of Kansas City.

For instructions on how to get/renew a GHIN number through the eClub of Kansas City, visit: Get/Renew an Eclub Handicap.

To renew your GHIN number at your local golf club, contact your pro shop and pay their annual renewal fee.

Create a Player Profile in Golf Genius

In order to register for tournaments, players must first have a player profile through Golf Genius.

If you have played in KCGA events in 2018, you will have received an email with specific instructions to create a password under the email we have on file.

If you are a new player to KCGA events, please create a new player profile by clicking on the “Sign In/Register” button.

If you attempt to register and receive a notice that your email address is already in use, please contact the KCGA staff at (913)-649-5242 before creating a duplicate profile.

Visit the player profile registration page.

Once on the player profile registration homepage, players will need to click “Click Here to Register”. You will need to enter your GHIN Number and Last Name and fill out the following personal information page with the required fields.

Once you have filled out the required fields, click “Register”. At this point, players will need to read through the KCGA and USGA Terms and Conditions. Click the two boxes to show that you acknowledge each Terms & Conditions and click “Next”.

Sign up for Individual Tournaments

To sign up for individual events, hover your mouse over the “Register for Events” tab. Under this tab, you will see a list of categories for all our events. Click on “All Events”. On this page, you will be able to scroll and see every event the KCGA will host this season.

Find the specific event you want to register for and click on the name of the event. It will take you to an information page, where you will see a “Register Now For ____” button on the left margin. Click “New Registration on the following page and follow the instructions for that event.

Continue this process for each event you wish to register for. If you try to sign up for a KCJT or SLAT without first purchasing the membership program you will not be able to sign up for an individual tournament.

Purchase a Membership Program

If you plan to play on the Stateline Amateur Tour or the Kansas City Junior Tour, players must sign up for these membership programs before signing up for individual tournaments.

The Stateline Amateur Tour costs $50 and the Kansas City Junior Tour costs $40.

Once you have completed your player profile, make sure you are signed in. Go back to the homepage and sign in using the new email and password you made when creating your player profile.

Once you are signed in under your player profile, click on the “Purchase Membership Program” tab. You will see both the SLAT and KCJT listed. Click the “Add to Cart” button next to the membership program you would like to play on.

A “Membership Programs Cart” button will appear in the right-hand corner prompting you to “Click to Checkout”. It will ask you for information in order to bill for payment. Once you have completed the information and billing tabs, you will successfully be signed up for your membership program.

Contact the KCGA with any questions

On March 1, the KCGA staff will be prepared for any questions or issues regarding registration. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Give us a call at (913) 649-5242. Any extension will be available to help you with this process. We look forward to a great 2019 season!

Business Women’s Golf League

Posted on

Business Women’s Golf League was formed in 1982 by a handful of businesswomen in Wichita, KS, unable to play golf in morning “ladies day” leagues due to working day time hours. Therefore, the league was formed for evening play to accommodate working women.

Today, the league remains strong with more than 50 members including one of the original founders, Terry Chesnut. In addition to 9 hole evening play, an 18 Business Women's Golf Leaguehole “tournament” is held once a month at various local courses, and a fun out of town weekend golfing trip is scheduled 2 times each year. Recently, morning play was added to the schedule as many of the members are now retired.

The league originally played at the Echo Hills Golf Course for many years. We now have become accustomed to change as we are ready to start another new home course, MacDonald Golf Course, which will be our 3rd course to call “home” since leaving Echo Hills when it closed.

The BWGL is always looking for new members to join the league!

Visit the BWGL website to learn more: https://www.bwglladysgolfwichita.com/

How to Post Your Scores

Posted on

Beginning March 1, golfers in Kansas and Kansas City can begin posting scores to their GHIN Handicaps. If you’re wondering why it’s important to post your score, read about Why Even You Should Post Your Scores. There are multiple ways for you to post a score, making it easy to track your progress and report your rounds honestly.

  1. Score Posting Kiosk – This kiosk is usually a computer set up in the Pro-Shop for members to post scores on. Just look up your name or GHIN Number and you’re set.
  2. GHIN.com – Go to GHIN.com and enter your last name and GHIN Number, from there you will be able to choose whether your round was played at home or an away course, then pick your tees and post your score.
  3. GHIN Mobile App – Whether you use an Andriod or iPhone, you can download this app. You’re going to pull out your phone right after your round anyway, you might as well get that score posted while you’re at it!

Which method is your favorite? Whether you prefer to post at the course or on your device, posting a score allows you to track your progress and learn your potential ability.

Note: If you forgot to post a score during the active season, it’s not too late to post. You can go back and post scores that were made at any time during the active season, even if it is currently an inactive season.

KGA & KCGA Agree to Merge

Posted on

The Boards of Directors of the Kansas Golf Association and the Kansas City Golf Association have reached an agreement in principle to merge.

The two storied golf associations will immediately begin operating with a single staff to serve the needs of all golfers in its territory of Kansas and the Kansas City metro area. The combined staff will be led by the KCGA’s current Executive Director, Doug Habel.  Casey Old will be the Competitions Director of Kansas and remain in the Lawrence office at Eagle Bend Golf Course while Todd Stice will remain in his role as the Director of Competitions in the Kansas City metro area. Jacque Madison will direct Women’s Championships throughout the state. Dick Kendrick will continue to administer the Kansas Senior Series events. Jacque Madison and Baile Stephenson will handle Club Services and Course Rating. The newest member of the team, Taylor Albritton, will assist with all competitions, with a focus on Junior Golf.

Leadership of both organizations will work together to form an organization with a new name and a combined board in order to complete the merger by December 31, 2020. The goal of the newly combined organization is to maintain the high standard of services and competitions available to the golf clubs and golfers of Metropolitan Kansas City and the State of Kansas.

The name of the new golf association will be announced on January 6, 2020.

Have questions about how this will affect our events? Click here.

Doug Habel, Executive Director KCGA
Sean Thayer, President KGA
Dick Swetala, President KCGA

What Scores Can I Post?

Posted on

What Scores Can I Post?Sometimes there are restrictions on what scores a player can and cannot post. We’re here to help break those down.

Scores You Can Post

Scores you can post:

  • Rounds played with at least one other person.
  • To post a 9-hole score, you must have played 7-12 holes under the USGA Rules of Golf.
  • To post an 18-hole score, you must have played at least 13 holes under the USGA Rules of Golf.
  • Rounds played on any course during an active season, both home and away courses, with a proper USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating.
  • Scores in all forms of competition. Tournaments hosted by the KCGA & KGA post your tournament scores for you. Be sure not to double-post a score!
  • Disqualification in a competition, but you have an acceptable score, you must record an adjusted gross score using Section 4-2 of the Handicap Manual.

Scores you can’t post:

  • Rounds played alone.
  • When fewer than 7 holes have been played.
  • When the round was played in an area observing an inactive season.
  • Competitions which limit the number of clubs you can play with to under 14. Example: an irons only competition.
  • When a player uses non-conforming equipment (balls, clubs, tees, etc.).
  • Anytime the player does not play under the USGA Rules of Golf.

Note: If a player fails to post a valid score, the Handicap Committee may post the score without the player’s authorization. (See Section 8-4b of the USGA Handicap Manual).

Whenever you’re not sure if you can post a score or not, be sure to reference the USGA Handicap Manual available online or talk to your local club pro.

Happy Posting!

4 Reasons Why You Need to Be Posting Your Scores

Posted on

Reasons for Posting ScoresI know what you’re thinking, “I don’t even play in tournaments that use my handicap for scoring, why do I have to post my scores??” Here’s the thing. Even if you don’t currently play in Net Scoring tournaments, there are a lot of reasons why your Handicap Index needs to be accurate.4 Reasons Why You Should Post Your Scores

  1. Pairings

Ever been paired with a golfer way above or below your ability? Maybe that’s because your handicap index did not properly reflect your potential ability. Often, Tournament Directors pair players based on handicap indexes.

  1. Invitation Only Events

When your handicap index is within a certain range, it can qualify you to participate in certain events. Think of the U.S. Open Qualifiers or U.S. Amateur Qualifiers.

  1. Flights

Sometimes we offer events with flights based on your handicap index. The Prairie Invitational is a good example to use here. In this event, if your handicap index is 5.0-23.4, you are required to compete in the Players division, instead of the Open division.

  1. Improvement

In addition to the reasons we listed above, posting your scores allows you to see your improvement over time. Your scoring record stays with you forever, making it easy to track your improvement.

If you are like most people, you thought all you needed out of your GHIN Number was the ability to enter tournaments, but posting your scores is crucial to maintaining the honesty of the game.

If you need a handicap and you are not a regular patron of a golf course that provides GHIN Memberships, join a Kansas Eclub. For more information about handicap policies and procedures, read the USGA Handicap Manual.

Note: If you forgot to post a score during the active season, it’s not too late to post. You can go back and post scores that were made at any time during the active season, even if it is currently an inactive season.

Kansas City Golf Show

Posted on
KC Golf Show 2019
The Kansas City Golf Show is back for another weekend of golfing fun at the Overland Park Convention Center on February 15-17.

Explore great deals and fun activities from the largest gathering of golf retailers and exhibitors under one roof. Each ticket will come with a front door bonus that includes golf rounds at Lake of the Ozark Golf Trail Golf Courses, Old Kinderhook, Brookridge Golf & Fitness, and Mules National Golf Club. Get fitted for the perfect set of golf clubs at huge savings. Be sure to check out the main stage for interactive swing seminars, new product demos, interviews with industry experts and more than 100 prize giveaways.

For more information, visit https://www.kansascitygolfshow.com/.

2018 Junior Golf Highlights

Posted on

2018 Junior Golf Highlights

Match the Junior Golfer with his or her accomplishments. Answers are below.

Choices: Joe Bultman, Justin Wingerter, Sion Audrain, Julia Misemer, Hanna Hawks, Megan Propeck, Nicklaus Mason

#1: She was the 2018 Girls Player of the Year, Champion of KC Junior and Kansas Junior Amateur, Qualified for 2019 US Women’s Four-Ball

#2: He was the 2018 KCGA Boys Player of the Year, Champion of KC Junior and KC Masters, Qualified for 2018 Watson Challenge and US Junior Amateur Championship, Participant on Mid-America Junior Cup Team

#3: He was the KGA Boys Player of the Year, Champion of the KS Railer and KS Junior Match Play, Champion of Parent/Child Championship, Runner-Up of High Plains Amateur, Semifinalist in KC Boys Junior Match Play

#4: She was the Champion of KC Girls Match Play, Third Place Finish in KC Junior Championship and KS Junior Amateur, Top 15 finish at 2018 Prairie Invitational, Participant on Mid-America Junior Cup Team

#5: He was the KC Boys Junior Match Play Champion, Medalist at US Junior Amateur Qualifying, Third Place finish at KC Masters, Qualified for 2018 Watson Challenge, Mid-America Junior Cup Participant, Committed to Wichita State for 2019

#6: She managed a second place finish at KS Junior Amateur, Second place finish at KS Girls Kick-Off, Third place finish at Optimist Qualifier

#7: He was the Kansas Amateur and High Plains Amateur Champion, Third place finish at KS Boys Junior Amateur, Committed to Kansas University for 2019

Answers: Megan Propeck, Justin Wingerter, Nicklaus Mason, Julia Misemer, Joe Bultman, Hanna Hawks, Sion Audrain

These seven candidates are just the tip of the iceberg the KCGA and KGA have in terms of junior golf talent. Our junior golfers are competing at every level, including performing in our regional championships.

Below are a few other accomplishments our junior golfers made in 2018
3 Juniors qualified for 2018 Watson Challenge
9 – 7  KCGA beats MAGA in Mid-America Junior Cup
24 Juniors qualified for the 2018 KS Amateur
30 Juniors played in the 2018 Prairie Invitational

Are you reading this and thinking, “How do I get my name on this list”?

  • Get involved. Get a GHIN Handicap if you don’t already have one.
  • Practice. Commit to working on your short-game or taking lessons with a PGA/LPGA Professional this year.
  • Compete. Register for tournaments across the state and at different levels of competition. Don’t be afraid to fail a few times before you get better.

We’d love to see different names at the top of this list this time next year. Make 2019 your year!

Want to be featured in the Junior Golf Newsletter? Reach out to Taylor Albritton, Junior Golf Manager, at taylor@kcgolf.org with your story.

Sign up for our new Junior Golf Newsletter sent out the second and fourth Wednesday of every month.

Subscribe to the Junior Golf Newsletter

* indicates required




SMART Golf Goals for The New Year

Posted on

The weather in Kansas might have you thinking that the golf season is far away, but in reality, it is right around the corner. By setting goals for the new year, you’ll be prepared for the season before you even step onto to the course.

We put together a few golf-related goal ideas for 2019 using the SMART Goal Framework. If you have never heard of the SMART Goal Framework before, you can learn more about it here. Note: This framework can be used for any type of goal setting and might actually change your life.

S – Specific

M – Measurable

A – Achievable/Attainable

R – Relevant

T – Time Specific

1.    Get Golf Fit

Did you just cringe? We’ve been hearing about the importance about golf fitness for years, resolve to make it a priority for your game in 2019. Join a yoga class at the rec center, commit to walking instead of taking a cart, or decide a personal trainer is a right fit for you.

The Titleist Performance Institute is the leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. Find a professional in your area that can help improve your swing through the strengthening of your body.

Example: In 2019 I will do a yoga class once a week and meet with a TPI Certified Professional twice a month to work on my golf fitness goals.

2.    Play More Golf Tournaments

Do you wish you would have played in more golf tournaments last year? Resolve to play in one, two, or ten this year. Members of the KCGA can play in Kansas Golf Association events, too.

Example: In 2019,  I will play in 5 Stateline Amateur Tour events and play in my club’s Men’s Club Championship.

3.    Lower Your Handicap

If you currently have a handicap you may think that you want to keep it where it is for net scoring purposes. But honestly, what is the fun in never improving? Resolve to make new golf goals with the intention of lowering your handicap this year. One benefit to lowering your handicap is the potential opportunities to compete in the USGA Championship qualifiers in our area.

If you don’t currently have a handicap, maybe your goal for the year can be to get one and maintain entering your scores on a consistent basis. Learn about joining a Kansas Eclub here or call your local club to see if they offer GHIN Handicap Services.

Example: I would like to lower my handicap from a 10.2 to a 9.4 by July 1.

4.    Practice Putting

Whether it’s putting or chipping, we all could use some more short game practice. Pick out a handful of drills you think will help your game. Make a commitment to complete those drills a certain number of times per week. Note: practicing once a week is not enough, you need to put enough time into these drills so that you can reap the rewards.

Example: I will complete The Clock Putting Drill three times each week from March 1-October 31.

5.    Hit More Fairways & Greens

For this example, you’ll need to do some data collection. You first will need to start by collecting your current number of fairways and greens hit per round. A great way to keep track of this information is on an Excel document. Once you have an average made from roughly 5-10 rounds, make your goal measurable. What is the exact number you would like your average to be? 8/14 fairways and 10/18 greens? Remember to keep this number attainable. If you are currently averaging 1/18 greens, a goal of having 18/18 greens in two months is probably not attainable. Be sure to put a time-specific date on when you would like to have the goal achieved by.

Example: My current average is 5/14 fairways and 7/18 greens hit per round. I would like to change my average to 7/14 fairways and 9/18 greens hit by September 1.

Other ideas may include: learning the new rules (or playing by them), playing more rounds of golf, taking lessons, getting new clubs, asking a new friend to join you, or not taking gimme putts.

In addition to creating your goals, remember to create small “enabling goals”. Enabling goals are smaller goals that help you reach your bigger goal. These goals are easier to check off your list and help keep you on track. Remember, goals give you something to work for, they don’t always have to be achieved perfectly for you to see results in your game. Be gentle with yourself and always remember that golf is meant to be fun!

Best of luck in 2019, we can’t wait to see what you achieve this year.

Announcing the 2018 Club Growth Awards

Posted on
KCGA 2018 Club Growth Awards

The KCGA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Club Growth awards.  The awards are presented annually for growing women’s and junior golf and are presented to the clubs which create the most new KCGA members. The awards are based on women and juniors who establish a GHIN number/handicap for the first time or re-activate a GHIN number that had lapsed for three seasons or more.  The awards are presented to both public and private clubs. We would like to thank the staff, members, and patrons at all our award-winning clubs for their support of the KCGA and for their efforts to grow women’s and junior golf in the Kansas City area.

Women’s Growth Award – Private Clubs: Country Club of Leawood and Falcon Ridge GC

Women’s Growth Award – Public Clubs: Overland Park GC

Junior Growth Award – Private Clubs: Shawnee Golf & CC

Junior Growth Award – Public Clubs: Fred Arbanas GC

 Each club receives a certificate and a gift card to Jack Stack BBQ.