Category: Blog

Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame to Induct Four

Posted on

The votes are in and the electors have spoken. The Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame will induct four new members on October 27th.

This year’s honorees include two accomplished amateurs, one long-time golf professional and an innovator in club making.

Leading the Class of 2026 is Jeff Burey. After serving as head professional at the prestigious Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, Burey moved to Wolf Creek Golf Links as Head Professional and General Manager. He stayed there for more than 26 years before moving on to become General Manager at Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, KS.

His involvement in junior golfer development includes establishment of the KAW Valley Junior Golf Foundation, The First Tee, SNAG (Starting New At Golf), Wee Links and he is Currently Director of Golf in Schools programs for the Midwest Section PGA.

Ron Brewer is an 18-time champion in state tournaments who also qualified for twelve USGA championships. At the 1997 US Senior Open he not only made the cut, he finished as the third-low amateur. He has played in four consecutive US Senior Amateurs, the British Seniors Open Amateur and represented Kansas at the USGA State Team Championship in 1997 and 1999. He was named Kansas Player of the Decade for the 1990’s.

Pioneer custom club maker Kenneth Smith revolutionized the club making business with his personalized fitting chart which streamlined the ordering process long before there was an internet. He held over 25 patents for such mainstays as the swing weight scale, and the perforated leather grip.

Smith’s legacy lives on through the Kenneth L. and Eva S. Smith Foundation which recognizes the top male and female high school golfers each year. The foundation also supports area causes like the First Tee and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Completing this year’s class is WW II Veteran, Missouri Amateur Champion and two-time Heart of America Champion, Bob Willits. Even after suffering life threatening injuries in an auto accident in 1951, Willits won numerous championships including the Kansas City Senior, the Broadmoor (CO) World Seniors, the Missouri Senior and runner-up in the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am with his godson, Tom Watson.

Willits served on numerous Boards, was President of the KCGA, the MGA, the Trans-Miss and the World Seniors Golf Association and served as Treasurer of the USGA in 1989.

Induction ceremonies will be held on October 27, 2026, at Blue Hills Country Club. Festivities are scheduled to kick off at 5:00 PM.

The public is invited to attend. Reservations can be made by contacting Doug Habel at Central Links Golf 913-649-5242 or email at doug@clgolf.org.

The Topeka Country Club – History in the Capital City

Posted on

The Topeka Country Club, located in Topeka, KS, hosts a vast amount of history since opening in 1905. Most recently hosting the 2026 Kansas Senior Amateur, 2024 Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship, and 2022 Kansas Women’s Amateur, TCC has hosted countless other state Am’s, exhibitions, and city championships.

Home to Washburn University golf, and a young Topekan and major champion, Gary Woodland, TCC history runs deep with high level amateur & professional golf.

On May 1, 1967, Jack Nicklaus made an appearance in the capital city, and hosted an exhibition in front of about 2,500 spectators with a young up & comer from Kansas City, Tom Watson. Along with Watson and Nicklaus, Topeka native and 1964 US Pub Links champion, Bill McDonald, and 1965 US Women’s Amateur champion, Jean Ashley, rounded out the foursome in entertaining fashion.

When asked about the experience more than 50 years later, Watson would go on to say “playing that exhibition with Jack was one of the beginnings of my dream of becoming a professional golfer, right here at Topeka Country Club.”

For over a century, TCC has provided the state of Kansas with a significant amount of golf history. Let’s hope the next 100 years will be just as abundant!

Click HERE to view the full post 

The Passing of a Legend

Posted on

Kansas golf lost a legend this week with the passing of Natasha Matson Fife.

Five-time winner of the Kansas Women’s Amateur, seven-time winner of the Wichita city championship and three-time Broadmoor (Colorado) Invitational champion, Fife took a self-imposed ten-year hiatus to raise her daughters, then returned to competitive golf and captured seven Kansas Women’s Senior Championships.

The daughter of four-time Kansas Amateur champion George Matson (1932, ’33, ’36 and ’37), Natasha was recognized as an “up and comer” by the USGA and, as a fourteen-year-old, was offered a special invitation (along with fellow Kansas legend Judy Bell) into the 1950 US Women’s Open at Rolling Hills.

It was during that tournament that thirteen women, including Babe Zaharias, Patty Berg, Opal Hill, Betty Jameson and Marilyn Smith came together to form the LPGA. And young Natasha was there to witness it.

She also played in five USGA Women’s Amateurs, making the quarter finals in 1960 (Tulsa). That year the USGA had her ranked among the Top- 10 amateurs in the country in both the Women’s and Senior Women’s categories.

Fife began teaching Physical Education at Wichita State in 1959 and, a decade later, was instrumental in creating a separate women’s athletic program, ushering in the “varsity era” of women’s sports at WSU. In 1974 she was named the school’s first Director of Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics. After Title IX was established and the Men’s and Women’s programs were merged, she served as Associate Athletic Director until 1984. She retired from WSU with “Emeritus” status in 1998.

Fife was inducted into three Halls of Fame: the Kansas Golf Foundation Hall of Fame (1993), The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (2006) and the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame (2018). In 2023 she became the first woman to be included in the Hall of Legends in conjunction with the Legends of Kansas Championship.

Central Links Golf extends our condolences to Natasha’s family and legions of her friends throughout the state of Kansas. She made a difference.

From Hong Kong to Kansas: The Enduring Impact of Sadie Park

Posted on

The 2025 edition of the Sadie Park Sunflower Girls Championship saw Addie McKenna take home the title with rounds of 67-69 – 136 (-8). Betsy Mitchell finished runner-up after a second-round charge, posting scores of 74-64 – 138 (-6).

In memory of Sadie Park, mother of Martin Park, we celebrate a life defined by warmth, determination, and an unwavering love for golf. Sadie began her journey with the game in her late 30s while living in Hong Kong. Though she never carried a handicap below 24, her passion was unmatched, and her joy for the sport was infectious.

While in Hong Kong, she became a tireless advocate for junior golf, introducing her son to the game and encouraging countless young players. A familiar face at the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club—now host to the Hong Kong Open and LIV events—Sadie played nearly every weekend with friends. Her leadership and dedication earned her the honor of serving twice as Club Captain.

Remarkably, she achieved six hole-in-ones. Today, her legacy continues in Kansas through the Sadie Park Sunflower Girls Championship—a fitting tribute to a true champion of community and the game she loved.

Remembering Rusty Hilst: A Life Well Played

Posted on

Kansas golf lost a true legend with the passing of Rusty Hilst, who bravely battled ALS until his final days. More than a fixture in the local golf community, Rusty was a man whose passion for the game and for people left a lasting mark on all who knew him.

A proud member of the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame (2002), Rusty’s contributions to the sport went far beyond trophies and titles. He brought integrity, wisdom, and quiet leadership to every course he stepped onto. His deep love for golf was rivaled only by his dedication to education. For over 50 years, Rusty taught mathematics — inspiring generations of students with patience, humor, and a steadfast belief in the power of learning.

Even as ALS gradually took away the physical abilities he once used to teach, coach and play, it never touched his spirit. He remained a symbol of grace and resilience, continuing to support the game and his community in any way he could.

Rusty’s legacy lives on in the fairways he walked, the students he taught, and the lives he touched with humility and kindness. He reminded us all that golf is more than a game — it’s a reflection of character, perseverance, and love.

To honor Rusty is to carry forward his values: to play with heart, to teach with joy, and to live with purpose. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

2024 February Funding Drive

Posted on

The Annual February Funding Drive for Youth on Course is back! Help us reach our $15,000 goal!

Did you know Central Links Golf is responsible for subsidizing the YoC program in Kansas & Kansas City?

Members of Youth on Course pay $5 to play a round of golf at participating facilities. This program allows juniors to have greater access to the game of golf.

Help us continue to expand and sustain this program by donating to our campaign.

Youth on Course Member Spotlight: Savannah Gentry

Posted on

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

How did you get started playing golf?

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

What do you enjoy about playing golf?

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

How have you benefitted from Youth on Course?

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

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

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

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

Tell us about the scholarship you received.

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

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

To make a donation, click here>>

Jayne Clarke Elected Central Links Golf President

Posted on

Central Links Golf is excited to announce Jayne Clarke as our new President, effective November 20th. Jayne takes over for Greg Dunn, Central Links Golf’s first President. Dunn led the association from its conception and recent merger, formerly Kansas Women’s Golf, Kansas Golf and Kansas City Golf Association. Clarke served as the Vice President under Dunn and has now been elected as the first female President of Central Links Golf. Jayne has been involved in the golf community for many years as a competitive player and in former leadership roles.

“Golf has afforded me the opportunity to meet so many individuals from across the state and forge many friendships I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” says Clarke. Former President of the Kansas Women’s Golf Association, Jayne has a history of leadership and hopes to continue to forge friendships and use connections to lead the association.

“The last couple of years have been consumed by the successful merger of associations and conducting competitions in a world with Covid-19. One of those events would have been enough to deal with, yet Central Links Golf staff and board successfully managed to navigate both,” Clarke says regarding the recent hurdles faced by the organization. Her vision for moving forward is one of strategic planning and reflection on what we can do better.

“Now we need to focus on how we can utilize the combined strength of the organization to better serve a growing golf community,” Clarke comments. Her plan is to focus on a strategic planning process over the next few months to set new goals for the association.

“I’m looking forward to what comes from the discussion; we do have some challenges, but growth is a challenge many associations would envy.”

Central Links Golf supports and looks forward to how we grow and reflect over the next few months to continue to serve our members in the best way possible. We are excited about the possibilities in 2022 and beyond.

In addition to Jayne, the board would like to welcome our new additions to the board: Ryne Fisher, Chad Fuqua, Gary Hruby, Chris Robinson and Kurt Vollertsen. To see a complete list of our executive committee and board members, please click here.

Support Youth on Course on #GivingTuesday

Posted on

#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of generosity and unity, a day to come together and give back in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19, no matter who or where we are.

GivingTuesday will start on Tuesday, May 5th to bring together the community and inspire millions of people worldwide to volunteer, perform acts of kindness, and donate their voices, time, money and goods. On the last GivingTuesday, December 3, 2019, the global giving day generated $2 billion on giving, just in the United States.

This campaign is taking place from its regular scheduled annual event on December 3rd as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

Central Links Golf urges golf lovers and supporters to take this opportunity to give to our local golf programs such as Youth on Course – a great junior golf program designed to allow kids to play at participating golf courses for $5.

You can support Youth on Course in Kansas City by donating to the Golf Foundation of KC here. You can also donate via check.

During a time where everyone is affected and experiencing effects from this global pandemic, we can use this opportunity to remain connected through generosity.

For more information on the #GivingTuesday campaign, please see here.

New Watson Challenge Dates Announced

Posted on

2020 Watson Challenge Rescheduled Amid Coronavirus Concerns

LENEXA, Kansas, April 3, 2020 – The 2020 Watson Challenge, originally scheduled to be played at The National Golf Club of Kansas City on May 29-31, has been rescheduled following its postponement last week due to coronavirus concerns. The 2020 Watson Challenge will now be played at The National on August 4-6.

Last week’s postponement marked the first time since the tournaments’s inception in 2007 the event has had to be postponed. The only other interruptions of the tournament occurred when two final rounds were canceled due to weather, including last year’s tournament at Nicklaus Club at Lionsgate.

“This was a very difficult decision, but we felt with the current, ongoing health crisis, it was not in the best interest of the players, club, staff and volunteers to continue with the event in May,” said Tournament Director Doug Habel in regards to the difficult decision to postpone.

The date change may not be the extent of changes for the event this year. Amid the ever-changing times we now face, other alterations might be made to the event which will be announced at a later date.

“The Watson Challenge is one of the premier golf events in the Kansas City area, and it’s our intention to explore all possible options to still play the event this year in a safe way for all involved,” Doug Habel informed.

The public will be informed as more details and information become available in the coming weeks. We understand the rescheduling could cause conflicts for players, and we hope everyone can understand the predicament we are facing. Monitoring of the health crisis will continue on in to the future.

Click here to view the 2020 Watson Points List.

For any questions regarding the Watson Challenge, please reach out to Doug Habel at doug@clgolf.org. We appreciate your patience and support during this time.

###