KCGA Leads the Mid-America Junior Cup after Day One

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Mid-America Junior Cup is a two day Ryder/Walker Cup style competition begun in 1999 in which the top juniors from Kansas City face off against the top juniors from St. Louis.  The KCGA and Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association (St. Louis) alternate in hosting the event each year. This year’s event takes place at Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate.

The first round of the Mid-America Junior Cup was played in a Four-ball format. A Four-ball format is where the two players of the KCGA team play the better ball against the better ball of the MAGA and only one player must complete the play of the hole.

The KCGA leads the MAGA 3 to 1 at the end of the first day. The KCGA team of Andy Spencer and Eric Pahls defeated the MAGA team 4 and 3 to win match number one. The KCGA team of Taylor Black and Caroline Klemp defeated the second MAGA team 5 and 4 to win the second match. The KCGA team of Joe Bultman and Garrett Clark fell to the third MAGA team 2 and 1. The final KCGA team of Julia Misemer and Megan Propeck defeated the final MAGA team 2 and 1 as they head into the final day of the Mid-America Junior Cup.

The Kansas City Golf Association Mid-America Junior Cup looks to carry their momentum into the final round and keep the trophy in Kansas City.

Click here to see full results of the first day of the Mid-America Junior Cup.

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Kansas Wins the Stateline Cup

MAYETTA, Kan. – The 2015 Stateline Cup match was hosted at Firekeeper Golf Course on Wednesday, October 21. Firekeeper Golf Course is located 15 miles north of Topeka and is relatively new as it opened in the Spring of 2011. The uniqueness of Firekeeper is that most golf courses are built for residential use and it was built into the native land and most of the hazards are the native prairie grasses.

The 2015 Stateline Cup was played in a match play format. The first nine-holes were played as team Fourball, the second nine-hoels was played as team alternate shot and the final nine-holes were singles matches. There were 24 points allowed, each match was worth one-point.

The team representing the Kansas side claimed victory as they edged the Missouri team tallying 13 of the 24 points available. The Kansas team earned three and a half points on the first nine, four points on the second nine and five and a half on final nine holes. The Missouri team earned two and a half points on the first nine, two points on the second nine and gained six and half on the final nine totaling 11 points on 27 holes to fall by two points to the Kansas team.

Click here for full results of the Stateline Cup matches.

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The 2015 KC Women’s Golf Clinic

LENEXA, Kan. — Shadow Glen hosted the first annual KC Women’s Golf Clinic presented by Lockton on Monday, October 19. It was a day filled with 65 female golfers throughout Kansas City that gathered to learn and gain knowledge of the game.

The KC Women’s Golf Coalition’s mission is to promote women’s health and wellness through the game of golf and encourage women to participate in the game. This event included personalized small group instructions with female LPGA and PGA teaching professionals on pitching, putting, chipping, full-swing, on course strategies and fitness. There were also on course competitions with prizes and had the opportunity to play Shadow Glen Golf Club. Each Participant received breakfast, lunch, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in addition to six hours of golf instruction.

Each participant was sent home with a personalized plan for improvement from their teaching professional and complimentary gift bag. Portions of the proceeds from the event went to Rose Brooks (a local domestic violence shelter) and WIN for KC (a local organization supporting women’s and girl’s athletic development).

Other sponsors included: Garmin, Bushnell, KC Women’s Golf Coalition, Shadow Glen, Elite Golf & Fitness, KPMG, Whole Foods, San Soleil, Valley Wine & Spirits, Toyota, Fitness First, Footprints in Fairways, PGA Midwest Section, EP, Top Notch, Arnold Palmer’s Tee and Veracity.

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The KCGA is proud to announce its 2015 Mid-America Junior Cup Team

The Mid-America Junior Cup is a two day Ryder/Walker Cup style competition begun in 1999 in which the top juniors from Kansas City face off against the top juniors from St. Louis.  The KCGA and Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association (St. Louis) alternate in hosting the event each year. This year’s event will take place October 24-25 at Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate in Overland Park, Kansas. Eligibility for the team is based off of the KCGA Junior Amateur Boys/Girls Standings for the year. The format for the first day is same-gender four-ball while the second day is co-ed alternate-shot. The KCGA team looks to continue its success and keep the Cup in Kansas City.

Here is a look at this year’s KCGA team

Andy Spencer: Andy Spencer is from Prairie Village, Kansas, attending Shawnee Mission East High School. Spencer competes on the SM East golf team where he achieved the Kansas 6A individual champion in the spring of 2015. Along with the 6A State title, he has won the 2014 Boy’s Metro Match Play Championship and the AJGA’s Lockton Kansas City Junior. Adding on to Spencer’s accomplished year, he achieved the 2015 Kenneth Smith Award and was selected as the Kansas City Star’s All-Metro Boy’s golfer of the year. This is his third year as a member of the KCGA Mid-America Cup team.

Eric Pahls: Eric Pahls of Kansas City, Kansas, will be returning for his second appearance on the KCGA Mid-America Cup team. Pahls recently placed second at the Kansas Class 4A state golf championship and is the back-to-back champion of the Kansas City Junior Championship, giving him exemption into the Watson Challenge. Pahls was also the runner-up at the 2014 Midwest Junior PGA Championship.

Garrett Clark: Garrett Clark of Kansas City, Kansas, is a member of the Kansas City Junior Tour where he competes on a regular basis. Clark recently qualified and advanced to semifinals of the 2015 Kansas City Match Play Championship.

Joe Bultman: Joe Bultman is from Shawnee, Kansas, and is a member of the Kansas City Junior Tour. Bultman competes on the KCJT and won the event at Shirkey Golf Club. He achieved the honors of the winning the KCJT Player of the Year award in his division.

Taylor Black: Taylor Black is a back-to-back Girl’s Metro Match Play champion. Black is also the 2013 Heartland Junior Amateur and the 2015 Missouri Class 2 State Champion. She also qualified for the 2015 U.S. Girls Junior Amateur Championship.

Caroline Klemp: Caroline Klemp is from Lansing, Kansas, where she plays on the St. James Academy girl’s golf team. Klemp had a big year in 2015 where she posted the lowest junior score at the Prairie Invitational. She also won the Midwest Junior Tour Player of the Year and qualified Big I National Championship.

Julia Misemer: Julia Misemer is from Overland Park, Kansas, and is 11 years old. She has accomplished many things this season. She was a part of the Junior KC Cup team at Brookridge Golf & Fitness team. She was the 2015 KC Junior Tour Player of the Year, while winning 4 of the 10 events in her division. Misemer has also qualified for the Drive, Pitch & Putt National Finals at Augusta National, the home Masters.

Megan Propeck: Megan Propeck is from Leawood, Kansas. Propeck was a member of the 2015 Junior KC Cup Championship team of Blue Hills Country Club. She also finished runner-up at the 2015 Missouri Junior Amateur Championship.

Trey Martin and McCain Schellhardt qualify for the 2016 U.S. Men’s Four Ball Championship

MISSION HILLS, Kan. – Facing windy fall weather conditions, Trey Martin and McCain Schellhardt pushed forth to edge the runner-up to qualify for the 2016 U.S. Men’s Four Ball Championship at Kansas City Country Club on Monday, October 12.

In 2015, the USGA added the Men’s Four Ball Championship to its schedule, replacing the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. The 2016 Four Ball Championship will be its second annual event and will be hosted at the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

Martin from Phoenix, Arizona, and Schellhardt from Edmond, Oklahoma, teamed up and qualified at KCCC as they posted a bogeyless round of 65 (-5), carding five birdies on the day. Falling one stroke short of Martin and Schellhardt was the team of Brian Haskell and Harry Roberts and the team of Andy Sajevic and John Sajevic as they both fired a 66 (-4).

Click here to view full results of the 2016 U.S. Men’s Four Ball Results.

 

The 2015 Stateline Amateur Tour is in the Books

LEAWOOD, Kan. – Another Stateline Amateur Tour year is in the books as we closed out the season with the Tour Championship. It was another exciting year in all divisions and on behalf of the KCGA Staff; we thank everyone who played this year.

Although it was a rough start to the season with the rain and weather, there were many highlights of the 2015 season. One of the best highlights of the year would have to come from Lake Quivira Country Club when Greg Hillman aced hole number 14, a 169-yard hole using his 7 iron on August 17th.

The Tour Championship took place at Ironhorse Golf Club on Thursday, October 9, 2015. In the Senior division, Steve Groom achieved the title Tour Champion as he led the way firing a 68 (-4) as he carded six birdies and one eagle on the day. There was a tie for second between Mark Addington and Mark Worthey as they posted 72 (E).

In the Legends division gross scoring, Ron Brewer was crowned Tour Champion as he dominated the field as he posted a 72 (E), while carding four birdies. There was a tie for second between Mitch Bowen and Jerry Reid as the fired a 76 (+4). In the Legends net scoring, Brewer continued his success posting a 66 (-6). The runner-up was Bob Hunter at 70 (-2).

In the Players division, Marko Ungashick was named the Tour Champion as he led the way posting a 74 (+2), carding four birdies on the day. There was a three-way tie for second between Christian Guild, Chris Meyer and Michael Buckhouse as they fired a 78 (+6).

Addie Chapin claimed the title Tour Champion on Thursday as she controlled Women’s Players division the field firing an 84 (+12). The runner-up was Ann Welsh as she shot a 104.

The Open division was led by Mark Terranova, who was crowned Tour Champion as he was fired a 72 (E) to edge the runner-up Michael Greene. Terranova and Greene each carded four birdies on the day.

Click here for full results of the Stateline Amateur Tour Championship at Ironhorse Golf Club.

Below is a list of Player of the Year in each division.

Open Division: Matt Kelley

Players Division (gross): Michael Buckhouse

Players Division (net): Brian Moeller

Senior Division: Ed Walsworth

Legends Division (gross): Ron Brewer

Legends Division (net): Matt Miller

Erin Carney and Lacy Shelton Qualify for the U.S. Women’s Four Ball Championship

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Erin Carney and Lacy Shelton paired up to dominate the field at Brookridge Golf and Fitness to qualify for the 2015 U.S. Women’s Four Ball Championship.

The U.S. Women’s Four Ball Championship replaced the now-retired U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships, which were conducted for the final time in 2014. It is the newest national championships to be conducted by the USGA. The creation of the U.S. Women’s Four Ball Championship was announced on Feb. 11, 2013. It is the first additions to the USGA roster of national championships since the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur in 1987.

Erin Carney and Lacy Shelton controlled the competition at Brookridge Golf and Fitness as ink a perfect bogeyless round of 66 (-5) on their scorecard. Five strokes behind Carney and Shelton was the first alternates Sophie Peters and Anne Robertson as they fired a 71 (E) round, including five birdies on the day. The second alternates were Tracee Lechner and Carmen Titus as they posted a 76 (+5).

The second annual U.S. Women’s Four Ball Championship will be held at Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green, Florida, on May 19-25, 2016.

Click here for full results of the 2016 U.S. Women’s qualifier at Brookridge Golf and Fitness.

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The Stateline Amateur Tour faced the Fall weather in St. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Stateline Amateur Tour went to St. Joseph and faced a cold Fall morning. The temperature read 55 degrees at the first starting time with a cool breeze throughout the day.

In the Open division, Matt Kelley led the way firing a 74 (+3), carding his only birdie on the 18th green. The runner-up in the Open division was Craig Broswick at 77 (+7), carding two birdies on the day. The Players division 18-golfer field was led by Doug Flint posting 75 (+4). Two strokes behind Flint was the runner-up Derek Garver at 77 (+6).

In the Seniors division, Dave Cunningham led the way firing a 75 (+4), carding three birdies on the day. There was a two-way tie for second between Pete Robbins and Mark Worthey as they both posted an 80 (+9). The Women’s Players division was led by Addie Chapin as she posted a 79 (+8), including one birdie on the day. The runner-up was Ann Welsh at 93.

The Legends division gross scoring was led by Jerry Reid as he inked a 76 (+5) on his scorecard. One stroke behind Reid was a three-way tie between Ron Brewer, Bob McKinney and David Hornaday as they all posted a 77 (+6). In the Legends net scoring, Ron Brewer with a 72 (+1), edging the runners-up Bob McKinney and David Hornaday at 73 (+2).

The Stateline Amateur Tour Championship will be held at Ironhorse Golf Club on Thursday, October 8th.

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Tanner Owen Wins the 2015 Boy’s Kansas City Metro Match Play Championship

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The final match of the 2015 Boys Kansas City Metro Match Play Championship began early Sunday morning at Hillcrest Golf Club as Tanner Owen defeated the defending champion Andy Spencer.

“It was an honor to play against Andy Spencer. He has been a great competitor for the last eight to nine years,” said Owen. “To come back and win it felt great, it hasn’t happened in a long time.”

The two competitors kept the match close and exciting the entire way. Spencer got off to an early lead winning the first hole. Spencer maintained his lead until the third and fourth holes as Owen birdied back-to-back to earn a 1-up lead. Spencer came back on the fifth hole to make the match all squared through the seventh hole. Spencer took over on the eighth and controlled the match through the 13th hole where he was 3-up with six holes to play.

“I was down three with five to play. I just told myself to just hit the green in regulation and give myself a chance to birdie whether it is from 30 feet or a tap in,” Owen said. “I played more aggressive than I did the entire tournament. I tried to drive the ball farther because my mid irons have been a little shaky and better from 80 yards in.”

Owen did not give up as he won three holes in a row to make the match all-squared heading onto the 17th tee. Spencer and Owens both hit great tee shots, but Owen’s approach shot fell short on 17 and ended in the bunker. Owen’s had a fantastic bunker shot, giving him a chance for par and forced the match onto the 18th hole at all-squared. On the 18th tee, Spencer hit the ball left giving him a difficult shot close and underneath a tree and Owen tee shot flew farther left and onto the 13th fairway. Spencer chunked his approach ten yards short of the green side bunker and Owen went up and over the trees to 15 feet away from the hole. Spencer chipped onto the green and two putted allowing Owen to two putt his way to victory.

Click here for a summary of all the matches in the 2015 Boys Kansas City Metro Match Play Championship

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Champion Tanner Owen and runner-up Andy Spencer

 

Andy Spencer and Tanner Owen advance to the finals of the Kansas City Metro Match Play Championship

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Andy Spencer and Tanner Owen advance to the finals of the Kansas City Metro Match Play Championship.  It was another perfect day for golf at Hillcrest Golf Club on Saturday, September 26, as the 12 boys arrived early and ready to play.

In the quarterfinal round, the number one overall seed Andy Spencer played the number eight seed William Esrey in the first match. Spencer played outstanding golf as he won the first hole and his lead continued to go up from there to advance to the semi-finals 6&5. The second match was between the number four seed Thomas Luger and number five seed Jake Propeck. Propeck led the match most of the day, but Luger kept it close not allowing Propeck to get a huge lead. Determined to win the match, Luger won the 17th hole to square the match heading onto the 18th hole where Propeck won the match.

The third quarterfinal match was between the number two seed Tanner Owen and number seven seed Joe Bultman. Bultman took off on an early lead, but the match went Owen’s way from the fourth hole on. Owen won the match 3 &1. The fourth quarterfinal match was between the number three seed Garrett Clark and number five seed Tripp Walsworth. Clark got off to an early start and things went his way from there out as he won 4&3.

In the first semifinal round, Spencer continued his outstanding round of golf as he shut out Propeck, not allowing him to win a single hole and win the match 7&6. The second semifinal round was between Owen and Clark. The match was back and forth until the seventh hole where Owen took control and maintained his lead to win the match 3&1 on the 17th green.

The final round of the Kansas City Metro Match Play Championship between Andy Spencer and Tanner Owen will be played Sunday morning at 8 a.m. at Hillcrest Golf Club. Follow the action live at http://www.ghintpp.com/kcga/TPPOnlineScoring/ResultsMatch.aspx?id=616