Category: Junior Golf

Youth On Course Partners with KCGA, Brings $5 Youth Golf To KC

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The Kansas City Golf Association and Youth On Course announced its partnership Thursday, bringing $5 rounds of golf to youth and junior golfers across the Kansas City Metro. Below is the complete press release, posted on the Youth On Course webpage. The KCGA will post a complete list of participating golf courses in the Kansas City area at a later date.

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PEBBLE BEACH, California — Youth on Course — the non-profit organization providing rounds of golf for $5 or less, college scholarships and caddie programs – will implement programming in the greater Kansas City area following an agreement with the Kansas City Golf Association (KCGA), and the initiative will be reinforced by the Golf Foundation of Kansas City and the Tom S. Watson Supporting Foundation.

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Born in Northern California, Youth on Course now has a new easternmost region of courses and members. Other states actively incorporating YOC initiatives include Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Arizona. Nationwide, nearly 15,000 YOC members ages 6-18 have affordable access to unlimited golf at hundreds of courses.

“Youth on Course provides an inexpensive opportunity for young Kansas City Golfers to play a multitude of courses,” says 39-time PGA TOUR winner and World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson. “This will open the door for kids to play new courses and to connect with other junior golfers outside of tournament settings.”

Through the subsidizing of greens fees by organizations like Tom Watson’s, Youth on Course eliminates the financial barrier that might prohibit young golfers from enjoying the game. No YOC member ever pays more than $5 for a round at a partner course, and paid intern and caddie programs are available at select locations. Additionally, $282,000 in college scholarships were awarded to 50 deserving members in the past year – part of an ongoing mission to provide educational support.

“Tom Watson, the KCGA and the Golf Foundation of Kansas City realize the benefits for both young golfers and courses embracing financial accessibility through YOC,” says Youth on Course Executive Director Adam Heieck. “With junior golfers come parents, friends and family to the course, helping these properties develop lasting relationships with new guests.”

For additional information, as well as a full list of Youth on Course partners, visit www.youthoncourse.org, or call 831.625.4653.

About Youth on Course

Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a non-profit organization serving as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide youth with life changing opportunities through golf. This is achieved through initiatives that include subsidized rounds at partner courses, mentorship opportunities through caddie programs and paid internships, and scholarship grants for qualifying members. Currently, Youth on Course serves California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Northern Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, with plans to expand nationwide.

About the Kansas City Golf Association

The Kansas City Golf Association (KCGA) is a full service regional golf association dedicated to the betterment of the amateur golf community of greater Kansas City. Founded in 1912, the Association is volunteer-based and governed as a non-profit 501 (c) 4 Missouri corporation. More than 60 volunteers (course raters and tournament committeemen) assist in course ratings, competitions and communications. For more information, visit www.kansascitygolfer.org.

Keywords: Kansas City, Kansas City Golf Association, Youth on Course, Tom Watson

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The Kansas City Junior Tour Traveled North To St. Joseph Country Club

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Kansas City Junior Tour traveled north to play at the St. Joseph Country Club on Wednesday, July 29.

While Kansas City was covered in a morning thunder storm, it was nice and clear up north in St. Joseph. It turned out to be a perfect day for a round of golf as it was 85 degrees and sunny. St. Joseph is known or its rolling hills and tree-line fairways with fast and firm greens.

The boys 16 and up division played from the blue tees, a 6,331-yard, par-71 golf course on Wednesday at St. Joseph Country Club. Trystan Tovkach led the way as he goes back-to-back to win the division two tournaments in a row. Tovkach fired 77 (+6), including one birdie on the day. One-stroke behind Tovkach was a two-way tie for second between Eric Larson and Zack Toussaint at 78 (+7).

The boys 13 to 15 division played the white tees, a 5,992-yard course as Will Harding posted the low-score of the boys with 76 (+5). Two-strokes behind Harding was Joe Bultman at 78 (+7) and Garrett Clark in third at 79 (+8).

Both of the girls divisions played from the red tees, a 5,188-yard course. Brianna Walker controlled the girls 16 and up division as she posted an 89 (+18). Maggie King edged Emma Linscott to win the girls 13 to 15 division firing a 113.

The prep division played the front nine, a 2,591-yard course. William Rau led the way as he posted 42 (+7) to edge Ben Slicker by one stroke at 43 (+8).

Click here for final results.

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Cunningham Shines at Lawrence Country Club

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – The seventh event of the 2015 Kansas City Junior Tour was hosted at Lawrence Country Club on Monday, July 27. There were 69 total junior golfers that competed against one another as they were split into five different divisions.

Lawrence Country Club is known for its rolling hills with tree-lined fairways as well as the five lakes across the course to enhance the difficulty of play. The boys 16 and up division played the bronze tees, a 6,062-yard, par 70 course as the boys 13 to 15 played the silver tees, a 5,621-yard course. All of the girls and the prep division played from the gold tees, a 4,858-yard course.

The boys 16 and up division consisted of a 25-golfer field that was led by Trystan Tovkach who fired 73 (+3). Tovkach had three birdies on the day to finish three-strokes ahead of the runners-up Mott Griffin and Ben Hadden at 76 (+6).

The boys 13 to 15 division consisted of 23-golfers and led by Andrew Cunningham who posted an impressive 70 (E) that included three birdies. Three strokes behind Cunningham, who posted the lowest score of any boys, was the runner-up Garrett Clark at 73 (+3). Owen Hill finished third with a 75 (+5).

Nikki McCurdy dominated the girls 16 and up division as she led the way as she fired 76 (+6). Behind McCurdy was Meg Green at 85 (+15). Isabella Hadden managed the girls 13 to 15 division as she fired 92 to win the division. Five-strokes behind Hadden, was Rosalyn Klaussner as she posted 97.

On his home course, Will Hedges won the prep division as he fired 37 (+2) on the front nine. Hedges had two birdies on the day to finish three strokes ahead of the runner-up William Rau. Rau posted 40 (+5), including one birdie.

The Kansas City Junior Tour only has two more events before the championship at Shadow Glen Golf Club. All competitors on the KCJT at invited to compete in the championship on August 10.

Click here for KCJT standings.

Click here for full results at Lawrence CC.

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Marching To the Beat of the Drumm

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INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – There were 85-junior golfers on the KCJT battled the difficult Drumm Farm Golf Course on Thursday, July 23.

It was a sunny and 88 degree day as the junior golfers faced the blind tee-shots and difficult approaches at Drumm Farm. It is a long 6,564-yard, par-72 course filled with rolling fairways, creeks, ponds, prairie grasses and many hazards to deal with.

The 16 and up division played from the blue tees, a 6,564-yard course as Zack Toussaint led the way as he inked a 71 (-1) on the day. Two-strokes behind Toussaint was a four-way tie for second between Jackson Koenig, Sam Parrott, Tripp Walsworth and Kyler Waisner as the four posted 73 (+1).

The boys 13 to 15 division played the silver tees, a 6,114-yard course that consisted of a 29-golfer field. Thomas Luger controlled the field as he posted the lowest score of the day 69 (-3). Three-strokes behind Luger was the runner-up Garrett Clark at 72 (E).

Both the girls divisions played from the red tees, a 5,110-yard course. Anna Zech posted the lowest score of the girls as she led the 16 and up division as she fired 73 (+1). The runner-up was Teagan Noblit falling one stroke short of Zech at 74 (+2). Julia Misemer dominated the girls 13 to 15 division as she won by ten-strokes, firing a 78 (+6). The runner-up was Isabella Hadden at 88.

The prep division consisted of seven golfers as they played the front nine from the red tees. Ryan Lee directed the way as the he fired a 38 (+2). Three-strokes behind Lee was Drake Krumme at 41 (+5).

The Kansas City Junior Tour will host three events before the Championship at Shadow Glen Golf Club.

Click here for full results.

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The 2015 Mini-Masters was a success at Drumm Farm Golf Course as the three divisions battled one another for the victory.

Participants were broken into three age groups; boys and girls will compete in the same division: ages 6-7 played three holes of 50 yards, ages 8-9 played six holes of 75 yards, and the 10-12 age group played six holes at 100 yards.

William Whitebird-Griffith won the 10-12 division as he shot 24 on 6 holes.  The winner of the 8-9 division was Justus Standlea as he won in a one-hole playoff against Fletcher Noblit.  The winner of the 6-7 age division was Carson Standlea as he fired 17 on three holes.

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The Kansas City Junior Tour Dodged the Rain at Shirkey

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RICHMOND, Mo. – The 2015 Kansas City Junior Tour’s fourth event was hosted at Shirkey Golf Club in Richmond, Missouri, Wednesday morning. The 62-junior golfers made the drive to Shirkey Golf Club to compete on a fun and challenging course as they were split into five divisions.

The five divisions consisted of boys 16 and up, girls 16 and up, boys 13 to 15, girls 13 to 15 and the prep division. The boys 16 and up played the yellow tees, a 6,562-yard layout as the boys 13 to 15 division played from the white tees, a 5,830-yard, par 71 course. The girls divisions played from the red tees, 5,520-yard, par-74 course and the prep division, ages 12 and under, played the front-nine, a 2,870-yard course.

As the storms rolled through the south Kansas City area, the junior-golfers stayed dry up north in Richmond. McKenna Rice posted the lowest score of all the girls, as she fired 81 (+7) in the girls 13 to 15 division. The runner-up her division was Maggie King with 92. Madyson Acers won the girls 16 and up division as she inked an 82 (+8) on her scorecard. Three-strokes behind Acers was Kelsi Schmitz with an 85 (+11).

The winner of the boys 16 and up division was Kerry Maguire who posted 75 (+4), including two birdies. There was a two-way tie between for second between Eric Larson and Jackson Koenig as they both fired 77 (+6). Joe Bultman showed up strong as he won the boys 13 to 15 division posting a 73 (+2), including two birdies on the day. The runner-up was Patrick Prange, who posted 75 (+4), including two birdies.

There was a two-way tie for first in the prep division between Drake Krumme and Myles King. The two juniors posted 44 (+6), with Krumme ending with a birdie on number nine.

The next Kansas City Junior Tour event will be on July 21st at Hillcrest Country Club in Kansas City, Missouri.

Click here for full results.

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McKenna Rice posts the lowest girls score

Blue Hills Wins the Second Junior KC Cup Event at Hallbrook

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LEAWOOD, Kan. – The Hallbrook Country Club hosted the second round of the Junior Kansas City Cup this Tuesday, July 7. Thirteen clubs from around the Kansas City area competed in the second round of the Junior KC Cup series.

Blue Hills edged Lawrence by four strokes, shooting a total 211, making them the second victor of the series.

There was an 80-golfer field consisting of the 13 different clubs that showed up to compete in difficult conditions on a challenging course.

Will Hedges, from Lawrence Country Club, finished his round shooting a 41, the lowest nine-hole score for his division. Following Hedges was JP Hepler of Milburn Country Club who shot 44.

The 13 and under age division was stocked with great competitors including Michael Winslow representing Shadow Glen Golf Club and Justin Wingerter from Brookridge Country Club. Winslow and Wingerter both fired a 79 (+7).

The 15 and under age division was led by Kellen Cross of Lake Quiveria as he posted a 79 (+7). Following Cross was Matt Snyder from Mission Hills Country Club at 81 (+9) and Jake Propeck of Blue Hills at 82 (+10).

The next Junior KC Cup will be held at Blue Hills Country Club on July 13th.

Full results can be found here.

Grisham and Johnson Lead Girls; Pahls Leads Boys

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After what has seemed like weeks of endless rain, the sun finally came out for Round 1 of the 2015 Kansas City Junior Championship.

Prairie Highlands (Par 72) is the host of this year’s championship, and proved to be a tough test for the areas best juniors.

In the girl’s division, Hanna Johnson, of Warrenburg, MO and Madison Grisham, of St. Louis, MO will sleep on a first round lead. Both Johnson and Grisham fired 81’s, two strokes ahead of Caroline Klemp, Nikki McCurdy and Samantha Paulak. Teagan Noblit’s 85 put her in 5th place, while defending champion India Gaume and Kaleigh Ashen are tied for 6th with 86.

In the boy’s division, defending champion Eric Pahls posted the first score of the day, and it proved to also be the best score of the day. The only player in red figures, at -1, Pahls will enter round 2 with a two-shot lead over Aaron Lang. Andy Fain’s 74 puts him in third place, while Eric Larson and Tripp Walsworth lurk 5 shots back at 76.

Round 2 of the Kansas City Junior Championship will start at 7:30am tomorrow morning at Prairie Highlands.

For complete results and to follow tomorrow’s live scoring, CLICK HERE!!

Bracket Set for Girls Match Play

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Taylor Black took the first step toward defending her Girls Match Play Championship on a beautiful afternoon at Swope Memorial.

Black fired an even par 36 on the front nine to secure the number one seed going into the match play portion of the event.

The quarterfinal matches will be played Saturday, May 2nd, immediately followed by the semifinals.

The final will be Sunday, May 3rd.

To see the bracket, click here!

KCGA Competitions Preview

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As we begin our 103rd year of supporting amateur golf in the Kansas City Metro, the Kansas City Golf Association is pleased to announce the 2015 Competitions schedule is now available on our website at www.kansascitygolfer.org.  Tournament registrations will open on March 3rd, 2015 at 10:00am.  Please contact the KCGA office at (913) 649-5242 with any questions related to KCGA competitions.

Regional Championships

The 100th Kansas City Match Play Championship will be held at Swope Memorial Golf Course May 8th-10th.  The Kansas City Match Play is one of the longest running championships in the area and has a long list of notable champions, including Tom Watson in 1964 and 1967. Phil Bartimus is the defending champion.

The Kansas City Junior Championship is the premier junior tournament in the Kansas City area.  This year’s championship will be conducted at Prairie Highlands on June 2nd and 3rd, and the event will identify the best junior golfers, both boys and girls, in the region.  The boys’ champion will receive an exemption into the 2015 Watson Challenge, under residency requirements. The defending KC Junior champions are Eric Pahls and India Gaume.

The 9th Watson Challenge will be conducted at Mission Hills Country Club on June 12th,13th & 14th.  Last year’s champion, Robert Streb, is in 2nd place in the PGA Tour FedEx Cup points standings at the time of this writing and has been a PGA Tour winner at The McGladrey Classic in October 2014. The Watson Challenge offers the strongest field of amateur and professional golfers in the Kansas City area.  Proceeds from The Watson Challenge benefit The First Tee of Greater Kansas City.

The Prairie Invitational, formerly The Women’s Amateur of Kansas City, is the region’s top event for both amateurs and professionals.  The 2015 event will be played at Staley Farms Golf Club on June 30th and July 1st.  The event was renamed The Prairie Invitational in 2014 with the intent to identify the Best Female Golfer in the Midwest, whether amateur or professional.  Catherine Dolan was the first Prairie Invitational Open champion with a two-under-par 142 total.

The Kansas City Amateur Championship will be held at Shoal Creek Golf Course on July 17th through July 19th.  The Kansas City Amateur is a three-day, 54-hole stroke play event aimed to determine the best amateur player in the Kansas City area.  PGA Tour player Gary Woodland is among the list of notable champions. Zac Dittmer is the reigning KC Amateur Champion.

StateLine Amateur Tour

The StateLine Amateur Tour is a great opportunity for amateurs in the Kansas City regional golf community to compete on some of the best courses in the area in an atmosphere similar to inside the ropes at a big-time tour event or national amateur championship.  All events are one day, 18-hole competitions.  The StateLine Amateur Tour has eleven events on the schedule featuring different divisions of play.  This year’s tour schedule is highlighted by events at Loch Lloyd Country Club, Blue Hills Country Club, The Nicklaus Club at Lionsgate, and Lake Quivira Country Club.

Kansas City Junior Tour

The Kansas City Junior Tour provides opportunities for varying levels of junior golfers.  Two flights separate the Kansas City Junior Tour – the Prep division and the Players division. Junior golfers ages 9-12 may compete in the Prep division, which plays nine holes at each of the events.  Junior golfers ages 13 and older may participate in the Players division, which plays eighteen holes at each event.  The Players division is divided into flights for boys/girls ages 13-15 and boys/girls ages 16 and over and boys varsity.  This year’s Tour Championship will be at Shadow Glen Golf Club.

The KCGA hopes all golfers in the Kansas City Metro will consider competing in a KCGA-sponsored event and support The First Tee and golf in the Kansas City area by attending The Watson Challenge as a spectator.

Spencer Survives Sycamore

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Boys Champion Andy Spencer receiving the Match Play Trophy from Executive Director Matt Williams.
Boys Champion Andy Spencer receiving the Match Play Trophy from Executive Director Matt Williams.

Sycamore Ridge Golf Course – It was a calm Sunday morning for the start of the Championship match between Andy Spencer and Eric Pahls. Both competitors won their semifinal matches in tremendous fashion Saturday afternoon.

Eric Pahls seemed to be in control at the start after going 2 up with a birdie on the Par 3 fifth. But Spencer would not go away with birdies on 6 and 8 to bring the match back to all square.

After hitting two golf balls in the water on the Par 5, ninth hole, Spencer conceded the hole to Pahls who went 1 up going into the hard back nine.

The tough back nine at Sycamore saw steady play from both competitors. Lots of pars and few birdies saw an all square match after thirteen holes.

Eric Pahls seemed like he was going to run away with it after the great birdie on number fourteen but Andy would not go away. Eric had an opportunity to put the match out of reach on the sixtieth green but barely missed his birdie putt. Andy took advantage of this opportunity by sinking his par putt after a great chip from behind the green.

On the seventeenth green both players had par putts from five feet but Eric’s putt just slid past the hole opening the door for Andy to make the match all square going into eighteen.
You could feel the shift in momentum going into eighteen after Andy sunk his par putt on the Par 3, seventeenth.

Both players missed the fairway on the eighteen but an awkward lie and stance for Eric Pahls made it hard for him to hit the green with his approach shot.

Eric did everything he could to get up and down form a tough location left of the green but just missed his par putt from five feet. A short putt for par from Andy Spencer secured his come from behind victory.

We want to thank Sycamore Ridge for hosting the event everyone who came out to compete in this year’s competition.

To see full results from this year’s event Click Here.

To see photos from the event Click Here.