A Man on a Mission

Salina’s Greg Goode has been stalking Player-of-the-Year honors for the past three years. Having won that title among Kansas Seniors three times (2018, ‘19 and ‘21), he set his sights on national ranking points a few years ago.

In 2023 and 2024 he was the “Top Gun” in the Society of Seniors (a prestigious independent national organization) Super Senior Division. This year he emphasized tournaments and venues he hadn’t played before. That meant hop-scotching around the country, battling time zones, course conditions and cancelled flights in pursuit of his goal.

His 2025 campaign resulted in championships in three national events: the Moot-Thomas Super Senior (Florida), the National Hall of Fame Classic (No. Carolina) and the Sunnehanna Super Senior (Pennsylvania).

He was runner-up in four other events on the national stage: the Florida Azalea, the Golfweek (Super) Senior Amateur, the Society of Seniors (Super) Senior Masters and the Golfweek (Super) Senior National.

Of the 16 events he played around the country, he had eleven top five finishes. He was also invited to play in the Canadian Senior Amateur in which he finished 51st of 154 players and was 11th among the field’s Super Seniors.

The results? As of this writing, he has an unassailable lead in the Golfweek.com and the Amateur Golf.com rankings for 2025. Despite only playing in four Society events this year, he stands in fourth place. He is also number ten on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points list for players 65 and over.

Not bad for a guy who has had to alter his schedule (and his swing!) since late September because of a nagging hip problem which will result in surgery in early December.

Goode credits his success this year to three things: PGA Professionals Randy Syring and Dan Winters of Salina for their instructional leadership; changing his ball flight from a draw to a controlled fade; and the foundation laid by Central Links Golf and the excellent, competitive tournaments they run.

“I have been very fortunate to have built a foundation of competitive golf here, in Kansas. Playing in CLG tournaments, from the Senior Series to the state Amateur, has not only made me more competitive, but it lit a fire that nudged me into these national events,” he said. “And being able to rely on Randy and Dan when I needed a little ‘tune-up’ has meant a lot, too.”

For the record, Goode has won 9 times on that national stage; won a total of 18 state events (13 in CLG and 5 in Colorado) and has racked up 31 top-5 finishes in national tournaments.

– Article written by Don Kuehn

Celebrating Excellence: Central Links Golf Announces the 2025 Players of the Year

Each season brings its own storylines—breakthrough moments, clutch performances, and the kind of competitive spirit that defines the culture of Central Links Golf. As we close the 2025 tournament season, we proudly recognize the players whose consistency, composure, and commitment elevated them to the next level.

Today, we celebrate our 2025 Players of the Year across Men’s, Women’s, and Junior divisions—individuals whose accomplishments reflect not only personal excellence but the strength and tradition of the game in our region.


Men’s Player of the Year – Will King

The senior at the University of Kansas broke through with a statement victory at the 115th Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship after finishing as the runner-up in 2024. King’s win earned him an exemption into the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club. Earlier in the summer, King was in contention at The Watson Challenge, where he ultimately finished solo fourth at six-under par.


Women’s Player of the Year – Lyla Louderbaugh

The University of Kansas junior repeated her Women’s Player of the Year honor after receiving the award in 2024. Louderbaugh produced an impressive tournament season. After posting scores of 66–63–70 at Mission Hills Country Club, which also set a new women’s course record in the club’s 100-plus-year history, Lyla walked away with the Kansas Women’s Amateur Championship, earning her an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bandon Dunes. While at Bandon Dunes, Louderbaugh made a historic run in match play, advancing to the semifinals.


Junior Players of the Year

The future of golf has rarely looked brighter than it does in 2025. Our junior divisions showcased extraordinary skill and maturity, and this year’s honorees demonstrated talent well beyond their age.

Junior Boys Player of the Year – Stuart Boulware

Boulware posted an impressive tournament season. After qualifying for The Watson Challenge, Stuart went on to qualify for the U.S. Junior Amateur at Trinity Forest in Dallas, Texas, where he advanced to the Round of 32 in match play after finishing T-3 in stroke-play qualifying.

Additionally, Boulware finished solo fourth at the Kansas Junior Amateur Championship at Mariah Hills. The University of Oklahoma commit is in his junior year at Shawnee Mission East.

Junior Girls Player of the Year – Lynn Powell

Lynn Powell distinguished herself with a season defined by consistency and clutch play. She excelled across different formats and events, showcasing both versatility and confidence. Powell’s season included appearances at the Kansas Junior Amateur Championship, The Prairie Invitational, and a victory at the Junior Match Play Championship.


A Season Worth Celebrating

The Central Links Golf Players of the Year awards are more than accolades. They represent months of dedication, late-round resilience, and the pursuit of excellence that defines the competitive spirit of golf.

To our 2025 honorees: congratulations. You exemplify the best of Central Links Golf, and we are proud to celebrate your achievements.

Below is the full list of 2025 honorees:

Kansas & Kansas City Men’s Player of the Year – Will King

Kansas City Men’s Mid-Amateur – Ben Pearson

Kansas Men’s Mid-Amateur – Brian Fehr

Kansas & Kansas City Men’s Senior – Ben Kimminau

Kansas City Super Senior – Bryan Norton

Kansas City Senior Legends – Sam VanLandingham

Kansas Super Senior – Tracy Chamberlin

Kansas Senior Legends – Daniel Lindberg

Boys Junior – Stuart Boulware

Girls Junior – Lynn Powell

Women’s Player of the Year – Lyla Louderbaugh

Women’s Mid-Am – Katy Winters

Women’s Senior – Martha Linscott

Women’s Super Senior – Denise Desilet

Women’s Legends – Denise Desilet

Inaugural Midwest Adaptive Open set for September 2025

Central Links Golf, in partnership with other Central Region Golf Associations, is excited to announce the Midwest Adaptive Open to be held September 10-11, 2025. This new Championship will be played at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas, home of the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, hosted by the USGA in the summer of 2024. The Midwest Adaptive Open will be open to golfers of various classifications of impairments, such as individuals with arm and leg impairments, amputations, blind golfers and those with neurological and intellectual impairments.

The Central Links Golf community experienced first-hand how inspiring Adaptive Golf is with the U.S. Adaptive Open last summer. Central Links Golf staff and volunteers were able to be on site in various capacities leading up to the Championship and during the event. The USGA provided a great blueprint from which to work and internal discussions of hosting a Midwest Adaptive Open began after the conclusion of the U.S. Adaptive Open. We are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Georgia State Golf Association, Arizona Golf Association, Golf Association of Philadelphia, Iowa Golf Association and others in providing playing opportunities for all demographics and playing abilities. Central Links Golf is partnering with staff representatives from many of the Central Region Golf Associations to develop an Adaptive Championship for golfers in our local community and all over the country.

“Sand Creek Station hosted a great US Adaptive Open in 2024. The players enjoyed it and the golf course staff and volunteers went above and beyond for the competition. We thought it made sense to continue to partner with Sand Creek Station to provide a competitive opportunity for the adaptive golf community on a yearly basis,” Doug Habel, CLG Executive Director said. “We’re excited to work with our Allied Golf Association Central Region partners to make this a championship that crosses state lines and includes as many players as possible. We think it will be a successful championship and a highlight of the national adaptive golf calendar for years to come.”

The Midwest Adaptive Open will consist of 36 holes of stroke play on September 10-11 with a practice round day hosted on September 9th. The field will be limited to the first 60 applicants and will be open to anyone from around the country to participate, not just Central Region members. Golfers with physical and intellectual impairments who have a handicap index of 36.4 or lower are eligible to compete in the championship. The Midwest Adaptive Open is open to male and female professional golfers and amateur golfers.

“We were honored to host the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open in 2024 and are thrilled to continue championing adaptive golf by hosting the inaugural Midwest Adaptive Open in 2025,” Sand Creek Station General Manager Dustin Housh said. “We look forward to welcoming incredible athletes and fostering an inclusive environment for all golfers as we continue to support adaptive events in the future.”

As Central Links Golf and its partners prepare for the Midwest Adaptive Open over the coming months, there are many ways for the community to be involved:

Volunteering: Volunteer signups will be available May 1st. More details on how to get involved will be released closer to the championship, but live scorers, rules officials, ball spotters among other needs will be welcomed. To learn more, please contact Taylor Maloney at taylor@clgolf.org.

Partnerships: Central Links Golf and Sand Creek Station are seeking partnerships for the Midwest Adaptive Open. If you are interested in a partnership opportunity, please contact Taylor Maloney at taylor@clgolf.org.

Registration for the 2025 Midwest Adaptive Open will open March 24 at 9:00 a.m. The entry fee of $175 will cover competition rounds, a practice round, range and cart fees, food and refreshments, and prizes. An Overall Champion for men and women will be crowned as well as individual champions in each sports classification. More details and information will continue to be released in the coming weeks.

Midwest Adaptive Open Event Portal

2024 Players of the Year Announced

Congratulations to our 2024 Players of the Year!

Junior Players of the Year

Rusty Hilst Boy’s Player of the Year: Tyler Strong

KS Junior Match Play Championship Runner-Up, Kansas City Amateur Championship Low Junior Finish, 5th place at Kansas Junior Amateur Championship, Made Match-Play at the Kansas Amateur Championship, Konza Prairie Amateur Low Junior, Member of the KS-NE Cup Team, Qualified for the First Round of the US Amateur, US Junior Amateur Qualifier, T9 at the KC Junior Championship, KJT Boys +16 T1 at Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate. 

Girl’s Player of the Year: Hadley Neese

2024 Prairie Invitational Third Place and Low Junior, KC Junior Championship Runner-Up, KC Junior Match Play Runner-Up, Kansas Junior Amateur 4th place, Kansas Women’s Amateur 7th place, Girls Four State Team Member, 6A KSHSSA Girls State 9th place. 

Women’s Players of the Year


Women’s Player of the Year: Lyla Louderbaugh

Kansas Women’s Amateur Champion, CLG Women’s Match Play Champion, US Women’s Am Qualifying Medalist, US Women’s Amateur Match Play Qualifier. 

Women’s Mid-Amateur & Senior Player of the Year: Martha Linscott

Kansas Women’s Mid-Am Champion, US Women’s Mid-Am Qualifying Medalist, CLG Women’s Match Play Round of 16, Kansas Women’s Amateur 20th, US Senior Women’s Amateur Championship Match Play Qualifier. 

Women’s Super Senior & Legends Player of the Year: Denise Desilet

Kansas Women’s Senior Amateur Super Senior Champion, Spring Triple Threat T1, Fall Triple Threat Runner-Up.

Kansas Players of the Year

Kansas Men’s Player of the Year: Michael Winslow

114th Kansas Match Play Champion, US Amateur Championship Qualifying Exemption, KC Amateur Champion, 114th Stroke Play Qualifying T9, Kansas Amateur Qualifying Exemption.

Kansas Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Zach VanDolah

KC Match Play Champion, Kansas Mid-Amateur Champion, 114th Kansas Amateur Match Play Round of 16, US Mid-Am Qualifying Medalist, KC Amateur (Mid-Am Finish) T2, 114th Kansas Amateur Stroke Play Qualifying (Mid-Am Finish) T3, Kansas Amateur Qualifying Exemption. 

Kansas Senior & Super Senior Player of the Year: Bryan Norton

USGA Senior Amateur Round of 32, US Senior Amateur Qualifying Medalist, Kansas Senior Amateur Third Place. 

Kansas Legends Player of the Year: Joe Rothwell

The Railer Senior T3, Kansas Senior Amateur (Super Senior) 4th, Association Senior Cup Winning Team, Senior Series Championship Runner-Up, Legends of Kansas Runner-up, Senior Team Championship 4th Place, Senior Four-Ball (Super Senior) T4, 6 Senior Series Wins.

Kansas City Players of the Year

Kansas City Men’s Amateur: Michael Winslow

Kansas Amateur Match Play Champion, KC Amateur Champion, Missouri Amateur Championship Semifinalist, T7 at the Watson Challenge

Kansas City Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Zach VanDolah

KC Match Play Champion, US Mid-Am Qualifying Medalist, US Four-Ball Qualifying Medalist, Kansas Mid-Amateur Champion, 114th Kansas Amateur Match Play Round of 16, T10 at The Watson Challenge, Missouri Amateur Championship Round of 32, Missouri Mid-Amatuer T5th.

Kansas City Senior & Super Senior Player of the Year: Bryan Norton

US Senior Amateur Qualifying Medalist, USGA Senior Amateur Round of 32, Kansas Senior Amateur Third Place, FWA Tour Champion at Tiffany Greens,  T31 at The Watson Challenge

Kansas City Legends Player of the Year: Don Kuehn

KC Amateur Legends Division Champion, Won 3 FWA Tour Events, T3 at FWA Tour Event at Praire Highlands


All points list can be found here >>

Winslow Wins Again At KC Amateur Championship

The Kansas City Amateur, presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City, was held at the Golf Club of Creekmoor from July 26 to 28. During rounds one and two, 141 players competed in stroke play, with a cut after 36 holes for each division.

Open Division

Michael Winslow won the Kansas City Amateur Championship, carding 68-78-64-210 (-6). The Open Division included many of the top competitive golfers in the area. After the second round, the cut was to a low 36, and ties leading into the final round. Winslow, the 2024 Kansas Amateur Champion, had an impressive final round of the tournament, carding 64 (-8) to jump from 21st place to the lead. “I started my final round five-under through five, which was huge,” Winslow said after finishing his round. “It was a blast! Preserved through the back nine in the wind to shoot one under on the back. It was a lot of fun!” Tyler Strong carded 69-72-71-212 (-4) to tie with Nathan Hughes, who shot 71-70-71-212 (-4), for Runner-up. After the three rounds, Strong won the title of Low Junior. 

Senior Division

Dave Cunningham is the Senior Division Champion, carding 72-72-73-217 (+1). His consistency led to his victory. Ed Brown, the Senior Division runner-up, scored 78-72-75-225 (+9).

Super Senior

Steve Groom won the Super Senior Division, carding 71-72-75-218 (+2). Groom won the division by eight shots over Tracy Chamberlin, the runner-up, who scored 74-78-74-226 (+10) in the three rounds. Michael Casamento won the Super Senior Net Division, carding 73-72-76-221 (+5).

Players Division

Song Kim won the Players Division, carding an impressive 78-72-79-229 (+13). The Runner-up, Arjun Roy, carded 86-73-76-235 (+19). The Net Players Division Champion, Chris O’Dowd, scored 73-68-77-218 (+2).

Legends Division

Don Kuehn won the Legends Division, shooting 71-75-76 -222 (+6). He secured his fiftieth Championship Victory, a milestone that underscores his status as a legend in the sport.

Full Results >>

Winslow Wins the 114th Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship

The 114th Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship was held July 16-21st at Topeka Country Club. The Championship began with a 36-hole stroke play, qualifying for the Round of 64 matches.

Micheal Winslow earned the title of Kansas Amateur Champion after 35 holes in the Final Round against Will King. Winslow finished 2up after 35 holes and was projected to shoot 73-67 in the Final Match. In Stroke Play Qualifying, Winslow shot 70-70-140 (-2) to earn the tenth seed going into the Round of 64. 

In the Round of 64, Winslow defeated Jack Bradbury 1up after 18 holes. In his second match, he won 3&2 against Jack Tarvin. During the Round of 16 Matches, Winslow played Jake Huffaker, winning the match 4&3. In the Quarterfinals, Winslow played the two seed, Alex Springer, and won 5&4. Winslow played the Semifinals against Zach Sokolosky, the 2023 Kansas Amateur Champion. This was a rematch from the Final Match of the 2023 Kansas Amateur, where Winslow placed second. Winslow won the Semifinal Match 1up after 18 holes. 

In the Final Match, Winslow played against Will King, the fifth seed. Both players are collegiate golfers in the state of Kansas. King, a part of the KU Men’s Golf Team,  shot 67-70-137 (-5) in the qualifying rounds earlier in the week. Winslow, a part of the Wichita State Men’s Golf Team, was tied with King after the first 18 of the 36-hole Final Match. Both players won five holes to make the match even going into the final 18. Winslow heated up, winning the first hole of the second round. Winslow was 3up through 14, coming down to their final holes. King won the 16th hole to continue to push his way back. However, the players tied the 17th hole, ending the match at Winslow 2up over King. 

Winslow’s victory also earned him an Exemption into the U.S. Amateur Championship in August. “It’s huge to get in the U.S. Amateur; if you are playing Amateur golf, that’s the tournament everyone wants to be in. I can’t wait to get up to Hazeltine!” Winslow said.

Thank you to Topeka Country Club for hosting this wonderful event!  We look forward to the 2025 Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship at Wichita Country Club. 

Full results >>

2023 Players of the Year Announced

Congratulations to our 2023 Players of the Year!

Junior Players of the Year

Rusty Hilst Boys Player of the Year: Tyler Strong

T15 finish at the Optimist Qualifier, 10th place finish at the Railer Stroke Play Championship, 6th place at the Junior Boys Four-Ball Championship, Low Junior at the KC Amateur, Member of the Mid-America Cup Team, Qualified for Match Play at the Kansas Amateur, T3 at the KC Junior Amateur, and won the Kansas Junior Amateur.

Girls Player of the Year: Emerie Schartz

Kansas Women’s Amateur Champion, Kansas Junior Amateur Champion, Qualified for the US Girls Junior Amateur and Junior PGA National Championship.

Women’s Players of the Year

Women’s Player of the Year: Hanna Robinett

Prairie Invitational Champion, Kansas Women’s Amateur Runner Up, 16th place at the CLG Women’s Match Play.

Women’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Katy Winters

3rd place at the Kansas Women’s Mid-Amateur, 4th place at the Kansas Women’s Amateur, 3rd place at the Tee Fore Two, 17th place at the Prairie Invitational.

Women’s Senior & Super Senior Player of the Year: Denise Desilet

T2 at the Kansas Women’s Senior Amateur, Runner Up at the Tee Fore Two, Won Women’s Team Links Series at Auburn Hills, Won Fall Triple Threat.

Women’s Legends Player of the Year: Naoma Kilpatrick

Kansas Women’s Super Senior Amateur Champion, T2 at the Prairie Invitational Opal Hill Division.

Kansas Players of the Year

Kansas Men’s Player of the Year: Zach VanDolah

T12 at the Kansas Mid-Amateur, Runner Up at the Heart of America Four-Ball, Qualified for the US Mid-Amateur, Match Play Qualifier at the US Mid-Amateur Championship, Kansas City Amateur Champion, Quarterfinals at the Kansas Amateur.

Kansas Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Nathaniel Spencer

T6 at the Kansas Mid-Amateur, Quarterfinals at the KC Match Play, Runner Up at the Railer (Mid-Am), T1 High Plains Amateur (Mid-Am), Round of 16 at the Kansas Amateur.

Kansas Senior & Super Senior Player of the Year: RJ Opliger

3rd place at the Kansas Mid-Amateur (Senior Division), 3rd place at the Kansas Senior Amateur (Super Senior), Runner Up at the KC Senior Match Play, Quarterfinals at the KC Match Play.

Kansas Legends Player of the Year: Joe Rothwell

Runner Up the Legends of Kansas Championship, 4th at the KC Amateur (Super Senior Divison), Senior Series Championship winner, Winning Team at the Association Senior Cup.

Kansas City Players of the Year

Kansas City Men’s & Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Zach VanDolah

Runner Up at the Heart of America Four-Ball, Quarterfinals at the Kansas Amateur, Semifinals at the Missouri Amateur Match Play, KC Amateur Champion.

Kansas City Senior Player of the Year: Ed Brown

KC Senior Match Play Champion, KC Amateur Champion (Senior Division), Falcon Wealth Advisors Tour.

Kansas City Super Senior Player of the Year: RJ Opliger

Runner Up at the KC Senior Match Play, Quarterfinals at the KC Match Play, Runner Up at the KC Amateur (Super Senior).

Kansas City Legends Player of the Year: Don Kuehn

4th place at the KC Amateur (Super Senior/Legends), Falcon Wealth Advisors Tour Legends Division.


All points lists can be found here >>

Zach VanDolah Wins Kansas City Amateur

The Kansas City Amateur Presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City was held at Creekmoor Golf Course on July 28-30.

The Open Division

Three players found themselves under par at the Kansas City Amateur last weekend. Zach VanDolah won the Open Division shooting rounds of 72-72-70 (-3), Kit Grove finished in second place shooting 71-73-70 (-2), and Tyler McNeive shot 73-66-76 (-1) to earn Low Junior.

The Senior Division

In the Senior Division, Ed Brown won shooting 79-69-74 (+6), and Jon Platz tied for second with Steve Groom at seven-over-par.

The Super Senior Division

John Bailey won the Super Senior Division shooting even par 72-72-72 for his three rounds.

The Legends Division

Don Kuehn won the Legends Division shooting 73-72-74 (+3).

The Players Division

Song Kim won the Players Division shooting 86-78-70 (+18). Chris O’Dowd won overall Net in the division.

Full Results >>

Sokolosky Wins 113th Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship

The Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship took place July 18-23rd at Falcon Lakes Golf Club. The Championship began with a 36-hole stroke play qualifying round to make it into the round of 64 matches.

Zach Sokolosky found himself at the top of the leaderboard after round two, shooting an impressive 14 under par, 68-62, earning him the number one seed going into match play. “I was able to get my putter very hot which was a big confidence booster going into match play,” Sokolosky said.

In the round of 64 matches, Sokolosky defeated James Hill 3&2. In his second match, he won one up after 19 holes against Colby Unruh. During the round of 16 matches, Sokolosky defeated 2022 Kansas Amateur Champion, Asher Whitaker, 4&3. In the Quarterfinals he won 2&1 over Drew Carlson. In the Semifinals he defeated Chance Rinkol 1 up after 18 holes.

Sokolosky played against Michael Winslow, the 11 seed during the final match. Both Sokolosky and Winslow play on the Wichita State Men’s Golf Team. Winslow shot 72-66 (-6) during the qualifying rounds earlier in the week. The 36-hole final match was back and forth between Sokolosky and Winslow. After the first 18 holes, Sokolosky was 1 up. Winslow fought to tie the match throughout the second 18, however, Sokolosky birdied the 16th hole to push the match to 1 up. After ties on 17 and 18, Sokolosky won 1 up.

“This win means the world to me because I thought I had a chance to win the last two, maybe more. It was a long time coming and I was feeling very good with my game. I’m extremely happy to get it done this week,” Sokolosky said.

Facts:

  1. Zach Sokolosky’s 36-hole stroke play total of 130 tied the Kansas Amateur record by Jesse Schulte at the 2002 Kansas Amateur at Tallgrass.
  2. Zach Sokolosky’s second-round stroke play score of 62 broke the Kansas Amateur record for lowest stroke play round that was previously held by Jesse Schulte’s 64 during the first round of the 2002 Kansas Amateur.
  3. That 62 by Sokolosky also tied the Falcon Lakes course record that was shot by Clay Devers about 10 years ago.
  4. This isn’t a record, but just an observation.  Zach is the first stroke play medalist since Sam Stevens in 2015 to go on to win the tournament after being medalist. 

Stroke Play Qualifying at Kansas Amateur

The 113th Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship began Tuesday at Falcon Lakes Golf Club. The players finished their starting round early Wednesday morning after two rain delays on Tuesday. The field comprises 144 players, 32 players are 18 or younger, and 14 players are over 50. 

Park Ulrich led the tournament after round one, carding 65 (-7). Ulrich had nine birdies in his first round. He carded five birdies in his second round to score 70 (-2).

Zach Sokolosky will be the number one seed in Thursday’s round of match play. He carded 68-62-130 (-14) after the two rounds. Sokolosky tied Falcon Lakes course record, scoring 62 (-10) in his second round. He had nine birdies, an eagle, and a bogey to finish his incredible round. 

There was a play-off between eight players for two remaining spots in the match play. Brian Freeman made a birdie on the second hole to advance, and James Hill birdied the fourth hole to advance.

Players to watch this week are Alex Springer (-11), who is in sole second; Jacob Lackey and Park Ulrich (-9), tied for third; Nathaniel Spencer, Ian McCrary, and Will King (-8), tied for fifth place.

Match play begins at 7:30 on Thursday morning. 

Tournament information & pairings can be found here >>