Category: Staff

Jayne Clarke Elected Central Links Golf President

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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.

Meet the Interns

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Nelson Searcy

Nelson is one of two long-term interns for Central Links. Originally from Lee’s Summit, MO, Nelson graduated from Rockhurst University this spring.

Nelson was a member of the Rockhurst men’s golf team and is very active in the golf community. According to Nelson, his favorite golf course is Pebble Beach.

His dream job is becoming an Executive Director or President of a state golf association or working for the USGA. Golf has impacted him by providing him many life lessons and opportunities that have helped him become a better person in every way. He credits the First Tee program and playing with his grandfather for his interest in the game at an early age.

Ryan Matzke

Ryan is our second long-term intern for 2020. Originally from Silver Lake, KS, Ryan graduated from the University of Kansas.

Ryan is currently in the National Guard and his dream job is a commercial airline pilot.

He found his love for golf while playing high school golf. Ever since then, he has used golf as his favorite hobby. This intern opportunity allows him to dive deeper into golf administration. His favorite golf course is Spring Creek in Seneca, KS.

Dorothy Keenan

Dorothy is a summer intern and recently graduated from Rockhurst University this spring. Originally from Larned, KS, Dorothy will actually head to Texas A&M in the fall for a Masters in Sport Management.

Dorothy was a part of the Rockhurst women’s golf team and didn’t realize how important golf was to her until she couldn’t play anymore this spring with her team. She has made so many connections through the game and is so thankful for all the places golf has taken her.

Her favorite golf course is St. Andrew’s and her dream job is a marketing and community relations coordinator.

Max Roberts

Max is a summer intern that is currently attending the University of Kansas. Originally from Overland Park, KS, Max is scheduled to graduate in 2021.

Golf has impacted him by teaching life lessons than any other sport. It has taught him that patience and practice are essential to achieving a goal. It has also connected him to many people and started friendships.

Max’s favorite golf course is Brookridge Golf & Fitness and his dream job is to be the General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lauren Sieh

Lauren is another summer intern and is currently attending Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. She is a member of the women’s golf team.

Originally from Coweta, Oklahoma, Lauren found herself in Kansas for college. Her favorite golf course is Battle Creek GC in Broken Arrow, OK. Her dream job is to be a travel journalist.

Golf has opened up a lot of opportunities for Lauren and has given her life-long friends. It has also taught her that you can succeed with a little hard work.

Braydun Unruh

Braydun is our fourth summer intern and has a lot of family ties to our junior program in Kansas City. His two younger brothers, Keenan and Colby, have been long-time members of the KC Junior Tour.

Braydun is currently attending Calvary University and grew up in Overland Park, KS. His favorite golf course is Shadow Glen Golf Club.

Golf has been a great way to spend time with the people he loves, including his brothers and Grandfather. It has also taught him patience and perserverance. Braydon’s dream job is to be an equipment manager for the Kansas City Chiefs.