Field Set for the 2016 Watson Challenge

Following a long and stormy day-and-a-half at Falcon Ridge, the field is finally set for the 2016 Watson Challenge. Ian Boat, Bret Burgmeier, James Henderson and Jason Hull fought through hours of delays and swampy conditions to play their way into the final four spots.

Listed below are the 48 players who will compete for this year’s title:

Professionals Amateurs
Chris Mabry Michael Greene
Robert Russell Ryne Fisher
Sean Dougherty Steve Groom
Jeff Sedorcek Travis Mays
Zac Gavlak Mark Terranova
Tyler Dunn Bryan Norton
Rob Wilkin Craig Broswick
Evan Scobie Preston Fleenor
Jeff Sheppard Charlie Schorgl
Clay Ederer Josh Weems
John Richman Alex Higgs
Nate Sargent Mark Addington
Zane Burgess Alex Springer
Larry Hadden Dave Cunningham
Chris Bussell Matt Kelley
Ryan Burchett Ryan Argotsinger
J.D. Brake Chase Hanna
Jay McBride Joe Ida
Tom Watson Don Walsworth
Michael Letzig Andy Spencer
Mark Meacham Tanner Owen
Korbin Kuehn James Henderson
Clay Devers Jason Hull
Ian Boat
Bret Burgmeier

Volunteer, Coach with The First Tee of Greater Kansas City

first teeLooking for ways to grow the game and impact the lives of junior golfers across Kansas City?

Visit the First Tee of Greater Kansas City and see how you can volunteer your time, knowledge and resources to benefit the next generation of golfers.

The First Tee is currently searching for volunteers and volunteer coaches to assist in their mission of teaching life lessons through golf.

Visit their website or facebook page to find out more information.

Event Registrations Open March 1

The season is right around the corner for many golfers across the United States, including in Kansas City.

Schedules for both the KCGA regional championships, Kansas City StateLine Amateur Tour and Kansas City Junior Tour are all available on the website. Registrations for these events open at 10 a.m. March 1.

Area golfers may also begin posting scores to their handicap starting March 1.

Youth On Course memberships also activate on the same date, allowing YOC members to use their memberships at local courses. For a complete list of YOC participating golf facilities, click here.

For questions regarding competition registrations, contact Todd Stice, todd@kcgolf.org.

Questions about your handicap or posting scores should be directed to Jacque Madison, jacque@kcgolf.org.

Shoal Creek Golf Club hosts the second round of the Kansas City Amateur Championships Saturday
Event registrations open March 1. Handicap scores may also be posted.

KCGA, Kansas City Golf Show Announce Partnership

KCGolfShowOVERLAND PARK, Kan.—The Kansas City Golf Association and Kansas City Golf Show recently announced its partnership for the upcoming expo,Feb. 19-21 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

During the show, visitors can visit the KCGA booth to sign-up for handicaps, pick up information about the upcoming KCGA events and programs and delve into the history of the KCGA and Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame.

In addition to the foundation’s show booth, KCGA staff members will take the main stage for a presentation over “Changes to the Rules of Golf.” Some of the topics will include the prohibition of anchoring a club,the removal of penalty for ball moving after address and additional recent USGA rule changes.

The Kansas City Golf Show also offers a wide variety of entertainment and activities for visitors to enjoy, including: Golf equipment sale zones, Short Game Central, Waddell & Reed’s Long Drive and KP Challenge, Cable Dahmer’s Putting Challenge, Summit Flooring & Turf Interactive Putting Green, a lesson area and finally, the Michelob Ultra & Amini’s 19th hole. Additional exhibitors and booths will be in attendance for golf fans to enjoy, as well.

Adult admission is $13, seniors (60 and older) $11 and kids (12 and under) get in free.

For additional information on the golf show and a complete list of exhibitors and sponsors for the 2016 Kansas City Golf Show, visit kansascitygolfshow.com.

 

 

Missouri High School All-State History Program Released

Avid Kansas City Golf Association and amateur golf supporter Jack Garvin recently compiled and published a comprehensive history of Missouri High School All-State golf records from 1934 through 2015.

Garvin made this history piece available to the public and is selling copies of the program to all those interested in obtaining this historical program. See details below on how to secure your copy of Garvin’s work.

$10 (plus $2.50 for postage)
order by email: jgarvin1944@gmail.com
send check of $12.50History Book-Garvin

Jack Garvin
12303 Wyandotte
Kansas City, MO 64145

Great Life Golf and Fitness, Orion Management Solutions Support Youth On Course

Great Life-Orion

The Kansas City Golf Association and Youth On Course announced its partnership in growing the game last week with the news of the Youth On Course expanding to the Kansas City area.

Now, youth golfers participating in Youth On Course have local courses to enjoy the opportunity to play golf.

Golfers who register for the Youth On Course initiative receive green fees at $5 or less at participating courses.

Two groups, Great Life Golf and Fitness and Orion Management Solutions, signed up to support and provide facilities, 11 local courses in total, for youth golfers.

The courses are as follows:

Great Life Golf and Fitness:

Drumm Farm Golf Club (Independence, MO)
Liberty Hills Golf Club (Liberty, MO)
Leavenworth Golf Club (Lansing, KS)
The Oaks Golf Club (Leavenworth, KS)
River Oaks Golf Club (Grandview, MO)

Orion Management Solutions:

Adams Pointe Golf Club (Blue Springs, MO)Cardinal Hill Golf Club (Liberty, MO)
Heart of America Golf Academy (Kansas City, MO)
Minor Park (Kansas City, MO)
Swope Memorial Golf Course (Kansas City, MO)
Sycamore Ridge Golf Course (Spring Hill, KS)

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

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.

HiResolutionLogo————————

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.

Kansas City Golf Association Logo

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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Remembering Bob Reid

The golf community in Kansas City lost a giant this week, as Bob Reid passed away on December 15th. Bob dedicated a huge portion of his life to promoting and administering amateur golf both locally and nationally. He is a member of the Kansas, Missouri and Kansas City Golf Halls of Fame. Below is what is inscribed on his plaque for the Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame:

Bob Reid ( 1920 – 2015 )

Born in Webster Groves, Missouri Bob Reid served in the Army Air Corps during WW II (1941-1945). From 1945 until his retirement in 1980, he was a pilot for TWA.

Mr. Reid served as Executive Director of the Kansas City Golf Association from 1982-1997. During the years 1982-1995 the KCGA offices were located in Mr. Reid’s home in Prairie Vil­lage. In 1995 the association opened its first “real” office in the Ranch Mart shopping center.

He was also Executive Director of the Missouri Golf Association from 1984-87 and President of the Kansas Golf Association from 1978-80. Asserting the respect he had earned in service to the game, Mr. Reid was the primary moving force in the effort to bring KGA events to the Kansas City area on a regular basis.

Mr. Reid was a USGA committeeman and rules official from 1970-1999, working more than twenty major tournaments, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Senior Open and the Walker Cup. He had the responsibility of being the referee in the final match of the Missouri Amateur Championship thirteen times.

In recognition of his tireless work to advance the amateur game in the Kansas City region, the Board of Directors of the Kansas City Golf Association is proud to include Bob Reid in the inaugural (2013) class of the Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame.

Below are some thoughts and comments from the Kansas City Golf Community regarding Bob.

(Please email doug@kcgolf.org if you’d like to be included.)

“Bob was the ED when I first started playing competitive golf in KC. Everyone knew he was responsible for growing the KCGA from a “seat-of-the-pants” operation to a real association capable of staging championship caliber events for local players. He housed the association office in his basement for many years and (along with his assistant Nancy Sedorcek) he ushered in a new era of amateur golf for Kansas City players. What we are as an association today, we owe in large measure to the time, dedication and effort Bob gave to the KCGA.” — Don Kuehn

“I knew Bob, “Killer” as he was often called, for 46 years. I flew with him, worked with him in the Kansas City Golf Association when he was Executive Director, played golf with him and shared memories with him over martinis. Should be the poster child for Gentleman. RIP Killer.” — Tom Hoskins

“Bob Reid was devoted to the game of golf and the people who make up the game.  From the 1970’s after succeeding Loren Lamberth to 1997 he was the KCGA.  Before computers Bob made all the scorecards and scoresheets for all the USGA and KCGA events by hand.   Many times I heard that he had been up until 1 a.m. or so, carefully spelling every name correctly and all in his very artistic handwriting.  A tireless worker he.

Bob was a TWA pilot after learning to fly in the US Army Air Corp in WW II.  B24s I believe.  After retiring from TWA he became deeply involved in Kansas City golf.  Besides the KCGA, he was also executive director for the KGA and the MGA at different times.  Very knowledgeable about the Rules of Golf, over the years he refereed 15 final matches for the Missouri Amateur.

Some of his most memorable feats of memory were his speeches at the Heart of America dinners.  With 30 plus directors and their wives or significant others in attendance Bob introduced all 60 or 70 people by name and said something about each one.  Never missed a name.

From Bob Reid’s basement to the various offices the KCGA has rented since 1996, the KCGA has continued to grow and serve the golfing community of Kansas City. Bob was inducted into the KGA Hall of Fame in 2000, the MGA Hall of Fame in 2007 and the KCGA Hall of Fame in 2013.   Many thanks, Bob.” — Jack Garvin

“I remember when Bob was running the KCGA out of his house.  His only concern was to make sure the organization was running smoothly and the tournaments went off without a hitch.  He left the KCGA in much better condition then when he started working with it.  He was a great rules official and a true gentleman.  He will be greatly missed.   RIP ‘Killer’.” — Ron Brewer

“He was a great man…so true that he was always smiling!!” — Karen Hass

“Gosh, I’m really sorry to hear that. I’ll always remember having my mom run me over to the KCGA offices at Ranchmart shopping center to drop off my team’s check and application for the Heart of America. We were always getting this done the last day – because that’s how long it took me to convince my parents to split the entry fee with me. And I could never figure out why the golf association was in the back half of the strip mall. I always thought it should be at some golf course somewhere…Anyway, I’ll always remember Bob because he always had a smile on his face and thanked the players for playing at every event – no matter the circumstance. We always felt appreciated and welcomed. He was truly one of the good guys in the business.” — Doug Albers

“Bob was a fine man he always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. His dedication to The KCGA was truly amazing and any golfer in KC past or present owes a debt of gratitude to him for his tireless efforts. His smile was infectious. I clearly recall a day when I needed a ruling. I was insistent that I deserved free relief. “Killer” came rolling up with a big smile on his face and I pleaded my case…he was still smiling of course…the smile left his face when he asked me “did you hit the shot that ended up there?” I confirmed that I had. Smiling again he said, “well you’re going to hit the next one from that mess you hit it in”…all I could do was smile and say thanks! That was Bob though he just had a way of making you feel better. RIP Killer that bright star in the Sky is you smiling down on us!” — Tom Leonard

“I met Bob somewhere in the 70’s. Bob was such kind person, I don’t know how he could call a rule on someone. Ned Rychel and I were running the junior and Bob would call  see how things went. We would talk for 30 minutes and my wife asked what Bob said. I would tell her, I don’t know his mind was faster than mouth. The number of hours that he spent as a volunteer were unbelievable. — Jerry Krause

“Bob was one of the most generous people I have ever met.  Every time I went to his house, he tried to give me one of his priceless paintings from the US Open. In the early years of the Heart of America Four Ball, the KCGA gave the winners a ring.  Bob had one of the rings in his stash,  and several years ago before my Dad’s death, Bob gave it to him because (according to Bob) my Dad and I were the first Father/Son team to play in the tournament.  My Dad wore it proudly until he died.” — Skip Talley

“Bob Reid was the last of a unique breed of golf volunteers and administrators.  He did everything at the KCGA along with the help of a one staffer and a small group of dedicated volunteers.  Bob developed, promoted and administered a series of historic championships and USGA qualifiers in Kansas City through which many great names of our time competed alongside legions of amateur golfers who loved to compete.  He would do the scoreboard, the scoring, on-course rules and the awards.   Everyone knew and loved Bob.  You never tired of his stories.   In 1993 when I become the Executive Director of the Kansas Golf Association, Bob was one of the first people to reach out to me and offer his help and friendship.  In a time when the dealings between our two golf associations had become too competitive, Bob took the opportunity to forge a fresh relationship between the two golf associations in Kansas.  That seed has grown over the last 20 years to a point where the two Associations routinely help each other and they will now jointly present the Heart of America Four-Ball Championship.  Thousands of Kansas City area golfers benefited from the work, dedication and vision of this wonderful man!” — Kim Richey

“In the many decades of his leadership and work with local golfers and clubs, and the hundreds or thousands of lives that he touched, i don’t think there is a person who has a harsh word to say about him. A gentleman of the highest order.” — Bob Bezek

KCGA & KGA Announce a “Heart Partnership”

The Kansas City Golf Association and the Kansas Golf Association have agreed to begin a new chapter for the historic Heart of America Four-Ball Championship.   Commencing in August 2016 the two golf associations will collaborate to present a reformatted match play only championship for amateur golfers in the Midwest.

The jointly presented 2016 Heart of America Four-Ball Championship will be held August 8-10 at Milburn Country Club, one of the area’s best venues that recently saw some re-routing of holes to make room for a new clubhouse.

KCGA Executive Director Doug Habel remarked that “the Heart of America Four-Ball Championship has a long and storied history in the Kansas City area. I could not be any happier that the championship is returning to the calendar and that we have this opportunity to work beside the Kansas Golf Association to bring a truly unique event to the golf community in Kansas and Kansas City. Milburn always provides a great stage on which to determine a champion, and I expect that to be the case again for this championship.”

Each Association will conduct a qualifier event for golfers from their respective regions.  The top 16 teams from each Association will then be seeded into a four-ball match play bracket.  The left side of the bracket will pit the KCGA teams against each other and the right side will seed the KGA teams.  This will result in the finals always being a KCGA team against a KGA team. The KCGA will host the event in 2016 and the KGA will assume hosting responsibilities in 2017 and the two associations alternating years going forward.

The KCGA will conduct its qualifying event on June 13th and 14th using two venues; Staley Farms and Canyon Farms.  All teams will play one round at each golf course.

Kim Richey, KGA Executive Director, announced that the Kansas Four-Ball Championship will become the “qualifying event” for the new Heart of America Four-Ball Championship.  It will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12 at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence, Kansas.  The 36-hole four-ball stroke play championship will be open to all golfers regardless of place of residence or age, with the top 16 teams based on residence becoming the KGA’s representative teams for The Heart.  The full details will be announced in January.

“This is an exciting time for golfers in Kansas, Kansas City and the Midwest.  Our two golf associations will combine golf’s most competitive format with the challenge of outstanding venues to build an annual contest to showcase the best amateur golfers in an atmosphere of a friendly rivalry.  The KGA is very honored and pleased to have forged this partnership ‘of the Heart’ with our friends in Kansas City,” stated Richey.

For more details on the new Heart of America Four-Ball Championship and how to qualify, contact either the KCGA or the KGA or visit their website.   Full details available in January.

Kansas City Golf Association                                                                    Kansas Golf Association

www.kansascitygolfer.org                                                                           www.kansasgolf.org