The first US Open Local Qualifier took place at Wichita Country Club on May 9^th. 48 players battled for three qualifying spots to move on to sectional qualifying for this year’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills GC in New York.

Sam Stevens took the first qualifying spot with an incredible eight-under, 64, and claimed medalist honors for the low round of the day by two shots. Stevens’ round was highlighted by seven birdies and an eagle on the Par-5, 18^th hole. The second qualifying spot was secured by Kristoffer Ventura with an impressive six-under, 66. With only two bogeys, Ventura hit eight birdies on the day to finish only two strokes behind Stevens.

Austin Woody, Christopher Tidland, Cameron Bishop and Nick Heinen all tied for third with 4-under 68 rounds for the day and a playoff was required to determine the final qualifying spot as well as two alternate spots. After all four players carded a par on the first play-off hole, Woody was able to claim the third and final qualifying spot with a birdie on the second. Heinen, Bishop and Christopher Tidland continued on after all making par for the two remaining alternate spots.

The playoff continued for two more holes between Tidland and Heinen after Bishop bogeyed the third to fall out of contention and Tidland and Heinen both pared. Tidland was able to par the fourth play-off hole while Heinen unfortunately finished with a bogey, giving Tidland the first alternate spot. Heinen finished as the second alternate.

For a full field of results see here.

 

The second US Open Local qualifier was held Monday, May 14^th at the Golf Club of Creekmoor. The field consisted of 51 players fighting for three qualifying spots and two alternates to move on to sectional qualifying.

Alex Springer and Justin Bardgett both shot an even par 72 on the day to tie for first and claim the top two qualifying spots. Springer’s round was highlighted by two birdies on the day with only two bogeys. Bardgett also shot a consistent round with two bogeys and two birdies with both birdies coming on par 5’s. Their even par 72 rounds were enough to beat out t he field by one stroke.

Ryan Argotsinger and Linus Lilliedahl rounded out the top four, both shooting a plus-one 73 round. Argotsinger’s round was a little more up and down, but his four birdies on the day kept him in it and gave him a chance to battle in a playoff for the final qualifying spot. Lilliedahl also shot four birdies on the day to keep him in contention to move on to sectional qualifying.

After a one-hole playoff, Argotsinger claimed the final qualifying spot with a birdie on #10 over Lilliedahl. Lilliedahl finished as the first alternate. Travis Mays claimed the last alternate spot with his round of 74 (+2).

For a full field of results see here.

The top three qualifiers from both US Open Local Qualifiers will move on to sectional qualifying in hopes of landing a coveted spot at this year’s US Open. We wish the local talent all the luck in moving forward.

Wichita, KS – Thirty-four teams competed in the Spring Triple Threat at Crestview Country Club’s South Course this morning. Teams played six holes of Four Ball, six holes of Chapman Alternate Shot, and six holes of Scramble.  The competition awards prizes for gross and net scoring in each of three flights as well as trophies for the Overall Gross Champions and Overall Net Champions.  Players also receive points in the KGA/KCGA Women’s Player of the Year series, which is being awarded for the first time this year.

Karen Exon of Topeka and Denise Desilet of Wichita were the Overall Gross Champions firing a three-under-par 69.  The cruised through the Four Ball portion of the event carding two birdies to only one bogey.  A solid +1 performance in the Chapman format kept the team going strong, but a -3 Scramble distanced the team from the field to claim the title.

Jan Davis and Barbara Crawford led all the way with stellar play in all three formats.  A -3 Four Ball to go with a -6 Chapman stretch and a -6 Scramble made the pair wire-to-wire leaders.  A net eagle on #13 along with birdies on both par 3s in the final holes made it difficult for the rest of the field to keep pace.

The next event in the Player of the Year Series is the Kansas Senior/Super Senior Championship at Wichita Country Club on June 19-20.  Entries close on June 12.

Click here for complete results of the Spring Triple Threat.

On July 31, 2018, the Kansas City Golf Association will hold a qualifier for a Web.Com Tour event. The Kansas City Crusader Web.Com Qualifier will be held at Canyon Farms Golf Club and participants will be playing for two spots in the Web.Com event, the KC Golf Classic, formally known as the Digital Ally Golf Tournament. The KC Golf Classic will take place August 2nd through August 5th at the Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate.

The cost for participation in the qualifier is $350.00 per player. $50 of that entry fee will go to the Kansas City Golf Association in support of our Youth on Course program. Registration will take place through Golf Genius and the deadline to enter for the qualifier is July 30th at 6:00 PM. Registration is open to anyone who wishes to participate.

To register for the Kansas City Crusader Web.Com Qualifier, please click here.

For more information on the KC Golf Classic, please see the PGA Tour’s website here.

By Taylor Albritton, KCGA Intern

The 2018 Watson Challenge Press Conference was held this morning at Shadow Glen GC for the one and only Kansas City legend, Tom Watson. Past players and media personnel gathered at the prestigious club to hear Tom Watson discuss his favorite tournament held every year in Kansas City: The Watson Challenge. An esteem panel was invited to sit alongside Mr. Watson and answer questions from the media as well.

Travis Mays, David Resch, Brigette Chirpich, Robert Russell, and Executive Director Doug Habel surrounded Tom Watson on the press conference panel. Opening remarks and thanks to Mr. Watson were given by each before the media got their turn with the man himself. The first topic of discussion was Mr. Watson’s recent trip to the Master’s which saw him win the Par 3 Championship and witness a Hole-In-One by Jack Nicklaus’s grandson.

One reporter asked if his success at the Par 3 gave Mr. Watson any desire to get back out and compete at the big stage at Augusta National.

“Not one ioata,” Mr Watson replied humbly. “You need a 280 yard carry [off the tee]”, Mr. Watson described what makes you successful at Augusta. “I wasn’t gonna get any longer, only shorter.”

Mr. Watson then went on to describe how he still loves to “throw down” at the Watson Challenge and how his competitive juices still flow til this day.

“I don’t play this golf tournament any different than I played my first golf tournament on the tour. I play this just like a regular tour event. I’m all in,” said Watson.

In his opening comments, Travis Mays described how honored he especially felt to be able to play in the Watson Challenge as many times as he has and how the Watson Challenge is by far the favorite golf event of his and many other amateur players’ seasons.

According to Watson, the objective of the Watson Challenge tournament is to create a competition opportunity for the best golfers in Kansas City. Watson of course hopes to come out on top this year and secure his title as the best golfer in Kansas City. He’ll have some stiff competition in the likes of Chase Hanna, Andy Spencer: defending Watson champion, Dave Resch, Travis Mays and many others.

The Kansas City Golf Association gets just as excited as the players for this event every year, and we hope to see many of our players and fans out there. It’s an event unlike any other and getting a chance to see the great players in Kansas City as well as Mr. Tom Watson in action is something you can’t miss. The 2018 Watson Challenge tournament will be held June 8-10 at Shadow Glen GC.

The Kansas City Golf Association and the Kansas Golf Association have announced a joint effort to present Women’s Player of the Year Awards beginning in 2018.  Three new awards will be presented based on performance in KCGA and KGA women’s competitions throughout the year – Women’s Player of the Year, Senior Women’s Player of the Year, and Junior Girls’ Player of the Year.  Points will be earned for the awards in KCGA Regional Championships, KGA State Championships, KCGA StateLine Amateur Tour, KGA Mid-Am/Senior Series, KCGA Junior Tour, KJGA Junior Tour, and USGA qualifiers/championships.

The best eight totals for each player will be counted toward the player of the year award.  With the collaboration of the KCGA and KGA to create these awards, there will be more than 30 competitions available in each award category.  Points will be awarded for both individual and team events.

The Women’s Player of the Year Award will be presented at the awards luncheon of either the 2019 Kansas Women’s Amateur or The Prairie Invitational.  The Senior Women’s Player of the Year Award will be presented at the 2019 Kansas Women’s Senior/Super Senior awards luncheon.  The Junior Girls’ Player of the Year Award will be presented at the 2019 Kansas Junior Amateur Championship if the winner is still eligible to compete, or at the Kansas Women’s Amateur/The Prairie Invitational if the winner is no longer a junior golfer.

Standings will be updated on both the KGA and KCGA websites at the completion of each event.  We look forward to identifying three deserving recipients over the course of this season.

Click Here For Details of the Points System

Click Here for Point Tables