Wilkin Holds Lead at Watson Challenge

The leaderboard saw little change on day two of The Watson Challenge at Hallbrook Country Club.

Tournament leader Rob Wilkin saw his lead shrink from four strokes to two after a two-over, 74. By the end of day two, Wilkin sat at three-under, 141 overall.

Wilkin did birdie back-to-back holes on No. 13 and 14 to help maintain his lead and ensure a spot in Sunday’s final pairing.

Five-time champion Tom Watson rolled in seven birdies Saturday, including back-to-back birdies on No. 3 and 4, 7 and 8 and 10 and 11. However, a double-bogey on No. 18 and four other bogeys on the day left Watson one shot out of the lead, but in the final pairing for Sunday. Watson finished Sunday two-under, 142 overall.

Chase Hanna, the third golfer in Saturday’s final pairing, managed three birdies on the front nine, but fell victim to bogeys on No. 9 and 13 before notching a double-bogey on No. 15. Hanna finished his day ever-par, 72 and in a tie for third place.

Travis Mays played his way into Sunday’s final pairing with the help of a trio of birdies and an exclamation point on No. 18 with an eagle. Mays’ one-under, 71 boosted his overall score to one-under, 143.

Outside of the top three, Bryan Norton and Mark Terranova sat three strokes off the lead, sharing a tie for fifth with rounds of ever-par, 144, respectively. Norton carded a one-under, 71, while Terranova shot his second round of even golf.

Sunday’s Championship round begins at 7:30 a.m. with Wilkin, Watson and Mays teeing off at 10 a.m. as the last group of the day.

For results and pairings for Sunday’s round, click here.

Watson Challenge Day Two

Follow all scores and results from day two of The Watson Challenge at Hallbrook Country Club.

Entering the day, Rob Wilkin held a four-stroke lead over Tom Watson, Chase Hanna and Josh Weems.

Results and pairings are found hereTWC Day 2

Wilkin Sets Pace at Watson Challenge

Youth took a back seat Friday during the first round of The Watson Challenge.

Watson Challenge veteran Rob Wilkin posted the lowest opening-round score, setting the pace with a blistering five-under, 67.

Wilkin piled up five birdies on the day, on No. 3, 4, 14, 16 and 18, and an eagle on No. 12.

Tournament namesake Tom Watson issued a challenge to the entire field Thursday at the annual Player’s Dinner, telling the 47 other golfers to “bring it.”

Watson delivered on his challenge, firing a one-under, 71.

The five-time Watson Challenge champion carded birdies on No. 6, 7 and 18.

However, sharing a T-2 with Watson was defending champion Chase Hanna and Josh Weems who each posted one-under, 71s.

Hanna rolled in birdies on No. 1, 8 and 18 and tacked an eagle on No. 4.

Weems’ scorecard was littered with six birdies, including a stretch of back-to-back-to-back birdies on No. 10-12.

Four golfers shared a T-5 finish with even-par, 72s, including Mark Terranova, Travis Mays, Bryan Norton and junior exemption Tanner Owen.

Saturday’s second of round begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 10 p.m.

The final pairing on Saturday includes tournament leader Wilkin and a partial recreation of last year’s Watson Challenge pairing between Watson and Hanna.

All results and pairings can be found on the website, here.

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

Groom Conquers Stone Canyon, StateLine Tour Field

Wednesday brought much needed relief to StateLine Amateur Tour golfers in regards to weather.

Sunshine and an absence of rain made for picturesque conditions at Stone Canyon Golf Club for the third tour event of the year.

Steve Groom, the seniors division champion Wednesday, took advantage of the conditions, steamrolling his way to a four-under, 68 on the day, narrowly missing a bogey-free round after playing 17 of the 18 holes Wednesday at par or better.

Groom rolled in birdies on No. 1, 6, 11, 13 and 15 before bogeying No. 18 for his four-under performance.

The closest anyone came to sniffing Groom’s performance was Ed Walsworth, who carded an even-par, 72 for a runner-up finish in the senior’s division.

Kurt Lorenzen rounded out the senior’s top 3 with his two-over, 74.

Matt Kelley snagged his second StateLine tournament victory of the year, posting a two-over, 74.

Austin Williams trailed Kelley by four strokes, while three golfers, Jason Cross, Carter Tumminia and T.j. Pennington each grabbed a share of third place with 79s.

Logan Truninger and Bob Bezek each captured the players and legends division titles, respectively, with two-over, 73s.

Finally, Nikki McCurdy, a collegiate golfer at Northwest Missouri State University, won the women’s division with her 10-over, 82.

For a list of complete results, view the results page.

The next StateLine Amateur Tour event is May 31 at The Nicklaus Golf Club.

McCurdy-StateLine

Golfers Battle Cold, Drizzly Conditions During USGA US Open Local Qualifying

Conditions for Monday’s USGA Local US Open Qualifying was less than ideal for golfers chasing the chance to play in this year’s US Open Championship.

Three automatic qualifier spots were up for grabs in the chilly and drizzly elements at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course.

Less than half of the field failed to record a round of 79 or lower, while Clay Devers and Preston Fleenor topped the scoreboard with one-under, 71s. Each shared medalist honors and earned bids to compete at the sectionals level of qualifying for the US Open.

While Fleenor and Devers each earned outright qualifying bids, three golfers finished in a tie for third, leaving playoff golf to be played for the final qualifying spot, as well as, determining the first and second alternate spots.

Linus Lilliedahl, Alex Higgs and Hayden Buckley each finished their 18-hole qualifying round at even-par, 72.

Lilliedahl nailed down the final qualifying bid by carding a birdie on the first playoff hole of the afternoon.

Higgs and Hayden, however, locked up for six holes to determine the alternate spots.

Eventualy, Higgs edged Hayden to claim the first alternate position while Hayden will occupy the second alternate role.

The next round of sectionals is June 6 at one of 10 US sites.

For complete results, click here.

US Open Qual

Broswick Grinds Out KC Match Play Title

The 2016 Kansas City Match Play once again crowned a champion who endured the grueling

three-day gauntlet of sudden death matches and stroke-play qualifying.

The Sunday finale came down to two golfers who’s games peaked at the perfect times.

Jackson Foth, the 10 seed, defeated 1981 KC Match Play champion Bob Bezek in the first round

of matches. A 4 and 3 victory over Zach Kirby in the second round set up a showdown between

Foth and Josh Weems, two well-known friends on the Kansas City golfing circuit.

Foth defeated Weems 2 up in the quarterfinals en route to punching his semifinals ticket where

Jeff Mason awaited him.

The semifinal round saw Foth reel in a 5 and 4 win and notching a berth in the championship

round of the 101st KC Match Play Championship.

Unfortunately for Foth, his string of victories would come to an end at the hands of Craig

Broswick, the tournament’s No. 20 seed.

Broswick benefited from his first round opponent withdrawing before grinding out a 21-hole

victory over T.J. Pennington in the second round.

Broswick made much quicker work of his quarterfinal match, notching a 7 and 6 over Zach

Sanders.

The second semifinal match of the day pitted another pair of friends together, this time between

Broswick and No. 1 seed Michael Greene.

While Foth earned an early entry into Sunday’s championship match, Broswick needed 22 holes

to finally punch his championship ticket.

With the final match of the day set, Foth and Broswick set their eyes on the newly minted Bob

Reid Memorial Match Play Championship Trophy.

The two dueled it out through 17 holes, but it was Broswick who managed to avoid trailing at

any point of the championship match.

Broswick delivered the final blow of the match on No. 16 and held on to his 2 up lead on No. 17

to secure his Match Play title 2&1 over Foth.

For a complete list of results and match play bracket, click here.Broswick Match Play

Semifinals Set in the 2016 K.C. Match Play

After two days of outstanding competition at Swope Memorial Golf Course, the semifinals are set.

Semifinal #1 will be played between Michael Greene and Craig Broswick. Greene fired a qualifying score of 71, which gave him the #1 seed heading into match play. In his opening round match, he faced a tough test from Eric Englund, but was able to win 1-up on the 19th hole. Greene squared off against Chuck Moore in the afternoon, and breezed to a 6&4 victory.

Craig Broswick shot 76 in his qualifying and was the #20 seed heading into match play. He led Jon Platz 4-up late Friday evening when Platz had to withdraw. Saturday morning, Broswick won a slugfest in 21 holes against T.J. Pennington. In the afternoon, Broswick played very well and defeated Zach Sanders 7&6.

Semifinal #2 will be played between Jackson Foth and Jeff Mason. Foth qualified as the #10 seed with a 75 in the stroke play round. Foth jumped out to an early lead Friday afternoon and cruised to victory against 1981 KC Match Play Champion, Bob Bezek. Foth defeated KU player, Zach Kirby in the round of 16 4&2 and good friend Josh Weems in the quarterfinals, 2-up.

Jeff Mason, who shot 77 in the stroke play round to nab the #22 seed, beat Nick Nash 2&1, Dave Cunningham 1-up and defending champion Ryne Fisher 3&2 on his way to the semis.

For complete results, click here!

Black Defends Match Play Title, Wins Third Straight

Despite soggy conditions at Swope Memorial Golf Course, the 2016 Girls Match Play lived up to its potential through the semifinal matches Saturday afternoon.

However, before the match play matches could get underway, 11 teed it up for seven openings into the match play tournament. Awaiting those seven qualifiers was No. 1 seed and two-time Match Play champion Taylor Black.

Friday saw three girls, India Gaume, Megan Propeck and Julia Misemer earn their ways into Saturday’s matches with even-par, 36 9-hole rounds.

Following the three qualifier leaders was Skylar Brunk, Teagan Noblit, Samantha Paulak and Jessica Parker who all earned opportunities to challenge defending champion Black for the 2016 Match Play crown.

Saturday showcased two completely different set of conditions facing the junior golfers. Early showers and blustery conditions tested the four sets of quarterfinal matches, including a near wire-to-wire showdown between No. 1 seed Black and No. 8 seed Paulak. However, Black eventually downed Paulak 2 and 1, securing a semifinal berth for Black.

Propeck punched her semifinal ticket by defeating Brunk 5 and 3, while Misemer eliminated Parker 4 and 2.

Noblit pulled off the upset of the day by defeating former Kansas City Junior champion Gaume 3 and 2.

The afternoon tilt of matches displayed two varying outcomes.

Misemer defeated Noblit 7 and 6, while Black sweated out a 1 up victory over Propeck, despite trailing by two holes throughout a stretch of the semifinal match up.

The final match featured defending and No. 1 overall seed Black against Misemer.

Misemer had Black on the ropes at 1 up through six holes before Black battled back and went 1 up after 10 holes. From there on, Black extended her lead to 3 up through 15 holes before finally closing out her tournament victory 4 & 2 on No. 16.

Black captured her third overall and consecutive Girls Match Play Championship.Black Match Play

To view the full results from the Match Play, click here.

 

Cunningham, Zech claim SLAT Titles at Blue Hills Country Club

The second StateLine Amateur Tour event avoided any weather related delays and went off without a hitch.

Blue Hills Country Club lived up to its reputation and presented every division challenge after challenge.

One player found himself under-par by days end, when Dave Cunningham turned in a one-under, 71 card to capture the senior’s division title.

Cunningham used four birdies, including his final birdie of the day on No. 18.

Mark Addington trailed Cunningham by two strokes, finishing one-over, 73, while Mitch Bowen rounded out the top-3 with a two-over, 74.

The open division was claimed by Ryan Zech, who posted a one-over, 73. The former Mizzou golfer used three birdies to fend off Gregory Diedrich IV, who finished two-over, 74.

Jackson Foth claimed third place with his three-over, 75.

Ron Brewer won the legends division with a four-over, 76.

Jim Seward, Brad Robinson and David Hornaday all finished T-2 with five-over, 77s.

Finally, Derek Garver took home the player’s division title with a one-over, 73. Logan Truninger grabbed the second-place spot at five-over, 77.

Bill Grossdidier, Steve Hammond and Bryan Meyer all tied for third seven-over, 79s.

The third StateLine Amateur Tour event is May 18 at Stone Canyon Golf Club.

View the full Blue Hills Country Club StateLine results here.Zech Blue Hills