The Prairie Invitational Championship occurred at Oakwood Country Club on July 22 to 24. The Invitational includes an Open Division with 54 holes, a cut to the top 18, and ties after two rounds—an Opal Hill Division with two rounds and a handicap index between 5.1 and 15.0. 

Open Division

The 2022 Prairie Invitational Champion, Julia Misemer, won the tournament again by 13 strokes. In the three-day event, she carded 70-68-71-209 (-7). Misemer beat the Oakwood Country Club Women’s course record on day two of the Invitational, carding a 68 (-4). “As I was playing, I had no idea what the course record was,” Misemer said after her round. “My theme for the round was perseverance because I started even par on the front. On the back nine, I started to make a few birdies and even a bogey, and then I holed out from 80 yards on the final hole to beat the record.” Misemer stayed patient and consistent in the final round, leading to her victory. 

Amy Dekock was the 2024 Prairie Invitational Runner-up, carding 70-74-78-222 (+6). Martha Linscott, the 2023 Low Senior, reclaimed her title on Tuesday, carding 76-75-151 (+7). Hadley Neese won Low Junior, shooting 77-73-73-223 (+7), just one shot away from Runner-Up.  

Opal Hill Division

The Opal Hill Division consisted of two rounds on Monday and Tuesday. Three ladies tied for first, and after a five-hole playoff, Shelly Amundson took the Opal Hill Gross Champion title. Amundson scored 79-83-162 (+18) in the two days. Brandie Niedens, the Runner-Up, carded 80-82-162 (+18). Lisa Block won the Opal Hill Net Gross Division, carding 68-73-141 (-3). 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors for their unwavering support in promoting Women’s Golf in Kansas City. Your contribution has been instrumental in making the Prairie Invitational Championship a grand success.

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The Kansas Women’s Amateur, presented by Mommy’s Helper, concluded on Tuesday evening at Lawrence Country Club. Despite a two-and-a-half-hour rain delay, Lyla Louderbaugh’s exceptional performance shone through as she claimed her second title of the summer, winning the tournament by an impressive eleven strokes. 

Lyla Louderbaugh shot even par in round one. She said, “I talked myself through each shot, [the wind, the slope, and the greens] to keep myself mentally stable to play 36 holes in the 100-degree heat.” She won the event at two-under-par with rounds of 70-71-67-208.

Hanna Hawks’ performance in the Kansas Women’s Amateur was impressive. She secured solo second place with a score of 67-77-75-219 (+9). Hawks’ first round, with four birdies and one bogey, set the tone for her strong showing in the tournament. Her final round included two eagles, one of which was on the par 4, 18th hole.

The Kansas Women’s Amateur also saw impressive performances from Kinslea Jones and Martha Linscott. Jones, who earned the Low Junior title, carded 74-73-77-224 (+14), while Linscott, who earned the Low Senior title, carded 77-82-82-241 (+31). Linscott will play in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in August.

Louderbaugh is now exempt into the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, which will be held at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from August 5 to 11.

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The CLG Women’s Match Play Championship, sponsored by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City, concluded Wednesday morning at Terradyne Country Club. The field consisted of many highly ranked women golfers. 

Lyla Louderbaugh earned the title of the CLG Women’s Match Play Champion. Louderbaugh carded a 69 (-2) in Monday’s Qualifying round, which earned her the number one seed going into match play. Louderbaugh defeated McClain Neal 2up in the Round of 16. In the Quarterfinal match, Louderbaugh defeated Hannah Robinett 2&1. Louderbaugh played Brooke Thiele in the Semifinal match, beating her 3&1. In the final match, Louderbaugh faced Kate Tilma—both players are collegiate athletes in the state of Kansas. Louderbaugh carded a 66 (-5) to finish 1up over Tilma, who carded 67 (-4). 

In the Silver bracket, Averi Mickelson emerged as the Champion. Mickelson earned the second seed in the bracket after carding an 83 (+12) in Monday’s Qualifying round. In the Quarterfinals, Mickelson defeated Brylie Ellis 3 up. Mickelson defeated Kate Braden in the Semifinal match 6&4. In the Final Match, Mickelson played Aliyah North. Mickelson’s exceptional score of 68 (-3) and North’s 72 (+1) made for an intense match, with Mickelson ultimately winning the last three holes to finish the match 2 up.

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The Prairie Invitational celebrated its 10th anniversary during the Championship on July 24-26 at Kansas City Country Club. The Invitational includes an Open Division that is 54 holes with a cut to the top 18 and ties after two rounds and an Opal Hill Division that includes two rounds and a handicap index between 5.1-15.0.

Open Division

The Open Division was led the first two rounds by 2022 Prairie Invitational Champion, Julia Misemer. Misemer had a one-shot lead over Hanna Robinett going into the final round. After a couple of hiccups from Misemer on holes 15 and 16, the door opened for Robinett. She birdied the 17th hole to have a one-shot lead over Misemer going into the 18th hole. On 18, Robinett hit her second shot to 30+ feet and Misemer had a good look at making birdie. With a crowd forming, Robinett made her putt and won the tournament.

“From an awkward lie in the fairway I had left myself a longer putt than I had anticipated, but it was one of those moments you can see the line so clearly. Every break the putt is going to make you can just feel it, like the ball has to go into the hole. I hit the putt and it’s tracking, looking better and better and it hits the flagstick and drops in. In that moment I threw my hands in the air and hugged my dad with tears in my eyes because it was a moment I had worked so hard for,” Robinett said.

Martha Linscott won Low Senior on Tuesday shooting 83-80 (+21). Maya McVey won Low Junior Shooting 74-73-74 (+8).

Opal Hill Division

After a rain delay on day one of the tournament, the Opal Hill Division was cut to just one round on Tuesday, July 25. Leading the Division was Kate Braden who fired a 77, winning by one shot. Terri Albers won Low Net shooting 78 (69).

Thank you to our tournament sponsors for supporting Women’s Golf in Kansas City.

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The Kansas Women’s Amateur, presented by Mommy’s Helper, took place at Crestview Country Club on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A familiar name was at the top of the leaderboard, Emerie Schartz, who won the Kansas Junior Amateur in June and was Runner Up at the Kansas Women’s Amateur in 2022, added a new title to her resume. The 15-year-old from Wichita, lead the Championship wire-to-wire and is the youngest known player to have won the event. After shooting 69-68-70-207, Schartz finished at nine-under par for the tournament to win.

“Today I putted really well, stuck to my plan, and stayed really patient out there,” Schartz said, “I tried to stay out of the rough as best I could. I knew the greens were fast, I just tried to two-putt everywhere I could, [I aimed] for the middle of the greens and the middle of the fairways.”

Sticking to her plan clearly worked, Schartz carded 19 birdies during the tournament. She also earned the Low Junior Title by seven shots over Lyla Louderbaugh (-2).

Hanna Robinett, Westwood, finished in second place shooting 73-66-72-211 (-5)
Morgan Brasser, Andale, finished in third place shooting 71-70-71-212 (-4)
Katy Winters, Wichita, finished in fourth place shooting 70-69-74-213 (-3)
Lyla Louderbaugh, Buffalo, finished in fifth place shooting 73-70-71-214 (-2)
2022 Kansas Women’s Amateur Champion, Maya McVey finished tied for sixth shooting 73-73-70-216 (E)
Avery Schartz, Wichita, finished tied for sixth shooting 75-68-73-216 (E)

Martha Linscott earned the title of Low Senior shooting 81-81-78-240 (+24).

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The final match of the CLG Women’s Match Play Championship, presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City, was completed Wednesday morning at Firekeeper Golf Course.

The match was played between Kate Tilma and Kiser Pannier. Tilma, an incoming Sophomore transfer to the Wichita State University Women’s Golf Team, earned medalist honors after shooting 73 in Monday’s Stroke Play Qualifying round. She went on to defeat Elizabeth Grant 5&4 during the round of 16, Brooke King 5&3 during the Quarter-Finals, and Allison Comer 6&5 in the Semi-Finals.

Pannier, a rising sophomore on the Missouri State Women’s Golf Team, shot 78 in Monday’s Stroke Play Qualifier, “I wanted to be seeded really high and ultimately lost focus of just going out and finding pars,” Pannier said, “Going into Match Play, I knew that my score doesn’t matter, and neither did my seeding.”

She proved herself right.

Pannier defeated Hannah Robinett 2&1 during the round of 16, Jaylee Castro 3&2 during the Quarter-Finals, and Liz Lyons 7&5 during the Semi-Finals, gaining her the momentum she needed going into the Final Match. “Knowing I could make birdies and eagles, I felt really confident going into the Final Match,” Pannier said.

The Final Match was very back-and-forth between Tilma and Pannier. Pannier would win a hole and Tilma would tie the match on the next, going into 18, the match was tied. Tilma made par and Pannier made birdie, winning her the match 1 up.

“This was one of the most mentally grueling matches I’ve ever played,” Pannier claimed, ” Kate is a very strong player with a great game, so I knew that today would be a grind. This win means a lot to me. I had a great Freshman year at Missouri State but towards the end of the Spring season, I fought mentally and physically with my golf game. I ultimately lost a lot of confidence and so knowing that I persevered these last couple of months just validates that I am a high-level player and that I have the skill and talent to win.”

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Martha Linscott is no stranger to USGA Championships, having played in her first event in 1990, but this year she added three championships to her resume, making her the first woman in Kansas golf history to compete in three USGA Championships in the same year.

Linscott’s husband, Randy, travels to the USGA Championships with her as her caddie. “You need somebody in your corner reassuring you that you are doing a great job,” Linscott commented. It’s something they enjoy doing together, “he’s my number one supporter,” Linscott said through tears, “he’s always rooting for me, So that’s why I get emotional, he’s really encouraged me and supported my effort. He’s been there telling me that I’m a good player.”

There’s more to come from Linscott who hopes to win locally in addition to earning Low Senior awards. “I’m sure some people are saying ‘why does she keep doing this?’, but it’s fun. I want to see how far I can take it,” Linscott said, “Not everyone finds something that they’re good at or passionate about, and then excel at it.”

Linscott’s USGA Championship Appearances

US Women’s Amateur Public Links – 1990, 1996
US Women’s Mid-Amateur – 1999, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022
USGA Women’s State Team Championship – 2013, 2015, 2017
US Senior Women’s Amateur – 2021, 2022
US Senior Women’s Open – 2022

Linscott is the first woman in the state to appear at three USGA events in the same year. According to archives, the only other golfer to make three appearances was Kansas Golf Hall of Fame Member, Bryan Norton who played in US Senior Open, US Amateur, and US Senior Amateur in 2015.

It was a hot week at the Kansas Women’s Amateur presented by Mommy’s Helper, with temperatures climbing into the mid-90s, the greens became dry and fast, making the already challenging Topeka Country Club, even more difficult.

Emerie Shartz, a fourteen-year-old from Wichita, was leading the event after shooting 70-76 on Monday. Maya McVey, an incoming Senior at Blue Springs South High School, fired an impressive round of 71 on Tuesday to put her in contention after shooting 75-78 on Monday.

After Shartz had a few hiccups on her back nine, she was tied with McVey at five-over-par for the tournament, leading to a playoff on the 18th hole.

Both girls hit impressive drives just short of the green on the 277-yard par-4. They both proceeded to hit their chip shots close to the hole. Shartz just barely missed her putt, making par. McVey was next to play and sunk her short 2-footer to win.

“Through all three rounds, I was just trying to keep a relaxed mindset,” McVey said, “My approach shots were the best part of my game this week, I was hitting them all pin-high…they were like darts,” she added when asked what led to her victory.

Shartz and McVey won Low Junior honors. Martha Linscott of Mission Hills won Low Senior after shooting 78-82-85.

Other notable players included home course favorite, Megan Lucas who shot 77-75-75, earning her solo-third place. Megan Whittaker from Elkhorn, Nebraska shot 77-70-81 was in solo-fourth. Local Kansas golfers, Abby Glynn (Topeka), Kinslea Jones (Wichita), and Hanna Hawks (Wichita) each tied for fifth place.

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