2023 Players of the Year Announced

Congratulations to our 2023 Players of the Year!

Junior Players of the Year

Rusty Hilst Boys Player of the Year: Tyler Strong

T15 finish at the Optimist Qualifier, 10th place finish at the Railer Stroke Play Championship, 6th place at the Junior Boys Four-Ball Championship, Low Junior at the KC Amateur, Member of the Mid-America Cup Team, Qualified for Match Play at the Kansas Amateur, T3 at the KC Junior Amateur, and won the Kansas Junior Amateur.

Girls Player of the Year: Emerie Schartz

Kansas Women’s Amateur Champion, Kansas Junior Amateur Champion, Qualified for the US Girls Junior Amateur and Junior PGA National Championship.

Women’s Players of the Year

Women’s Player of the Year: Hanna Robinett

Prairie Invitational Champion, Kansas Women’s Amateur Runner Up, 16th place at the CLG Women’s Match Play.

Women’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Katy Winters

3rd place at the Kansas Women’s Mid-Amateur, 4th place at the Kansas Women’s Amateur, 3rd place at the Tee Fore Two, 17th place at the Prairie Invitational.

Women’s Senior & Super Senior Player of the Year: Denise Desilet

T2 at the Kansas Women’s Senior Amateur, Runner Up at the Tee Fore Two, Won Women’s Team Links Series at Auburn Hills, Won Fall Triple Threat.

Women’s Legends Player of the Year: Naoma Kilpatrick

Kansas Women’s Super Senior Amateur Champion, T2 at the Prairie Invitational Opal Hill Division.

Kansas Players of the Year

Kansas Men’s Player of the Year: Zach VanDolah

T12 at the Kansas Mid-Amateur, Runner Up at the Heart of America Four-Ball, Qualified for the US Mid-Amateur, Match Play Qualifier at the US Mid-Amateur Championship, Kansas City Amateur Champion, Quarterfinals at the Kansas Amateur.

Kansas Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Nathaniel Spencer

T6 at the Kansas Mid-Amateur, Quarterfinals at the KC Match Play, Runner Up at the Railer (Mid-Am), T1 High Plains Amateur (Mid-Am), Round of 16 at the Kansas Amateur.

Kansas Senior & Super Senior Player of the Year: RJ Opliger

3rd place at the Kansas Mid-Amateur (Senior Division), 3rd place at the Kansas Senior Amateur (Super Senior), Runner Up at the KC Senior Match Play, Quarterfinals at the KC Match Play.

Kansas Legends Player of the Year: Joe Rothwell

Runner Up the Legends of Kansas Championship, 4th at the KC Amateur (Super Senior Divison), Senior Series Championship winner, Winning Team at the Association Senior Cup.

Kansas City Players of the Year

Kansas City Men’s & Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Zach VanDolah

Runner Up at the Heart of America Four-Ball, Quarterfinals at the Kansas Amateur, Semifinals at the Missouri Amateur Match Play, KC Amateur Champion.

Kansas City Senior Player of the Year: Ed Brown

KC Senior Match Play Champion, KC Amateur Champion (Senior Division), Falcon Wealth Advisors Tour.

Kansas City Super Senior Player of the Year: RJ Opliger

Runner Up at the KC Senior Match Play, Quarterfinals at the KC Match Play, Runner Up at the KC Amateur (Super Senior).

Kansas City Legends Player of the Year: Don Kuehn

4th place at the KC Amateur (Super Senior/Legends), Falcon Wealth Advisors Tour Legends Division.


All points lists can be found here >>

Robinett Clinches Prairie Invitational Title

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.

For full tournament results click here >>

Schartz Adds Another Title To Her Standout Summer

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).

Full tournament results >>

Pannier Wins on Final Hole at CLG Women’s Match Play

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.”

Full Results >>

Three USGA Championships, | One Year

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.

“When you get to the USGA Championships, they make you feel like you’ve done something really worthy,” Linscott said, “it’s just another reassuring fact that you’ve done something big that you’ve wanted to do and you are rewarded for your efforts.”

Linscott is certainly a player worth rewarding. In 2020, she won the Kansas Women’s Senior Amateur and has earned multiple Low Senior awards, including the 2022 Kansas Women’s Amateur and 2022 Prairie Invitational.

Linscott is in her second year as the Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach at Park University, she serves on the Central Links Golf Board of Directors and is a member of the Prairie Invitational Committee. “Martha is one of the most consistently good players in our area and a great ambassador for the game. Not only does she compete and represent Kansas in a positive way on the national stage, but she also works as a mentor to encourage young people to compete as well,” said Central Links Golf Executive Director, Doug Habel.

At 52 years old, Linscott is fairly new to the scene of senior competitions. She spent the years before turning 50 competing with younger golfers to qualify for events like the US Women’s Amateur and US Women’s Mid-Amateur. Where previously she wasn’t eligible to compete in the Women’s Senior Amateur and Women’s Senior Open, Linscott says “The best part is that when you turn 50 you think that your career might be coming to an end, but it gets a lot better because now you can qualify for two more tournaments!”

She enjoys competing because “It’s all me, either I’m going to play well or I’m not. It’s an individual thing, and I like that. If I’ve worked really hard, it pays off, and if I have slacked off in an area, it’s going to show up,” Linscott said. One key to her success through the years has been learning how to control her mind to think positively throughout the round. She comments that it’s something she is also trying to teach her team at Park University, “You’ve got to be able to control your body and mind and I think that’s fascinating. You have to have enough confidence in your ability.”

Martha’s 2022 Resume

JUNE

  • Qualifies for US Women’s Senior Amateur

JULY

  • Kansas Women’s Amateur Low Senior
  • Prairie Invitational Low Senior
  • Qualifies for US Women’s Senior Open
  • US Women’s Senior Amateur – Anchorage Golf Course, Alaska

AUGUST

  • Qualifies for US Women’s Mid-Amateur
  • US Women’s Senior Open – NCR Country Club, Ohio

SEPTEMBER

  • US Women’s Mid-Amateur – Fiddlesticks Country Club, Florida

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.


Thrilling Finish at the Kansas Women’s Amateur

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.

Full results >>

KS Women’s Amateur Day 1 Recap

Ladies Wrap Up Play During Day 1 of the 2022 Kansas Women’s Amateur Championship

TOPEKA, KS – Day 1 of the Kansas Women’s Amateur has ended with the completion of Rounds 1 & 2, hosted at The Topeka Country Club in Topeka, KS Monday evening. The event is sponsored by Mommy’s Helper.

The 2022 Kansas Women’s Amateur has kicked off at The Topeka Country Club, a golf course with a rich history of hosting Kansas Championships. The field of 56 is filled with the top players in the state, fighting for the Women’s Amateur trophy in our 54-hole championship. With few clouds in the sky and the sun shining all over, the course was in perfect shape, playing at 6,029 yards. The tree-lined golf course has the feel of an old-style country club, with narrow fairways and slick greens, adding a challenge to the championship.

As the wind started to pick up later in the evening, players faced more challenges towards the end of the round, except for Emerie Schartz and Megan Whittaker, who both shot under-par rounds today. Emerie shot a 70 in Round 1 with five birdies and two bogies, and a 76 in Round 2 to put her at even par through Day 1. Megan Whittaker finished Round 1 with a 77, but turned on the fire in Round 2 with five birdies and two bogies, ending with a score of 70 and putting her at 1 over par through Day 1.

The final round of the Kansas Women’s Amateur Championship continues tomorrow as Emerie Schartz and Megan Whittaker battle to secure the win. With multiple scores just above par, the race will be tight as the first group of ladies tee off at 7:30 a.m. CT. Live scoring will be posted throughout the day, and available on our website.

Acuff Victorious at KC Women’s Match Play

The Kansas City Women’s Match Play presented by Granite Garage Floors was held this week at Hillcrest Golf Course.

Aristelle Acuff, a graduate student on the Georgia State Women’s Golf Team, was victorious at the Kansas City Women’s Match Play on Wednesday. Acuff who was the two seed, defeated Abby Glynn the one seed 3&2 in the final match.

Acuff, who shot 74 in the stroke-play qualifier said “the results from the stroke-play qualifying gave me a lot of confidence and momentum heading into match play. There were a lot of good players in the field, I thought I had put myself in a solid position to go all the way.”

Going into her final round she knew it would be a tough match. Glynn and Acuff were former teammates at Kansas University, “Abby is a great golfer and we have a very similar golf game. I just wanted to keep it simple and stay in the moment,” Acuff noted.

On the 7th hole, a par-three, Acuff hit a solid tee shot into the green and stuck it to about three feet. Without missing a beat, Glynn followed it up by hitting her tee shot a similar distance from the hole. “I think that sums up the type of golf that was played today,” Acuff said, “It was a blast getting to play against Abby. I got this one, but I know Abby will be waiting for the next one!”

In the Silver Bracket, Sam Maceli defeated Faith Hedges 3&2.

Full results from the event can be found here.

Wolff & Perkins Secure First Spring Triple Threat Title

It was a beautiful day on Monday at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wichita for the Spring Triple Threat. Thank you to the staff and members for hosting and helping make the event go smoothly!

Results

Overall Gross: Abby Wolff & Hannah Perkins
Overall Net: Donna Nelson & Karen Brown

Flight 1
Low Gross:
1st: Jennifer Slayton & Madison Slayton
2nd: Denise Desilet & Patricia Sherwood
Low Net:
1st: Paula Routon & Shirley Blick
2nd: Jordan Boone & Susan Mueller

Flight 2
Low Gross:
1st: JoAnn McCormack & Teri Wray
2nd: Peggy Ricketts & Rose Schuh
Low Net:
1st: Jennifer Fry & Nancy Knopp
2nd: Deb Hager & Janet Ast

Flight 3
Low Gross:
1st: Kathy Thomas & Lora Walenz
2nd: Deb Slater & Holly Anderson
Low Net:
1st: Deb Christian & Lori Payne
2nd: Barb Fisher & Vicki Worrell

Flight 4
Low Gross:
1st: Paula Gill & Shirley West
2nd: Cindy Langlois & Rhonda Scheffler
Low Net:
1st: Jane Farmer & Marci Williams
2nd: Donna Roth Hillis & Mary Troy

Closest to the Pin
Hole 6: Missy Donaldson
Hole 9: Karen Brown
Hole 13: Julie Young
Hole 17: Deb Nittler

2022 Season Spotlight

The 2022 season is approaching quickly! Central Links Golf can’t wait to see everyone out on the golf course after the long off-season. Interested in playing in an event for the first time? Whether it’s junior, senior, men, or women’s event you are looking for, here’s a quick guide to some of our events!

Click here to sign into your Golf Genius player account to enter online for events.

Women’s Events:

KS Women’s Amateur | Topeka Country Club | July 11 & 12

The KS Women’s Amateur is open to female amateur golfers with an active handicap with CLG. This event includes 54 holes of stroke play and play between 5800 to 6200 yards.

KC Women’s Match Play | Hillcrest Golf Club | June 20 – 22

This championship is open to any female amateur golfers with an active handicap with CLG. Ladies will participate in an 18-hole stroke-play qualifying round and the top 32 scores will advance to match play in the Championship or Silver Bracket.

Tee Fore Two Championship | Salina Country Club | August 29 & 30

This fun, team event includes one round of four-ball and one round of Chapman alternate shot. Bring a friend and play as a team in one of our more laidback events! The field will be split into flights based on team handicap index and includes net winners as well as gross.

Men’s Events:

KS Four-Ball | Eagle Bend Golf Course | June 11 & 12

One of our most popular team events, the KS Four-Ball also serves as a Heart of America Match Play qualifier. Teams of two compete in two rounds of four-ball with gross scoring only and in two divisions: open and masters. This event is open to all male amateur golfers regardless of age or affiliation. The top 8 teams will qualify for the HOA Championship.

KC Amateur | The Golf Club at Creekmoor | July 29 – 31

This city amateur includes 54 holes of stroke play over three days with five different divisions players can compete under: open, senior, players, super seniors, and legends. Players will compete in gross and net scoring depending on the division and there is a cut after the first 36 holes.

Senior Events:

KS Senior Amateur | Terradyne Country Club | August 15 & 16

This stroke play event is open to male amateur golfers aged 50 or older. Players will compete in 36 holes of stroke play in one of two divisions: senior and super senior. Players that wish to compete in the overall championship must enter the senior division.

KC Senior Match Play | Hillcrest Golf Club | July 6 – 8

This match play event is open to senior male amateur golfers aged 50 or older and with a GHIN handicap index of 8.0 or lower. The field is limited to 30 players. Players compete in an 18-hole stroke-play qualifying round and the top 16 scores will advance to match play.

Junior Events:

KS Junior Amateur | Ironhorse Golf Club | June 13-15

Our premier junior event of the summer includes 54 holes of stroke play over three days. This event is open to any junior amateur golfer with an active handicap index with CLG. Male golfers will be placed into a division based on their age and the girls will play in one division together. A cut after the first 36 holes is made in each division.

Sadie Park Sunflower Girls Championship | Emporia Golf Course | August 5 & 6

A newer event is offered to any female amateur golfer with an active handicap with CLG. A fun event that includes 36 holes of stroke play over two days and played at a Kansas High School State golf site. This year it will be held at Emporia Golf Course. All levels are encouraged and there is no handicap index requirement. This is a fun event for all girls to play in before school starts back in the fall.

KC Junior Tour | KS Junior Tour | June & July

Between the two tours, CLG offers over 30 events for junior golfers during the summer. For more information on junior tour registration and schedule, please see our junior tour page here.

These events are just a few options available for all golfers. For a full slate of events offered, click here!