Category: Women’s Golf

Tilma Claims Kansas Women’s Amateur Title

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Newton, KS – Kate Tilma, Wichita, won the Kansas Women’s Amateur Tuesday shooting 74-71-74-219 (+3). This is Tilma’s second Amateur victory of the summer. Last month, she won the Kansas Junior Amateur in Salina, KS. There has never been another woman in the history of Kansas women’s golf to hold both titles in the same year.

When asked how she felt about holding both titles in the same year she said “It’s a great honor to be able to play, it’s good for the hard work that I put into both.”

Abby Glynn, Unversity of Kansas golfer, also made a run for the Kansas Women’s Amateur title. Glynn, hot off her win at the Missouri Women’s Amateur just two weeks ago, made a push in the final round today shooting an even-par, 72. Going into 18, both Glynn and Tilma were tied at four-over-par for the tournament.

Going into 18, Tilma knew she needed to either birdie or par in order to win. She proceeded to make a 20-foot birdie putt to win the championship and overall Low Junior. “I just wanted to give it enough to have a chance at going in,” Tilma said.

Madison Slayton, Wichita State University golfer, held the lead after rounds one and two on Monday. Although Slayton carded only one birdie on her scorecard today, she finished in third place.

The 2021 Kansas Women’s Amateur will be held at Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover, KS.

Full Results >>

Pictures >>

Day 1: Slayton leads at Kansas Women’s Amateur

Newton, KS – The Kansas Women’s Amateur is underway at Sand Creek Station. Madison Slayton leads by two strokes.

Slayton, an incoming freshman on the Wichita State University golf team, shot 70-73-143 (-2) at Sand Creek Station today. Slayton found success throughout her day, carding a total of nine birdies.

There is a crowd on the leader board for second place. Megan Whittaker, junior at the University of Nebraska, shot 72-73-145. Kate Tilma, 2020 Kansas Junior Amateur Champion, shot 74-71-145. Most notably, Thirteen-year-old Kinslea Jones shot 76-69-145. Jones had 5 birdies and one eagle during her second round.

Also at the top of the leader board is 2019 Kansas Women’s Mid-Am Champion, Katy Winters. Winters, a former Kansas University golfer, shot 75-71-145. During the afternoon, she had five birdies on holes 6, 9, 10, 16, and 18.

Competitors played 36 holes on Monday at Sand Creek Station Golf Course. They will finish the event with 18 holes on Tuesday morning.

View full results >>

Media Package available upon request. Contact: Baile Stephenson baile@clgolf.org

DeVoe & Studley Lead at Tee Fore Two

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Hays, KS – Susan DeVoe and Alane Studley hold the first round lead in the Tee Fore Two Championship at Smoky Hill CC. Windy conditions prevailed from the start this morning and picked up as the day progressed. Smoky Hill CC is in top condition for the championship, and the fast greens coupled with the windy conditions made for a difficult back nine.

Judy Morris and Jaci Weber or Derby, Kansas and Jayne Clarke (Hays) and Terri Albers (Oakley) were keeping pace with DeVoe and Studley through the front nine. DeVoe and Studley rounded the difficult back nine in 1-under par 35. Morris/Weber and Clarke/Albers were both over par on the back as the winds picked up. DeVoe and Studley lead by four shots heading into the challenging Chapman Alternate Shot format on Tuesday, which is setting up for another day of strong winds.

In the Net Division, Valerie Wente and Lien Quan, both of Hays, lead with a score of 4-under par 68. Wente and Quan also played the back nine well, finishing with a 4-under 32. They lead Paula Routon and Shirley Blick of Wichita by two shots, and Jettie Bexek (Ottawa) and Kathy Thomas (Lee’s Summit, MO) by three shots.

Tomorrow’s Alternate Shot round will begin at 8:00am.

Kansas Women’s | Mid-Amateur

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Manhattan, KS – Carmen Titus was all smiles after a fantastic come-from-behind victory in the Kansas Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship today at Colbert Hills GC in Manhattan, Kansas.  This year was especially sweet since it was the championship that got away from her least season.

The field maintained the positions they started in for the most part through the front nine, but the momentum shifted as the final group made the turn.  First round leader Meghan Stasi started the back nine with an uncharacteristic double bogey on the 10th, and a triple bogey on the 11th.  Suddenly, Titus had made up four strokes of the six-stroke deficit she had at the turn.  Stasi got one back with a par to Titus’s bogey on the 12th hole, then another with a birdie on #13.  Titus had a strong finish starting with the 14th hole.  Stasi made triple bogey at the difficult hole as the wind was really picking up, while Titus carded a steady bogey.  Titus made two more birdies at #15 and #16 and finished with two strong pars as the wind continued to howl. 

Titus said after the round that this win felt good after losing a big lead last year at about the point on the course where this year’s championship turned around for her. “It was fun being in this position this year after being where Meghan was last year.  I got to be the chaser.” “I just tried to play my own game…I tried to play smart and make pars and let her come back to me, and it worked.”  Titus has a Kansas City Women’s Match Play Championship under her belt and has qualified for several USGA Mid-Amateur Championships including advancing to match play in 2018.  After a great win over a player with multiple national championship wins, she can head into the next qualifying season knowing she can play with anyone in the field.

Alane Studley took home the Overall Net title after a very steady two rounds of play.  She had a rocky stretch on the back nine going bogey-double bogey-bogey on holes #12 through #14.  She regained her composure and finished strong even as the winds were picking up.  Ashley Childers fired a net 74 today including a birdie and an eagle on the back nine, but it wasn’t enough to counter Studley’s consistency.

The next Central Links Golf women’s event is June 15-16 at Smoky Hill CC in Hays, KS at the Tee Fore Two Championship which includes one round of Four Ball and one round of Chapman Alternate Shot.

Click here for complete results.

Manhattan, KS – The Kansas Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship is underway under hot and difficult conditions at Colbert Hills GC in Manhattan, KS. Meghan Stasi, four-time US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion, leads the field at 1-under par.

Stasi had a very steady round with nothing more than a bogey on her card.  She was under par on the difficult par 5s.  Chasing her is Audrey Judd (former University of Nebraska player), Carmen Titus (former Rockhurst University player), and Chloe Kraus (assistant coach at Baker University).  Judd, Titus, and Kraus all gave up some strokes on the par 5s but have plenty of firepower to make a comeback in round two.  Defending champion Katy Winters (Andover, KS) is not out of reach in spite of carding two triple bogeys in her round.  Winters and Martha Linscott (Mission Hills, KS) are tied for 5th with scores of 79.

Alane Studley of St. Joseph, MO leads the Net Division at even par.  Studley finished strong on the difficult back nine.  She kept the ball in play nicely and managed the difficult 10th hole carding one of the few pars in the field.

Play will resume with the final round tomorrow at 7:30am.  The Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship is held annually for women age 20+ who are not on a college golf roster for the fall. 

Click here for complete results.

2021 Kansas Women’s Amateur Site Announced

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Lenexa, KS – Central Links Golf is very pleased to announce that the 2021 Kansas Women’s Amateur Championship will be held at Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover, Kansas on July 12-13, 2021.

“We’ve had a real influx of female talent in Kansas in the past few years, and we want to showcase that talent by hosting the Kansas Women’s Amateur at Flint Hills National. This will be a good test for the ladies and we’re excited about having them here in 2021.” – Dave Henson, Head Golf Professional at Flint Hills National

Flint Hills National Golf Club is a private golf club designed by Tom Fazio.  It has received many accolades including:

  • Ranked in Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses
  • Ranked as one of the Best New Private Courses – 1998
  • Ranked in the top 10 of America’s Best Private Golf Retreats
  • Hosted USGA Junior Amateur Championship in 2017
  • Hosted the Trans-Miss Amateur in 2003, 2009, and 2015
  • Hosted USGA Men’s Senior Amateur Championship in 2007
  • Hosted USGA Women’s Amateur Championship in 2001

“We are certain that Flint Hills National will identify a worthy Kansas Women’s Amateur Champion next year.  The beauty and challenge of the golf course will be something special that the competitors will remember for years to come,” said Jacque Madison, championship director.

A priority entry period will be granted to all Central Links Golf members who participate in the 2020 Kansas Women’s Amateur Championship.  Make sure to register this year for the best chance at gaining entry to next year’s event.

Golfers who wish to play in the 2020 Women’s Amateur can register here.

KC Women’s | Match Play

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Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Women’s Match Play wrapped up this morning at Swope Memorial Golf Course with a fantastic match in the Championship Bracket.

Sera Tadokoro (Japan/University of Kansas) and Jessica Haraden (Westlake Village, CA/University of Nebraska) had a back and forth match early on.  Tadokoro took a 2-up lead with pars on #7 and #8.  Haraden made a charge winning holes #9 and #10 to even the match.  Haraden had a great up-and-down par save to win hole #11 and take a 1-up lead.  The pair tied the next two holes, before Tadokoro won #14 and #15 to reverse the tide.  Haraden had another great par save on #16 to tie the hole, and they went to #17 tee with Tadokoro 2-up.  Tadokoro hit a big drive and reached the par-5 #17 in two strokes, making a birdie to claim the hole and the match 2&1.

Rosie Klausner (Olathe/Central Missouri) jumped out to an early 2-up lead on Ellen Port (St. Louis, MO) and never looked back.  She claimed holes #1 and #2 with pars, and the match turned with Klausner remaining 2-up.  Klausner made a spectacular birdie at #10 to gain a 3-up advantage.  Port took advantage of an opening and won #11 with a par after Klausner’s approach found the left bunker.  Klausner closed out the match 4&3 with a birdie at #15.  Port continued praised Klausner’s tremendous play today at the end of the match.

The players had great praise for Swope Memorial GC.  The conditions were superb during the championship, and the set-up is good for match play with a number of risk/reward holes on both sides.  

Click here for complete results.

Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Women’s Match Play has delivered as expected – great golf from an exceptionally strong field.  As the semi-final rounds concluded today at Swope Memorial Golf Course, the matches were close with most extending past the 16th hole.

Jessica Haraden (Westlake Village, CA/University of Nebraska) took an early lead in her match but was continually challenged by her opponent Abby Glynn (Topeka/University of Kansas).  Haraden made a clutch birdie putt on the 16th hole with Glynn just a couple feet away for birdie to go to the 17th hole two holes up.  Glynn won the 17th hole with a birdie to extend the match.  The 18th hole was tied with pars, and Haraden claimed the match 1-up.  Both players were under par for the match.

Sera Tadokoro (Japan/University of Kansas) took an early lead in her semi-final match and closed out her opponent Kirsten Baete (Beatrice, NE/University of Nebraska) 6&5.

Seven-time USGA champion Ellen Port had a back and forth match with her opponent Lauren Thiele (Wahoo, NE).  Port evened the match on the 15th hole and took a 1-up lead with a birdie at 16.  Thiele found a penalty area off the 17th tee.  Port went on to win the 17th hole and the match 2&1.

Rosie Klausner (Olathe/Central Missouri) and Libby Green (Shawnee) had a back and forth match as well trading holes early on, then making the turn even.  Klausner won 10 and 11 to go 2-up.  The pair traded holes on 12 and 13.  Green won 16 and 17 to even the match.  Klausner finally won the match with a par on the 20th hole to go 1-up.

“This is a great match play course.  There are opportunities for birdies, but six-foot putts are not easy here,” said Port.  “I am grateful to have something to play in with most of the USGA Championships being cancelled this season.  It is fun to get out and compete again, and you have to play great golf here to beat people.”

Tomorrow’s Championship matches begin at 8:00am with Sera Tadokoro taking on Jessica Haraden in the Championship Bracket, and Ellen Port playing Rosie Klausner in the Silver Bracket.

Click here for complete results.

The Walking Golfer’s Guide to Golf Gear

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Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of golfers choosing to walk over riding in a cart. We’ve been a big fan of this trend for years, as walking is said to be good for heart health and weight loss, among several other health benefits. As a staff, we put together a list of our favorite golf products for walking the course.

Get a push cart.

The stigma for golfers who use a push cart isn’t what it used to be. After Dr. Neil Wolkodoff, medical director of the Colorado Center for Health and Sports Science conducted a study on the physical benefits of using a push cart, golfers began seeing push carts as a competitive advantage. He is quoted in this Golf Digest article saying “people who push a cart have a lot fewer [health] issues, and a lot less potential for issues. The golf swing is tough on the back no matter how you look at it. If you can use a push cart and keep one more stress away from the back that’s a great thing.” As for what type of push cart to get, we recommend Clicgear. Customize your color and swag all you want, this push cart is lightweight and easy to travel with from course to course.

Put your walking shoes on.

Our staff raves about the performance of FootJoy’s MyJoy Pro SL (Women’s Link). A simple Google search will prove this model has been named The #1 Shoe in Golf. Made with Fined Tuned Foam, this shoe is perfect for walking the course.

Sun protection is key.

When you are walking, you don’t have the added shade protection that you might find in a cart. Here are some of our favorite products for keeping your skin out of the sun.

SParms Sun Sleeves – The market has really grown for golfers wearing sun-protective clothing. SParms has been very popular on the LPGA Tour and the company has styles for both men and women. Sun sleeves are designed to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The sun sleeves from SParms are accredited with UPF50+ by ARPANSA, as they are an Australian company. Contrary to some belief, sun sleeves create a cooling effect on the skin when worn.

Alba Botanica Maximum Sunscreen– This Reef Safe sunscreen is easy to apply and is made without harmful ingredients. Proper use is important in order for sunscreen to work as intended. Read more about sunscreen safety here.

Prizm Golf from Oakley – These sunglasses were made for golfers. Oakley claims the Prizm model is engineered to help you spot transitions between the fairway, fringe and rough, and gauging distance with accuracy to help you read the course better.

It’s all in the bag.

Whether you are into an athletic style or traditional, these bag options have you covered.

PING – A classic athletic golf bag, made to be carried. The Hoofer Lite model weighs in a whopping five pounds, making it the perfect carry bag.

Nelson Hill – Each Nelson Hill bag is uniquely handcrafted in limited quantities in the heart of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. Made from heavy waxed canvas and thick, luxurious Horween leather, this bag is made for style and function.

No more rangefinders.

Our Executive Director, Doug Habel, is a big fan of the Golfshot App – Whether you are using an Apple Watch or another smart device, this app will help you play your best on nearly any course. Some features include GPS distances, scoring & statistics, Golfscape AR, GHIN Handicap Index, and voice assistant.

Whether you have been walking for years or just started last week, we hope you find these suggestions helpful! We’re always on the hunt for the next great golf gadget. What are some of your favorite golf products you can’t live without?

Ladies Golf Gab

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Join us for women’s golf conversations, virtually.

We are feeling the itch to get out and play some golf, however, we know that might not be possible for most women throughout KC and KS. 

We will be hosting a weekly webchat with Central Links Golf staff and area female golf professionals covering all things golf – Rules, Handicapping, swing tips, fitness, stretching, drills, and more. Get your golf on with our golf nerds.

Schedule: 

Sally Krystyn – Tuesday, March 31
Courtney Mahon – Tuesday, April 7
Penny Hickman – Tuesday, April 13
Kristen Samp – Tuesday, April 21
Wendi Brandt – Tuesday, April 28
Registration is free. All webinars will be held from 9:30-10:15 AM

Register for Conversations

Session One Recap

Click Here to watch the recorded session
Click Here to view the Handout; Click Here for Penalty Area Slides
Penalty Area Videos:
Lateral Relief
Red & Yellow Penalty Areas
Back on the Line Relief Procedure
If you are interested in doing online Yoga with Sally Krystyn you can join the Golf+Yoga+Life Facebook Group or email her for the information at golfwithsally@gmail.com

Session Two Recap

Click Here to watch the recorded session
Click Here to view the handout

Session Three Recap

Click Here to watch the recorded session
Click Here to view the handout from Penny Hickman
Click Here to view the Playing Conditions Calculation handout

Session Four Recap

Click Here to watch the recorded session
Click Here to view the WHS Handout
Click Here to view Kristen’s slides
Take the Rules of Golf Q&A Survey for next week!

Watch Kristen’s Course Management Videos
Intro Video
Managing Creeks
Putting from the Fringe
Mental Tip
Make a Strategic Plan
Plan for a Bogey
Plan for Adversity

Session Five Recap

Click Here to watch the recorded session
Click Here to view Wendi’s Slides

Esterline/Rugeles capture Gross Title, Dusenberry/Yacenda Claim Net Championship at Fall Triple Threat

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Terradyne CC, Andover, KS –  The Women’s Fall Triple Threat enjoyed a great fall afternoon for golf at Terradyne CC in Andover, Kansas.  Women from all over the state came together for the final championship of the season which features six holes of Four Ball, six holes of Chapman Alternate Shot, and six holes of Scramble.

Former Wichita State golfer Dani Rugeles (Bogota, Colombia) and partner Sabrina Esterline (Wichita) started the round with a rocky performance in the Four Ball format, but were flawless in the difficult Chapman Alternate Shot and the closing Scramble holes to win the Overall Gross championship with a 67 (-4).  The eagle on the par-5 17th hole helped seal the tournament over Alex Beury (Wichita) and Meghan Houtsma (Syracuse.)  Beury and Houtsma had a 3-stroke lead after the opening Four Ball, but couldn’t match Esterline/Rugeles’s firepower in the Chapman and Scramble.

In the Net Division, Brandi Dusenberry and Heather Yacenda, both of Wichita, dominated the Four Ball format and rode the early lead to claim the Overall Net title. Marcia Alterman/Patricia Sherwood (Wichita) and Lori Payne/Susan Cummings (Wichita) had strong performances, but were not able to overcome the five net eagles Dusenberry and Yacenda posted.

The tournament also featured play within four flights.  Esterline/Rugeles and Beury/Houtsma claimed first and second gross in First Flight, and Lori Payne/Susan Cummings and Nicolle Jausel/Ann Woods (Wichita) claimed first and second net.

In Second Flight, Marcia Alterman/Patricia Sherwood and Renee Montoya/Diana Jayne (Salina) won first and second gross, while Kathy Thomas/Sandy Siegfried (Hutchinson) and Darlene Allen/Phyllis Fast (Topeka) earned first and second net.

Deb Christiansen/Marci Williams (Wichita) and Janet Ast/Stephanie Welk (Wichita) won first and second gross in Third Flight, and Shirley West (Winfield)/Paula Gill (Wellington) and Carla Calvert (Wichita)/Jo Toner (Valley Center) took home the net honors.

In Fourth Flight, Tammy Blunt (Sedgwick)/Jeanne Tjaden (Wichita) and Barbara Dresselhaus/Judy Carlson (Wichita) claimed first and second gross, while Dusenberry/Yacenda and Vicki Bell/Susan Atha (Topeka) won first and second net.

The final event in the KGA/KCGA Women’s Player of the Year Series is the US Women’s Four Ball Qualifier next Tuesday.

Click Here for Complete Fall Triple Threat Results

Click Here for Women’s and Senior Women’s Player of the Year Standings

Campbell Wins Kansas Women’s Amateur by 6 Strokes

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Prairie Dunes CC, Hutchinson, KS –

Round 3 Update:

Campbell Wins Kansas Women’s Amateur by 6 Strokes

Alanna Campbell kept her lead throughout the day at the Kansas Women’s Amateur Tuesday. Campbell came into the day with all eyes on her to make a stunning victory at Prairie Dunes Country Club on the 100th Anniversary of the event. Campbell will add her name to the trophy that includes names such as Marilynn Smith and Judy Bell. She finished the tournament with rounds 73-66-72 (211), winning the event by 6 strokes over Rachel Stous. Stous was four-over-par on the day finishing at 73-68-76 (217), earning her Runner Up status.

Sera Tadokoro made strides throughout her day shooting 71 (-1), after birdies on holes 3, 5, 7, and 11 with an unfortunate double bogey finish on hole 18. Tadokoro finished in 3rd Place.

Kenni Henson of Derby, Kansas, finished her day under par after having only two bogies and three birdies on her scorecard. Henson finished in 4th place with a three day total of 75-75-71 (221).

Megan Propeck won the Low Junior Competition, after shooting 74-72-77 (223). Propeck finished in 5th overall and won Low Junior by 3 shots over Julia Misemer (226).

There were two Holes-In-One on Tuesday. Megan Lucas made her ace on 10th hole with her 7-iron from 160 yards. Faith Hedges made her ace on the 4th hole, just minutes after Lucas made hers. Hedges used her 5-iron from 150 yards.

The Kansas Golf Association thanks all the players, volunteers, and staff at Prairie Dunes Country Club. The 2020 Kansas Women’s Amateur Venue will be announced in the soon future.

 

Round 2 Update:

Alanna Campbell Leads at -5

As the weather was heating up, so was the leaderboard this afternoon at The Kansas Women’s Amateur.

Leading the way was Alanna Campbell with eight birdies on her round, shooting 66 (-6). Campbell had back-to-back birdies on holes 2&3, 5&6, and 11&12. She also had birdies on holes 9 and 18. The incoming Junior at Iowa State University, is not unfamiliar with having a scorecard full of birdies. Campbell had 90 birdies during the 2018-2019 collegiate season, with 9 coming from her round at the Mountain View Collegiate.

Rachel Stous, KC Women’s Match Play Champion and Fore-State Team Member, had an impressive afternoon. Making her way to solo second place, Stous had a bogey free round this afternoon and shot 68 (-4). Key holes on her day were birdies 5&6, the 13th hole where she saved par by making an up and down and birdies on 11&18.

Megan Propeck had a good afternoon, shooting even par and moving herself up the leaderboard. Propeck continues to lead the Low Junior Competition going into the final round tomorrow.

Sera Tadokoro finished the 36-hole day with a total at three-over-par, after shooting even par during Round 1.

Megan Whittaker, Round 1 Leader, moved a few spots back after shooting 78 (+6) during her second round of the day.

With a lot of excitement at the top of the leaderboard, all eyes will be on Campbell and Stous tomorrow as they take on the final round of The 2019 Kansas Women’s Amateur

Round 1 Update:

Whittaker Leads After Round 1

Blue skies and calm winds made for an exciting morning at The 2019 Kansas Women’s Amateur this morning at Prairie Dunes Country Club. With a field composed of 60 elite female amateur golfers, all competing for the title shared by great names such as Marilynn Smith and Judy Bell.  This marks the 100th anniversary of the championship, first played in 1919.

Round 1 was led by Megan Whittaker of Elkhorn, Nebraska. Whittaker started her round with a bogey on the par-3, 10th hole finishing her front-9 at one-over-par. She made great strides on her back nine, after birdieing hole 2 and making an eagle on the par-5, fifth hole. Whittaker finished her round shooting 71 (-1).

Sera Tadokoro, incoming Junior on the University of Kansas Women’s Golf Team, was just one shot back from Whittaker after the first round. Key holes for Tadokoro included three birdies in a row on holes 4-6. Other notable players include, Alanna Campbell and Rachel Stous who are tied for 3rd place after shooting 73 (+1).

Megan Propeck leads the Low Junior by 3 shots after this morning. Propeck made key birdies on holes 5, 11, and 13, shooting 74 (+2). Julia Misemer and Kayla Pfitzner were tied for second place in the Low Junior competition; both shot 77 (+5).

With another round in progress for this afternoon, a new set of leaders will emerge. The tournament will conclude on Tuesday afternoon. View results: http://www.kansascitygolfer.org/2019-kansas-womens-amateur/

2019 Prairie Invitational Player Preview

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The Prairie Invitational is a premier women’s event in Kansas City for amateur and professional players. Its purpose is to enhance women’s golf and junior women’s golf not only in the Kansas City area but on a regional level. Formerly known as the Women’s Amateur of Kansas City, the Prairie Invitational was founded to determine the best female golfer in the Midwest. The 2017 event was the first time the event was conducted over 54 holes in the Open Division and was also the first year the event was included in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

The championship includes two-separate divisions. The Open division is targeted toward expert level players and will be played at championship yardage of 6,100-6,200 yards. The Open Division features a cut to the low 18 players and ties after play on Tuesday with a final-round finish for those who advance on Wednesday. A 36-hole Players division will be for gross and net players who want to play from the traditional ladies’ tees.

The 2018 Prairie Invitational was held on July 23rd-July 25th at Indian Hills Country Club. It proved to be an excellent test of golf for both the Open and Players Divisions.  The tree-lined fairways and undulating greens made making par very difficult and gave up very few birdies. The course gave up a low single-round score of 71 (+1) and a record-high winning total of +14. Emma Whitaker of Wichita, Kansas claimed the Open Division title over defending champion Kristen Samp. She also won the Kansas Women’s Amateur title.  Reagan Zibilski of Nixa, Missouri won the Open Division Low Junior award, while Julia Misemer claimed the Kansas Low Junior. Hope Robinett won the Players Division Gross title, and her twin sister Hanna Robinett won the Players Division Net title.

The 2019 Prairie Invitational will be held at The National Golf Club of Kansas City in Parkville, Missouri on July 22-24, 2019 and will be run as an individual championship with the Kansas Women’s Amateur to be run in August.

Players to Watch

Sarah Bell

With the lowest handicap index of the field of +3.4, Sarah Bell already sticks out as a player to watch for this year’s championship. From Jackson, Missouri, Bell just finished her freshman year at Oral Roberts University. A two-time high school girls golf Champion at Notre Dame High School, Bell’s talent and proximity to the Kansas City area makes her a great choice to take away the trophy.

Kristen Samp

Kristen Samp is no stranger to the Prairie Invitational. Samp’s finishes in the Prairie include a tied for 2nd finish in 2016, Champion in 2017 and a runner-up finish in 2018 after losing in a playoff. Following a tenured professional career and competing on the LPGA Tour, Samp is a PGA/LPGA Professional in Lawrence, Kansas.

After a few years being at the top of the leaderboard in the Prairie Invitational, Samp’s experience in the event gives her the ability to win it all again.

Ellen Port

Ellen Port is a name you should know if you follow amateur golf. A seven-time USGA Champion, Port will be playing in the Prairie Invitational for the second year in a row. From St. Louis, Port is no stranger to the Kansas City area, and it showed with a tied for 5th finish in last year’s event.

Port’s Championship accolades include four US Women’s Mid-Amateur titles and three US Senior Women’s Amateur titles. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her add the 2019 Prairie Invitational to that already distinguished list.

Stacy Dennis

Stacy Dennis is set to make her first appearance in the Prairie Invitational. Executive Director of the Texas Golf Association, Dennis comes all the way from Plano, Texas to compete against a highly talented field.

Dennis’s playing career is not something that goes unnoticed. Dennis was a member of the Texas A&M Women’s Golf team and winner of two Texas Women’s Amateur Championships (2004, 2009). She also won the Women’s State Four-Ball Championship twice (2009, 2015) and was a US Women’s Mid-Amateur semifinalist in 2012.

Her knowledge of the game and experience competing at the highest level gives her an edge in this year’s event.

Emma Whitaker

Emma Whitaker is the current Defending Champion of the Prairie Invitational. Just finishing up her sophomore season at Oklahoma State, the 20-year-old is used to performing under pressure. After winning in a playoff over Samp, Whitaker completed one of the biggest wins of her career.

Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Whitaker is a talented young golfer that should thrive on a course like The National. It will be exciting to see how she fares as the defending champion.

Rachel Stous

Rachel Stous, a Topeka native, won the Kansas City Women’s Match Play in early June in record fashion – with a walk-off Hole-In-One to close out the match.  With length being a strong suit of her game, Stous should thrive on a modern course like The National and will be one of the few players in the field with ability to reach some of the long par-5 holes.  Stous has also advanced through the men’s Topeka City Match Play, winning matches against men while competing from the same tees the last two years.  She played one season at Wichita State and is set to represent Kansas on the Fore State team at the end of the month.

Haley Thiele

Haley Thiele just won her second Nebraska Women’s Amateur Championship in three years.  A standout for the University of Nebraska women’s program, she went deep in the KC Women’s Match Play Championship last month as well.  She will be joined by several of her teammates in the field.

Whitney Pyle

Whitney Pyle was a standout on the Kansas State University team. Whitney has been preparing to play LPGA Q-school in the fall with a solid off-season of play in Florida.