The first thing Connor Knabe and Ben Fernandez did once they laid their eyes on the Heart of America trophy was begin looking for past Kansas State alumni who once held the same honor before them.
The pair can now rest assured that their names will join the likes of other Wildcats who were crowned Heart of America champions.
Knabe and Fernandez cemented themselves in the tournament’s history by defeating Alex Higgs and Park Ulrich 6 and 5 at Milburn Country Club.
The Kansas Golf Association’s top seeded team held a 4 up advantage through 18 holes, before Higgs and Ulrich, the Kansas City Golf Association’s No. 3 seed, cut the lead to three holes on the 22nd hole.
Unfortunately for Higgs and Ulrich, Knabe and Fernandez ripped off back-to-back birdies on the 28th and 29th hole, and put the match away for good with a birdie after 31 holes.
Knabe and Fernandez punched their finals ticket by knocking off Preston Fleenor, the 2016 Kansas City Amateur champion, and his teammate Chase Hanna, the 2015 Watson Challenge champion.
Higgs and Ulrich made it to the championship round by defeating Jeff Bell and Jon Platz.
For full results from the Heart of America tournament, click here.
