The votes are in and the electors have spoken. The Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame will induct four new members on October 27th.
This year’s honorees include two accomplished amateurs, one long-time golf professional and an innovator in club making.
Leading the Class of 2026 is Jeff Burey. After serving as head professional at the prestigious Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, Burey moved to Wolf Creek Golf Links as Head Professional and General Manager. He stayed there for more than 26 years before moving on to become General Manager at Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, KS.
His involvement in junior golfer development includes establishment of the KAW Valley Junior Golf Foundation, The First Tee, SNAG (Starting New At Golf), Wee Links and he is Currently Director of Golf in Schools programs for the Midwest Section PGA.
Ron Brewer is an 18-time champion in state tournaments who also qualified for twelve USGA championships. At the 1997 US Senior Open he not only made the cut, he finished as the third-low amateur. He has played in four consecutive US Senior Amateurs, the British Seniors Open Amateur and represented Kansas at the USGA State Team Championship in 1997 and 1999. He was named Kansas Player of the Decade for the 1990’s.
Pioneer custom club maker Kenneth Smith revolutionized the club making business with his personalized fitting chart which streamlined the ordering process long before there was an internet. He held over 25 patents for such mainstays as the swing weight scale, and the perforated leather grip.
Smith’s legacy lives on through the Kenneth L. and Eva S. Smith Foundation which recognizes the top male and female high school golfers each year. The foundation also supports area causes like the First Tee and Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Completing this year’s class is WW II Veteran, Missouri Amateur Champion and two-time Heart of America Champion, Bob Willits. Even after suffering life threatening injuries in an auto accident in 1951, Willits won numerous championships including the Kansas City Senior, the Broadmoor (CO) World Seniors, the Missouri Senior and runner-up in the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am with his godson, Tom Watson.
Willits served on numerous Boards, was President of the KCGA, the MGA, the Trans-Miss and the World Seniors Golf Association and served as Treasurer of the USGA in 1989.
Induction ceremonies will be held on October 27, 2026, at Blue Hills Country Club. Festivities are scheduled to kick off at 5:00 PM.
The public is invited to attend. Reservations can be made by contacting Doug Habel at Central Links Golf 913-649-5242 or email at doug@clgolf.org.