Three players found themselves under par at the Kansas City Amateur last weekend. Zach VanDolah won the Open Division shooting rounds of 72-72-70 (-3), Kit Grove finished in second place shooting 71-73-70 (-2), and Tyler McNeive shot 73-66-76 (-1) to earn Low Junior.
The Senior Division
In the Senior Division, Ed Brown won shooting 79-69-74 (+6), and Jon Platz tied for second with Steve Groom at seven-over-par.
The Super Senior Division
John Bailey won the Super Senior Division shooting even par 72-72-72 for his three rounds.
The Legends Division
Don Kuehn won the Legends Division shooting 73-72-74 (+3).
The Players Division
Song Kim won the Players Division shooting 86-78-70 (+18). Chris O’Dowd won overall Net in the division.
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.
The Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship took place July 18-23rd at Falcon Lakes Golf Club. The Championship began with a 36-hole stroke play qualifying round to make it into the round of 64 matches.
Zach Sokolosky found himself at the top of the leaderboard after round two, shooting an impressive 14 under par, 68-62, earning him the number one seed going into match play. “I was able to get my putter very hot which was a big confidence booster going into match play,” Sokolosky said.
In the round of 64 matches, Sokolosky defeated James Hill 3&2. In his second match, he won one up after 19 holes against Colby Unruh. During the round of 16 matches, Sokolosky defeated 2022 Kansas Amateur Champion, Asher Whitaker, 4&3. In the Quarterfinals he won 2&1 over Drew Carlson. In the Semifinals he defeated Chance Rinkol 1 up after 18 holes.
Sokolosky played against Michael Winslow, the 11 seed during the final match. Both Sokolosky and Winslow play on the Wichita State Men’s Golf Team. Winslow shot 72-66 (-6) during the qualifying rounds earlier in the week. The 36-hole final match was back and forth between Sokolosky and Winslow. After the first 18 holes, Sokolosky was 1 up. Winslow fought to tie the match throughout the second 18, however, Sokolosky birdied the 16th hole to push the match to 1 up. After ties on 17 and 18, Sokolosky won 1 up.
“This win means the world to me because I thought I had a chance to win the last two, maybe more. It was a long time coming and I was feeling very good with my game. I’m extremely happy to get it done this week,” Sokolosky said.
Facts:
Zach Sokolosky’s 36-hole stroke play total of 130 tied the Kansas Amateur record by Jesse Schulte at the 2002 Kansas Amateur at Tallgrass.
Zach Sokolosky’s second-round stroke play score of 62 broke the Kansas Amateur record for lowest stroke play round that was previously held by Jesse Schulte’s 64 during the first round of the 2002 Kansas Amateur.
That 62 by Sokolosky also tied the Falcon Lakes course record that was shot by Clay Devers about 10 years ago.
This isn’t a record, but just an observation. Zach is the first stroke play medalist since Sam Stevens in 2015 to go on to win the tournament after being medalist.
The 113th Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship began Tuesday at Falcon Lakes Golf Club. The players finished their starting round early Wednesday morning after two rain delays on Tuesday. The field comprises 144 players, 32 players are 18 or younger, and 14 players are over 50.
Park Ulrich led the tournament after round one, carding 65 (-7). Ulrich had nine birdies in his first round. He carded five birdies in his second round to score 70 (-2).
Zach Sokolosky will be the number one seed in Thursday’s round of match play. He carded 68-62-130 (-14) after the two rounds. Sokolosky tied Falcon Lakes course record, scoring 62 (-10) in his second round. He had nine birdies, an eagle, and a bogey to finish his incredible round.
There was a play-off between eight players for two remaining spots in the match play. Brian Freeman made a birdie on the second hole to advance, and James Hill birdied the fourth hole to advance.
Players to watch this week are Alex Springer (-11), who is in sole second; Jacob Lackey and Park Ulrich (-9), tied for third; Nathaniel Spencer, Ian McCrary, and Will King (-8), tied for fifth place.
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).
Kansas City Junior and Senior Match Play Championship, presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City, took place this week at Shoal Creek Golf Course. The tournament began on Wednesday morning with an 18-hole stroke-play qualifying round.
JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION
In the Junior Girls Division, Emree Cameron fired an impressive 66 (-5) on Friday’s qualifying round, earning her the number one seed going into match play. She didn’t slow down, in the round of 16 matches she defeated Gabby Vineyard 6&5. In Thursday’s Quarterfinal match, she defeated Reagan Kauthn 6&5, and in the Semifinal match, she won 1 up over Liz Lyons. Cameron faced Hadley Neese in the Final match, winning 8&7. “I just wanted to go out and play some good golf,” Cameron said, “and I birdied the first hole; I was just kind of on fire from there.”
JUNIOR BOYS DIVISION
In the Junior Boys Division, Nick Nickloy was crowned Champion on Friday afternoon. Nickloy shot 72 (+1) in Wednesday’s qualifying round earning him the 13-seed going into the round of 16 matches. Nickloy defeated Noah Holtzman 5&4 in his first match. In the Quarterfinal match, he defeated Elliott Cowden 3&1, and in the Semifinal match, he defeated Peyton Smith 3&1. In Friday’s Finals, Nickloy won 1 up over Jacob Fratzel. “I started out playing some tough guys, but won those early matches which led me to the win,” Nickloy said.
SENIOR DIVISION
Ed Brown won the KC Senior Match Play after defeating RJ Oplinger 2&1 on Friday. Brown shot 72 (+1) during the qualifying round and won his first match against Michael Bickley 3&1. In the Quarterfinals Brown defeated Jon Platz 1 up, and in the Semifinals he defeated Johnathan Valuck 6&5. After making some changes to his driver, Brown said that his driver was “his biggest weapon” this week.
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.”
The Final Round of the Kansas Junior Amateur concluded late Wednesday afternoon at Carey Park Golf Course. Tyler Strong won the Boys title, beating Drew Krystyn in a playoff. Emerie Schartz won the event in the Girls Division by four strokes over Kinslea Jones.
Strong was steady finishing even after the first nine but turned on the heat when he made the turn. Krystyn was strong from the start carding six birdies on the front nine. Strong had four birdies coming in, including a clutch birdie on the 18th green to score a three-day total of 71-66-69-206 (-7). Krystyn stalled a little on the back nine, scoring even par and a three-day total of 69-70-67-206 (-7). Strong and Krystyn headed to 18 tee for a playoff. Strong had the advantage on the first playoff hole with a tee shot in the fairway and then stuffed his approach shot to 6 feet. With another birdie, Tyler Strong claimed the KS Junior Amateur Championship.
Schartz had six birdies in her final round to have a three-day score of 68-67-67-202 (-11). She was steady all day, carding two of her birdies on the last three holes. Defending Champion, Kinslea Jones, played well but just couldn’t get enough putts to drop, carding three birdies and two bogeys. Emerie Schartz was thrilled with her score and finish as the Girls’ Junior Amateur Champion and enjoyed the competitiveness with Jones and Meg Tilma.
Thank you to Carey Park Golf Course for hosting the Championship, and thank you to all the players for making it a memorable week.
Round two of the Kansas Junior Amateur started early Wednesday morning. This was the last day to ensure a spot in the final round on Thursday.
Leading the tournament for the Boys Division after the second round were Tyler Strong and Carson Wright at five-under (137). Meg Tilma and Emerie Shartz are tied for the lead at seven-under (135) in the Girls Division.
Strong carded six birdies to score a 66 on Wednesday after shooting even par during his First Round. He did not card a bogey until eighteen, which helped Strong keep a good mindset throughout his entire round. Wright had a strong second round, carding seven birdies to ensure his tie for the lead at five-under. He putted incredibly well and used that momentum to push through his round.
Schartz followed up her three-under round on Tuesday by shooting four-under to ensure her a tie for the lead. She had a three-putt bogey on her front nine but made four birdies coming in to finish strong. Tilma carded four birdies in her second round to score a 70 (-1). She had a lot of good ups-and-downs which helped her keep a good mindset for her second round.
Players to watch in the Boys Division tomorrow are Peyton Smith (-4), third place; and Elliott Cowden, Parker Bennett, Drew Krystyn, Connor Geist, Noah Holtzman, Ty Adkins, Lane Workman, and Myles Tarvin (-3), tied for fourth place. Players to watch in the Girls Division tomorrow are Kinslea Jones (-6), third place, and Ella Slicker (E), fourth place.
The Kansas Junior Amateur Championship started early Tuesday morning. The field is comprised of 127 boys and 29 girls playing in the Amateur Championship hosted at Carey Park Golf Course.
Leading the tournament for the Boys Division after the first round is Noah Holtzman & Jacob Fratzel at five-under (66). Leading the Girls Division is Meg Tilma at six-under (65).
Holtzman started his round with a bogey but did not let it affect the rest of his day. Holtzman carded 6 birdies and an eagle on number 12. Fratzel had a great round carding 6 birdies and a bogey to ensure his tie for the lead.
Tilma was consistent throughout the day, carding a bogey-free round. Tilma leads the field by a stroke with Defending Champion Kinslea Jones right behind. Jones carded a 66 (-5), with only one bogey on number 7 and six total birdies.
Players to watch this week for the Boys Division are Maddix Shook (-4), finished sole third place; and Jaydon Carruthers, Peyton Smith, Colt Farrow, Elliott Cowden, & Blake Winter (-3), tied for fourth. Players to watch in the Girls Division are Emerie Schartz (-3), third place, and Ella Slicker (-2), fourth.
