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 >>

Juniors & Seniors Shine at KC Match Play Championship

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.

Junior Results >>

Senior Results >>

Strong, Wright, Tilma, & Schartz Lead the Kansas Junior Amateur into the Final Round

Round 2 Results >>

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.

Pairings and Tee Times for Tomorrow >>

Round One of the Kansas Junior Amateur

Round One Results>>

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.

Round two begins at 8:00 Wednesday morning.

Pairings & Living Scoring for Tomorrow can be found here>>

Hogan & Lyons Win KC Junior Championship

The 2023 Kansas City Junior Championship, presented by Granite Garage Floors, was held at Winterstone Golf Course in Independence, Missouri, and concluded on Tuesday, June 6th.

Alex Hogan won the event for the boys at five-under for the two days. Hogan carded two rounds of 71-68 for a 36-hole total of 139. Liz Lyons won the event for the girls at six-over-par the two days. Lyons went 74-73 for a two-day tournament total of 147.

Alex Hogan claimed his first Central Links Champion event at five-under. He was tied for fourth, scoring one-under, after the first round at the KC Junior Championship. However, Hogan started his final round strong with a birdie on number one. He ended the day with five birdies and one bogey. Jacob Frazel finished runner-up after his first round of shooting even par. Frazel had two eagles in his final round, which helped him finish three-under. He claimed solo second, beating Benjamin Wheeler, Tyler Strong, and Jack Randall by one stroke. 

Liz Lyons started Monday’s round with a birdie on the second hole and a double bogey on the fourth. However, she stayed in it and finished her day two-over, leading the tournament by one stroke. In the final round, Lyons started with two bogeys but kept her head in there and birdied fourteen and sixteen for a nice comeback. Lyons claimed her first Central Links Junior Championship title at three-over par.

Alexa Garrett earned runner-up, finishing the tournament at nine-over-par. On Monday, Garrett had a tough day finishing her round with three double-bogeys. However, she was on a hot streak in the final round, finishing the day with six birdies. Garrett ended her final-round one over and beat Lynn Powell by one stroke to claim solo second.

Benjamin Wheeler, Tyler Strong, and Jack Randall tied for third place at two-under. Lynn Powell and McKenzie Kelso tied for third place at ten-over.

Full Results >>

New Junior Events in 2023

Central Links Golf is excited to announce some new junior events in 2023! For the first time in a while, juniors will have the opportunity to play events outside of the summer season. Learn more about our new junior offerings below!

Girls Spring Swing Series

Introducing a girls-only spring series that is open to all playing abilities. Girls just need an active GHIN number with a CLG club and a partner!

Girls are welcome to play in all three or just one event. It’s not mandatory to play in all three. This fun, laidback series offers a variety of formats to keep the mood light and entertaining!

All events are afternoon tee time starts and girls will play with their partner and two other girls in a foursome. A Team Champion and Team Runner-Up prize will be given out at each event as well as Player of the Year points. All players will receive a small gift for joining this new series!

Fields are limited to the first 40 girls (20 teams), so register soon if interested! Grab a friend and we’ll see you this spring!

Dates:

  • April 29th at Tomahawk Hills GC – Best Ball format
  • May 7th at Emporia GC – Alternate Shot format
  • May 14th at Hesston GC – Scramble format

Boys Fall Series

Similar to the Girls Spring Swing, Central Links Golf is introducing a new team series for junior boys this fall.

Each tournament will have a different format and partner element. These tournaments are open to all playing abilities and only require an active GHIN number. This competitive yet fun series will allow our juniors to play in formats they may have never tried before!

Each event with be an afternoon tee time start and fields are limited to the first 60 boys (30 teams). Prizes will be given to the Champion and Runner Ups, and Player of the Year points will also be awarded.

Dates:

  • September 10th at Salina Municipal – Individual Gross & Partner Blind Draw
    Players will compete against the field as an individual and as a team. Partners will be decided randomly after the round and both an individual and team Champion will be crowned.
  • September 24th at Lake Shawnee – 9/9 Format (Alternate Shot & Shamble)
    Players will compete as a team with a partner of their choosing in an 18-hole tournament (9 holes of alternate shot and 9 holes of shamble)
  • October 1st at Auburn Hills – Four-Ball (Red, White, and Blue)
    Players will compete as a team with a chosen partner in a four-ball stroke play event. Course setup will consist of 6 holes of forward tees, 6 holes of middle tees, and 6 holes of back tees

Boys Four-Ball Championship

On top of fun one-day events, Central Links Golf is hosting a new two-day Junior Championship: the Junior Boys Four-Ball Championship.

This Championship is open to all junior boys with an active GHIN number. This 36-hole stroke-play event with be a team four-ball event. Players will choose their partner and compete as a team with the best ball for each hole counting as the team score.

Trophies for Team Champions and Runner Ups will be presented and Player of the Year points awarded.

  • Dates: October 14 & 15 at Ironhorse Golf Club

Junior Golf is booming and we are excited to offer these new events to our junior players. We hope you are all as excited as we are!

You can register for these events through your player profile.
>> Junior Girls events: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/1297199
>> Junior Boys events: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/1297198

Reach out to Taylor with any questions, taylor@clgolf.org.

King, Jones Victorious at the Kansas Junior Am

The Kansas Junior Amateur held at Ironhorse was an extremely competitive tournament for both the boys and the girls. Kinslea Jones held a 6 shot lead headed into the final round. Jones never let that lead slip. She turned in 36, carding a bogey and a birdie. She then caught fire on the back nine making four birdies in route to a 69. She finished as the only person in the entire tournament under par. She shot a 215(73,73,69). Jaylee Castro continued her success from last week finishing runner up. Castro shot a 222(83,69,70). Emerie Schartz (79,72,73) and Kate Tilma (77,73,74) finished in a tied for third with a three-day total of 224.

Will King took home the title on the boys side. Coming off his state title in Missouri, Will King was a favorite to win the tournament. It wasn’t an easy day for King, but the entire final group struggled most of the day to get anything started. King had enough in the gas though to win by a comfortable margin. King shot 217(73,72,72) which included 4 birdies today. Brady Rapp was runner up with a score of 221(73,73,75), 4 shots back of King. Jacob Fratzel got third with a score of 222(76,69,77). The boys division had winners in each age group and those are listed below.

14&under

  1. Brady Rapp – 221(73,73,75)
  2. Parker Bennett – 228(79,68,81)
  3. Titus Johnson – 234(80,78,76); Colt Farrow – 234(82,72,80)

15

  1. Jacob Fratzel – 222(76,69,77)
  2. Max Farber – 227(76,79,72)
  3. Tyler Strong – 228(78,76,74); Aidan Nguyen 228(77,75,76)

16

  1. Myles Tarvin – 223(73,75,75)
  2. Chance Rinkol – 225(72,77,76)
  3. Zac Clark – 226(71,74,81)

17

  1. Will King – 217(73,72,72)
  2. Noah Holtzman – 223(80,72,71)
  3. Nick Nockloy – 231(77,75,79)

18

  1. Easton Johnson – 223(76,73,74); Patrick Neal – 223(77,71,75)
  2. Deitrek Gill – 224(80,73,71)

Full leaderboard: https://centrallinksgolf.org/competitions/2022-junior-golf-schedule/ks-junior-amateur-championship/

Kansas City Junior Championship Recap

The 2022 Kansas City Junior Championship presented by Granite Garage Floors got underway today at Heritage Park. The stage was set for a very competitive day with a large field headlined by former and current state champions in both Kansas and Missouri. Ty Lasley was the only one in the boys division to fire a round in the 60s, shooting a 69(-2). His round consisted of 4 birdies and 2 bogeys. Luke Walsh, Peyton Smith, Jack Randall, Myles Tarvin, and Caden Mickelson fired a one under par round of 70. 38 players shot 75 or better today as well. Tomorrow is bound to be a very competitive day in the boys division as so many sit close to the lead.

Jaylee Castro leads the girls after round one with a score of 69(-2). Castro’s round was highlighted by five birdies including one on her last hole of the day. Castro has opened a large margin against the field with a seven-shot lead. Ella Slicker and Hillary Currier sit seven shots behind Castro in a tie for a second.

The girls will tee off first tomorrow starting at 7:30 with the lead group going off at 9:09. The boys will follow starting at 9:18 with the lead group going off at 1:48

Day 2 – June 7th 2022

Jaylee Castro opened her round with a seven-shot advantage against Ella Slicker and Hillary Currier. However, neither of them were the one who would end up putting pressure on her down the stretch. Averi Mickelson shot an impressive 69 with two birdies on 17 and 18. She improved 10 shots from yesterday and ended only four shots back off Castro. Castro fired a 75 “I was not nervous at all,” said Castro. “I took it hole by hole,” was what Castro said helped her. Her mindset helped to fuel a victory she won’t victory. “This is definitely one of the top tournaments I have won,” Castro said. She will be playing next week in the Kansas Junior Am as well as many high level tournaments across the country this summer.

In the Boys Divsion, Ty Lasley left off right where he ended yesterday. He got off to a hot start early in the round by shooting a 32 on the front nine. Ty said, “I really tried to stay focused and think through every shot before I hit it.” In second place was Jack Randall who fired an even-par round of 71 today.

Results:

Youth on Course Member Spotlight: Makenna Kincheloe

Get to know Central Links Golf Youth on Course Member, Makenna Kincheloe.

How did you start playing golf?

I first started playing golf when I was around 12 years old. I started swinging the club when I went out with my dad and he introduced me to the challenging game. I instantly fell in love with the sport and knew that I wanted to continue to pursue my passion. From then on, I started taking lessons, going to the golf course more, and now playing in more and more golf tournaments.

What do you like about being a golfer?

I like being a golfer because it is an independent sport. Or as my parents would say, “You have no one else to blame but yourself.” When they say this they mean that if you mess up on a shot or a hole you have to take it upon yourself to have a good next recovery hole. Or that if you want to get any better you also have to take it upon yourself to go out to the golf course and put in the work to get better. I also like the challenging aspect of golf, both mentally and physically. If you mess up it can really challenge your mental game to want to break down, but as a golfer, you learn that you can’t do that.  You have to come back and do something about that bad shot or hole and not let it bring you down.

Why is being a Youth on Course Member important to you?

Youth on Course is important to me because it allows me to play different courses all around the Kansas City area for a less expensive price. It is also important to me because I can build new friendships with different kids that are my age that have the same passion as I do. 

I believe that every young golfer, especially girls, should participate in Youth on Course…

I believe this because it can give them the opportunity to play a usually expensive game for a cheaper price. Whenever I go out to the golf course I usually see one other woman golfer if that, this is because golf is usually stereotyped towards men. However, Youth on Course can change that. Youth on Course can allow many young female golfers around the world to have a better opportunity to pursue their passion in a sport they love.

Being a member of Youth on Course has impacted me in many ways…

It has shown me many different course management skills. It has also made me a better golfer and allowed me to perform better in golf tournaments. It has done this by allowing me to play different courses around the Kansas City area that are more challenging than others. It has also allowed me to play different courses that I play in tournaments to better prepare myself.

For more information about how to join Youth on Course click here >>,

To make a donation, click here>>

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!