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Kansans looking to keep Pro-Am crown in state
Published 7/28/2009 in Pro-Am
By MIKE KESSINGER
When Matt Seitz won his only Southwest Kansas Pro-Am title the tournament was in its third year. It was also not played in Garden City but at Dodge City Country Club, the final time the Pro-Am was not hosted by the two golf courses south of Garden City — Buffalo Dunes and Southwind.
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Brad Nading/Telegram Steve Gotsche tees off of Southwind Country Club's No 3 during the final round of the 2008 Southwest Kansas Pro-Am.
Move ahead 25 years and Jesse Schulte was shaking hands with fellow participants and spectators as the event champion. Other than being one-time Southwest Kansas Pro-Am champions, Seitz and Schulte may not have a lot in common, besides the fact both are from Kansas. Hutchinson to be exact. It is a common bond they share with several former and current golfers who play in the Pro-Am. But as far as being a champion of the event, too, it isn't so much a common thing of the Kansans. Even though the last two champions, Schulte in 2007, and Gary Woodland last year, are both from Kansas there have been just five winners who hail from the Sunflower state. Bruce Vaughan, the 2008 Senior British Open champion, is the only Kansan with multiple Pro-Am titles. He has three which is tied with Jeff Klein for the most.
"The courses are fabulous," Seitz said of Buffalo Dunes and Southwind. "(Dodge City Country Club and Liberal Country Club) are really good courses too, but with Southwind and Buffalo Dunes there's just that different flavor to it."
This year's Pro-Am will certainly have its Kansas connection to it. By late last week, there were six Kansans signed up to play including local connections Walker Frey from Garden City and Wes Stonestreet from Sublette. While Seitz and Schulte will be playing, the defending champ Woodland will not be after he qualified for the PGA tour in November.
"For me, it's my favorite tournament to play in," Schulte said. "It's right close to home. I don't have to travel far."
It is for most Kansans who play on the tour a special event when playing in the Pro-Am. For one, playing in the Garden City-based event gives the players a chance to play on two courses. And as most golfers will tell you both courses are very well conditioned, and challenging.
"It's fun," Schulte said of playing on two courses. "You're playing two good courses. On one day you can do really good on one of the courses like Buffalo Dunes, then you have to turn around and play Southwind and it's a little different."
Along with veteran Kansas golfers playing, there will also be some new faces playing on their home state course in the professional ranks. Drew Lethem, the 2006 Kansas Amateur champion, who played at Olathe East High School will make his first appearance in the Pro-Am, as will 44-year old Tim McKinnis of Lyons, who just turned pro this year. Steve Gotsche from Great Bend, who was in a playoff with Woodland and Nathan Lashley last year, has one of the longest running streaks competing in the Pro-Am and he has yet to win it, while coming close on more than one occasion.
The players from Kansas like to play in the Pro-Am," Seitz said. "I know there's a lot who come from all over to play. There's a couple of pros from the Wichita area that will go out every year."
As the tournament will start play for its 30th anniversary Friday the Kansas pros will be out to defend their home turf, but more than anything it's also about enjoying the chance to play in their home state.
"Anymore, with the great field the tournament has, it's hard to win," Schulte said. "I always like to win, but more than anything I just have to make sure I get out there and give myself a chance to be in it at the end."
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