2023 Golf Oklahoma June/July

Scotsdale Golf Course

Dogwood Golf Course

Bella Vista Country Club

Highlands Golf Course

Volume 13 Issue 3

The Goods

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10 The Bookshelf, From Moe Norman to David Feherty

12 Equipment: What's selling in the summer of 2023?

Chip Shots

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14 The Battlefield opens, Rob Land moves to OTN, PGA Tour Superstone comes to OKC, Birdie Bay opens in Tulsa

Features ................................................

16 Compliance Solutions Championship debuts in Norman

20 LIV Tulsa impressed but may be short lived

22 State college teams have mixed results in post season

24 KickingBird readies for grand reopening

28 The Patriot in Owasso gets major facelift

30 Tulsa Country Club reimagines clubhouse, practice areas

32 WinStar reopens clubhouse, Redbud Course

34 Big Cedar to add a third par-3 as next attraction

36 Ron Streck, from hoops star to golf hall of fame

40 Ryder Cowan goes for trifecta in OGA events

44 Norman earns first Class 6A boys crown

45 Jenks repeats in Class 6A girls

Departments ...........

6 Letter from the Publisher

8 OGA ED Kevin Stanton

8 WOGA ED Laurie Campbell

9 Rules, Bob Phelps

46 Schedules and results

ON THE COVER:

KickingBird Golf Course reopens in late June with more than $20 million in improvements by the City of Edmond.

Keep the good times rolling

The post-Covid golf boom rolls on both in terms of increased participation and the catching up on capital improvements we see across the state.

Major projects are in various stages, led by our cover story, the unprecedented pouring of more than $20 million into a municipal course by the city of Edmond. We applaud the city of Edmond for this investment in public golf and look forward to seeing it pay dividends for decades to come.

Karsten Creek, The Patriot, Quail Creek Golf & Country Club, Lake Hefner, Tulsa Country Club, Cedar Ridge Country Club, John Conrad, Earlywine Park, Page Belcher and Mohawk Park are all courses at various stages of significant projects to upgrade their courses, infrastructure, practice facilities and/or clubhouse.

While recovering from a recent hip replacement, I stopped by LaFortune Park in Tulsa one evening in late May to get in some putting and chipping practice. It was tough. The practice green had a shortgame clinic with 20 or so participants, the two putting greens had golfers practicing on every hole and the driving range had people waiting for spots. It was a beehive of activity and definitely the place to be on a warm summer night.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, between the 18-hole championship course and the lighted par-3 course, LaFortune Park was servicing over 500 golfers a day and that doesn’t include those like me who just came out to practice and maybe buy a drink and a burger, a driving range token or reload in the pro shop.

Industry analyst Jim Koppenhaver, publisher of Outside the Lines, the newsletter of Pellucid Corp., warns that courses should be using this time not only to invest in all the long deferred capital improvement projects, but to do as much as possible to retain new and existing custom-

ers through improved course-to-customer communications, information technology, marketing and generally just being nice.

The last bit may sound silly, but golf has screwed up good times previously with irrational price increases and general snobbery. When you’re overrun with customers and the tee sheet is full it’s easy to be unsympathetic or let someone languish on hold for 15 minutes. That’s the surest way to start reversing the trend that we’re on and driving some of the new golfers or lapsed golfers back away. Of the many lapsed golfers who have returned to the game, such behavior from pro shops may be exactly what drove them away in the first place.

Pat McCrate, who runs LaFortune Park and South Lakes, two of the state’s busiest courses, does a great job of hiring and training sufficient staff to make every golfer feel welcome and important. At LaFortune Park, there are almost always 3-4 staff or assistant pros behind the counter, making sure lines move swiftly, customers get their questions answered and feel welcome. There are special classes for women, beginners, youth, just about every aspect of the vaunted Grow the Game mantra.

When you go back and read the stories of how many of our Hall of Fame golfers got going in the game, they were often dropped off at the course in the morning and picked up in the evening. McCrate sees that now with some pre-teen boys who spend the day chipping, putting, practicing, playing the par-3 and basically absorbing golf.

McCrate is proud in this day and age that parents consider his facility a safe and welcome place for their most precious commodity to spend the day basically unsupervised. He has learned their names and given each a sleeve of logoed balls which they thought was pretty cool. Maybe he also just retained them as customers for life. It’s something to think about.

Golf Oklahoma Offices Southern Hills Plaza 6218 S. Lewis Ave., Ste. 102 Tulsa, OK 74136 918-280-0787

Oklahoma City Office 405-640-9996

Publisher Ken MacLeod ken@golfoklahoma.org

COO/Marketing Director A.G. Meyers agm@golfoklahoma.org

Sales Sam Humphreys sam@golfoklahoma.org

Art & Technology Director Chris Swafford chris@golfoklahoma.org

Subscriptions to Golf Oklahoma are $20 for one year (five issues) or $35 for two years (10 issues). Call 918-280-0787 or go to www.golfoklahoma.org

Contributing photographers Rip Stell, Bill Powell

Golf Oklahoma PGA Instructional Staff Jim Young Teaching Professional, River Oaks CC 405-630-8183

Ryan Rody Director of Instruction Southern Hills Country Club rrody@southernhilscc.org

Pat McTigue

Director of Instruction, Meadowbrook CC pmtigue277@gmail.com

Maggie Roller Director of Instruction, Cedar Ridge CC maggie.roller@sbcglobal.net, 918-261-1441

Oklahoma Golf Association 2800 Coltrane Place, Suite 2 Edmond, OK 73034 405-848-0042

Executive Director Kevin Stanton kstanton@okgolf.org

Director of Handicapping and Course Rating Jay Doudican jdoudican@okgolf.org

Director of Junior Golf Morri Rose morose@okgolf.org

Director of Rules Bob Phelps bphelps@okgolf.org

Edmond pro Austin Eckroat growing the game.

GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH

OGA announces 2023 scholarships

The Oklahoma Golf Association (OGA) is off to a great start this year.

Several Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour (OJGT) events have concluded, as well as a USGA U.S. Open Local Qualifier and the OGA Four-Ball.

The U.S. Open Local Qualifier saw four individuals move on to final qualifying: Preston Holmes, Hamish Murray, Hunter Drotts and Austin Hannah. All of those players, except Hannah, are currently on the Cameron University golf team so there is something to say about home course advantage as the qualifying was at The Territory Golf and Country Club in Duncan.

Tough conditions defined most of the Spring OJGT events. The Lake Hefner Spring Challenge had temperatures in the low 50s with winds of 30-40 mph. The Lincoln Park Spring Fling experienced multiple weather delays due to lightning and rain. But the participants showed their grit and continued to produce low scores.

At Lake Hefner, Ben Lathrop won the Boys

division in a three-hole playoff over Parker Payne. Lucy Darr survived a three-person playoff to claim her victory in the Girls division.

Lincoln Park was a close battle for the Boys, especially on the back 9 Sunday. Grant Gudgel made a Sunday charge with a 62, but Josh Stuart prevailed with three birdies on the back 9 to claim a one- stroke victory. In the Girls division, Juliana Hong and Emerie Schartz battled for the title. Schartz made five birdies and an eagle on the par-4 8th hole on Sunday to put the pressure on Hong, but Juliana’s birdie on the 18th hole sealed a one-stroke victory.

Dornick Hills CC was the host of the OGA FourBall Championship. The Senior division was dominated by Peter Vitali and Blake Gibson. Their scores of 69-66 led to a five-stroke victory margin over the nearest competitors.

The Championship Division needed a playoff to decide its winner. Brad Purcell/Hien Tran and Dustin Wigington/Conrad Walcher finished regulation with matching

132s. The sudden-death playoff required two holes with Wigington/Walcher making par on the 18th hole to bring home the title.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Golf Inc. Foundation has merged with the Oklahoma Golf Association Foundation, allowing us to provide six scholarships annually for the foreseeable future. The following individuals will receive our 2023 scholarships valued at $5,000 per person:

Jaiden Gregston:

Bill Barrett Memorial Scholarship

Kolby Legg:

Roy Oxford Memorial Scholarship

Kamryn Zuniga:

Corky Billen Memorial Scholarship

Rhett Hughes:

Gene Mortensen Memorial Scholarship

Christian Ray Johnson: Golf Inc. Scholarship

Heather Hunkele: Golf Inc. Scholarship

UPCOMING

June is busy for the OGA. The Junior Boys and Girls Championship will be played on June 5-8 at Lincoln Park (West) and the Senior State Amateur will be held June 13-16 at the Trails Golf Club.

Also, State Amateur Qualifying will be played at Lincoln Park (West) on June 26 and Muskogee GC on June 29. Go to okgolf.org for more Information and registration.

WOMEN’S OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION LAURIE CAMPBELL President WOGA

Fairlie still competing, winning

Spring has finally arrived and storm season is upon us. Our first event of 2023, WOGA Stableford at River Oaks in Edmond, was shortened to an 18 hole event. Congrats to Missy Little of Tulsa and Teresa DeLarzelere of Owasso for winning this partnership event.

Our second competition, WOGA Senior Championship, was held at Belmar Golf Club in Norman. LeeAnn Fairlie of Oklahoma City won the Championship by one stroke over Janet Miller of Catoosa.

GET TO KNOW OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAMER LEEANN FAIRLIE:

I started playing golf when I was 11, competing in a 5 hole event at Lake Hefner, but really started competing when I was 16. I began this by playing in the USGA Junior Girls, WOGA Junior Girls and the WOGA

State Amateur. At 17, I competed in these events as well as the Junior World at Torrey Pines. These tournaments were eye openers as to what tournament golf was all about.

The toughest decision I had to make was where to go to college. My family consists of OSU graduates and I had planned to follow the tradition until golf entered the picture. OSU was stacked with many outstanding players including Patty Coatney (9 time winner of the Women’s Oklahoma State Amatuer and 2006 Inductee Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame), Val Skinner (Joined the LPGA tour in 1983, Ranked in the top 15 in the world for 7 of 20 seasons), Janice Gibson (Joined the LPGA tour in 1985, Executive Di-

rector of First Tee of Tulsa since the inception in 2001). I felt that I would probably not make the traveling squad. The OU women golfers were not as strong as OSU but super nice. I walked on and there were 3 other scholarship freshmen who came to play. It was the right decision for me as my game developed by playing qualifying rounds and college tournaments. During my 5 years at OU, I played every tournament except spring break of my freshman year.

My freshman year at the Big 8 Championship, I was paired with Patty Coatney. I was so nervous I could hardly swing as she was the best in Oklahoma. The next day I was paired with Val Skinner. I was even more nervous. I never said one word for 5 holes and Val commented “can you talk?” I was a

See WOGA on page 11

LeeAnn Fairlie

Jaiden Gregston

Kolby Legg

Christian Ray Johnson

Kamryn Zuniga Rhett Hughes

Heather Hunkele

Snakes and shopping carts, what to do?

The following are a few examples of actual situations that have occurred this season and the rule that applies. A couple are very easy with clear cut procedures for proceeding but others require some degree of interpretation or judgement.

BALL IN OR ON A MOVABLE OBSTRUCTION

This is fairly a common occurrence, but players are often uncertain how to properly get their ball back in play on the golf course. As in all relief situations the first thing to do is determine the reference point. In this case the reference point is the spot on the ground directly below where the ball sits on the moveable obstruction (towel, golf cart, spectator, etc.). The player then must drop a ball within one club-length of the reference point that is not closer to the hole and is in the same area of the course. Recently my golf cart was the movable obstruction that a player’s ball had come to rest in, and Rule 15.2 applied.

DANGEROUS ANIMAL SITUATION

While alligator encounters are commonplace in the Southeast, I rarely encounter a Dangerous Animal Condition in Oklahoma. I have many times, however, had players try to convince me a certain danger existed. When a true Dangerous Animal Condition interferes with your ball, Rule 16.2 allows free relief at a spot where the danger no longer exists. This is one of a few rare instances where a player is allowed free relief when his ball was in a Penalty Area. Recently I worked at an event in Albuquerque where rattlesnakes were frequently spotted, relief granted.

UNREASONABLE DELAY IN DECIDING TO PLAY

This situation has occurred the past two years at the OGA Four-Ball Championship, and the answer requires interpretation from the committee. While I was confident the action was not permitted under Rule 5.6 (Unreasonable Delay), sometimes convincing a player an act is unreasonable can be a little subjective. Clarification 5.6a/1 gives examples of actions that are and are not unreasonable delay. Based on these examples, I determined the following situation to be a violation of Rule 5.6-Unreasonable Delay. In both instances the player’s ball was lost or OB and the player basically discontinued play of the play assuming they would not be

able to help their partner. In four-ball stroke, a player must act promptly in proceeding under Rule 18.1-Stroke and Distance when his ball lost or Out of Bounds and cannot wait until it becomes a possibility that the player could help the team by returning to the tee under stroke and distance.

BALL UNPLAYABLE AFTER PLAYING A PROVISIONAL BALL

On many courses there are areas where a ball will likely be lost or unplayable if struck into that area. To save the time it would take to return to the spot of the previous stroke, it is highly recommended to play a provisional ball in case the ball is not found. If the provisional ball is hit perfectly down the middle of the fairway, the player then might have a decision to make as to whether he wants to find the original. Rule 18.3 tells us that if the original ball is found, the provisional must be abandoned, even if the only viable option for the original is to return to place of the previous stroke under

the unplayable ball rule. I recently worked at an event where there were many areas where if the ball were found, the options for unplayable were not very good. If the player’s provisional ball was in good shape in the fairway, I always waited on the player before beginning to search. Even if a player doesn’t want to find their ball, the player might have to act on that ball if it is found by anyone. I wanted the player to know that if his ball was found he could no longer play that provisional ball sitting perfectly in the fairway. In 99% of the cases the player chose to look. And in more than one instance I watched players get in deeper trouble by choosing to look for the original.

For questions related to the Rule of Golf, please feel free to contact me rphelps@okgolf.org.

Norman, Mandell, Feherty & Young

by tom bedell

t’s hard to imagine more disparate reading experiences than the trio of books before us this time out, touching on the semi-mystical, the highly technical, and the deeply personal.

Robert Ragland Young’s “Mind Golf: The Troubled Genius of Moe Norman” (Savio Republic, $17.99), hovers in the first category. Young, now 81, spent parts of the last four decades of the previous century pounding out hundreds of thousands of golf balls with the legendary Norman, either in their native Canada, or down in Florida in the winter months.

Said to be the purest striker of the ball ever, one of two who, according to Tiger Woods, “owned their swing” (Hogan the other), Norman was perhaps less troubled than diagnosable somewhere along the autism spectrum. Others said his social awkwardness and peculiarities may have stemmed from a sledding accident when he was five. Or perhaps a combination of both, suggested Lorne Rubinstein in his biography of Norman, “Moe & Me” (reviewed in the Aug-Sept 2012 issue).

Whatever the case, Norman’s career was circumscribed by his idiosyncrasies; he sometimes preferred not to participate in tournaments lest he win and have to face interviewers. Nonetheless, he won two Canadian Amateurs, more than 50 Canadian Tour titles, made two trips to the Masters, and was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995. He died in 2004, at 75.

Young is an interesting character himself. He’s the brother of musician Neil Young, and who knew Neil Young grew up in a golfing family and played himself? All confirmed here by a forward written by Neil. Bob Young, a member of the Canadian PGA for decades, unfurls dozens of Norman stories in his book, a compendium of notes he made over the decades as the pair of them would hit out

hundreds upon hundreds of balls each day.

IAs for technique, this is where things get a little mystical. Young suggests he’ll reveal all as the book goes all, and maybe he does, but it’s all a little oblique. It boils down to the psychic skill of visualizing the apex of the shot-to-be, and then simply allowing that shot to unfold. Well, maybe it’s not that simple, and maybe others can interpret Young’s advice more pellucidly. In any case, this odd little book (about the size of a large scorecard), is certainly engaging enough in its intrigue and anecdotes.

GOLF ARCHITECTURE

Richard Mandell’s “Principles of Golf Architecture” (T. Eliot Press, $35) is a recondite read in its own right, but only because the author, a course designer and member of ASGCA, does such a deep dive into the subject matter. Mandell formats the book into eight chapters on the “Elements of Design” (Line, Space, Shape, Form, Texture, Color, Scale and Nature) as well as 27 chapters on the “Principles of Design.”

He proceeds to offer a profusion of examples in each chapter with a generous selection of photos and drawings, many from his own course projects, but others as well. It’s heady stuff, probably best suited for the serious golf architecture student, with its text book-like material. Actually, for the serious golf architecture student, I’d call it required reading.

For the more casual fan of golf design—about where I would place myself—it’s a bit of an intellectual struggle, no easy ride. Still, I made it all the way through, and have to admit that the next round I played after finishing had me looking at the home course with a more analytic eye.

I’ve not had the pleasure of playing an original Mandell course or one of his restora-

tions or renovations, but the desire is certainly there now. He’s done more than 75 projects in the U.S. and abroad, drawing on his early appreciation of design while sneaking onto the Rye Golf Club in New York with friends and playing a few holes before being chased off.

He’s now based in the Pinehurst area, and I think it’s safe to peg him as a traditionalist, seeking to have the land dictate the nature of his layouts, with an aim toward strategic rather than penal golf. He clearly reveres classic tracks and efforts from the so-called Golden Age architects.

Mandell is not above calling out what he deems dubious design practices—gimmicky, overly penal, repetitive, oblivious to natural land forms and so on—but unlike, say, Tom Doak’s “Confidential Guide to Golf Courses,” Mandell isn’t naming any names from the fraternity. Still, readers are free to infer.

Mandell’s prose is all in earnest; touches of humor are as rare, and valued, as an albatross. But he captions one of the last photos in the book, of his work on the third hole at the Blue, Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia thusly: “Note to reader: If at anytime you see this creek covered up in the next century, go ahead and open it back up for me. Thanks.”

FEHERTY

Anyone who has ever watched golf tournaments on TV knows who David Feherty is, and that would presumably include anyone reading these pages. But for cave-dwellers, John Feinstein’s “Feherty: The Remarkably Funny and Tragic Journey of Golf’s David Feherty” (Hachette, $30) will fill in any blanks.

Feinstein is a book-writing machine, 45 at this count, and no stranger to these pages (“The First Major,” Oct-Nov 2017; “The Prodigy,” Oct-Nov 2018). He can always be counted on for richly anecdotal narratives buttressed by what appears to be excellent sources.

In this case, what amounts to Feinstein for a fairly brisk account (a mere 244 pages!), his primary source this time out is the horse’s mouth. Feherty clearly acceded to countless interviews; Feinstein thanks him three times in his acknowledgments (where he actually seems to go on and thank everyone he has

ever known).

So if you want to know Feherty’s tale, this is the place to go. It is quite the story arc— a lad who grew up among the Troubles in Northern Ireland, became besotted with golf, works at his game to become an accomplished professional (including a role on Europe’s 1991 Ryder Cup team—the War By the

Shore

Ryder Cup), and after his playing career becomes a perhaps even more accomplished television personality at tournaments and in his Golf Channel show, “Feherty.”

That’s the cursory outline. The texture is more gritty, as Feherty has continuously battled with bipolar disorder and alcoholism. He struggled through a disastrous first marriage, was saved by his second (while nonetheless putting his wife, Anita, through the wringer), and was ravaged by the death of a son, Shey, to his own addiction problems. Feinstein covers all this unblinkingly, with input from all involved—Feherty family members, fellow players, broadcast colleagues—and it’s

certainly not a pretty picture. But there’s ample redemption, too. Tom Watson, who battled his own alcohol problems, plays a key role in coming to Feherty’s aid. But all who come to know Feherty seem to come to love him for his warmth, humor, kindness and generosity. He has done a great deal for veterans; indeed, he decided to become an American citizen after a revelatory USO trip to Iraq to entertain troops. And did. He says he now unabashedly pulls for the U.S. team in Ryder Cup matches. He won’t be doing any announcing during them, however. Feherty agreed to an offer he couldn’t refuse to throw in with the LIV league, and like Harold Varner III, didn’t try to embroider his rationale for signing up—it was all about the money. A happy ending? Part of the deal appears to be resurrecting the “Feherty” interview show, so we’ve got that going for us.

Somewhere, on some course, Tom Bedell is trying to visualize the shot-to-be.

WOGA cont. from page 8

kid among giants. During my senior year I made the NCAA tournament as an individual and placed seventh. That was super fun!

I am amazed that I am still playing tournaments and enjoying it. Most importantly, I love all of the friendships I have made by playing these tournaments. My family consists of a great husband and 2 wonderful kids. I am active in the same church I have gone to all of my life. Since COVID, I have started playing the piano and playing pickleball. My goal is to live life to the fullest and to focus on the things that bring me joy and hopefully bring joy to others.

The WOGA Stroke/Mid-Am Championship at The Greens Country Club in OKC will be held June 26-27. This event is open to ALL Oklahoma Collegiate Students and Oklahoma residents.

In July, the WOGA Fundraiser will be at The Golf Club of Oklahoma on the 10th followed by the WOGA Girls Junior Championship July 11-12. Our final Championship is the WOGA State Amateur Championship at Ponca City Country Club. This match play event will be held July 24-27. And we will end our season with two more fun partnership events in August and September. We hope to see you in one of our events soon.

Become an OGA Member

Retailers: What's hot for 2023

by ed travis

hree years ago, few understood the worldwide implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, or the effects of the shutdowns and imposed restrictions in an attempt to mitigate the disease’s spread.

Even skeptics quickly saw that outdoors, social interaction activities such as golf were positive antidotes for “cabin fever” and our game surged in popularity. This surprised some observers, but participation and the number of rounds reached new levels and sales of equipment skyrocketed, which in turn aggravated already server supply chain problems.

Today most manufacturers have recovered, and problems have been corrected with off-course and on-course sellers continuing to post strong sales numbers.

Since publicly traded corporations must publish financial information, we can get a glimpse of the state of equipment sales from the two on the New York Stock Exchange, Topgolf Callaway Brands (NYSE: MODG) and Acushnet Holdings Corp. (NYSE: GOLF). Callaway clubs and balls sales in 2022 were higher by $177.4 million (14.4 percent) than in 2021 while Acushnet reported golf ball sales increased 1.7 percent and clubs 10.5 percent. For both companies, sales comparisons are for their worldwide business.

First quarter 2023 results are also available but making comparisons is difficult since it is too short a period taking the mul-

Ttiple factors effecting the purchase of balls and clubs including the weather however both companies are forecast flat to slight increases in overall sales. Golf Datatech, who collects industry statistics, has said that in the U.S. during the first three months the rounds played were flat and equipment sales were off 6%.

In respect to the number of golfers Chip Brewer, Chief Executive of Topgolf Callaway Brands said it succinctly, “For those out there that have been looking for a post-COVID reversion in golf participation, I think that we would all have to agree that there is no sign of one in the current data as the game continues to be top of mind for what appears to be a larger audience.”

That however is not the whole story. The number of on-course golfers, now at just below 27 million according to the National Golf Foundation, has grown dramtically in the last three years, especially women and juniors (15 percent and 36 percent). That growth is not sustainable but neither does the game have to slip into reverse again.

A partial insight into how clubmakers are viewing the future or at least the balance of the 2023 season is that for this year’s club models prices were generally higher than last year with for example some drivers up $50 more.

Golf Oklahoma thought a perspective from one of the state’s top golf professionals would be interesting, so we talked with Pat McCrate the PGA Director of Golf at LaFortune Park Golf Course in Tulsa and South Lakes Golf Course in Jenks. McCrate is acknowledged as

one of the best golf facility operators in Oklahoma and his comments provide real insight.

Since the onset of the Covid pandemic I understand participation at your courses has been very strong. Has that reflected in sales of clubs and balls and gear?

Yes, it has. It has slowed a little bit from last year as the influx of new golfers has slowed a little, but they still use a lot of golf balls. We stock virtually every ball from everybody and are constantly filling in.

Have the demand and supply chain issues due to the pandemic which restricted availability of inventory been resolved?

It definitely seems to be better. There are the occasional snags, but they are the exception. We are just about back to the point where we can fill-in rather than pre-book and hope to have guessed right. Gloves are a great example, for the past two years you could only get what you'd booked months in advance.

Which categories are the strongest sellers now?

Obviously golf balls and No. 1 and headwear No. 2. The more you have of both, the more you sell of both. Hats almost seem disposable; people will get a new hat before getting a new glove. Shoes last longer nowadays and are sold heavier on the internet now, but we still do well with them. Drivers and irons seem to rotate annually for us. This seems to be the year of the driver. Lots of new, sexy technology with good advertising. Thank goodness we have a driving range and a good launch monitor to really show the differences. Wedges need to be replaced and this has been a really good year so far for them. The Titleist

Pat McCrate

Chip Brewer

La Fortune Park Golf Course

Titeist Vokey SM9

Vokey SM9 is fantastic, and the Cleveland wedges are strong again.

Do you see a purchasing trend such as beginner's box set sales or perhaps putters not irons?

We do sell box sets. I think we introduce more people to the game than almost anyone I know with all of our instructional programs as well as our unique facilities (the lighted Par 3 and Driving range really help). We don't sell as many as I think we could. but we also don't sell the cheap alloy sets. They won't last and can be hard to hit. That probably hampers our sales a little, but we can't promote something that's not good for the golfer.

The price of clubs has continued to increase with $600 for the most popular model drivers seeming to have become normal. Has this created price sensitivity by your customers giving less costly models or used clubs a boost?

Yes, it has. Previous generations are a staple of our inventory, and we really encourage trade-ins. We can't get enough used equipment. There's a large percentage of golfers who are "searchers" – always on the hunt for something different or a little better for them. We have a regular group of "used club rack inspectors" almost daily.

Does performance fitting play a big role in club selection and is it true more for drivers than irons?

Yes, for sure. Everyone loves the numbers - they can barely finish their follow -through before their head swivels to see the launch monitor. We're all obsessed with distance and it's more noticeable with the driver. In our case, we have a real edge that we can go outside and see the ball flight. We also really try to incorporate the phrase "turf interaction". Bob Vokey [well known wedge designer for Titleist] himself taught me that years ago! This is so imporstant with irons and wedges because mat-interaction just isn't the same.

Anything else you would like to tell our readers about golf equipment on the market today?

Look for the unique. The new golfer doesn't want to look exactly like everyone else. I love (and we sell) the wild: shirts, headcovers, bags, headwear & shoes. I make it a point to comment on anything unique that I see a golfer wearing. It's a great segway to make them feel welcome.

AJ Fernandez New World Dorado

by laramie navrath

If you’re pressed for time as it seems most of us are these days, yet still want to enjoy a cigar while playing the front nine or just relaxing on the patio with friends, reach for a New World Dorado. It’s no secret that AJ Fernandez is a big name in the cigar business crafting quality and consistent blends for his personal line of cigars. In addition, AJ Fernandez assists other manufacturers in conjunction using his factories for cigar production and crafting cigar blends for other companies.

Now his latest venture, the New World Dorado, takes its name from its golden Nicaraguan Habano Sungrown wrapper. Nicaraguan fillers and binder wrapper round out this semi-box pressed puro. Most of the tobacco comes from the same field/crop giving the cigar

unique characteristics. The first third of the cigar is very floral with black pepper prominent in the retrohale with dried cherries lingering on the palate. The strength level is solid medium that tends to mellow as the cigar progresses. Notes of leather, cocoa and nuts are a nice transition to the meat of the smoke. The blend allows for the cigar to burn evenly, attributing to the great construction AJ Fernandez cigars are known for.

The finish is always a treat for seasoned cigar enthusiasts. One may notice notes of citrus, white pepper, and charred oak in the retrohale with hints of earthiness and grains in the smoke. Overall, I enjoyed smoking the New World Dorado. It is a cigar balanced with enough body and complex flavors for anyone to enjoy. So whatever time frame your schedule allows try a New World Dorado, I believe it will be time well spent.

The Battlefield opens for play at Shangri-La Resort

Rob Land moves to Oak Tree National Chronister, Stanton to receive Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame scholarships

In leaving his post as general manager at Karsten Creek to become the Director of Golf at Oak Tree National in Edmond, Rob Land is not only returning to his roots as an Edmond native but following a path familiar to his new boss Tom Jones.

Jones, Oak Tree president and chief operating officer, ran Karsten Creek between stints at the Golf Club of Oklahoma and The Blessings in northwest Arkansas before coming to Oak Tree National in 2013. Land has been at the Stillwater mecca of Cowboy golf for what will be 12 years on Aug. 1.

“This is just a great opportunity for me,” Land said. “I’ve known Tom for a few years and with Steve (Kimmel) retiring it just opened up a great opportunity for me. Growing up here, knowing the history and tradition of the place and the culture it’s just an iconic place in Oklahoma golf.”

Land, who attended Edmond Memorial, trailed Scott Verplank around Oak Tree when he won the U.S. Amateur in 1984. He was a forecaddie on the first hole in the 1988 PGA Championship.

“We’re very pleased and excited to have Rob join our staff,” Jones said. “He brings exactly what we need in the areas of high-end customer service, knowledge of the industry and expertise in all areas.”

The Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame announced that Lily Stanton of Jenks and Nathan Chronister of Pauls Valley are the recipients of its 2023 scholarships.

Each will receive a $5,000 scholarship and be honored at the 2023 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony Nov. 12 at Southern Hills Country Club.

“The Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame is proud to support Lily and Nathan,” said Lew Erickson, chair of the Hall of Fame scholarship committee. “Our committee was amazed at their love of golf, achievements and positive attitudes. We had a lot of great applicants and the committee is always encouraged by their brilliance and passion for the game.”

Stanton helped lead Jenks to consecutive Class 6A state championships in 2022 and 2023. Her 4.289 weighted grade point average also helped Jenks become the first team to win the state championship and the state academic championship at the same time.

She has signed to play collegiately at the University of Illinois-Springfield. Coach Michael Leotta met Maggie Roller June 21 of 2022 while she was watching her daughter Jenni win the USGA Junior Girls Championship qualifier in St. Louis at

Sunset Country Club. He asked her if she had any good recommendations on talented kids in Oklahoma he should watch out for and she told him about Stanton.

“We got in touch and hit it off right away,” Stanton said. “I’m very much looking forward to playing my collegiate golf there.”

Chronister will attend East Central University in Ada and major in accounting. He’ll begin his college career with 30 credit hours he earned online at Murray State, getting a jump on his planned Masters and MBA. He is spending this summer working at Pauls Valley Golf Course, helping with maintenance, pro shop and everything in between.

East Central does not currently have a collegiate team but is considering bringing back the sport. Chronister, who medaled nine times while being coached by his father Chad in high school, plans to be there to try out if it does.

The Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame is a 501 (c) 3 whose purpose is to recognize and honor those individuals who through their achievements, character, spirit or leadership have demonstrated sustained excellence in competition or contributed in other ways to the growth, promotion, legacy, history or traditions of golf in Oklahoma.

Nathan Chronister

Lily Stanton

Rob Land

The new par-3 Battlefield at Shangri-La opened to enthusiastic reviews by members and guests in May.

BirdieBay, where it's always golf weather

by ken macleod

Two brothers from the tiny town of Chelsea making e a large impact on the burgeoning indoor/ simulator golf market in Tulsa.

BirdieBay golf opened in April with six simulator bays powered by GolfZon (pronounced Golf Zone), a sophisticated simulator manufactured in South Korea, where indoor golf has been flourishing for far longer than its current boom in the U.S.

When customers play one of the more than 250 world class courses available, they do so from a platform that moves and shifts to create a stance similar to where your ball stopped on St. Andrews or Kiawah Island. There are brushes for hitting sand shots, rough, fairway mats and for your drive the machine pops up a ball automatically set to your preferred tee height, so there is no walking to retrieve balls from the bottom of the screen.

The system also gives instant feedback on all the numbers golfers crave, including carry, ball speed, club head speed, launch angle and more.

The brothers are Keaton and Kennedy Lockart, who grew up in Chelsea, a town of fewer than 2,000 souls in Rogers County not far from Claremore.

BirdieBay offers a full service bar and snacks, food truck in the back, and the opportunity to play golf courses worldwide. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. except for Friday and Saturday, when it remains open to midnight. Cost for a bay is $40 per hour.

Keaton said Birdie Bay has appeal to all age groups. With the variability of Oklahoma weather, it is also a great option for rounds, practice range sessions and for golf leagues or tournaments.

BirdieBay is located at 10324 East 71st Street in Tulsa, The website is www.birdiebay.com and phone is 918-883-3795.

PGA TOUR Superstore

OKC store opening in 2024

PGA TOUR Superstore, a specialty retailer for golf, tennis and pickleball, will be opening a store in Oklahoma City in the fall of 2024, the company announced in May. It will be the first PGA TOUR Superstore in Oklahoma. The location is 2727 West Memorial Road.

PGA TOUR Superstore is known for a larges selection of golf equipment, apparel and accessories for men, women and juniors. The retailer also offers tennis and pickleball equipment and apparel. Located at 2727 West Memorial Road, Oklahoma doors will open this fall.

The Oklahoma City store will be 30,600 square feet and feature three practice and play bays, a fitting studio, three additional simulator bays and a 950 square foot put-

ting green.

“Our customer-experience mentality is unmatched in the golf specialty retail business,” said Megan Mahoney, director of communications. “Combine that with our professional expertise, interactive environment and everything needed to play, we inspire beginners to avid golfers to have fun and enjoy the game. Oklahoma is a market we have been wanting to expand to for several years and look forward to opening in the fall.”

PGA TOUR Superstore’s chairman and owner is Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United MLS team and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Kennedy and Keaton Lockart

Locals hyped for home event

by ken macleod

Of the many reasons Oklahomans should enthusiastically embrace the advent of the Compliance Solutions Championship on June 22-25 at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course, here are two in particular.

One, these guys are really, really good. We will soon be watching many of them play on Sundays on the PGA Tour, as Korn Ferry Tour alums won 78.7 percent of PGA Tour events last year (37 of 47), including three of four majors.

Guessing which player will be the next Scottie Scheffler is half the fun.

Two, whether you’re a Cowboy, Soon-

er, Golden Eagle or just a fan of Oklahoma golf, the local angles are plentiful. You will be able to witness rising stars at the top of their games on Jimmie Austin, a course and facility that has undergone dramatic improvements in every aspect over the past two decades.

One of the changes in PGA Tour qualifying for 2024 and beyond is now the Korn Ferry Tour’s top 30 qualifiers will receive PGA Tour cards. Previously the top 25 on the regular season and the top 25 in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals received cards. The points race was heating up at press time in early June with several Oklahomans in great shape to be on the PGA Tour next year.

Inside the top 30 at the end of May were Oak Tree National member and former Oklahoma Christian golfer Rhein Gibson, who won the Astara Golf Championship in Bogata, Columbia. Gibson was in eighth place and should be able to hold to earn his third trip to the PGA Tour for the 37-year-old native of Australia.

In good shape to earn their cards are former Oklahoma State golfer Kevin Dougherty (13th) and former Sooner from Oklahoma City, Logan McAllister (14th). Just outside the top 30 at this writing was former Sooner Chris Gotterup (32). Former Cowboy Kris Ventura (53), former Sooner Quade Cummins (100), Oak Tree member Josh Creel (107), former Sooners Grant Hirschman (112) and Michael Gellerman (115), former OSU and Jenks native Brendon Jelley (129) were among those who could move up with some strong finishes over the second half of the season, particularly during the Compliance Solutions Championship.

Jelley, the threetime Oklahoma Golf Association State Amateur Champion (2014,

Brendon Jelley

Michael Gellerman

Rhein Gibson

Quade Cummins

Logan McCallister

2015, 2017), earned conditional status at last year’s PGA Tour Qualifying School, missing full exempt status by a shot. After missing the cut in his first two events in Panama and Bogota, he made the cut in five of his next six events, with his best finish a tie for 27th in Huntsville, Ala. He was often the first or second alternate to get in those events, missing out on several, but at the next reshuffle should be in good shape to play the remainder of the year with decent results.

It’s been five years of dedicated work and mini-tour grind since Jelley graduated from OSU in 2018. His next goal is to use his opportunities this year to move into the top 75 and secure his full Korn Ferry Tour card for 2024. Next would be to win or have high enough finishes to join the pursuit of the top 30 and a PGA Tour card in earnest.

“It’s taken me five years to get out here, but good golf travels and I’m playing well right now,” Jelley said. “Some guys like Viktor (Hovland) can just skip a lot of steps but for most of us it’s a process. I think if I play well, I’ll have a chance to win. It took a few events to figure it out and gain some traction.

“I knew I belonged, but to see it come to fruition reaffirmed everything I believe in. A lot of what I learned through minitour golf is that you can’t get caught up in

one shot or one round or one tournament. You’ve got to make it enjoyable and realize that one shot in the grand scheme of things doesn’t matter that much.”

Jelley, who ranks fourth on the KFT in greens in regulation, said his ball striking is good, he is just looking to clean up some shots around the green and get a little more consistency going with his putter.

Life on the Korn Ferry Tour, while a huge

I’ll be ready. I know where I need to be with my game.”

NOTES: With a KFT event already in Wichita, the PGA South Central section will double the number of Monday qualifiers it hosts. The Monday qualifiers for the Compliance Solutions Championship are June 19 at Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City and at The Territory in Duncan.

Section Executive Director Brian Davis said the section can make around $30k from each qualifier depending on entries.

step up from the mini-tours, is still challenging. His winnings of $20,069 through eight events scarcely cover travel. Having a full-time caddie is a luxury he can’t afford. His father Steve has caddied twice and he’s picked up caddies at other stops. You learn to depend on yourself in those circumstances.

“Everyone is bunched together on this tour and everyone is so good,” Jelley said. “I know if and when I get to the next level

• The tournament is open to the public on Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $35 for a single day and $70 for a weekly pass. Tickets for the corporate hospitality area are $175 and $600. Tickets and volunteer info are available at compliancesolutionschampionship.com. All parking will be at the Lloyd Noble Center with free shuttles provided from there to the course.

There will be a high school pro-am on Monday (June 19) and a pro-am involving players on Wednesday (June 21). Tournament action begins at 7:05 a.m. Thursday, June 22.

Go to www.kornferrytour.com to see all tournament results, latest points leaders, stats and much more.

Grant Hirschman

Chris Gotterup

Josh Creel

Kris Ventura

Kevin Doughtery

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LIV succeeds, return unlikely

by ken macleod

After the successful debut of LIV Golf in Tulsa/Broken Arrow concluded with Dustin Johnson winning a one-hole playoff over Cam Smith and Branden Grace, the first question on everyone’s mind was, will it happen again?

As the deconstruction of the hospitality structures, media center, television towers

Investment Fund which owns LIV was joining with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour to create a new for-profit business model that will control professional men's golf. The fallout from this will take weeks to sift through, but an early guess is that LIV will not exist in its current form after 2023.

While LIV may well transition to a fall series of team events, the Tulsa event was fun while it lasted. Tournament Chairman Frank Billings said in late May well before the merger that despite LIV Tulsa being an overall positive experience for the fans and members, a 2024 version was doubtful.

“Even with a later date I think it’s unlikely,” Billings said. “You’ve got the clubhouse issue. But the board and the members will assess everything in the coming weeks.”

and all infrastructure proceeded, damage to the course was assessed and the question of whether the club would proceed with its earlier goal of an $18 million clubhouse renovation loomed, the answer seemed to tilt toward no.

Then along came the shocking announcement on June 6 that the Saudi Arabian Public

The tournament was an unquestioned success by LIV standards. It attracted more than 35,000 fans for the three-day run, including close to 12,000 Friday, 15,000 Saturday and 7,000 Sunday. Younger fans in particular embraced the “Golf but Louder” mantra with music playing and plenty of activities for children. The hospitality suites directly behind the clubhouse were often full and lively.

The LIV Golf operations team certainly proved it can run a well-organized, professional, efficient and fan-friendly operation in a compressed time frame. The players lived up to the LIV hype by taking apart a defenseless golf course to the tune of three record-tying 61s and an overall 48-man to -

tal of 353-under par. And less than a year after Justin Thomas gave Southern Hills a great champion in the 2022 PGA Championship, Dustin Johnson did the same

for Cedar Ridge by winning the playoff against Smith and Grace.

Johnson and Smith, along with now five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, are the three biggest stars LIV has lured in its controversial two years on the world golf scene. They along with rising stars such as Talor Gooch, Bryson DeChambeau, Joaquin Niemann and Abraham Ancer will now see what path emerges for them to return to the PGA Tour and what events if any include the team format going forward or will be just for those who joined LIV.

Estimates from insiders who have run larger tournaments are that LIV Tulsa probably lost $20-to-$30 million just comparing income from apparent revenue streams (tickets, hospitality, pro-am, con -

Dustin Johnson sinks the winning putt.

The fan zone had a myriad of fun activities including a mechanical bull.

Bryson DeChambeau signs for fans.

Fans turned out in droves to watch Dustin Johnson and other LIV golfers.

cessions, merchandise, limited television dollars) versus outgo ($28-million purse plus all costs of setup, staff, marketing, security, infrastructure, course fee, entertainment and more). But the money, estimated at more than a billion dollars, that the PIF had lost on LIV in less than two years turned out to be money well spent if its overall goal was to gain a significant foothold on the PGA Tour, which it certainly did on June 6.

The early May date combined with winter kill damage throughout Oklahoma wreaked havoc with preparations. Some areas that suffered damage showed poorly on television and even though most were not in play it led to online crticism. Whether due to that or other factors, Cedar Ridge superintendent Eddie Roach Jr. left the club a week after the tournament.

Two years after Southern Hills hosted the Senior PGA Championship and a year after the PGA Championship, Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma again demonstrated it is ready and able to enthusiastically support professional golf. Whether that will be the next major championship at Southern Hills or some other opportunities arise before then will be worth keeping an eye on.

New 2023 Programs!

Highs and lows for state teams

by ken mac leod

There were some very bright spots, including one individual national championship, but also some shocking disappointments when looking at the spring campaigns for state collegiate teams.

At the top of Division I, the big news was the failure of Oklahoma State to advance out of regional play and Oklahoma’s oneshot shortfall to make the first cut in the NCAA Championship.

The Cowboys missed the NCAA Championship for only the second time in 75 years and the first time under head coach Alan Bratton by finishing seventh in the Las Vegas Regional. Bratton’s team, while certainly talented, never quite performed up to expectations all year.

The play of Jonas Baumgartner, who qualified for the NCAA Championship as an individual, and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who was named to the All-Central Region team with Baumgartner, was stellar, but the rest of the lineup was inconsistent at best.

Petersen and Leo Oyo have exhausted their eligibility. Bratton signed Johnnie Clark of Mesa, Ariz., Gavin Lane of Argyle, Texas, and Preston Stout of Richardson, Texas, in the fall to bolster the 2023-24 lineup.

The Sooners had a strong 2022-23 season with four victories, including the program’s 19th conference championship, winning the Big 12 at Prairie Dunes. OU finished a com-

fortable second in its regional at Jimmie Austin, but then was unable to muster one of its typical strong rounds at the NCAA Championship and despite a closing flurry finished one shot outside the cutline for the top 15 teams following three rounds. OU was the only program in the country to advance to match play at the championship every year since 2016, winning the national title in 2017 and finishing as the runner-up in 2021.

"We didn't play our best this week, and we know that," head coach Ryan Hybl said. "But I'm so proud of these guys for what they did

Drew Goodman, who finished tied for 18th individually at the NCAA Championship, Jace Summy, Ben Lorenz and Stephen Campbell Jr. return as well as a host of candidates for the fifth spot, including signees Ryder Cowan of Edmond, Connor Henry of Fort Worth and P.J. Maybank III of Cheboygan, Mich.

Oral Roberts did not get invited to a regional, but finished eighth in the new Golfweek National Invitational, led by senior Brandon Hoff, who placed second.

The Oklahoma State women did make the NCAA field and the cut.

Led by the brilliance of Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, who placed fourth individually, the Cowgirls placed 11th, missing match play by four shots. Tulsa’s women made their first NCAA Championship field since 2007-08, but didn’t play up to their capabilities at nationals and placed 29th.

NCAA Division II

all season. They won a championship for this program and helped to set us up for the future. Although we didn't do what we wanted to do out here, the journey from where we started was worth it."

OU will lose the services of Patrick Welch, a three-time All-America honoree. He has a top-10 spot in PGA TOUR U, granting him conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour and fully exempt PGA TOUR Canada membership. But starters

Oklahoma Christian’s men’s team once again came agonizingly close to a national championship. The Eagles won the stroke play portion of the championship by 15 shots at Avalon Lakes Golf Club in Warren, Ohio. They then obliterated their opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals as the final eight teams advanced to a match play format that is determined by total shots instead of total holes.

In the finals against Nova Southeastern, OC picked up two victories, but had two

Patrick Welch

Jonas Baumgartner

Brandon Hoff

Oklahoma Christian was runnerup again in Division II

golfers lose their matches by a single shot. Oskari Nikku and Mateo Pulcini won their matches, while Alejandro Armijo and Mateo Pulcini each lost by a shot. Santiago Villareal lost by 18 shots.

NAIA

One can usually count on the Oklahoma City University Stars to make a determined run at the NAIA National Championship

in both men’s and women’s golf.

Freshman MaKayla Tyrrell from Southlake, Texas, capped a turbulent year for the Stars by winning the individual title at the NAIA National Championship in Silvis, Ill. Tyrrell shot rounds of 71-75-76-72 to lead the Stars to a third-place finish, 31 shots behind British Columbia, which won its second consecutive title.

Maddi Kamas finished tied for 14th to also

make the All-Tournament team. The Stars released coach Marty McCauley in the fall season, saw one of their top players in Reagan Chaney transfer to the University of Oklahoma, named Josh Gorzney head coach in November, and still managed to win seven of 11 tournaments.

The OCU men’s team finished seventh in the men’s national championship. Leandro Mihaich finished tied for fifth while Dylan Teeter also notched a top-20 finish with a tie for 14th.

Maddison Hinson-Tolchard

MaKayla Tyrrell Lilly Thomas

Municipal magnificence Edmond can take pride in new KickingBird

by ken mac leod

On the heels of the Covid-inspired golf boom, many courses both public and private decided to invest in the future of the game by renovating or restoring their courses and facilities for current and future generations to enjoy.

What’s transpired at Kickingbird in Edmond, however, goes way beyond that. This was a collective $20 million decision by the City to make the municipal golf course, albeit one with a proud history and tradition, a sporting, social, business and entertainment hub of the city. To our knowledge it is the largest investment for an 18-hole course by any municipality in the state’s history.

When the grand reopening is held June 29, visitors are likely to be awed by the 13,384-foot clubhouse complex that includes a golf shop, restaurant, board room, turn bar, kitchen and plush locker room facilities.

Starting at the west end, the 144-seat, 6,670-square-foot special event center will not just be home for the next charity event, but is already booking business meetings, wedding rehearsal dinners and other community events.

The spacious new restaurant will be fully staffed for breakfast, lunch and dinner and expects to thrive regardless of traffic from the golf course, most of whom will be using the grab and go Turn Bar at the far east end of the clubhouse when making the turn or settling a bet. The Lookout, which is KickingBird’s new restaurant and the event center catering will be staffed by Hole In One

Food and Beverage LLC which also owns and operates The Mule and The Press in Oklahoma City. The new name

The boardroom with a spectacular view of the new three-hole practice facility is available for rent. Men and women will have access to new lockers, showers and expansive restroom facilities.

“It truly is getting back to the country club for a day feel that came in the late 1980s,” and early 1990s said Director of Golf Brian

first in Oklahoma to be serviced by Track Man Range, meaning you can log in through an app and track all your shots when practicing. At the north end is a new indoor teaching center that will be staffed by new Director of Instruction Chase Cooper. A 15-year PGA teaching veteran who transfers in from the Axis Golf Academy and Fitting Center in Cypress, Texas. And the top on the south end is the new range entertainment pavilion offering golf entertainment games utilizing Flite Golf Technology..

The driving range is lighted and will be open until 11 p.m. The Turn Bar and east patio is conveniently next to the range pavilion. As mentioned, the three-hole short game practice facility on the north side of the clubhouse is spectacular. A 12,000 sq. ft. putting green remains on the south side situated near the tees for holes 1 and 10.

Soerensen. “Everything here is going to be first class. We are very blessed to be in a community that believes in this vision which is based on a valuable customer experience not just price Sales tax dollars paid for all this and that’s what we’re going to be generating and putting back into the community.”

And once you have visited the special event center, pro shop, board room, restaurant, bars, and outdoor patio areas, then the real fun begins.

STATE OF THE ART DRIVING RANGE

The driving range now has a huge hitting area, 57,000 square feet, of tightly-mown Tahoma 31 Bermuda. The entire range is the

The golf course itself has been transformed as well. Under the guidance of architect Matt Dusenberry, Dusenberry Design, all the greens were rebuilt with more contour than the previous greens. Several were strategically relocated. They remained bent grass but upgraded to 007.

Notable course changes include moving the green on the par-5 ninth hole partway down the hill and making it a 450-yard uphill par-4. The fourth hole went back to its original design as a reachable par-5 that doglegs slightly right then back to the left. The green has been raised approximately 10 feet and a SubAir system installed to regulate temperature and moisture.

On the back nine, the green on the par-5 12th hole was repositioned to move away

The brand new facilities at KickingBird include an event center at right.

from the housing development so golfers will see more natural terrain behind the green on their approach shots. And the uphill par-3 16th saw the removal of a large tree and bunker on the left side.. The green is now sloped like a Redan green, which typically sloped front to back and is angled from front right to back left.

“You will be able to hit some very creative shots on that green” Soerensen said.

All of the common Bermuda fairways were replaced, sprigged by KickingBird staff, with the new Tahoma 31 Bermuda developed at Oklahoma State University and with no cart traffic or golfers taking divots for over two years, looks spectacular for the late June opening. The fairways have been widened and there was an expansive tree trimming and removal program supervised by superintendent Brad Jolliff and his staff. Many of the trees at Kickingbird were

damaged in the severe ice storm of 2020.

The irrigation system was completely replaced with a new triple-row system that will allow Jolliff to control the moisture to all areas of the course.

Overall about 200 yards was added to the course that now will measure 6,944 yards from the Championship tees, which considering the course has five par-3s will present a sufficient challengeand allow for Soerensen to host many levels of events. It has long been the home for the Oklahoma Golf Association Junior Championship, but can now host collegiate events and perhaps even a PGA Tour Champions event at some point.

Kickingbird has a long and proud history as the centerpiece of an extraordinary golf community. Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame professional Art Proctor was the original head pro when the course opened in 1971 and brought the Oklahoma Open there

from 1979-1985. David Edwards who was inducted with Proctor in 2021, learned to play there. Doug Tewell was an assistant pro there and Mike McGraw ran the junior program while becoming a legendary high school coach in Edmond. Current PGA Tour players Taylor Moore, Robert Streb, Austin Eckroat, Max McGreevy and Kevin Tway all graduated from Edmond high schools, although Tway played mainly at Oak Tree National where his father Bob was a mainstay of the original Oak Tree Gang.

The entire project at Kickingbird will wind up north of $20 million, certainly the largest municipal course renovation project ever in Oklahoma. Demand for rounds is expected to be frenzied upon opening, even though the weekend rate of $64.95 with cart and tax will be higher than most public courses in the area. Through these improvements KickingBird Golf is re-defining the municipal golf experience.

All new Tahoma-31 fairways, the new restaurant and range and all new greens will greet visitors in late June.

"one of the most fulfilling municipal golf options in the country"

-Sugarloaf Social Club

The Patriot undergoes renovation

by ken mac leod

The Patriot in Owasso shut down its front nine in mid May for a blitzkrieg restoration with the construction firms of JonesPlan and United Golf teaming up to get the work done as fast as possible and limit down time for the

members.

The $3 million project includes removing or moving some bunkers, widening of certain fairways such as on the 14th, known as The Canyon hole. There will be extensive work on bridges, green collars, cart paths, drainage and some tee box and driving range improvements as well.

“The course is 14 years old and it’s time,” said General Manager Ali Sezgin. “We’re really excited about this project and keeping The Patiot among the best courses in the state.”

The back nine will remain open for 45 days or so while work finishes up on the front nine, then both nines will close for

Bunker work ongoing at The Patriot in Owasso. At right, a new short game area takes shape at Quail Creek in Oklahoma City.

about six weeks to give the course some rest during final stages of construction, Sezgin said.

QUAIL CREEK

GOLF & CC

Improving practice facilities by making them more fun is a common theme right now and one Quail Creek Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City has embraced with its current project.

Ali Sezgin

Under way right now is a three-hole short game area designed by Randy Heck enkemper and built by Jones Plan that will give the members a great place to practice pitching and chipping. A 12,000 square-foot putting green is also part of phase one.

Coming next will be a quadrupling in size of the teeing area of the driving range, followed by a new indoor teaching facility on the south end of the property replacing the current chipping green.

Director of Golf Mike Hansen said the new greens should be sprigged in June and open shortly after Labor Day.

Major upgrade at Tulsa CC

by ken macleod

Tulsa Country Club will embark on a $14-million renovation this fall that will greatly enhance the clubhouse, short-game area, driving range and includes a new maintenance facility and cart barn.

“We’ve been working on a comprehensive site and master plan with our longrange planning committee involving over

70 members,” said General Manager Jason Fiscus. “This project is the fulfillment of that planning and touches quite a bit of the club.”

The clubhouse plans were designed by Cyntergy, a Tulsa architectural firm.

The new maintenance building will be located close to where the current entrance is on the southwest corner of the property. The entrance to the parking lot will move to the center of the parking lot close to a re-

vised banquet entrance. The main entrance for golfers will also now be on that side of the building further to the north and closer to the pro shop.

The current cart barn will be expanded and shifted away from the driving range, allowing for 20 percent more space on the range and the creation of a three-bay indoor teaching center to be outfitted with the latest in teaching technology. A new

The new main entrance at Tulsa Country Club. The indoor practice facility with Trackman and other amenities.

chipping green will also be added.

Changes inside the clubhouse will be extensive and designed to serve TCC’s younger and thriving membership. The average age of TCC members is 48, which is 10 years younger than the national average of country club members.

“We’ve always placed a focus on being a very family friendly environment and many of our changes are to enhance the experience for family and kids, but we’ve also added some aspects that really will be great for adults,” Fiscus said.

One of those would be the main bar and grill moving to the east and creating a patio looking over the city skyline. The current trophy room will become a family dining area and the main restaurant will be remodeled.

“Cyntergy is honored to have been entrusted with the transformation of the oldest country club in the Tulsa metro area,” said Stephanie Putzke, the director of interior design for Cyntergy. “The Tulsa Country Club project presents a unique opportunity for our architects, interior designers, and engineers to fuse modern design elements with the rich history of the club. “

Members will be able to use parts of the clubhouse during the construction which is expected to take 18 months to complete.

tulsa country club renovations tulsa, ok

WinStar clubhouse, Redbud course reopen in style

by ken mac leod

The steady upgrading of the golf facilities at WinStar World Casino and Resort took another major leap forward this spring with the reopening of the reimagined clubhouse facilities and new greens and other improvements to the Redbud Course, the younger of the two 18-hole courses at WinStar.

The clubhouse exterior did not change, but everything inside was gutted and rebuilt.

A former banquet room went away and the space was utilized to expand both the Edgewater Grill and the pro shop, making both

lighter, roomier and more vibrant.

The restaurant now seats 32 at the bar top and 96 overall. The central bar area has large screen televisions for games or golf coverage. The restaurant will have sit down meals from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and also an areas for grab-and-go items as the ninth holes of both courses are located just outside.

With all 36 holes back in operation and a new fleet of Justice golf cars, the demand for golf has never been higher and that is reflected in the demand for retail in the pro shop. Golf Operations Director Elliott Sullivan said the ambiance in the new pro shop is much more conducive to a successful retail experience.

“We will have a whole lot more merchandise on hand and it’s more of a welcoming and inviting shop,” Elliott said. “Before everything was dark wood, now it’s much more open with scenic views of the course.”

The greens on Redbud were converted from MiniVerde ultradwarf Bermuda to TifEagle, another ultradwarf that was determined to be more ideal for WinStar’s location in Thackerville near the Texas border. Also 150 trees have been planted on strategic areas to give some holes better definition.

WinStar completed major renovations and upgrades to its practice facilities and learning center three years ago. Combined with the clubhouse renovation, Elliott said his staff is excited for the season.

“We are ecstatic,” he said. “The doublewide we were operating out of served us well but it’s great to be back inside the clubhouse and so far the changes have been very well received. I would say activity in the pro shop and restaurant has doubled if not tripled and people really enjoy hanging out in there. We’re also getting positive reviews on Redbud as it gets back in shape after what was a tough winter.”

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Located deep within the rocky, forested terrain of the Missouri Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar Lodge is a remote haven of natural beauty that brings conservation to life.

Third par-3 next at Big Cedar

by greg dewalt

BRANSON, Mo. – There always seems to be something new happening at Big Cedar Lodge.

In 2019, Ozarks National opened for play. A year later, the highly-anticipated Payne’s Valley with Tiger Woods’ signature on it opened to great fanfare.

Payne’s Valley Golf Cottages, overlooking the golf course, were added in 2022.

This year, a visit to the booming golf destination unveiled construction on a new short course.

Because plans for the course continue to evolve, Big Cedar officials have not released many details for what will be the third par-3 course on the property.

Suffice it to say that keeping in tradition with the other golf on the property and under Big Cedar owner Johnny Morris’ watchful eyes, it no doubt will be spectacular.

“We are still getting the final details out, but right now it is being built and being shaped,” said Matt McQueary, Big Cedar’s Director of Golf Sales and Marketing. “The number of holes is still in the works, but right now it is going to be called the Cliffhangers course.”

When it opens, Cliffhangers gives Big Cedar a sixth course in its already impressive inventory that includes courses from Tiger Woods (Payne’s Valley), Tom Fazio (Buffalo Ridge), Ozarks National (Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw), Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus) and Mountaintop (Gary Player). There’s also the Tom Watson putting course, so Morris seemingly has all of his bases covered as far as renowned course designers go.

One quality that sets Big Cedar golf apart from other destinations is that each of its five courses is unique. Payne’s Valley is a tribute to largesse – expansive beyond belief with fairways almost as wide as a football field, gaping bunkers and huge, undulating greens.

Coming off the 18th at Payne’s Valley, there awaits a bonus hole appropriately

dubbed the 19th Wonder of the World, a 100-yard par-3 surrounded by water that Morris had built into the cliffs. Now, the hole features a bar that serves drinks, and in addition to a bartender, an attendant will take a picture of your group as a souvenir.

At the stunning Buffalo Ridge, seemingly every hole could be pictured on a postcard, not to mention the excitement of seeing buffalo grazing lazily alongside the course in several places.

The two-bedroom and four-bedroom cabins each have a kitchen, living room and outdoor space.

McQueary said the cottages have helped the logistics of shuttling players to and from the golf courses.

Other accommodations on site include the Spring, Valley and Falls lodges, log cabins and upscale exclusive housing, so there is something for just about everyone.

The popularity of Big Cedar golf exploded in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which turned out to be the perfect storm for the resort when Payne’s Valley came on sline with the sport’s popularity surging. Mix in a made-for-TV match between Woods and Justin Thomas against Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose on Payne’s Valley, and suddenly Big Cedar was the place to head for golf.

Ozarks National, which opened in 2019, plays along a series of ridges with views of the surrounding foothills. The Coore/ Crenshaw design team did a masterful job of designing a course that blends into the site’s topography. There are a variety of blind shots that make a player uncomfortable when it comes time to pull the trigger, and the set of five par-3s is memorable.

The Nicklaus and Player par-3 courses are perfect compliments to three courses, each challenging and highlighting the property’s scenic vistas of the surrounding Ozark Mountains.

The cottages have proved to be a needed and popular addition, perfectly suited to accommodate small-to-large groups of golfers. There is a mix of single-room cabins, tworoom bedroom cabins and four-bedroom cabins. Each bedroom has two queen beds and its own bathroom, so each four-bedroom cabin can really sleep eight, each with their own bed as long as they don’t mind sharing a room.

“When (Payne’s Valley) opened and the Payne’s Valley Cup aired, all of our systems broke,” McQueary said. “We had 80,000 phone calls in three days. Our Internet crashed, our reservations crashed, so we had to beef up everything. We went hard for the next year just to meet the demand from golfers.”

McQueary said Big Cedar Lodge changed overnight from previously being a family lakeside resort with a focus on the marina, boating, fishing and water sports, to becoming a golf destination.

“It has definitely changed the landscape for us and Branson,” he said.

With a glut of golfers now streaming toward Big Cedar Lodge, at certain times of the year tee times are at a premium. To be able to play Payne’s Valley and the others, McQueary said it depends on when a person or group wants to play. The resort’s prime months for golf are April, May and October, so those dates need to be booked well in advance. Although business is brisk for the upcoming summer months, tee times remain for Payne’s Valley, Buffalo Ridge and Ozarks National as early as July.

While Big Cedar Lodge is technically located in Hollister, it is a vital part of the Branson landscape that previously was known for its entertainment venues and its outdoor

Matt McQueary

The spectacular Payne's Valley course at Big Cedar Golf.

recreational activities. In recent years, it has branched out into other areas, including youth sports tournaments and, of course, golf.

While golf has been the most recent driver of visitors to Big Cedar Lodge, there is a plethora of other courses in the area that provide a different experience and are enjoying the recent surge in golf’s popularity.

Branson Hills, a Chuck Smith/Bobby Clampett collaboration, offers a different challenge. Fairways are tighter and players must negotiate difficult greens complexes. Dan Davis, the director of golf at Brandon Hills, said the other area’s courses have reaped the benefit of Big Cedar’s recent popularity with a spillover effect.

LedgeStone, a Tom Clark design, is considered another fine public golf option, along with the Bob Cupp-designed Thousand Hills. The Pointe and Holiday Hills, two more 18-hole public facilities, round out the area’s inventory.

Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, Branson Hills and LedgeStone have all been ranked among the top-10 courses in Missouri on a variety of lists.

Ten courses in two rural counties with a combined population of approximately 90,000 might seem excessive. Factor in 10 million annual visitors to Branson and vicin-

ity, its location in the middle of the country, a climate that makes playing golf possible most of the year, and it’s easy to see why the course tee sheets are filled to the brim.

In addition to golf, Branson boasts plenty of other entertainment options. It has dozens of theaters hosting more than 100 shows throughout the season. Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo and Bull Shores Lake have over 1,000 combined miles of shoreline offering everything from boating and fishing to swimming and scuba diving and everything in between.

Don’t want to stay at Big Cedar Lodge? No problem. There are more than 14,000 hotel/motel rooms in the area and more than two dozen RV/campgrounds. The Hiltons of Branson are luxury hotels with easy access to Branson Landing and the historic downtown. The Level 2 restaurant at the Hilton Branson Convention Center offers a diverse, high-end menu that is a perfect way to cap a day in Branson.

With a plethora of golf destinations now available, Branson/Big Cedar Lodge should be high on any list of must-visits.

Gregg Dewalt lives in Florence, Alabama, and is a freelance golf writer and the editor of alabamagolfnews.com.

Streck did things his way

30. A little farther downhill, “a large Samoan man wearing a cowboy hat and making slow, meticulous turns” began to crisscross in Streck’s path, according to Reid.

Fortunately, there was no collision, but one of Streck’s skis scraped across the tips of this mountainous man, who clearly was not pleased and immediately gave chase. All that stood between a runaway Streck somehow being able to stop were two waist-high ropes used to guide skiers toward the chairlift. Behind the ropes was a 3-foot mound of snow from a freshly plowed parking lot.

Streck hit the second rope and came to an abrupt halt “like a fighter jet landing on an aircraft carrier,” Reid described.

Reid and the Samoan arrived on the scene expecting to find Streck writhing in pain. Instead, he was flat on his back, laughing. “That was great!” Streck exclaimed to Reid. “Let’s do it again!”

inger, Stacy Prammanasudh, Mike Hughett and Morri Rose in the Class of 2023, which will be inducted Nov. 12 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. Tables are are on sale at www.golfoklahoma.org for the sure to be sold out event.

Born and raised in Tulsa, the 68-year-old Streck was introduced to golf at age 3½ by his father, but it was in basketball where the 6-foot Streck earned all-state honors as a member of two prep championship teams while at Cascia Hall.

“I was pretty good,” Streck admitted. When he concentrated on golf, Streck pounded plenty of balls.

“I used to practice at Southern Hills when there was a polo field there,” he said. “They let me go out there. I had a shag bag that had exactly 100 golf balls in it. I’d go to 60 yards and I’d try to make it in the shag bag. I’d turn the bag sideways where I could make it. If I didn’t make one, I’d get another 100 balls.

by john rohde

Longtime friend and fellow PGA touring pro Mike Reid said a lack of fear might be most responsible for Ron Streck becoming a 2023 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame inductee.

Streck’s remarkable hand-eye coordination that helped him routinely excel from 100 yards in – most notably from greenside bunkers and putting surfaces – didn’t hurt, either.

“He has this uncompromising fearlessness,” Reid said. “He faces life at every level like that. I’m glad our ages coincide so we could share so much together.”

To help illustrate Streck’s courageousness on the course, Reid shared a story of what he witnessed on the slopes of Utah.

While visiting Reid’s home state, Streck thought he would try skiing for the first time. For two days, Streck learned how to make slow, deliberate turns necessary for all beginners in the best interest of safety.

“Then Ron suddenly said, ‘Screw this,’ and became Downhill Racer,” Reid recalled with a chuckle.

Streck went from performing wellcontrolled turns left and right to heading straight down the mountain with zero intention of going in any other direction.

When Streck reached the crest of the first hill, Reid estimated he was probably going 20 mph. At the second crest, he was up to

Streck’s determined trek down that mountain directly parallels his 60-plus years as a golfer and places him alongside Bo Win-

“I know I hit at least 1,000 balls one day because I couldn’t get anywhere near the bag, and I know I hit that bag at least 10 times. I’d practice between 60 and 110 yards as a regular routine for me because I could tell that in college golf that was the scoring distance. That’s also probably why I was a really good putter because I spent so much time on the putting green.

“Even as a young kid, I thought, ‘Well, golly, putting is like 45-50 percent of the game. I need to practice.’ I don’t understand these kids today who go out and hit drivers for an hour and a half, then go putt for 10 minutes and go out and play. That doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Streck excelled at the University of Tulsa (1973-76), where he competed as an individual all four years in the NCAA Championships. Streck won four of his seven events as a senior, was a four-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and twice was the MVC individual medalist while leading Tulsa to second-place finishes in 1975-76. He was inducted into the TU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

Streck credits Oaks Country Club in Tulsa for his stellar sand play.

“It’s just because I grew up at Oaks,” Streck said. “There’s 105 bunkers there and I was always in them as a kid, so I thought I better get pretty good at it. Part of being a good putter is being a good bunker player because you aim to hit every one close (to the hole).”

During the second round of the 2008 3M Championship at TPC Twin Cities on Saturday, July 19, 2008 in Blaine, Minnesota.

Former longtime Oaks head pro Rick Reed was Streck’s teammate for three years at TU.

“Ron’s been awfully good at what he does for a long time,” Reed said. “He’s done it on all levels on all tours. He kind of grew up at Oaks as a young kid and he did win the junior championship and all that out there. His mom and dad were here when he was in grade school and junior high, then moved over to Cedar Ridge when he started college.”

While at TU, Streck was a roommates with noted swing instructor Hank Haney.

“From the first day on, he was our best player and always was,” Reed said. “He had really good hands. His golf swing was good, but I don’t know if you’d ever consider it textbook or anything like that compared to today’s guys. He just had great hands.”

After college, Streck and Mike Reid became roommates for eight weeks on the Australian Tour prior to competing in the 108-hole PGA Tour Fall Qualifying School in 1976.

Reid was the nation’s No. 7-ranked

amateur when he graduated from Brigham Young. As an amateur, Reid led the 1976 U.S. Open by three strokes and was the only player under-par after the first round at the Highlands Course of the Atlanta Athletic Club.

Streck and Reid finished right at the cut line at Q-School (Top 24 and ties) to earn Tour playing privileges on their first attempt. Streck qualified by getting up and down from a par-3 greenside bunker on his final hole.

Appropriately nicknamed “Milestone Man,” Streck had several significant achievements in a pro career that spanned 35 years and 521 events on the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and Nike Tour (now known as the Korn Ferry Tour).

“He’s a great competitor,” Reid said of Streck. “I always loved playing with Ron. He’s just a marvel of attitude and determination, and you combine that with the fearlessness he has. Just a great guy to hang around with, a great

guy to play golf with. But he’s not the guy you want to face down in the last group because you knew he wasn’t going to go any-

Ron Streck of the United States drives off the tee during the 110th Open Championship at Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, England, circa July 1981. (Photo by Keith Hailey/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Ron Streck Freshman

where, even if he might not have his best stuff. He’s just tough as nails.”

Streck’s first PGA Tour win came two years after Q School at age 24 in the 1978 San Antonio Texas Open, where he finished one stroke ahead of 1977 U.S. Open champion Hubert Green and Lon Hinkle.

Streck got up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the 36th hole Friday to barely make the final cut. He then had one of the most prolific weekends in PGA Tour history, shooting 63-62 in the final two rounds. His 125 total set a tour record for the final 36 holes, beating the previous record of 126 owned by five players at the time, one of whom was Ben Hogan.

“When Ben Hogan shot 126, he made a comment that nobody’s ever break that score for the last two rounds on tour because the courses are going to be too hard. That’s what they told me that in the press conference afterward,” Streck recalled. “I thought, ‘That’s kind of cool.’ I’m in the locker room and they’re fitting me for a pair of cowboy boots (that go to the tournament winner). The locker room attendant comes up and goes, ‘Hey, Ron. Mr. Hogan’s on the line for you. He’d like to talk to you.’ ”

Hogan: “Ron?”

Streck: “Yessir.”

Hogan: “That was an incredible round. I pretty much said no one would ever beat that record. You won by a shot, too. That’s even more incredible.”

Streck: “Thank you, sir.”

Hogan: “What kind of clubs do you play with?”

Streck: “I play with Wilson Staff, sir.”

Hogan: “Well, it was good talking to you.”

“Then he hung up,” Streck said with a chuckle. “He just wanted to know if I was playing with Ben Hogan irons. What’s funny is that’s what Mike Reid was playing with.”

Even funnier was Streck was about to make an equipment change and didn’t even know it at the time.

With his victory, Streck qualified for the Tournament of Champions, a field that consisted of only the previous year’s winners and was held at La Costa Country Club in Carlsbad, Calif.

Soon after winning the Texas Open, Streck was approached to start hitting something called a “metal wood” rather than persimmon woods.

“They looked like one of those aluminum driving range clubs,” Streck said. “It was

about 260 yards to the fence (at the end of the driving range) in those days at La Costa. Most guys were bouncing it into the fence. Me and Lon Hinkle were the only ones hitting balls.

“So I dropped one down on the bare

It was on the second hole at La Costa that year when Streck swung his first metal wood in competition.

Playing alongside Lanny Wadkins, both players hit their drive 250-260 yards off No. 2 tee.

“I had like 300 yards to the green and decided, ‘Well, I’ll just hit this metal wood thing,” Streck said. “I hit it and, of course, they’re real loud. Lanny’s standing about 30 yards from me when I hit it. Lanny laid up with a 4-wood or something and is 80 yards short of the green. I hit this club off the ground and I’m like 10 yards short of the green.”

Wadkins couldn’t help but hear Streck make contact and shouted, “What the (bleep) was that?”

The night before, Streck had spray painted the clubhead and wrapped fishing line around the hosel “so it would look like a club to me. It looked like it was 100 miles away because the neck was so narrow.

“I started teeing off with it and was hitting it 20 yards past Lanny. He said, ‘That’s a (BS) club. That’s a cheating club.’ I told him, ‘Nah, it’s just having a rebound effect off the face,’ which it was.”

Two years later, Streck became the first player to win a Tour event using metal woods when he claimed the 1981 Michelob-Houston Open.

In 1993, rather than risk getting into the Buick Invitational in San Diego as an alternate, Streck drove 173 miles dead east to compete in the Yuma (Ariz.) Open, where he won the first-ever Nike Tour event ever staged.

When he won the 2005 Commerce Bank Championship on the Champions Tour, Streck became the first player to win on all three pro tours. (He also won the 1983 Morocco Open, which later became a European Tour event).

“What’s remarkable about his career is he’s risen to the top at every level he’s played,” Reid said.

Injuries limited his career after the age of 40, after which he has become a successful businessman in many ventures. In 2016, he wrote an instructional book entitled “Focus Golf with the Milestone Man: The Mental Approach.”

ground. The first one I hit flew into the fence. I asked the guy who brought me the clubs, ‘Is this legal?’ He says, ‘(Club inventor) Gary Adams says it’s legal.’ I hit a few more and thought, ‘Man, this is cool, so I put it in my bag like a 2-wood.’ ”

Streck and his wife, Jody, have three children. His youngest son is named after former President Ronald Reagan. Reagan Streck recently completed his collegiate career at Evangel University (where Ron served as a volunteer assistant coach) and got married May 26.

Ron Streck holds the trophy after the third round of the Commerce Bank Championship at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York on July 3 , 2005.

Young and fearless, Streck hits one close.

Cowan rolls to OGA three-peat

by ken mac leod

How familiar with each other were the opponents in the final match of the Oklahoma Golf Association Junior Championship on Thursday at Lincoln Park?

Including four years of practices at Oklahoma Christian School, "thousands" of other rounds as friends, plus time spent doing all the things friends do: swimming, watching movies, playing poker, hang-

ing out, it would be hard to find two opponents more familiar with each other's games and personalities.

That doesn't mean that either Ryder Cowan or Bryant Polhill were going to pull any punches in the championship match.

Indeed it was Polhill, who finished second to Cowan in the Class 3A state championship in 2022 and third to his first in the Class 4A in 2023, who landed the early blows. He birdied the first hole and the fifth to go 2-up.

But as Polhill has watched Cowan do many times, the state's top-ranked junior came roaring back. He birdied holes six, seven and eight in succession to take a 1-up lead, then pulled off the shot of the tournament. On the par-5 13th hole, Cowan drove his tee shot left under trees. From 200 yards out, he hooded a 7-iron and hit it out 45 yards to the right of the green. It hooked around beautifully, rolled on to the green and disappeared into the hole for a double eagle, the first of Cowan's life.

Ryder Cowan

Juliana Hong

Bryant Polhill

Samuel Bonaobra

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Cowan followed that rare albatross by driving the green on the 335-yard par-4 14th hole, leading to another easy birdie and eventually a 3 and 2 victory, his third OGA Championship in eight days. On June 1, he won the OGA Stroke Play Championship at The Territory in Duncan, outlasting another good friend in Jordan Wilson of Edmond in three extra holes. Then he won the OGA Junior Stroke Play title on Tuesday in a one-hole playoff over Parker Sands of Edmond.

"I've played with Bryant since I was 10 years old and I love that guy to death," Cowan said. "He's my best friend no mat-

ter what. I'm happy for him. He played great this week. I told him on the first tee I was so glad we both made it to the finals in what is our last junior tournament and to be able to battle it out for the championship on the last day, there's nothing better."

Also winning titles

Thursday were Juliana Hong of Norman, who defeated Natalie Blonien of Altus 2 and 1 in the girls championship while Ben Lathrop of Oklahoma City won the boys 14-15 age division with a 3 and 2 victory over Chase Blaser of Edmond.

Hong, who finished second to Blonien in the stroke play by a shot after also finishing second in 2022, prevailed this time, thanks mainly to two excellent short approaches on holes 13 and 14 that led to consecutive birdies and put her 2-up in the match. Blonien came back with a birdie on the par-3 15th hole, but then suffered a double bogey after pulling her tee shot left on the par-5 16th. Hong, who will be a sophomore at Norman North in the fall, made a solid par

on 17 to close out the match.

Cowan is heading to the University of Oklahoma in the fall while Polhill will take his talents to Kansas State. They will be conference opponents for at least one year before OU moves to the SEC.

"A triple crown winner," said OU coach Ryan Hybl. "Very impressive and we are excited for Ryder and whre his game is headed."

Cowan celebrated his trifecta of victories Friday by having his wisdom teeth pulled. But after that it gets better with a heavy slate of summer amateur events, including qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur and the OGA State Amateur. as well as the Western Junior and the Southern Amateur.

Left to right, Ty Hyatt of Stillwater, C.J. Phillips of Edmond and Samuel Bonaobra of Broken Arrow

When C.J. Phillips pitched his ball from behind the first green, a second ball flew out of the deep grass as well.

Cowan prevails in OGA Stroke Play playoff

The first of Cowan’s three titles in eight days came after he squandered a two-shot lead on the final hole of regulation, but recovered to win a three-hole playoff with good friend and fellow Oak Tree National member Jordan Wilson to become the 2023 Oklahoma Golf Association Stroke Play Champion.

It was a bit of a Bedlam battle as Wilson is entering his junior year at Oklahoma State and Cowan will be a freshman this fall at OU. The two Edmond junior stars pulled away from the rest of the field in the final round at The Territory in Duncan.

Wilson shot a 5-under 67 to finish at 16-under. He made up three shots in the final two holes of regulation. Wilson hit a cut 4-iron from 225 yards to 7 feet and made birdie on the par3 17th, and a par at 18. Cowan made par on 17 and still just needed to par the par4 18th for a two-shot victory and a spectacular round of 63. But he pulled his tee shot left into a grassy area, took four shots

to reach the green and two-putted for a 6. He settled for a 7-under 65 that matched his opening round and matched Wilson at 16-under.

“I made a mess of 18 and he had all the momentum,” Cowan said.

“I went in and washed my face and tried to regroup. I knew he was playing well and I had to shake that off.” Both players made par on the first two playoff holes. Cowan ended it by hitting his approach shot on the par-4 third hole from 135 yards to 2 feet, while Wilson hit his approach shot to about 6 feet. Wilson missed and Cowan rolled his in for the victory.

Wilson began the day tied with Mesa Falleur of Muskogee at 11-under and two shots ahead of Cowan. Falleur shot evenpar in the final round to finish five shots

back in third. Willliam McDonald of Oklahoma City closed with a 71 to take fourth at 8-under, while James Roller of Jenks and 14-year-old Emerson Majma of Edmond tied for fifth at 5-under.

Wilson and Cowan play frequently together at Oak Tree National, often joined by Viktor Hovland. They are accustomed to watching each other make extremely difficult shots look routine.

In shooting 31 on the front side and reaching 9-under, Cowan hit his tee shot to 5 feet on the 225-yard fourth hole, made a 30-footer for eagle on the par-5 seventh after Wilson had hit his second shot within tap-in range for his own eagle, then hit another brilliant tee shot on the 200-yard par3 13th to within a few feet for a key birdie. He made a 20-footer for birdie on 16 to cap Wilson’s birdie.

“It was a lot of fun and we both played well,” Cowan said. “Jordan’s a really good player and I’m proud of the way he played today.”

“It was just like a lot of our rounds at Oak Tree,” Wilson said. “We always have a good time playing against each other and this was no different.”

Ryder Cowan

Worthy champs all in prep boys

school’s first boys championship.

“It’s a testament to the guys, they started the year back in August, working out,” said Norman coach Gregg Grost. “They felt like we didn’t play as well as we could have last year when we hosted at Jimmie (Austin Golf Club in Norman) and finished (fifth), so they coined their own phrase, which was ‘unfinished business.’ We didn’t play quite as well as they wanted to during the course of the season; we kept getting close and not winning. So we came in here, it came down to them trusting in the process, believing in themselves and believing that if you work hard enough, sometimes you get rewarded and they did.”

In addition to Salazar, two other Norman golfers finished among the top 10, as Dennon Norman and Quinn Robertson each tied for 10th at 225.

CLASS 5A

Bishop Kelley junior

Cowan, and Heritage Hall and its star Ben Lathrop raged all afternoon at Prairie West Golf Course in Weatherford.

At the end it was Cowan winning his second consecutive state title (he was the Class 3A champion in 2022) by two shots over Lathrop, while OCS edged Heritage Hall by a single shot.

Cowan, who has signed to play collegiately at Oklahoma, shot a 68 Tuesday to finish at 11-under 203, while Lathrop matched that with a 68 of his own to finish at 9-under 205.

OCS, however, also had the third-place finisher in Kansas State signee Bryant Polhill (69-69-70) at 208. That was enough to offset the fifth- and sixth-place finishes of Heritage Hall’s Roger Smith and Kyle McLaughlin.

OWASSO – With the team and individual races very close entering the final round of play at Bailey Ranch, it took an extraordinary effort from junior Sebastian Salazar and his Norman teammates for each of them to emerge as Class 6A state champions.

For Salazar especially, he picked a great time to win his first high school tournament. After entering the day tied for fifth, just two strokes back of the leaders, Salazar shot a 2-under 70 to finish with 215, edging out Edmond North’s Parker Sands for the individual championship.

Salazar and the rest of the top finishers were presented their awards by professional golfer Talor Gooch of Midwest City, who was in town for the LIV Tulsa event and took a helicopter from Cedar Ridge to Bailey Ranch to surprise the 6A golfers on that May 9 afternoon.

Salazar is just the second boy from Norman to ever win the individual title, joining Bob Stephenson in 1969.

“It feels awesome, it’s a really great feeling to win, first high school win coming at state,” Salazar said. “It’s my first season here at Norman High and it’s been a great ride. It feels awesome, all the hard work paid off.” Salazar’s total also helped Norman shoot an impressive 293 for the day as the Tigers jumped up from fourth place, seven shots back of the lead, into the top spot to claim the title, the

Will Hennessee withstood a final-round 67 by Baylor Bostick of Duncan to win the Class 5A state championship at The Territory in Duncan.

Hennessee shot a finalround 1-under 71 to finish at 7-under 209, three shots clear of Bostick, who finished at 212 after rounds of 72-73-67.

Duncan roared from behind to win the team title with a final-round 299 to finish at 915, 19 shots ahead of Bishop Kelley, which led through 36 holes.

Hennessee poured in 17 birdies over the 54 holes, including six in the final round to overcome two double bogeys and a bogey. After Bostick birdied the 13th hole to pull even, Hennessee played the final five holes in 1-under while Bostick had bogeys on holes 17 and 18.

“It feels amazing,” Hennessee said. “All those late night and early morning putting sessions paid off. To walk down the final hole with my parents and coach and teammates cheering me on, what a great feeling. Baylor played an amazing round and he was 7-under through 13. I told myself there is still time left, just keep making good swings and I was able to dig in and play solid golf those last five holes.”

CLASS 4A

Down to the last putt, the battle between Oklahoma Christian School, led by Ryder

CLASS 3A

In an incredibly tight finish, Christian Johnson of Christian Heritage won a three-hole playoff with Bliss Newon of Lone Grove after the two shot 66 and 69, respectively, in the final round of the Class 3A State Championship at Lakeview Golf Course in Ardmore.

Those strong closing rounds lifted them a single shot ahead of Carter Nutt of Christian Heritage and first-day leader Jace Chaney of Plainview.

Plainview did win the team title by a comfortable 49 shots over Kingfisher.

CLASS 2A

Collin Bond of Community Christian completed a sizzling romp to the Class 2A championship, shooting a combined 19-under par on the North Course at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City after rounds of 67-63-67. Bond won the title by 12 shots over Spencer Bullen of Nowata, who finished 7-under at 209 after rounds of 73-70-66.

Led by Bond, Community Christian cruised to the team title with a score of 875, 26 shots ahead of Latta at 901.

Will Hennessee

Ryder Cowan

Collin Bond

Christian Johnson

Sebastian Salazar

Herman stands out in 6A girls

team,” Herman said. “It means a lot. It’s a lot of dedication and hard work to get to this point, and I’m just really proud of myself and proud of my team for pulling through in this hard weather.”

Jenks coach Vicki Hughes was confident that Herman would get the job done on the biggest stage of the season.

“I’m very excited, she’s very deserving,” Hughes said of Herman. “The girl works harder than probably anybody that I know, she’s seven-days-aweek golf. She works at her game. I’m tickled to death to have her on our team.”

CLASS 4A

Abbie Justiz of Bishop McGuinness edged sister Allie Justiz by a single shot to win the Class 4A state championship May 4 at Prairie West Golf Course in Weatherford. The team race, however, went to Ada by two shots over McGuinness.

Abbie shot rounds of 7576 for a 151 total while Allie shot 75-77 for 152. Ada golfers Beans Factor (76-77) and London Wilson (75-78) tied for third at 153.

CLASS 3A

Jenks’ Lisa Herman rebounded from a double bogey-bogey start in a drenching rain to shoot 1-underpar 71 at Meadowbrook Country Club in south Tulsa on May 4 to win the Class 6A individual state championship, while helping her team claim its second consecutive team title.

The only golfer to shoot under par-72 in either round, Herman fired a 70-71--141 to win by 10 strokes over runner-up Lucy Darr of Stillwater. Syrah Javed of Norman North finished third with a 76-76-152.

As a team, Jenks shot a 303-311-614 to take the championship, the 16th in school history, by 54 strokes over second-place Edmond North, which finished as the runner-up for the second year in a row after claiming three straight championships from 2018-21.

Herman, a freshman who won the 6A East Regional last week and set a course record with a 64 in her previous outing at the Frontier Valley Conference championship at Adams GC in Bartlesville, won her eighth individual championshipof the season.

“I was just thinking, ‘I can’t let my team down,’ I just wanted to do my best for my

The Trojans also had two other top-five finishers and four total in the top 10, as Lily Stanton placed fourth with a 75-79--154, Sophia Lefler was fifth at 79-78--157 and Isabella Suttee tied for seventh (79-83-162).

CLASS 5A

JJ Gregston of Duncan shot rounds of 69-71 to win the Class 5A state championship May 4 at Dornick Hills Country Club in Ardmore. She finished nine shots ahead of defending champion Natalie Blonien of Altus (71-78).

Peyton Coburn of Bishop Kelley was third at 154 and Kamryn Zuniga of Carl Albert fourth at 159.

Carl Albert won its first state championship with a team score of 654, six shots clear of Duncan. Bishop Kelley was third and Durant finished four shots back.

Meredith Reid of Kingston improved from an opening 83 to a closing 73 to win the Class 3A championship by three shots over Megan Kalapura of Holland Hall (79-80) and Elle Standlee of Prague (78-81) on May 4 at Lake Murray Golf Course near Ardmore.

Marlow improved by 13 shots to win the team title over Christian Heritage, 721 to 735. Gabby Hack led Marlow with a fifth-place finish at 166.

CLASS 2A

Jaci Hartman led a parade of her teammates to the podium, shooting rounds of 69-71 to win the Class 2A girls title as Turner won the team title by 153 shots over second-place Tishomingo on May 4 at Falconhead Resort and Country Club.

Josey Cavitt of Turner was second, three shots back at 143 after rounds of 71-72.

Turner’s Braylee Foster took third at 159 and Hope Hill was fourth at 162. The rest of the field was led by Evelyn Sturgill of Mooreland at 165.

JJ Gregston

Lily Stanton

Allie Justiz

Meredith Reid

Gabby Hack

Jaci Hartman

Josey Cavitt

Abbie Justiz

Vicki Hughes

Lisa Herman

RESULTS: More at www.golfoklahoma.org

HIGH SCHOOLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

BOYS

MAY 8-9

CLASS 6A

AT BAILEY RANCH GC, OWASSO

Team scores: 1, Norman 305-303-293 – 901; 2, Stillwater 302-299-306 – 907; 3, Norman North

304-303-305 – 912; 4 (tie), Edmond North 309310-296 – 915; 5, Owasso 309-295-315 – 919; 6, Union 302-323-311 – 936; 7, Jenks 306-308-323 – 937; 8, Edmond Memorial 306-317-316 – 939; 9, Edmond Santa Fe 316-323-312 – 951; 10, Enid

314-324-318 – 956; 11, Bixby 323-313-321 – 957; 12, Broken Arrow 328-335-325 – 988.

Individual leaders: 1, Sebastian Salazar (Norman)

73-72-70 – 215; 2, Parker Sands (EN) 71-72-73 – 216; 3, Josh Stuart (Bixby) 72-73-72 – 217; 4, CJ Phillips (Muskogee) 70-73-75 – 218; 5, Mason

Haley (Enid) 71-72-76 – 219; 6, Grant Gudgel (Stillwater) 73-71-75 – 219; 7, Sammy Bonaobra (Union) 72-79-72 – 223; 8 (tie), Preston Albee (Choctaw) 70-81-73 – 224 and Wyatt King (Edmond Memorial) 70-79-75 – 224; 10 (tie), Sam Morris (Jenks) 74-74-77 – 225, Dennon Norman (Norman) 78-76-71 – 225 and Quinn Robertson (Norman) 76-72-77 – 225.

CLASS 5A

AT TERRITORY GOLF & CC, DUNCAN

Team scores: 1, Duncan 304-312-299 – 915; 2, Bishop Kelley 314-299-321 – 934; 3, Bishop McGuinness 319-322-321 – 972; 4, Piedmont

322-326-325 – 973; 5, Carl Albert 336-346-322 –

1,004; 6, Tahlequah 337-333-355 – 1,025; 7, Altus

352-353-349 – 1,054; 8, Noble 366-347-371 –

1,084; 9, Pryor 368-358-359 – 1,085; 10, Claremore

376-357-355 – 1,088; 11, Grove 365-361-365 –

1,092; 12, Collinsville 379-374-367 – 1,120.

Individual leaders: 1, Will Hennessee (Kelley) 7068-71 – 209; 2, Baylor Bostick (Duncan) 72-73-67 – 212; 3 (tie), Caden Stevens (Duncan) 71-81-76 –

228 and Parker Payne (Noble) 77-77-74 – 228; 5, Carson Lee (McGuinness) 77-76-76 – 229; 6 (tie), Gunner Hamon (Altus) 81-71-82 – 234 and Jack Williams (Claremore) 82-77-75 – 234; 8, Evan Weaver (Pryor) 78-83-76 – 235.

CLASS 4A

At Prairie West GC, Weatherford

Team scores: 1, Okla. Christian School 283-297299 – 879; 2, Heritage Hall 285-299-296 – 880;

3, Cascia Hall 304-320-306 – 930; 4, Elk City 319-304-317 – 940; 5, Holland Hall 306-317-329 –952; 6, Crossings Christian 313-328-317 – 958; 7, Woodward 321-321-317 – 959; 8, Lincoln Christian 326-318-322 – 966; 9, Cushing 313-336-320 – 969; 10, Blanchard 331-313-329 – 973; 11, Tuttle 319335-321 – 975; 12, Bethany 330-323-328 – 981.

Individual leaders: 1, Ryder Cowan (OCS) 6768-68 – 203; 2, Ben Lathrop (Her. Hall 69-68-68 – 205; 3, Bryant Polhill (OCS) 69-69-70 – 208;

4, Mason Schmidt (Elk City) 70-69-75 – 224; 5, Roger Smith (Her. Hall) 72-75-74 – 221; 6, Kyle McLaughlin (Her. Hall) 71-78-73 – 222; 7, Matthew Kendrick (CH) 68-79-77 – 224; 8 (tie), Nathan Womack (Elk City) 76-74-75 – 225 and Reid Williams (Woodward) 71-77-77 – 225.

CLASS 3A

At Lakeview GC, Ardmore

Team scores: 1, Plainview 297-295-307 – 899; 2, Kingfisher 309-328-311 – 948; 3, Lone Grove 324-335-319 – 978; 4, Pauls Valley 331-321-330 –982; 5, Marlow 329-340-328 – 997; 6, Kingston 354-339-337 – 1,030; 7, Christian Heritage 353341-340 – 1,034; 8, Inola 359-348-350 – 1,057; 9, Comanche 363-345-357 – 1,065; 10, Perkins-Tryon 356-360-351 – 1,067; 11, Metro Christian 354-360355 – 1,069; 12, Perry 357-368-354 – 1,079.

Individual leaders: 1, Christian Johnson (Chr. Her.)

73-77-66 – 216 (won playoff); 2, Bliss Newton (Lone Grove) 72-75-69 – 216; 3 (tie), Carter Nutt (Chr. Her.) 79-64-74 – 217 and Jace Chaney (Plainview) 69-73-75 217; 5, Kaden Risenhoover (Stigler) 74-71-74 – 219; 6, Tristan Burnham (Kingfisher) 71-78-72 – 221; 7, Karston Rennie (Pauls Valley) 74-75-75 – 224; 8, Caden Thompson (Inola) 76-72-78 – 226.

CLASS 2A AT LAKE HEFNER GC, OKLA. CITY

Team scores: 1, Community Christian 297-289-289 – 875; 2, Latta 306-296-299 – 901; 3, Tishomingo 320-311-321 – 952; 4, Kiefer 330-314-311 – 955; 5, Rejoice Christian 331-315-320 – 966; 6, Turpin 321-326-321 – 968; 7, Thomas 327-331-325 – 983; 8, Cashion 323-329-334 – 986; 9, Keys Park Hill 338-333-329 – 1,000; 10, Velma-Alma 332-343333 – 1,008; 11, Walters 3394-343-339 – 1,021; 12, Arapaho-Butler 353-340-359 – 1,052.

Individual leaders: 1, Collin Bond (Comm. Chr.) 6763-67 – 197; 2, Spencer Bullen (Nowata) 73-7066 – 209; 3, Carter Ray (Walters) 69-67-74

210; 4 (tie), Cooper Hardison (Caney) 73-69-71 – 213 and Will Whorton (Comm. Chr.) 75-70-68

213; 6, Parker Pogue (Latta) 69-72-74 – 215; 7, Benton Manley (Regent Prep) 68-72-75 – 215; 8 (tie), Britt Bailey (OCA) 77-71-70 – 218 and Crue Garrett (VA) 70-74-74 – 218.

GIRLS

MAY 3-4

CLASS 6A

AT MEADOWBROOK CC, TULSA

Team scores: 1, Jenks 303-311 – 614; 2, Edmond North 327-341 – 668; 3, Edmond Memorial 329341 – 670; 4, Stillwater 339-335 – 674; 5, Broken Arrow 339-353 – 692; 6, Norman North 339-356 – 695; 7, Owasso 343-356 – 699; 8, Westmoore 347-354 – 701; 9, Bixby 358-364 – 722; 10, Bartlesville 371-372 – 743; 11, Yukon 395-376 – 771; 12, Moore 398-376 – 774.

Individual leaders: 1, Lisa Herman (Jenks) 70-71

141; 2, Lucy Darr (Stillwater) 76-75 –151; 3, Syrah Javed (Norman North) 76-76 – 152; 4, Lily Stanton (Jenks) 75-79– 154; 5, Sophia Lefler (Jenks) 79-78– 157; 6, Juliana Hong (NN) 78-80 – 158; 7 (tie), Emma Fields (Bixby) 81-81 – 162 and Isabella Suttee (Jenks) 79-83 – 162; 9 (tie), Natalie Purvis (EN) 80-83 – 163; Jaeya Mathis (Westmoore) 8380 – 163 and Mimi Hoang (Westmoore) 80-83 – 163.

CLASS 5A

At Dornick Hills Golf & CC, Ardmore Team scores: 1, Carl Albert 321-333 – 654; 2, Duncan 333-327 – 660; 3, Bishop Kelley 337-341 – 678; 4, Durant 359-328 – 687; 5, Piedmont 374371 – 745; 6, Ardmore 399-383 – 782; 7, Lawton MacArthur 406-395 – 801; 8, Altus 391-418 – 809; 9, Elgin 417-40 – 817; 10, El Reno 417-408 – 825; 11, Collinsville 427-424 – 851; 12, Guthrie 445-422 – 867. Individual leaders: 1, JJ Gregston (Duncan) 6971 – 140; 2, Natalie Blonien (Altus) 71-78 – 149; 3, Peyton Colburn (Kelley) 78-76 – 154; 4 (tie), Scarlet Sturch (Durant) 83-76 – 159 and Kamryn Zuniga (CA) 73-86 – 159; 6, Addison McAlister (Carl Albert) 79-81 – 160; 7, Ady Meek (Duncan) 83-79 – 162; 8 (tie), Peyton Black (Carl Albert) 84-82 – 166 and Haley Whittern (Piedmont) 81-85 – 166; 10, Laura Stewart (Duncan) 84-83 – 167.

CLASS 4A

At Prairie West GC, Weatherford Team scores: 1, Ada 327-342 – 669; 2, McGuinness 333-338 – 671; 3, Fort Gibson 335-348 – 673; 4, Clinton 347-368 – 715; 5, Weatherford 362-368 –730; 6, Hilldale 358-373 – 731; 7, Elk City 355-384 – 739; 8, Plainview 371-381 – 752; 9, Sulphur 387399 – 786; 10, Cushing 387-400 – 787; 11, Tuttle 387-401 – 788; 12, Classen SAS 435-472 – 907. Individual leaders: 1, Abbie Justiz (McGuinness) 75-76 – 151; 2, Allie Justiz (McGuinness) 75-77 –152; 3, Beans Factor (Ada) 76-77 – 153; 4, London Wilson (Ada) 75-78 – 153; 5, Layne Ailshie (Fort Gibson) 73-81 – 154; 6 (tie), Katie Jo Eisenhauer (OCS) 81-78 – 159 and Rachel Carruth (Weatherford) 80-79 – 159; 8 (tie), Paisley Eason (Sulphur) 83-82 – 165; 9, Avery Haywood (Sallisaw) 82-88 –170; 10, Addison Littke (Clinton) 82-89 – 171.

CLASS 3A

At Lake Murray GC, Ardmore

Team scores: 1, Marlow 367-354 – 721; 2, Christian Heritage 375-360 – 735; 3, Heritage Hall 368-379 – 747; 4, Holland Hall 383-369 – 752; 5, Sequoyah Tahlequah 392-376 – 768; 6, Henryetta 386394 – 780; 7, Pauls Valley 395-389 – 784; 8, OCA 394-393 – 787; 9, Lone Grove 394-396 – 790; 10, Eufaula 412-402 – 814; 11, Washington 421-415 –836; 12, Metro Christian 438-422 – 860.

Individual leaders: 1, Meredith Reid (Kingston) 83-73 – 156; 2 (tie), Megan Kalapura (Holland Hall) 79-80 – 159 and Elle Standlee (Prague) 78-81 – 159; 4, Avery Haddock (OCA) 80-80 – 160; 5, Gabby Hack (Marlow) 86-80 – 166; 6 (tie), Gabriella Gross (Her. Hall) 82-90 – 172.

CLASS 2A

At Falconhead Resort & CC, Burneyville

Team scores: 1, Turner 297-307 – 604; 2, Tishomingo 361-396 – 757; 3, Mooreland 381-378 – 759; 4, Hooker 412-423 – 835; 5, Oktaha 407-431 –838; 6, Community Christian 415-424 – 839; 7, Crescent 421-434 – 855; 8, Pawnee 443-438 – 881; 9, Mangum 460-422 – 882; 10, Merritt 432-456 –888; 11, Empire 447-454 – 901; 12, Kansas 452-468 – 920.

Individual leaders: 1, Jaci Hartman (Turner) 6971 – 140; 2, Josey Cavitt (Turner) 71-72 – 143; 3, Braylee Foster (Turner) 79-80 – 159; 4, Hope Hill (Turner) 78-84 – 162; 6, Evelyn Sturgill (Mooreland) 83-82 – 165; 7, Carli Upton (Tishomingo) 85-82 – 167; 8, Hadley Hill (Turner) 81-90 – 171.

OGA

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

JUNE 5-8 AT LINCOLN PARK (WEST), OKC

MATCH PLAY BOYS

16-18

QUARTERFINALS

Ryder Cowan def. Cameron Cheek 2 and 1, C.J. Phillips def. Ty Hyatt 3 and 1, Mack Moore def. Parker Sands 5 and 3, Bryant Polhill def. Preston Albee 3 and 1.

SEMIFINALS

Cowan def. Phillips 4 and 3, Polhill def. Moore 2-up.

FINAL

Cowan def. Polhill 3 and 2.

14-15

QUARTERFINALS

Emerson Majma def. Austen Mueller 2 and 1, Chase Blaser def. Ty Neatherlin 1-up (21), Ben Lathrop def. Cooper Watson 6 and 5, Owen Mitchel def. Bryce Freeman 4 and 3.

SEMIFINALS

Blaser def.Majma 1-up, Ben Lathrop def. Owen Mitchel 2-up.

FINAL

Lathrop def. Blaser 3 and 2. GIRLS

QUARTERFINALS

Natalie Blonien def. Rylee Roberts 1-up, Jaiden Gregston def. Peyton Coburn 1-up, Juliana Hong def. Haley Whittern 3 and 2, Abbie Justiz def. Spencer Holleyman 1-up.

SEMIFINALS

Blonien def. Gregston 1-up (19), Hong def. Justiz 3 and 1.

FINAL

Hong def. Blonien 2 and 1.

STROKE PLAY BOYS

1, Ryder Cowan 63-65 – 128 (won playoff); 2, Parker Sands 62-66 – 128; 3, Samuel Bonaobra 67-67 – 134; 4 (tie), Grant Gudgel 71-66 – 137, Sam Morris 68-69 – 137 and C.J. Phillips 68-69 – 137; GIRLS

1, Natalie Blonien 73-71 – 144; 2, Juliana Hong 71-74 – 145; 3, Spencer Holleyman 75-76 – 151; 4, Jaiden Gregston 75-77 – 152; 5, Sophia Lefler 8075 – 155; 6 (tie), Abbie Justiz 80-76 – 156, Haley Whitter

STROKE PLAY MAY 30-31

AT THE TERRITORY G&CC, DUNCAN (PAR-72) BOYS

1, Ryder Cowan 65-70-65 – 200 (won playoff); 2, Jordan Wilson 67-66-67 – 200; 3, Mesa Falleur 67-66-72 – 205; 4, William McDonald 69-68-71 – 208; 5 (tie), James Roller 71-69-71 – 211 and Emerson Majma 67-71-73 – 211; 7, Presten Richardson 71-69-72 – 212; 8 (tie), Luke Morgan 73-68-72 –213, Bryce Newton 69-74-70 – 213 and JR Hurley 72-68-73 – 213; 11, Kyle Hudelson 72-71-72 – 215; 12 (tie), Heath Myers 71-73-73 – 217, Harley Abrams 72-71-74 – 217 and Rhett Hughes 68-72-77 – 217; 15, Dax Rambo 73-70-75 – 218.