Tap-Ins
Tap-Ins
LOCAL GOLF NEWS
Kansas Golf Foundation
Awards $ 5,000 to KS Junior Golf Programs
In a resounding testament to the commitment to nurture budding talent and fostering the love for the sport , the Kansas Golf Foundation ( KGF ) Board of Trustees proudly announced the recipients of the 2024 Kansas Junior Golf Grants . In February , the KGF selected six local organizations to receive this esteemed award , a testament to its dedication to shaping the future of golf within the state .
Established in 2022 , the Kansas Junior Golf Grant aims to bolster junior golf programs across the state by offering up to $ 5,000 in funding . This initiative serves as a beacon of support for programs seeking to cultivate and expand opportunities for young golf enthusiasts .
Among this year ’ s distinguished recipients is the Buffalo Dunes Golf Course in Garden City , KS . With the grant in hand , it ’ s poised to launch its innovative “ Community Golf N Parks ” program , slated to run from May through September . This initiative program , utilizing state-of-the-art SNAG equipment and promises to introduce golf to a wider audience while fostering a sense of community engagement .
Meanwhile , the Kaw Valley Junior Golf Foundation in Eudora , KS , is set to elevate its “ Summer Tour ” tournament operations with the grant ’ s backing . Having embarked on its maiden season in 2022 , this foundation is primed to further solidify its footprint in junior golf development .
Further northwest , Korbin ’ s Clubs in Wamego , KS , stands to benefit significantly from the grant , enabling it to extend its reach beyond local confines . By providing golf club loans to children across the area , its ambition to scale statewide is within closer reach .
The impact of the grant extends to urban landscapes as well , with the First Tee chapters in Greater Kansas City and Salina each receiving support . In Prairie Village , the Greater Kansas City chapter will enhance its equipment and facilities , while in Salina , expansion efforts to Minneapolis , KS , will be facilitated , bolstered by crucial equipment expenses .
Notably , the McAdams Golf Club in Wichita , KS , emerges as a beacon of historical significance . As one of the longest-surviving African American golf clubs in the nation , the grant will underpin its ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and preserving heritage .
In a statement , the KGF Board of Trustees expressed the difficulty of its decision-making process , acknowledging the wealth of deserving programs vying for support . Ultimately , it aims to strike a balance between quantity and quality , ensuring a robust future for golf across the Sunflower State .
As the 2024 junior golf season unfolds , the impact of these grants will reverberate throughout Kansas , serving as a testament to the enduring spirit of community , inclusivity , and excellence within the sport . Through these KGF initiatives , the stage is set for a new generation of golfers to emerge , carrying forward the rich legacy of the game in the heartland .
The application window for the 2025 Junior Golf Grant will open this Fall . Visit www . kansasgolffoundation . org / kjgg for more information .
New KGF Executive Director Announced
Longtime Executive Director Selina Redeker announced on February 19 her departure from the KGF for another opportunity within the golf industry working with Club Car . During Redeker ’ s time with the KGF she was responsible for the advancement and successes of many KGF programs and creative marketing , which lifted public awareness . She will be missed .
Wendi Brandt formerly with Central Links Golf will assume the KGF Executive Director position . Brandt joined the Kansas Golf Foundation in 2022 as a board member . She assumed the role of Executive Director , effective February 2024 . Born and raised in Kansas , she attended the University of Kansas with a bachelor ’ s degree in public administration . Brandt has been involved with sports all her life . She took up golf in her early 20s and decided to make it her career . She is a PGA golf professional and has worked in the industry for over 20 years .
Brandt came to the KGF after working many years at Mission Hills Country Club ( KS ) and the last three years at Central Links Golf where she was the Director of Women ’ s Championships and Member Services . She lives in Olathe with her husband and two dogs . They are members at Lake Quivira Country Club .
Visit the Kansas Golf Foundation at www . kansasgolffoundation . org to learn more about all it offers .
8 April 2024 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE