KC Golf News
Prestigious High School Golf Award Presented
TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE Newsroom
The annual Kenneth Smith Award was presented to Caden Mickelson on July 3 in a ceremony at Liberty North High School. The award is sponsored by the Kenneth L. and Eva S. Smith Foundation. It is awarded annually to both a Greater Kansas City Area High School female and male golfer who best demonstrate excellence in the following areas:
Performance in high school golf tournaments
9 Academic Achievement 9 Leadership on the golf team and in other school areas 9 Community Service through school, church, or other activities
All the area high school golf team coaches and athletics directors were invited to submit nominations for this award. tournament with a score of 68 and placed second at State with rounds of 66 and 69. During his four years at Liberty North, Mickelson placed fifth, first, second, and second at State. He is the first golfer in school history to earn All-State, All-District, and All-Conference honors all four years. Mickelson holds multiple state MSHAA records.
In the classroom, Mickelson earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.85 on a 4.0 scale. He was on the Honor Roll all four years and graduated Magna cum Laude.
He served on the student council for four years, was a member of the practical leadership program for three years, and acted as a mentor to junior high and freshman students. Mickelson was also responsible for assemblies, dances, and other school activities.
Mickelson volunteered with the Liberty Community Christian organization for seven years, and he served as a volunteer coach and mentor for a local kids’ golf program for four years.
According to Mickelson’ s golf coach, Jeff Braden,“ Caden always set an example for others. He has a great work ethic and always took his leadership role seriously, leading the Liberty North team to four consecutive winning seasons.”
Mickelson plans to continue his education this fall at the University of Nebraska while playing Division 1 golf for the Cornhuskers.
In recognition of Mickelson’ s outstanding performance during this past school year, a representative of the Kenneth L. and Eva S. Smith Foundation presented a $ 5,000 contribution to The First Tee of Greater Kansas City to support its cutting-edge child development programs, which teach life skills to over 10,000 local kids annually.
A companion Kenneth Smith Award was presented last fall at the conclusion of the girls’ high school golf season to Claire Sullivan, a student at Olathe Northwest High School( featured in the February 2025 issue of TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE Magazine).
Liberty North High School golf team player, Caden Mickelson, the 2025 male golfer Kenneth Smith Award winner.
( Photo by, Katie Cowan)
As a senior at Liberty North High School, Caden Mickelson competed in nine tournaments this spring, winning five tournaments and placing second in three tournaments. Mickelson won the District
This award concludes the 26th Anniversary Year for the Kenneth Smith Award program.“ Thank you to everyone who has participated in this program, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of Greater Kansas City high school student athletes in golf,” said Patrick J. McMahon, administrator of the Kenneth Smith Award program. �
For additional information about the Kenneth Smith Award, contact Patrick J. McMahon at plemcmahon @ earthlink. net.
14 August 2025 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE