Frank Kirk ’ s celebration of the life for the Kansas City golf icon had a packed house at Mission Hills Country Club on October 30 , 2024 . Guests were shoulder to shoulder as photos of Kirk rolled on the big screen in the background . ( Photo by Alan Hoskins .)
holes at Brookridge . “ Arnold also was 2-under on the back nine , and I shot 40 . Then , at 16 , Jack Nicklaus beat me by a stroke at Topeka Country Club . But I would have never had a chance to play with them had I not won the Match Play .”
One of Kirk ’ s finest hours was the formation of the First Tee of Greater Kansas City , which he and Al Hoffman helped incorporate in 1989 . “ Perhaps no single individual is more responsible for the fantastic growth of the First Tee of Greater Kansas City than Kirk ,” the Kansas City Golf Foundation noted in inducting Kirk into the Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame in 2018 . In 2016 , Kirk was also inducted into the Kansas Golf Foundation Hall of Fame , one of an elite group in both HOFs .
Always joking and teasing his friends and family ! Very generous and spoiling all family members . Keeping the peace – never an argument . Loved numbers and his career .
“ He will be missed and , in our hearts , forever .”
But Kirk ’ s impact did not stop at golf . “ Frank Kirk ’ s impact on the YMCA was immeasurable ,” said Mark Hulet , President and CEO of the Kansas City YMCA . “ Frank played a pivotal role in the capital campaigns that led to the creation of the Clear Family YMCA in 2006 , the renovation and expansion of the Linwood YMCA in 2018 , and the Kirk Family YMCA in downtown Kansas City , MO , in 2021 .”
A letterman on the University of Kansas golf team , Kirk graduated from the KU Law School and was Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch in Kansas City before retiring after more than 50 years in 2023 . Kirk ’ s wife of 54 years , Nancy , survives along with their two children , Drew Kirk and Natalie Welch , and one grandchild . Together , they outlined some of Kirk ’ s “ Favorite Things ” for the many attending his celebration of life .
“ GOLF ! All things KU . Chiefs and Royals . Playing cards : gin , bridge , and blackjack . Betting on all games . ‘ Egging on ’ his opponents in any competition . Winstead ’ s hamburgers . Onion rings . Diet Coke and iced tea . Chocolate milkshakes . A good steak . Lemon meringue pie .
“ Watching TV : All sports and Hallmark movies . Andrew Lloyd Weber . Singing in his ‘ opera ’ voice but never knowing the words .
Tom Watson welcomes Kansas City ’ s foremost contributor to golf , Frank Kirk , to the 2024 Watson Challenge June 6-8 . Although in poor health at the time , Kirk attended the Challenge showing his support for local golf . For five decades , Kirk was a leader in numerous KC-area golf organizations , including the First Tee of Greater Kansas City , which received $ 90,000 from the 2024 Challenge . ( Photo by Alan Hoskins .)
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