Tied with KU golfer and No . 5 seeded Will King after 18 holes in the 36-hole final , Winslow opened up a three-shot lead through 14 holes and closed out a 2-up win on the 17th hole .
engineering . Now retired , he does some golf instruction –– and caddies . “ He was my caddy in the Kansas Amateur ,” Michael says proudly . “ That was very special .”
Up next for Winslow is the 2024-25 golf season at Wichita State , where he was on the American Athletic all-conference team . “ Wichita State just felt very comfortable , and I really liked coach Judd Easterly ,” Winslow said of his decision to take the Shockers ’ golf team offer over others . At Aquinas High School , Winslow and the Saints golf team swept the 2018 state high school championship , and he earned multiple first-team all-state honors .
A pro career will follow in 2025 , just when is to be determined . “ I definitely will turn pro , either in the summer or the fall ,” he says . One of his early goals is to win the Watson Challenge . Placing seventh this year , a good showing in 2025 could send Michael Winslow into a head-to-head showdown with the defending champion , brother Joe .
Returning to stroke play in the 34th annual KC Amateur , Winslow tied for the first-round lead with a 4-under 68 but struggled to a near-disastrous 6-over 78 in the second round . “ I played terrible ; I let things affect me I shouldn ’ t have ,” he said .
So , what do you do when you ’ re six strokes back with 18 holes to go ? Knock seven strokes off par in the first eight holes . After birdies at No . 1 , No . 3 ( putt from 30 feet ), and No . 4 ( one foot ), Winslow rifled an 8-iron to within five feet for eagle on the 520-yard par-5 5th hole . Birdie putts of 30 and 4 feet rounded out a front nine 29 .
On Creekmoor ’ s tougher back nine , three pars and a two-putt birdie from 80 feet got him in front , and a gap-wedge to within 10 feet for a birdie on No . 18 closed out a 68-78-64 — 210 finish that was two shots in front of Tyler Strong and Nathan Hughes . “ It was a blast ,” said Winslow . “ Persevering through the back nine in the wind and shooting one under was a lot of fun .”
Michael Winslow ’ s two wins capped a highlight year for the Winslow family . In June , older brother Joe won the prestigious Watson Challenge ( photo onn the right ), much to the delight of parents Tony and Jennifer Winslow and sister Bailey . “ Not surprised in the slightest ,” said brother Joe , 31 , who has played professionally for several years . “ Really proud of the way Michael has played this year . He ’ s always been a great player .”
“ It was my dad who got me into golf and taught me the game ,” said Michael . “ He would bring me to the course when I was a baby , and by age three or four , I was out swinging a golf club . Having him around during my competitive career has been very beneficial .”
An outstanding golfer in his own right , Tony Winslow graduated from Columbia University before entering a career in electrical
As seen in our July 2024 issue , Tom Watson presents Joe Winslow with the 2024 Watson Challenge championship trophy . Winslow shot 6-under par with rounds of 70-67- 67-204 winning by five shots .
One question is still unanswered . Who wins the family matches , Michael or Joe ? “ Obviously me , I do ,” laughs Michael , although admitting that Joe won a match at Wolf Creek just before this year ’ s Watson Challenge by making a 20-foot putt on the final hole . “ He said that really got him set up for the Watson Challenge ,” said Michael .
“ I still win ,” counters Joe . “ Undefeated against him this year . He ’ s gotta remember who ’ s the bigger guy before he starts chirping .”
Wishing both Micheal and Joe Winslow much success with their 2025 pro career journeys .
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Photos courtesy Baile Stephenson , Central Links Golf
Alan Hoskins , Golf Writer Lead Feature Writer since 2007 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE ™ Magazine
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