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LOCAL GOLF NEWS
Prestigious High School Golf Award Presented by Patrick J . McMahon compiled the lowest score in the three-round tournament ) and winning the 6A Regional ( Kansas ) tournament at Heritage Park Golf Course with a score of 69 . Rinkol qualified to play in the Kansas 6A State Championship each year during his high school career , amassing a record of one State Championship , one runner-up ( after losing in a playoff ), one 9th place , and one 11th place tie . In all , Rinkol won one of every three tournaments he competed in during his four-year career .
In the classroom , Rinkol earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.06 on a 4.0 scale , earning first honors every semester .
Rinkol has been very active in his community throughout his high school years . He personally organized and managed two charity events each year : one raised over $ 21,000 for Christmas Families Inc . ( which has provided over 200 disadvantaged kids with bikes and helmets ), and the other raised over $ 7,000 for Watson Links ( which provides kids an opportunity to play golf alongside a mentor ). Rinkol also volunteered each summer to assist with youth golf .
According to Rinkol ’ s golf team coach , Allen Terrell , “ Chance completely changed the culture of our golf program by modeling work ethic , drive , integrity , and professionalism through his leadership . In my 25 years of coaching , I have never had an individual player more responsible for the success of our program . He has helped us win two team state championships , along with setting the standard of what a Blue Valley golfer should be .”
Chance Rinkol
The annual Kenneth Smith Award was presented to Chance Rinkol in a ceremony on July 24 , at Blue Valley High School . The award is sponsored by the Kenneth L . and Eva S . Smith Foundation and is awarded annually to both a Greater Kansas City area high school female and male golfer . This award concludes the 25th Anniversary Year of the award program . The award is given to high school female and male golfers who best demonstrate excellence in the following areas .
● Performance in high school golf tournaments
● Academic Achievement
● Leadership on the golf team and in other school areas
● 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 .
As a senior at Blue Valley High School , Chance Rinkol won five out of the nine tournaments he played in this season , including winning the Eastern Kansas League ( EKL ) Championship ( i . e .,
Rinkol plans to continue his education this fall at the University of Iowa while playing Division I golf for the Hawkeyes .
In recognition of Rinkol ’ 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 program , which teaches 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 Hadley Neese , also a student at Blue Valley High School .
This award concludes the 25th Anniversary Year of the award program . Patrick J . McMahon , director of the Kenneth L . and Eva S . Smith Foundation , says , “ 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 . �
For additional Kenneth Smith Award information , please contact Patrick J . McMahon at plemcmahon @ earthlink . net .
( Photo of Chance Rinkol by Katie Cowan .)
8 September 2024 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE