Category: Bonner Springs

Bizarre finish for 8th WyCo Golf Tourney

Defending WyCo Open champion Kevin Rome could not believe his tying 20-inch shot spun 360 degrees around the hole, costing him a chance for a second title. (Photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins

Add another chapter to the “Wild Finishes of the Wyandotte County Open Golf Tournament.”

Veteran Steve Groom won it but not before one of the most bizarre finishes in the 43-year history of Kansas City’s longest running tournament of its kind at Sunflower Hills Sunday.

Groom, defending champion Kevin Rome and 2013 champion Kyle Ritchie looked headed for a three-way playoff going into the final hole of the 36-hole tournament. Both Rome and Ritchie missed second shots just left of the green on the 361-yard closing hole but Ritchie chipped to within four feet; Rome to about 20 inches. Groom had a 22-foot birdie putt to win but left it four feet short to see who might blink.

Two did. Ritchie’s 4-footer caught the edge of the hole and then spun inches away. Groom knocked his in from about the same distance but Rome’s putt to tie spun 360 degrees around the hole.

“It horseshoed; it went all the way around,” groaned Rome, who also spun in disappointment. “Steve said he felt nervous on his putt. I felt confident, I just hit it a little too hard.”

“I’m the luckiest guy in Wyandotte County,” Groom said. “I’ve never won in a finish like that. I felt really bad (for Rome). I was not sure I was going to make mine.”

It was a record eighth WyCo championship for Groom but the first he’s played in since winning three in a row in 2006-2008.

“It’s always been my one of my favorite tournaments but every year it seemed like there’s been a conflict,” he said. One of Kansas City’s premier seniors, Groom has won Senior Player of the Year 19 times in the last 11 years including nine in Missouri, eight in Kansas and KCGA and KGA Player of the Year honors.

The tournament’s wild finish actually started on No. 14 when Groom’s second shot on the 480-yard hole lodged in the lip of a bunker.

“I had to try to hit it sideways but didn’t get the ball out of the bunker,” Groom said. His fourth shot sailed over the green and he needed to make a 12-foot putt for double bogey to stay within two shots of Rome. “That and a birdie on No. 12 were big,” he said.

Rome had a two-shot lead going into the 221-yard par 3 16th but his tee shot hooked far left down a hill and the ensuing double bogey enabled Ritchie and Groom to pull even.

Last year, Rome came out of the A flight to win and he almost did it again this year.

“Last year I didn’t expect to do anything and things fell my way,” said Rome, a 49-year-old employee of BPU. “This year and was six over par the last five holes and didn’t make a birdie.”

He did, however, win the A flight. Other flight winners included Tim Nick (B), Jerry Lamb (C), Andy Black (D) and Dan Burgess (E).

Aaron Uzelac, a two-time runnerup in the tourney, took a one-shot lead over Groom, Ritchie and Rome with a one-under par 71 Saturday and was right in the running until he double bogeyed No. 12 and then three-putted Nos. 14 and 15.

“Those killed me,” he said.

Just four strokes separated the top six finishers. Groom added a 78 to his opening par round for a 150 total with Ritchie and Rome one stroke back, Dale Nash and Brian Perdieu two shots back and Ritch Nigh and Uzelac fourth at 153.

For the 19th time, Sunflower Hills master professional Jeff Johnson awarded WyCo Open championship trophies to the tourney’s most dominant players – 11 to Pat Seber-Bradley and eight to Steve Groom. (Photo by Alan Hoskins)

Fast start carries Seber-Bradley to 11th women’s title

by Alan Hoskins

The WyCo men’s championship may have gone down to the final hole but Pat Seber-Bradley took all the drama out of the women’s 39th annual championship in a hurry.

Seber-Bradley won for a record 11th time with an opening round 84 that was six shots ahead of the field on the way to a 176 at Sunflower Hills Sunday. Brooklynn Lamberd, who is beginning her studies at Baker University this fall, was seven shots back in second with Donna Reid third at 187.

“Pat played extremely well Saturday,” said Reid, a past four-time champion. “She was never in trouble. It was like clockwork, fun to watch.”

“I did not have the same swing today and got in too many bunkers but I did play well Saturday,” agreed Seber-Bradley. “My approaches were really good and I only needed 26 putts. I just couldn’t miss.”

Even with 11 championships, Seber-Bradley said winning never gets old.

“I just love the competition and playing with Donna Reid and Brooklynn Lamberd was so much fun. Brooklynn is going to do well at Baker.”

A retired truck driver from BP Amoco, Seber-Bradley added the WyCo championship to both the Sunflower Hills and St. Andrews club championships, events she’s won each of the last two years.

Donna Nelson won the women’s B flight with Jane Lamb defeating Leslie Taylor on a scorecard playoff for second.

43rd Wyandotte County Open

Men

Championship – 1. Steve Groom, 150; 2. Kyle Ritchie, 151; 3. (tie) Dale Nash and Brian Perdieu, 152; 5. (tie) Aaron Uzelac and Ritch Nigh, 153).
A – 1. Kevin Rome, 151; 2. George Regam, 156; 3. Tim Skorija, 157; 4. Jerry Reid, 159; 5. (tie) Darrin Neal and Patrick Neal, 161.
B – 1. Tim Nick, 158; 2. Mike Klein, 159; 3. Ray Geisler, 161; 4. Brad Crosby, 162; 5. Rick Richardson, 163.
C – 1. Jerry Lamb, 165; 2. Bailey Dixon*, 167; 3. Terry Maskil, 167; 4. (Tie) Dan Maskil and Gary Burgess, 168.
D – 1. Andy Black, 165; 2. Alex Blancarte, 167; 3. Jerry Verbeck, 170; 4. Mike Super, 174; 5. David Gonzales, 175.
E – 1. Dan Burgess, 177; 2. Cody Carbajo, 182; 3. Jay Sutera, 185; 4. Len Zimmerman, 187; 5. Greg Schmidt, 191.

Women

A – 1. Par Seber-Bradley, 176; 2. Brooklynn Lamberd, 183; 3. Donna Reid, 187.
B – 1. Donna Nelson, 200; 2. Jane Lamb*, 206; 3. Leslie Taylor, 206.

Proximity prizes

Saturday – Closest to hole: Brian Shatto, No. 4; Robert Cochenour, No. 8; Easton Nigh, No. 13; David Gonzales, No. 16. Long putt No. 9, David Gonzales; Long drive No. 19, Andy Black.
Sunday – Closest to hole: Dave Grisso, No. 4; Brian Perdieu, No. 8; Steve Groom, No. 13; Brian Perdieu, No. 16. Long putt No. 9, Stuart Hunt; Long drive No. 10, Tim Hunt.
Kansas City’s longest putt – Michael Moore.

Bonner Springs Library celebrates with birthday bash Friday

The Bonner Springs City Library, 201 N. Nettleton, Bonner Springs, Kansas, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of opening its building with a birthday bash from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. (File photo)

The Bonner Springs City Library, 201 N. Nettleton, Bonner Springs, opened its doors to a new library building on July 12, 2009.

It will celebrate its 10th anniversary in the new building with a birthday bash from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, said Jack Granath, library director.

The event will be held outside the library building, he said. There will be cake, music, games and face painting, plus a proclamation.

Bonner Beautiful, a group dedicated to beautification, has donated a statue to the library that wil be unveiled at this event, he said.

“The Whiz Kid,” a statue in bronze, depicts a child sitting on a globe, with a magnifying glass, he said. The statue will be placed outdoors in a patio at the garden.

The public is invited to the event.

The Bonner Springs Library also is planning a celebration with other area libraries for the “One Book: Many Stories” program. Seven area libraries participated in a summer reading discussion program. The wrap-up party will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Cider Hill Family Orchard, 3341 N. 139th, Kansas City, Kansas.

The event will include music, food and prizes.

Community calendar

Grinter Jamboree to be July 9
The Grinter Jamboree will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the Grinter Barn, 1400 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas. MP3 will play country swing music, with tunes by George Strait, Bob Wills and Texas swing. The admission charge is $6 at the door, with light snacks available for purchase.

Leavenworth Road Association to meet July 9
 The Leavenworth Road Association will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. Dinner and a social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. A speaker with the Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department will highlight the upcoming Christmas in July event on July 20 at Wyandotte County Lake. This event will include a pontoon parade, food booths and fireworks.

Wyandotte County Fair to be July 9-13
 The Wyandotte County Fair opens at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds at 137th and Polfer Road, Kansas City, Kansas, and runs through Saturday, July 13. Admission is $5 at the gate and $5 for parking. For more information, visit https://www.wycofair.com/.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
 Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont, Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas, offers programs for Spanish-speaking women: Grupo de mujeres: con lideres Ana Maria Sauer, Los Martes, 10-11:30 a.m. Grupo de salud emocional para la mujer, ofrecido por MOCSA, contacte a Tina May-Gamboa, Gaby Carmona, llame al 816-285-1349, los Martes, 11:30-1 p.m. Sabores Del Mundo, con Teresa Moreno, Jueves, 11, 18 y 15 de Julio, 11-12:30 p.m., Explore nuevos sabores y aprenda a concinar comidas de otras partes del mundo. El centro de mujeres, Keeler ofrece consejeria espiritual a mujeres y hombres en espanol y ingles. Gratis. Se aceptan donaciones. Llame al 913-906-8990 para hacer su cita o para mas informacion. For more information and registration, call 913-906-8990.

Create greeting cards in program July 10
 “Beautiful Cards” with Carole Thrasher will be presented from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. Those attending will create their own greeting cards. Supplies will be provided. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

‘Pretty Nails’ program offered
 Appointments for a “Pretty Nails” program will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 11, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. Those interested must call 913-906-8990 to schedule an appointment.

UG Commission to meet July 11
 The Unified Government Commission has scheduled a special session for 5 p.m. Thursday, July 11, in the fifth floor meeting room, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The special session will be a budget workshop. A UG Commission meeting will follow at 7 p.m. July 11 in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St. An agenda will be posted at www.wycokck.org.

KCK school board to meet Thursday
 The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 11, in the superintendent’s conference room at the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St. The purpose of the special meeting will be to recess to a closed, executive session to discuss the human resources audit under the non-elected personnel exception to the Kansas open meetings act.

Food truck Friday planned
 Food truck Friday is planned from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Huron Park, behind the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave. Cajunation will provide food for sale.

Bonner Springs Library to hold 10th Birthday Bash
 The Bonner Springs City Library will hold its 10th Birthday Bash from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 12, at the library, 201 N. Nettleton Ave., Bonner Springs, Kansas. There will be cake, games, music, prizes, face painting and other events. For more information, visit https://bonnerlibrary.org/10th-birthday-bash/.

Grand opening for new Keeler Women’s Center location
 A grand opening for the new Keeler Women’s Center location at 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, July 15. This new location is off Coy Street, on the south side of the old St. Margaret’s Hospital. For more information, call 913-906-8990.

Affirmations group to meet
 The Affirmations and Living Free Growth Group for Women will meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 15, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. (This new location is off Coy Street, on the south side of the old St. Margaret’s Hospital.) This group’s purpose is to help women change the way they think about themselves and their lives. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Program offered on healthy relationships
 “Healthy Relationships: Domestic Violence Education and Support” will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Jaime Peterson. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Caregivers support group to meet July 16
 A caregivers support group for men and women will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100 B, Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Jackie Tigges, LSCSW. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Parenting support group to meet
 A parenting support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. The education and support group is presented by Marqueia Watson, MSW. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Knitting and crocheting group to meet
 A knitting and crocheting group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. Those attending may learn a new skill or work on a current project. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Informational program on Medicare offered

A program providing basic information about Medicare will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 750 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. Susan Marcos will lead the program. There will be questions-and-answers. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Candidate forum planned

A forum for Unified Government and Board of Public Utilities candidates on the August primary ballot will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the Dr. Burke Tech Center, Kansas City Kansas Community College, 6565 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The forum is sponsored by Business West and KCKCC.

Anger management series offered

A 10-week series on anger management will be offered beginning in mid-July at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. Rachel Willoghby Greene will lead the program. For more information and registration, call 913-906-8990.

BPU to meet July 18

The Board of Public Utilities will meet on Thursday, July 18, at the BPU offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The work session will begin at 5 p.m. July 18. On the works session agenda will be a board update, general manager update and Integrated Resource Plan discussion. The regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. On the agenda for the regular meeting are a visitors’ time, website demonstration, integrated market update, board comments, general manager comments and a closed executive session.

UG budget workshop scheduled
 A Unified Government budget workshop is scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at the fifth floor meeting room, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, visit www.wycokck.org.

Author to hold book event July 18
 Author Phyllis Lawson is scheduled to hold a book event at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Her book is “Quilt of Souls.” The book is about a young woman raised by her grandmother. Each scrap of the quilts she made had a story to tell about a loved one. The author will have books available for purchase and autograph. To register for this event, visit https://kckpl.librarymarket.com/meet-author-phyllis-lawson.

Training sessions planned on open meeting, open records laws
Free training sessions on Kansas open government laws will be offered on July 24 at the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government are offering the sessions to the public. The free training session will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, second floor auditorium, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The sessions are open to the public. Space at each location is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants can register on the Kansas Attorney General’s website, www.ag.ks.gov/open-gov, or by calling 785-296-2215 or 888-428-8436. The training about the Kansas Open Records Act and the Kansas Open Meetings Act will be conducted by attorneys in Schmidt’s office who have experience in open government laws and who are charged by law with training and enforcement of them. Panelists will include Kansas Sunshine Coalition members, local government officials and media representatives.

Candidate forum planned July 24
 A candidate forum is planned on Thursday, July 24, at the Elevate Bar and Grill, 7543 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The forum’s host is Kendon McClaine and the Elevate Bar and Grill. McLaine ran for Unified Government commissioner, 8th District, in 2017. The forum is open to the public. Candidates will meet with members of the public at the event. A meet-and-greet will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a forum at 7 p.m. The audience will have the opportunity to submit questions that may be posed to the candidates.

Budget public hearing scheduled
 A Unified Government budget public hearing is scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. If necessary, the public hearing will be followed by a budget workshop. The UG Commission is scheduled to vote on the budget at 7 p.m. July 25 in the Commission Chambers. For more information, visit www.wycokck.org.

Grinter Friends plan program about their own history July 27

Georgia Howlett will present a program at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at Grinter House, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas, about how the Junior League helped save the 1857 Grinter House and how volunteerism built the Friend of Grinter event space barn. This program was scheduled last February, but it snowed. There will be doughnuts, coffee and juice at this program. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/1400so78street/ .

Library celebration to be Aug. 4

The Bonner Springs City Library is planning a celebration with other area libraries for the “One Book: Many Stories” program. Seven area libraries participated in a summer reading discussion program. The wrap-up party will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Cider Hill Family Orchard, 3341 N. 139th, Kansas City, Kansas. The event will include music, food and prizes.

Night Out Against Crime to be Aug. 6
The Kansas City, Kansas, National Night Out Against Crime event will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the Kansas National Guard Armory, 18th and Ridge, Kansas City, Kansas. The event is free and open to the public.

UG Ethics Commission to meet Aug. 8

The Unified Government Ethics Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the second floor of the Wyandotte County Courthouse, 710 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The meeting will be in Division 18, the old county commissioners’ chambers.

Leavenworth Road Association to meet Aug. 13

The Leavenworth Road Association will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. The guest speaker will be Sasha Wells from the Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department. The potluck social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m.

Wyandotte County Museum
 For information about the Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, call 913-573-5002 or visit https://www.wycokck.org/wycomuseum.aspx or https://www.facebook.com/wycomuseum/.

Strawberry Hill Museum
 For information about The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas, call 913-371-3264 or visit www.strawberryhillmuseum.org.

Grinter Place Museum
 The Grinter Place State Historic Site, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas, is one of the oldest homes in the area, built in 1857. For more information about hours and days it is open, call 913-299-0373 or visit http://www.kshs.org/p/grinter-place-plan-your-visit/15857.

Old Quindaro Museum
 The Old Quindaro Museum is at 3432 N. 29th St., Kansas City, Kansas. For more information about the museum, call 816-820-3615 or visit https://www.facebook.com/ccoqmuseum/.


KCK parks and recreation programs
To see a brochure listening Kansas City, Kansas, Parks and Recreation programs, visit
https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Parks-Recreation/Documents/WYCOGuide_FINAL_Small.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1SYe9fdtg8G8vXPY3JuRnrBUHZXs6amoG2lWgpl_8n-J4DwIbQ3JWlkLE .

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