The Kansas Junior Cup welcomed 24 of the region’s top junior golfers to Flint Hills National Golf Club, marking the event’s first year at one of Kansas’s most prestigious venues. Hosted by Kaden Leivian, the Cobra PUMA Golf State Cup Series event brought together competition, teamwork and community.
Flint Hills National Golf Club, currently No. 2 in Kansas, provided a fitting stage for the two-day event. Juniors arrived Friday for a practice round before gathering for a welcome dinner donated by Texas Roadhouse. The evening concluded with a lively pairings party, where captains and players selected their Saturday matches, building anticipation for the weekend ahead.
"My favorite part about hosting was being able to help the community in a unique way with a lot of my good friends. It felt really good to see all the players come together to help this event become what it was."
The Kansas Junior Cup featured spirited play from start to finish. Stiles Hunter (2-over-par 144) and Harlow Gregory (10-over-par 152) earned low individual honors in the Boys and Girls Divisions, each receiving a putter for their achievement. The long-drive contest added even more excitement, with Stuart Bowlware (351 yards) and Addison Douglass (283 yards) taking top honors and earning Flint Hills National headcovers for their efforts.
On Sunday, a local news station visited to capture the final round’s energy, later featuring the juniors on the evening broadcast and highlighting the growing impact of junior golf in Kansas.
Beyond competition, the Kansas Junior Cup showcased the power of giving back. The event surpassed its fundraising goal, raising $53,000 in support of three organizations dedicated to growing the game and strengthening the community: the Liberty National ACE Grant, the Kansas Golf Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House of Wichita.
“From start to finish, the Kansas Junior Cup was everything we hoped it would be. Flint Hills National provided a world-class venue, and the players brought great energy and sportsmanship all weekend. It was exciting to see the juniors compete at such a high level while embracing what this event stands for.”
With its successful debut, the Kansas Junior Cup is already planning a return for 2026. The inaugural event captured attention with high-level play and a welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved. Backed by a supportive community and generous hosts, the event has quickly established itself as a standout stop in the Cobra PUMA Golf State Cup Series.
For more information, please contact Logan Shortall (lshortall@ajga.org) in the AJGA Foundation Department.
