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Player Roster

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First Name Last Name Pro or Amateur City State Player Bio
Aaron Watkins Pro Lenexa KS Aaron Watkins is playing in his first ever Watson Challenge. He played collegiate golf at Kansas State University before turning professional in 2004. Watkins qualified for the 2012 U. S. Open and finished in a tie for 15th
Alex Forristal Pro Prairie Village KS Alex Forristal is a first time contestant in the Watson Challenge. Forristal played for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s golf team.
Alex Higgs Pro Overland Park KS Alex Higgs of Overland Park, Kansas is a member of the Southern Methodist University golf team. The Blue Valley North grad finished second in the 2014 Kansas City Amateur Championship and qualified for the 2013 U.S. Amateur Championship.
Alex Springer Amateur Olathe KS Alex Springer, a graduate of Olathe East High School, is competing in his second Watson Challenge. Springer is coming off a solid season at Central Missouri University, where he shot a school record of 61 earlier this year, and was a semifinalist at the 2015 Kansas City Match Play Championship.
Andy Spencer Amateur Prairie Village KS Andrew Spencer of Prairie Village, Kansas is making his third Watson Challenge appearance. Spencer recently won the 2016 Kansas individual 6A state title, his second straight state title. Spencer plays at the University of Kansas where he played as an individual in the Ka’anapali Collegiate Classic where he placed 10th.
Ben Perry Pro Olathe KS Ben Perry will be participating in his third Watson Challenge. In December of 2013 he became a member of the PGA, receiving a Class A Certification. In '08 Perry won the Kansas City Intercollegiate Championship at Swope Memorial. Perry was a collegiate golfer at Missouri Southern State University.
Blake Allen Amateur Lenexa KS Blake Allen of Lenexa, Kansas is competing in his first Watson Challenge. Allen plays for Washburn University where he has competed in nine events posting seven top 40 finishes. In 2016, he won both the Kansas Amateur Championships and Kansas Junior Boys Championship match play tournaments.
Bryan Norton Amateur Mission Hills KS Bryan Norton of Mission Hills is competing in his eleventh Watson Challenge. As an amateur, Norton won the 1980 Kansas Amateur, twice was named to Second Team All American, and finished 4th in the 1980 NCAA Championship. As a professional, Norton played the PGA European Tour from 1987 to 1991, PGA Tour in 1991, and the Ben Hogan Tour in 1992. Norton has played in the British Open (1990) and four U.S. Opens. After regaining his amateur status in 1998, Norton finished runner-up in the 2000 Missouri Amateur, won the Kansas Amateur in 2002, and was the national runner-up in the U.S. Mid Amateur in 2003. In 2009, Norton was honored as the KC Senior Amateur of the year. In 2011, Norton won the Senior Amateur Championship, the Kansas City Masters Championship and the KCGA SR/MID Team Championship.
Chase Hanna Amateur Leawood KS Chase Hanna of Leawood, Kansas was the 2015 champion of the Watson Challenge at Mission Hills Country Club. His previous accomplishments include: Kansas Amateur Champion, KGA Player of the Year, Kansas Junior Amateur Champion, Missouri Junior Amateur Champion, KCGA Junior Player of the Year, Kenneth Smith Award Winner Recipient, and HS Player of the Year Award given by the Kansas City Star. Hanna is a collegiate golfer at the University of Kansas where he just won an individual title in the Big 12 tournament.
Chris Bussell Pro Overland Park KS Chris Bussell of Overland Park, Kansas is competing in his second Watson Challenge. Chris is an assistant Golf Professional at Kansas City Country Club.
Chris Mabry Pro Leawood KS Chris Mabry of Prairie Village, was the PGA Midwest Section Player of the Year. Mabry was the 2003 Kansas City Amateur Player of the Year, 2003 Kansas City Amateur Champion, 2005 Heart of America Four-Ball Champion, and won the 2006 Players Amateur of KC. In addition, Mabry qualified for the 2005 U.S. Amateur. Mabry qualified for the Inaugural Challenge as an amateur, but turned professional, making the Challenge his professional debut and finished 6th. Mabry was the 2008 Watson Challenge runner-up and currently is a member of the professional staff at Lake Quivira Country Club.
Chris Piedimonte Pro Lee's Summit MO Chris Piedimonte of Lees Summit, MO is a first time contestant in this year’s Watson Challenge. Piedimonte is a golf professional at Fred Arbanas Golf Course.
Christian Ghilardi Amateur Lenexa KS Christian Ghilardi is a first time contestant in the Watson Challenge. Ghilardi is entering his senior year at Shawnee Mission Northwest. He was the 2016 Sunflower League Champion.
Clay Devers Pro Shawnee KS Clay Devers of Shawnee, Kansas is the son of long time golf professional Andy Devers. Devers was named the Malaysian Open & PGA Champion, Vietnam Open & PGA Champion, Indonesian Open & PGA Champion, three-time ICS Am Champ, two-time Kansas City Match play Champion, and two-time Kansas City Open Champion. In 2010 Devers was the Runner-Up in the Watson Challenge.
Colton Allen Amateur Lenexa KS Colton Allen of Lenexa, Kansas is a first time competitor in the Watson Challenge. He graduated in 2016 from Kansas City Community College. As a freshman with the Blue Devils, Colton finished fifth individually at nationals. In 2015-16, he was the individual regional champion, earned honorable mention honors from the Jayhawk Conference and finished ninth at nationals.
Curtis Yonke Pro Overland Park KS Curtis Yonke of Overland Park, Kansas was a member of the Kansas State Wildcats Men’s Golf Team and was named to the 2013 All Conference Team - Big 12. He was the Kansas 6A High School Champion in '08 and '09, and was named the 2010 Mizzou Intercollegiate Champion. Yonke was the medalist at the U.S. Open Local Qualifier in Wichita, KS and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Jim Colbert.
Evan Scobie Pro Kansas City MO Evan Scobie of Kansas City, Missouri is competing in the Watson Challenge for the third time. Scobie is a Teaching Professional at the Kansas City Country Club and currently is the Head Golf Coach for Pembroke Hill School.
Harry Higgs Pro Overland Park KS Harry Higgs is a recent graduate of Southern Methodist University where he played college golf and was named the American Athletic Conference Champion; Higgs was a NCAA Men's National Championship Quarterfinalist and calls Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate his home course.
Jeff Bell Amateur Overland Park KS Jeff Bell of Overland Park, Kansas is competing in his first ever Watson Challenge. Bell played collegiate golf at the University of Kansas. Him and his teammate just won the Kansas Mid-Amateur.
Jeff Sedorcek Pro Lee's Summit MO Jeff Sedorcek of Lee’s Summit, Missouri is the Head Golf Professional at Fred Arbanas Golf Course. He played collegiate golf at Kansas State, graduating in 1990. After graduation, Sedorcek turned professional, playing on the Hooter’s Tour for two years. Sedorcek won his 6th PGA Assistant’s Championship in 2006 and won the 2013 Lake Team Event.
Jeff Sheppard Pro Olathe KS Jeff Sheppard of Olathe, Kansas is a member of the professional staff at Indian Hills Country Club. Sheppard constantly finishes in the Top 10 Player of the Year standings of the Midwest Section PGA, and is a frequent winner of section events. Sheppard is also an eight-time qualifier of the PGA’s Professional National Championship.
Joe Ida Amateur Overland Park KS Joseph Ida of Overland Park, Kansas was the Champion at the 2012 Watson Challenge after competing at Indian Hills, shooting 204 (-6). Ida graduated from Kansas State University and was an All Big 12 Selection in 2010, PING Central Region Selection in 2009, and was an Academic All-Big 12 from 2006-2010. This will be Ida’s sixth year competing in the Watson Challenge.
Joe Winslow Pro Overland Park KS Joseph Winslow of Overland Park, Kansas is competing in his sixth Watson Challenge. Winslow, a former member of the Iowa Hawkeye Men’s Golf Team, was named to the Division 1 PING All-Midwest Regional Team and named to the Big Ten All-Championship team after placing fifth in the Big Ten Championships. In 2013, Winslow tied for fourth for the Kansas City Amateur and tied for 7th at the U.S. Amateur Qualifier.
John Richman Pro Overland Park KS John Richman, of Stilwell, Kansas is competing in his ninth Watson Challenge. Richman tied for 9th at the inaugural Watson Challenge at Hallbrook in 2007.
Josh Weems Pro Lake Quivira KS Joshua Weems of Lake Quivira, Kansas is competing in the Watson Challenge for the fourth time. Weems and his partner Jackson Foth were the Heart of America Four-Ball Champions in 2013.
Justin Wingerter Amateur Olathe KS Justin Wingerter will be playing in his first ever Watson Challenge. Wingerter will be attending Blue Valley Southwest High School next year. He earned a spot in this years Watson after placing second in the Kansas City Junior Championship.
Luke Smith Pro Overland Park KS Luke Smith is competing in his first ever Watson Challenge. Smith is originally from the Southern Coast of England in Hampshire. He now serves as the golf professional at Milburn Country Club.
Mark Addington Amateur Overland Park KS Mark Addington of Olathe, Kansas will be competing in his sixth Watson Challenge. Mark was the runner-up in the 2015 KCGA Kansas City Masters and recently won his second straight Missouri Senior Four Ball Championship with Steve Groom.
Mark Terranova Amateur Overland Park KS Mark Terranova of Overland Park, Kansas has consistently been one of the top amateurs in Kansas City. He was the 2014 KCGA Kansas City Masters champion. This will be his sixth year competing in the Watson Challenge.
Matt Green Pro Lenexa KS Matthew Green is competing in the Watson Challenge for the second time. As a senior at Kansas State University, he placed second at the Bill Ross Intercollegiate with a 5-under par, helping lead the team to a second place finish. He also earned Academic All-Big 12 accolades.
Matt Kelley Amateur Olathe KS Matt Kelley of Kansas City, Kansas is competing in his second Watson Challenge. Kelley was the 2015 Stateline Amateur Tour Player of the Year. He finished the 2015 season with two Stateline Tour wins, and took second in two more Stateline Tour events.
Matt Murdoch Pro Prairie Village KS Matt Murdoch of Prairie Village, Kansas is the Assistant Golf Professional at Mission Hills Country Club.  Murdoch played at Kansas State University, graduating in 1999.  He played various mini-tours in 2000- 2001, while acting as head coach of Barton County Community College.  Murdoch played in both the 1997 U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links. Murdoch received the award for Assistant Golf Professional of the Year for the Midwest Section in 2010 and was named Teacher of the Year for the Midwest Section in 2011. Murdoch qualified for the National Club Professional Championship in 2010 and made the cut finishing 59th in the country. He has also finished in the top 5 money leaders in the Midwest Section for the past four years.
Mike Tanner Pro Kansas City KS Mike Tanner of Kansas City, Kansas is a Golf Professional at Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club.  Tanner played college golf at Johnson County Community College and UMKC. Tanner was runner-up to Tom Watson in the 2008 Challenge.
Nate Sargent Pro Raymore MO Nate Sargent is the Head Golf Professional at the Golf Club at Creekmoor. Sargent has played in two previous Watson Challenges. He graduated from Washburn University in 2010.
Nick Burkart Pro Overland Park KS Nick Burkart is a first time competitor in the Watson Challenge. Burkart attended Free State High School where he competed as an individual in 3 State Championships.  Later he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated from the PGA Golf Management Program. He competed in the 2015 PGA Professional National Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Burkhart is an Assistant Golf Professional at Mission Hills Country Club.
Preston Fleenor Amateur Mission Hills KS Preston Fleenor of Mission Hills, Kansas is competing in his fourth Watson Challenge. Fleenor is the winner of the 2016 Kansas City Amatuer Championship, and is also past champion of the AJGA’s Lockton tournament held annually in Kansas City, a three time all-state award winner and two-time district champion. Fleenor currently plays for the University of Missouri.
Rob Wilkin Pro Overland Park KS Rob Wilkin of Overland Park, Kansas is defending champion of the Watson Challenge. He is the Head Professional at Heritage Park Golf Course. Wilkin’s Midwest Section PGA resume includes: 2 Assistant Championships, 7 Midwest Section PGA Championships, 12 “Jug McSpaden” stroke average titles, and 17 Section Player of the Year titles. Additionally, Wilkin has played in numerous PGA Championships and PGA Tour events.
Ryan Bender Amateur Overland Park KS Ryan Bender of Overland Park, Kansas is a first time competitor in the Watson Challenge. Bender plays for Blue Valley North High School. He recently won the Kansas City Junior Championship to earn a spot in this year’s event.
Ryan Zech Pro Kearney MO Ryan Zech of Kearney, Missouri played collegiate golf for the University of Missouri. In 2009 and 2011 he was the Missouri class 3A State Champion, and was named 1st Team All Conference, All District, All Northland, All Metro and All State, four times running. During his junior year, Zech earned All-America honors with a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Championships and was 12th at the Bandon Dunes Championship, helping MU to its third team title.
Ryne Fisher Amateur Overland Park KS Ryne Fisher of Overland Park, Kansas is competing in the Watson Challenge for the third time. Fisher is the 2015 KCGA Amateur Player of the Year. His 2015 season included victories in the Kansas City Match Play Championship, Kansas City Stroke Play Championship and Kansas City Masters.
Sean Dougherty Pro Overland Park KS Sean Dougherty is the Head Golf Professional at Oakwood Country Club. Sean is widely considered to be one of the top players in the Midwest Section. Sean had qualified for multiple PGA Championships and has finished in the top 10 of the Watson Challenge 8 times.
Steve Groom Amateur Raytown MO Steve Groom of Raytown, Missouri was honored as the KCGA Senior Amateur Player of the year in 2015. In addition to this honor, Groom has played in several U.S. Amateur Public Links Championships, and been a consistent winner on the State Line Amateur Tour.
Tom Watson Pro Bucyrus KS Tom Watson of Stillwell, Kansas is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. He has won 5 British Opens, 2 Masters and the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. In addition to the 8 majors, he won 39 PGA Tour events and 12 Champions Tour events. Watson was the captain of the victorious 1993 Ryder Cup and winner of the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 Watson Challenges.
Travis Mays Amateur Overland Park KS Travis Mays of Overland Park, Kansas is playing in his third Watson Challenge. A Blue Valley Southwest grad, Mays recently completed his competitive career at Central Missouri University. Mays is the 2017 Kansas City Match Play Champion, and he also finished second in the 2013 Kansas City Amateur Championship.
Tyler Dunn Pro Overland Park KS Tyler Dunn of Overland Park, Kansas is an Assistant Golf Professional at Hallbrook Golf Club. Dunn is the 2014 Midwest Section Player of the Year. In his first Watson Challenge in 2009, Dunn shot even par and finished third.
Vern Bennett Amateur Leawood KS Vern Bennet is competing in his first Watson Challenge. Bennet is the Milburn Country Club Champion. In 2006, he played in the US Senior Open
Zac Gavlak Pro Prairie Village KS Zac Gavlak of Prairie Village, Kansas placed 2nd at the Midwest PGA 36-Hole Stroke Play event in 2013. In 2011 he placed 2nd at the Midwest Section PGA Section Championship. Gavlak was named the Alaska State Junior Champion in '98. This will be his seventh time competing in the Watson Challenge.
Zane Burgess Pro Overland Park KS Zane Burgess of Overland Park, Kansas is competing in his second Watson Challenge. Burgess is an Assistant Golf Professional at Indian Hills Country Club.