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Stevens Park GC
At his third tournament, at Stevens Park, Kyle was actually tied for first place
after 9 holes and would have his first playoff against Ryan Grider. I didn't get there until Kyle was coming off the
course. It was a scorchingly hot afternoon and Kyle and Ryan would have to go back out on the course for a playoff. Kyle
and Ryan remained tied after the first hole with pars. Kyle birdied the 2nd hole and came away with his first Blue Ribbon.
The interesting thing was, that back then - Kyle didn't really comprehend the difference in places. He went out - he
golfed - he got a prize. For him - all was great.
| Stevens Park June 2005 |
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| Kyle's wins his first US Kids Tournament on his second playoff hole. |
US Kids State Championship Canyon Creek CC Boys 6 & Under
Then came the US Kids State Tournament, now referred to as the World Qualifier.
In 2005, it was held at the Canyon Creek CC and for Kyle - it was his biggest tournament yet, with the most kids he'd ever
competed against at one time. Fortunately, he had an early morning tee off, because the weather was really heating up.
He teed it up with Jeffrey Cunningham (6) and Cade Govendar (6) - familiar faces from previous USKids events. We were
totally excited when Kyle shot a 40 and came away with 2nd place and the possiblity of an invitation to the US Kids World
Championship in July. Kyle was the only 5 yr old in the top 5 and it had only been a month since his fifth birthday.
| State Championship June 2005 |
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| Jeffrey 4th; Kyle 2nd; Will 5th; Ryan 1st; Stuart 3rd |
Hackberry Creek
Back to the Local Tour. Next was Hackberry Creek and Kyle took 2nd with a 42.
Brookhaven brought another win with a 38 and then Tenison Park, second with another 38.
| Hackberry Creek July 2005 |
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| All smiles despite the summer heat. |
Brookhaven CC - President's Course
| Brookhaven Country Club July 2005 |
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| A blue ribbon and a congratulatory handshake for 1st Place |
Tenison Park GC
| Tenison Park July 2005 |
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| Nat - Kyle - Ryan |
The end of July brought a tournament at Prestonwood, where Kyle finished 3rd
with a 46. The next day, he and Paul were off to Williamsburg, W. Virginia. Kyle had been given an exemption to
the US Kids World Championship based on his exemplary play and took only his 2nd airplane ride ever to get there. With
record-setting blazing hot temperatures, followed by rain, Kyle participated in his first 3 day tournament.
The
first day, he shot a 44. Paul said Kyle was most disappointed that he didn't get a medal and helped him understand that
prizes were given after all three days. The second day he shot one of the 10 lowest scores in his division, a 38, guaranteeing
him an award. The third day he shot a 41 and finished tied for 15th overall in a field of over 70 golfers from around
the world. In fact, he was the highest ranked 5 year old in the competition. All the golfers ahead of him were
moving on to the 7 year old division, so we were extra proud of Kyle.
US
Kids Summer Tour Championship Boys 6 & Under Stonebriar GC
| 2005 Tour Championship |
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| Sean 5th; Nat 4th; Cade 3rd; Kyle 2nd; Ryan 1st. Brian Mahon Tour Director |
Coming back to Dallas, with only 1 day rest, he then went to Stone Briar Country
Club for the 2 day Tour Championship. On the first day he shot a 37. That night, he and Paul set a goal for day
2: to birdie every hole. Kyle was in 2nd place in the point standings, only 5 points behind the leader. The tour
championship would determine the Player of the Year. After 8 holes - Kyle was in the lead. Going to the 9th hole
- it all came down this hole. The last hole on the last day of the last tournament would determine it all. Incredibly
- Kyle was on his way to his best round ever, until an errant tee shot sailed left. He still finished with his best
ever score in competition - a 33. He was 2nd for the championship and 2nd for the tour. He was the only 5 y o
in the top 5: Nat, Sean, Cade and Ryan would be moving up to Boys 7 next summer. Best yet - his exemplary
play qualified him for an invitation to the US Kids Regional Jekyll Island Cup to be held in February 2006. All in all
- a very exciting summer.
| Season Finale StoneBriar 2005 |
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| Paul and Kyle display the season's last trophies for US Kids |
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