Arkansas golfers are making statements on the national stage!
By: P.J. Boatwright Marketing and Communications Intern Jenna Starks
The past few weeks have been full of excitement as several Arkansas golfers showcased their talent in USGA championships across the country. From San Francisco, San Antonio, San Diego, and Bandon, our players demonstrated incredible skill, resilience, and sportsmanship.
Mackenzie Lee won the North & South Amateur Championship to secure her spot in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at the iconic Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. She shot an impressive 3-under-par in the qualifying round, moving her way into match play. She battled it out and lost in the round of 64.
In the U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympic Club in San Francisco, Arkansas was represented by John Daly II, the Southern Amateur Champion, and Ron Whittaker, the reigning Arkansas State Amateur Champion. After the qualifying rounds, Daly advanced to match play and went on an impressive run. He battled through multiple rounds to reach the quarterfinals, where he faced the eventual U.S. Amateur Champion and took the match all the way to the 17th hole. It was a remarkable performance on one of golf’s biggest amateur stages.
At the Women’s Senior Open in San Diego, Arkansas Golf Hall of Famer Audra Burks, made her mark early, finishing the first round tied for No. 10. Her strong play added another highlight to her decorated career. She finished tied 18th overall.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. Senior Amateur in San Antonio, three Arkansans, Gordy McKeown, Ron Mangold, and Jack O’Keefe, teed it up against an elite field. After two rounds of qualifying, O’Keefe earned the 6th seed and McKeown the 10th seed in match play. Mangold fought hard in the playoffs for a final spot but came up just short. Jack O’Keefe lost out in the round of 64, and Gordy McKeown won his first match but lost in the round of 32. It was a fantastic display of golf put on by all three men!
Congratulations to all of our Arkansas competitors for making us proud on a national level. Your success continues to elevate the game in our state, and we look forward to seeing what’s next!
