Swender’s team dominates the field; Kirchoff nails hole-in-one

Garden City, KS-In any other year, a 59 at the Legacy Shootout at Southwind would undoubtedly turn heads. But that number was outdone by one shot heard around Garden City. 

Ryan Kirchoff, of Burtis Motors, laid a perfect drive on the 152-yard, par-3 ninth hole that landed in the cup for a hole-in-one.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Kirchoff said. “There were two balls when we walked up to the hole, and sure enough the one I bought last night was sitting inside. I was thinking it was impossible; I’m not that good.”

Kirchoff’s modest approach was touching, considering he just netted himself a 2017 Dodge Charger. 

“My wife didn’t believe me when I told her I won a car,” Kirchoff said. “It took me a while to convince her.”

While Kirchoff celebrated the best shot of the day, it was the team of Garden City Community College President Dr. Herbert Swender, Trent Specht and sheriff Kevin Bascue who totaled a 59 to win the event. Their pro, former Garden City all-american golfer Will Paulsell shot a 71 while Denver-native Derek Tolan was the top pro with a 68. 

The first round of the Southwest Kansas Pro Am gets underway on Friday at Buffalo Dunes.