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Oakwoodian Newsletter August 2026

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From the General Manager

Summer continues to deliver unforgettable moments at Oakwood, and I'd like to thank everyone who helped make this July so special. Our Independence Day Celebration was one for the record books, welcoming more than 700 members and guests for an incredible evening of great food, family fun, and a spectacular fireworks display. It's always one of the highlights of the year, and seeing the Club filled with so many smiling faces made it even more memorable.

As we move into August, we're excited to host what promises to be our best Knickerbocker Member-Guest yet. From outstanding golf to an incredible seafood dinner and live entertainment, it's sure to be another signature Oakwood experience. We also look forward to welcoming members and their guests for our First Friday’s Golf Special and our Ladies' Guest Day —two fantastic opportunities to showcase our courses and the hospitality that makes Oakwood so special.

Summer Camp has officially wrapped up after another successful season. It was wonderful to see so many young members making new friends, building confidence, and creating lasting memories at the Club. Thank you to our camp staff for providing such a fun and engaging experience throughout the summer.

Thank you for making Oakwood such a vibrant and welcoming community. We look forward to seeing you around the Club and enjoying the final weeks of another incredible summer together.

From the Head Golf Pro

As we head into August, we'd like to thank everyone who participated in our July golf events. We wrapped up the month with the annual Par 3 Club Championship, where Josh Haith captured the Gross Division title, and Dylan Brett claimed the Net Division Championship. Congratulations to both champions and thank you to everyone who competed

August is one of our busiest months on the golf calendar. We look forward to hosting the Men's Knickerbocker on August 13–15, followed by 9-Hole Ladies' Guest Day on August 25 and 18-Hole Ladies' Guest Day on August 26. Best of luck to all participants we can't wait for another outstanding month of competition and camaraderie.

Congratulations also to our Par 3 Course recent hole-in-one achievers:

Anthony Knipp

Loren Borenbom

Bryan Yourdon and Jeff Long shot a hole-in-one on Hole No. 3 of the Championship Course.

As always, thank you for helping keep Oakwood in exceptional condition by: replacing divots repairing ball marks using the divot boxes on your golf carts

These small efforts make a big difference for everyone who enjoys our courses.

Finally, we're excited to have our new fleet of E-Z-GO golf carts in service. We hope you've enjoyed the upgraded ride and enhanced technology, and we know they'll be a great addition to the Oakwood golf experience for years to come.

Thank you for your continued support of the golf program. We look forward to seeing everyone at the club throughout what promises to be an exciting August. Good luck to all of our competitors, and here's to another great month of golf at Oakwood!

Club

From the Golf Shop

Brand Arrival: Vuori

We are excited to share that the shop now carries the brand Vuori! Known for its quality and stylish apparel, Vuori has versatile pieces that can be worn for anything from workouts to running errands. Our current selection is focused on athletic lifestyle wear. We ha ’ performance shorts, women’s athletic shorts, skirts, .

Stanley Spotlight

The Golf Shop has expanded our Stanley drinkware e displays the Oakwood logo, so you can rep the clu With Stanley’s double-wall vacuum insulation, your drink will stay cold all 18 holes.

Our collection includes several different styles:

Quencher Tumbler 40 oz

Quencher Tumbler 30 oz

Suburban Mug 24 oz

Wine Tumbler 11 oz

Adventure Shot Glass Set 2 oz

Mini Cooler

Beat the Heat Sale

The Golf Shop is having a special summer sale! From August 1 9, swing by the shop and take advantage of savings on soft goods. Spend $100 and get 15% off your purchase, spend $200 and get 20% off, or spend $300 and receive 30% off. Don’t miss this opportunity to beat the heat and save while you’re at it!

From the Performance Center

KNICKERBOCKER PERFORMANCE PREP

As we head into the final stretch of summer and prepare for the annual Knickerbocker, I wanted to extend my availability to help members finetune their games leading into the club's premier event.

Whether you're looking for a comprehensive one-hour performance session to sharpen specific areas of your game or a pre-round warm-up to ensure you're ready to perform on tournament day, I'm happy to tailor a session to your needs.

If you'd like to maximize your preparation and head into the week with confidence, please reach out to me directly to schedule a time. I look forward to helping you perform at your best when it matters most.

314.220.2512

aborgmann@gmail.com

Practice Tip of the Month with Mo!

Become aware of the clubhead before worrying about your body. Instead of immediately trying to think about weight shift, hips, or shoulder turn, begin with small swings and simply learn what the clubhead is doing.

Start with your feet together, making short swings. Feel where the club is traveling and how it moves through impact. As that becomes comfortable, gradually make the swing bigger and widen your stance. Great movement often starts with understanding the motion of the club not forcing body positions.

From the Performance Center

Hello, Oakwood Golfers!

I can't believe we're already turning the calendar to August! It's been an incredible summer at the Oakwood Performance Center. Thank you to everyone who has taken lessons, attended clinics, participated in PGA Jr. League, or simply stopped by to practice. Watching so many of you improve and enjoy the game has been the highlight of my season.

As we move toward fall, now is the perfect time to keep the momentum going. Cooler temperatures and great course conditions make August and September some of the best months of the year to improve your game.

PGA Jr. League Update

I couldn't be more proud of our Oakwood juniors! Their growth this season has gone far beyond better golf swings. They've demonstrated sportsmanship, resilience, teamwork, and kindness qualities that matter far more than any scorecard.

Congratulations to our Oakwood All-Stars for winning the Section Qualifier! They'll compete at the Sectional Championship on August 12 at Paradise Point for the opportunity to advance to Regionals. Best of luck to our team!

A huge thank you to all of our parents for trusting us with your young golfers this summer. It has truly been a joy getting to know your families.

Let's Finish the Season Strong

Whether you're trying to break 100, shoot your career low, or simply have more fun playing with friends, I'm here to help.

I look forward to seeing you at the Performance Center soon!

Member Spotlight

Henry Mayor Wins USGA Junior Amateur Qualifier

Congratulations to Oakwood junior golfer Henry Mayor, son of Heath and Erica Mayor, on an outstanding summer of competitive golf!

Henry earned medalist honors at the USGA Junior Amateur Qualifier, firing an impressive 5-under-par 67 at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex to secure his place in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Competing against the nation's top junior golfers, Henry advanced to the prestigious Match Play portion of the championship after rounds of 71-69 (E) in stroke play, finishing 14th out of 264 players. He then delivered the tournament's largest margin of victory in the opening round of match play with a dominant 7&5 win before falling in the second round.

Henry also posted outstanding performances in two of the region's premier amateur championships, finishing 4th at the Kansas Amateur at Mission Hills Country Club and 8th at the Missouri Amateur at Milburn Country Club. In both events, he was the low junior golfer in the field. Congratulations, Henry, on an incredible summer of golf! We look forward to cheering you on as your success continues.

Milestone Moments

Congratulations, Letrinko Family!

Congratulations to Jillian and Brian Letrinko on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Lilliana!

With impeccable timing, Lilliana made her debut on the evening of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, July 19, 2026. As Brian and Jillian joked, "Just call her the Finale of the FIFA World Cup!"

We wish the Letrinko family a lifetime of love, laughter, and wonderful memories as they begin this exciting new chapter together.

Welcome to the Oakwood family, Lilliana!

Milestone Moments

A Letter from Vera Taylor, Oakwood’s Longest-Serving Employee, on her Retirement!

It is with mixed emotions that I submit this letter announcing my retirement from Oakwood Country Club, effective August 29, 2026.

After more than 50 years of dedicated service, this decision has not come easily Oakwood Country Club has been much more than a place of employment; it has been a place where I have grown, built lasting relationships, and experienced so many meaningful moments throughout my life. I am deeply grateful for every opportunity, every lesson, and every friendship that this incredible journey has provided.

As I have gotten older, I have come to realize that it is time to step away from the workforce. My age and physical abilities no longer allow me to perform my job as I once could. In addition, I need to devote more of my time and attention to caring for my own mother, now 100, whose needs have become my priority during this season of life.

I want to sincerely thank Oakwood Country Club for placing your trust in me for more than five decades. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve this organization.

The knowledge, experience, and memories I have gained over the years will remain with me forever, and I will always be thankful for the role Oakwood has played in my life.

Please extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone I have had the privilege of working alongside throughout the years. I wish the entire Oakwood Country Club family continued success, growth, and many more years of excellence.

Thank you again for allowing me the honor of serving this wonderful organization for over 50 years I will always look back on my time here with gratitude and pride. With heartfelt appreciation,

Employee Spotlight

Administrative & HR Coordinator

You may have noticed a new face at the front desk at Oakwood! She graduated from the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of the Razorback swim team Woo Pig Sooie! She went on to earn her master's degree in Sport Administration from Mississippi State University.

With a passion for sports, she enjoys cheering on her brothers as they compete in collegiate baseball and remains a loyal Dallas Cowboys fan through every season. Outside of work, she enjoys water skiing, discovering new brunch spots, and spending time with friends and family.

Aubrey is excited to be part of the Oakwood Country Club community and looks forward to getting to know the members while helping provide an exceptional experience for everyone.

From the Course

August

As we move into August, the golf course continues to see the effects of a very wet and humid summer here in Kansas City. The frequent rainfall has been a tremendous benefit to overall turf growth, but it has also created some challenges that we are continuing to manage throughout the course.

Greens & Ball Marks

One of our biggest focuses right now is maintaining the quality and consistency of our putting greens. With the combination of frequent rainfall, high humidity, and warm temperatures, the greens have been growing aggressively and can become softer and more “puffy” than we would like.

In these conditions, ball mark repair becomes especially important. When a ball lands on a soft green, it can leave a significant depression that can affect both the appearance and playability of the surface. We ask everyone to please take a moment to properly repair their ball marks and, when possible, repair an additional one or two that may have been missed.

Our team will continue working to keep the greens firm, smooth, and consistent while balancing the need to protect the turf during these challenging summer conditions.

From the Course

New Equipment & New Practices

Another exciting development for the grounds department is that all of our new equipment is now in-house and ready to go. This gives our team significantly more flexibility and allows us to make some changes to the way we maintain the golf course.

Over the coming months, you will begin to see how this allows us to be more precise with mowing, turf maintenance, cleanup, and our overall agronomic program. It also gives us the ability to be more proactive rather than simply reacting to conditions as they develop.

Our goal is simple: use these new resources to improve playing conditions, improve consistency, and make the golf course better every day.

Looking Ahead

August is always an important month for turf management in Kansas City. Heat, humidity, rainfall, and heavy play can all put additional stress on the golf course. Our team will continue adjusting our practices based on weather and course conditions rather than simply following a calendar.

We appreciate everyone's patience and support as we work through a challenging but productive summer. The turf team is excited about the improvements we are making and the opportunities the new equipment will provide moving forward.

We look forward to a great month of August and an even better golf course as we move toward the fall.

July 2nd

July 2nd

July 2nd

July 2nd

Visiting VIPs

Santa Barbara Wine Weekend

STEVEN SHRAWDER, General Manager

Email: steven@oakwoodcountryclub.org

Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 138

Direct Line: (816) 768-8656

STAFF DIRECTORY

KATELYN LAWSON, Assistant GM & Catering

Email: katelyn@oakwoodcountryclub.org

Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 104

Direct Line: (816) 595-4066

DENISE WIPPERMAN, Administrative & AR

Email: denise@oakwoodcountryclub org

Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 100

Direct Line: (816) 595-4063

TRAVIS NAPIER, Executive Chef

Email: travis@oakwoodcountryclub org

Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 111

Phone: (816) 595-4069

JESS EYSTAD, Director of Membership & Marketing

Email: jess@oakwoodcountryclub org

Direct Line: (816) 595-4073

KEMP DOWDY, Food & Beverage Director

Email: kemp@oakwoodcountryclub.org

Direct Line: (816) 595-4065

MAKAYLA MUDD, Events Assistant

Email: makayla@oakwoodcountryclub.org

Direct Line: (816) 761-5501

STAFF DIRECTORY

KARI AMENSEN, Member Activities & Events Director

Email: eventsdirector@oakwoodcountryclub.org

Direct Line: (816) 761-5501

HUNTER HAYES, PGA Head Golf Professional

Email: hunter@oakwoodcountryclub.org

Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 132

Direct Line: (816) 595-4072

MAUREEN FARRELL, PGA Director of Instruction

Email: Coachmogolf@gmail.com

Direct Line: (402) 209-0501

CASSIE SARGENT, PGA Lead Assistant Golf Professional and Merchandiser

Email: cassie@oakwoodcountryclub org

JEFF LONG, PGA Assistant Golf Pro & Tournament Director

Email: jeff@oakwoodcountryclub org

Direct Line: (816) 761-3670

JACOB FOSTER, Golf Course Superintendent

Email: jacob@oakwoodcountryclub.org

Direct Line: (816) 761- 1477

ANTHONY FULITANO, Director of Player Services

Email: anthony@oakwoodcountryclub org

Direct Line: (816) 768-8658

AUBREY TORKELSON, Administrative/HR Coordinator

Email: hr@oakwoodcountryclub org

Direct Line: (816) 761-5501

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