Here’s who won the 2023 Kenneth Smith Award as Kansas City’s top high school golfer
Blue Valley High School junior Hadley Neese this week won the Kenneth Smith Award as the top female high school golfer in the Kansas City metro for 2023.
The award is sponsored by the Kenneth L. and Eva S. Smith Foundation and presented each year to the area’s top male and female golfers. The boys’ Kenneth Smith Award will be presented next spring at the conclusion of the boys’ high school golf season.
Nominees, submitted by golf coaches and athletics directors, are judged in four areas: performance in high school golf tournaments, academic achievement, leadership on the golf team and in other aspects of school, and community service through school, church or other activities.
This fall, Neese was the two-round Blue Valley individual champion, three-round EKL individual champion, Kansas Class 6A regional champion and state runner-up.
Blue Valley High School has the Best Female High School Golfer in the KC Metro!! Hadley Neese is the 2023-24 Kenneth Smith Award Winner!!️. We are so proud of you. OBTW, Hadley is just a Junior!!! pic.twitter.com/E4fIrkOuwl
— Blue Valley High School (@bvhs_tigers) December 12, 2023
She also set a school record for lowest 18-hole round, boys or girls, with a 66.
In the classroom, Neese is a 3.95 student (4.0 scale). She’s made the Blue Valley Principal’s Honor Roll each semester of high school and is currently taking advanced-placement courses.
She also works part-time at a local golf course.
Says BVHS coach Todd McCarthy: “Hadley is the epitome of a peer leader — first to arrive, last to leave, setting an example of solid work ethic combined with positive peer mentoring.”
In recognition of her achievements, the Kenneth L. and Eva S. Smith Foundation is contributing $5,000 to First Tee of Greater Kansas City to support their cutting-edge child development programs.
Who won boys Kenneth Smith Award?
Earlier this year, Shawnee Mission East’s Thomas Gogel won the boys Kenneth Smith Award.
Gogel, who now attends TCU, swept his regular-season tournaments as a senior last spring. He then won the league championship, regional tournament and finally the Kansas Class 6A state title.
Enrolled in five advanced-placement and honors courses as a senior at Shawnee Mission East, Gogel achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 4.36 on a 4.0 scale — making the honor roll each semester and graduating with honors.
Thomas was a Lancers team captain for three years as Shawnee Mission East earned three league team championships, two regional championships and one state championship.
