WICHITA, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - Considered the birthplace of the LPGA tour, Rolling Hills Country Club is in the back stretch of hosting the Heritage Classic. It’s the first year for this women’s tournament in Wichita.

With many professional golfers, two Kapaun Mt. Carmel graduates competed in the event as amateurs looking to use this experience to improve their college performances. Kate Tilma and Abby Wolff, both former Crusader golfers but separated by a year, have been cheered on as local favorites to watch during the Heritage Classic.

“Definitely playing from these longer distances with tough pins and fast greens,” said Kapaun grad Abby Wolff. “It makes the not as long distances seem shorter and it’s definitely a really cool experience playing with these amazing golfers that definitely out drive me by like 30 yards but it just makes me want to try harder to get onto the green.”

Looking to keep their college status, Tilma and Wolff compete around the region as amateurs, unable to earn any money, but gaining a lot of experience instead.

Kapaun grad Kate Tilma said, “We travel a lot but we mostly go to teas or Oklahoma, not super far but mostly places we can drive to. I just got back from the Western Junior in Chicago and we flew to that but usually we stick around pretty close.”

Tilma just graduated from high school within the last couple months but Wolff has a year of college golf under her belt as she heads into her sophomore year at William Jewell College.

“It’s definitely harder, I’d say. I know I still have support behind my back here but knowing I have my teammates during the school it’s definitely more fun and just cool,” said Wolff.

While Tilma is headed to Manhattan to play golf at Kansas State, she says competing in these professional events has been extremely beneficial.

“I’ve grown a lot, I’ve learned a lot about myself and how to play the game, just keep focusing on each shot and not necessarily a score,” said Tilma.

Former Kapaun Mt. Carmel golfers compete at Heritage Classic