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Think about it. A 57-year-old man, largely unknown in senior golf circles, came out of nowhere to win six big amateur tournaments in 2019, two years after he became eligible to complete in senior competitions. Six wins, like a lightning bolt.
Say hello to Ken Kinkopf, now 58. Those unfamiliar with Kinkopf will know him soon enough, as he has a knack for doggedly maneuvering his way around golf courses and coming out on top.
Oh, yes, he will be back for more in 2020. Just for fun, let’s draw several comparisons between Kinkopf and two of the greatest – Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. OK, it’s a stretch, but stick with me. Much like Nicklaus and Woods, Kinkopf is a hound for victory and plays his best in the biggest events. His six titles in 2019 came in six different states – the Golfweek Player of the Year Classic (Florida), the Society of Seniors Senior Masters (California), the Society of Seniors Jack Hesler Tournament (Kentucky), the North & South Senior Amateur (North Carolina), the Ohio Senior Amateur and the Society of Seniors-Golfweek Challenge (Utah).
Kinkopf almost made it seven titles at November’s Society of Seniors Founders Cup in Las Vegas, posting a 144 total to finish third behind the Fink-and-Funk combination of Steven Fink (142) and Robert Funk (143).
Three of Kinkopf’s six victories in 2019 came in tournaments sponsored or co-sponsored by the Society of Seniors, the leading senior amateur golf organization in the United States. What’s more, in three of the six triumphs, the indefatigable Kinkopf drained 20- to 30-foot birdie putts on the final hole, the kind of drama that would bring a thousand-watt smile to Tiger Woods’ face. Those putts were to win or to catapult Kinkopf into a playoff for first place. His playoff record for the year was a perfect 2-for-2, again, reminiscent of Jack and Tiger, who had a knack for knockout blows in overtime.
Sure, nobody at Time magazine is hounding Kinkopf for a cover shoot but he’s made quite a name for himself in the intimate circle of senior golf.
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