Claira Beth Eden of Richmond, KY, is the Round One Leader of the Women’s Open Gross

SHELBYVILLE, KY (July 28, 2025) – The opening round of the Kentucky Women's & Senior Men's Stroke Play Championship is in the books, with The Shelbyville Country Club setting the stage for a competitive day of golf across six divisions. Play began under cloudy skies before summer warmth set in, with a brief weather delay in the afternoon. Once play resumed, competitors battled through the heat to set the tone for the week.

Women’s Open Gross

Claira Beth Eden of Richmond, Kentucky, leads the Women’s Open Gross after a stellar five-under 68. Eden’s round included birdies on holes 2, 6, 10, 14, 15, and 17, with a bogey-free back nine to cap off an impressive start. Trailing just two shots back is Mary Keene Marrs of Lexington, who fired a three-under 70. Marrs notched birdies on 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12, along with a monumental eagle on the par-five 15th.

Women’s Senior Gross

Susan Stewart of Louisville holds the solo lead in the Senior Division after posting a three-over 76, highlighted by birdies on 1, 7, and 17. Melynda Riley of Russellville sits in second place with a round of 93, with her highlight being a birdie on hole 15.

Women’s Super Senior Gross

Natalie Britton of Georgetown holds the lead in the Super Senior Division after an opening round of eleven-over 84, highlighted by birdies on holes 5 and 9. Just one shot back is Carolyn Kinsolving of Simpsonville, who sits in second place with an 85. Kinsolving’s round was highlighted by a birdie on the par-five 15th.

Men’s Senior Gross

A tie sits atop the Men’s Senior Division after round one, with Michael Crabtree of Nicholasville and Richard Hayden of Owensboro both carding one-under 71s. Crabtree’s round featured birdies on holes 2, 10, and 11, along with a highlight eagle on the 17th hole. Hayden posted a bogey-free front nine and added birdies on holes 6, 10, and 17 to match the lead.

Men’s Masters Gross
David Combs of Louisville sits atop the Masters Division after firing a four-under 68 in Round One. Combs carded birdies on holes 1, 3, 9, 11, 14, and 17 to take the early lead. Trailing in second is Greg Engle of Lexington with a three-over 75. Engle opened with a birdie on his first hole and added another on 13 to round out his day.

Men’s Legends Gross
Dennis Long of Shelbyville leads the Legends Division after an impressive two-under 70. Long’s round featured birdies on holes 2, 8, and 9, highlighted by a bogey-free front nine, followed by another birdie on 10 to secure the top spot on the leaderboard. Just three shots back is Jim Caudill of Morehead, who sits in second place with a one-over 73. Caudill’s round was highlighted by birdies on 3, 4, 10, and 17.

Thank you to the team at The Shelbyville Country Club for hosting and helping make this a smooth and exciting start to the championship.

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About the KGA:

The Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) is the official governing body for amateur golf in the Commonwealth, as recognized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Established in 1911, the KGA is a full-service organization representing more than 120 member golf courses across Kentucky. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of course representatives from throughout the state, the KGA plays a vital role in promoting, supporting, and growing the game of golf in Kentucky. It is also a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization for Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations. As an Allied Golf Association of the USGA, the KGA is responsible for a wide range of services, including managing the World Handicap System, conducting course ratings, providing expertise on the Rules of Golf, running competitive tournaments and USGA qualifiers, and enhancing the visibility and branding of golf throughout the Commonwealth.