Syndeo Announced as Wichita Open Presenting Sponsor

WICHITA, Kansas – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open is pleased to announce the addition of Syndeo as the newest Wichita Open Presenting Sponsor.

“Syndeo is the right partner at the right time for the Wichita Open. Our mission has always centered on creating meaningful impact for our city and its surrounding communities. With Syndeo becoming our presenting sponsor, we are able to strengthen our charitable efforts while continuing the long-standing tradition of delivering the premier summer event. This partnership represents far more than a sponsorship—it is a true investment in our community’s future.”

The tournament announces this three-year partnership following its transition from the Korn Ferry Tour to PGA TOUR Americas. Syndeo President and CEO Bill Maness, a longtime supporter who has witnessed the tournament’s evolution, recognized the value of elevating his company’s involvement.

“I have been involved as a volunteer or sponsor with the Wichita Open since its inception in 1990, and it’s an honor for Syndeo to serve as the Presenting Sponsor for 2026,” Maness said. “Our commitment to Wichita runs deep, and supporting an event that brings national visibility and world-class talent to our community is truly exciting. We look forward to welcoming many new, up-and-coming professional golfers to this year’s edition of the Wichita Open.”

The 2026 event will be held at its reigning home for the last 25 years—Crestview Country Club—from June 18 to June 28, with competition rounds from the 25th to the 28th.

About Syndeo:

Syndeo is a leading provider of outsourced human resources services, supporting organizations across industries with customized HR, payroll, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, and risk management solutions. Founded in Wichita, Kansas, Syndeo is built on the belief that businesses run better when HR is strategic, personalized, and supported by experts. Today, Syndeo partners with companies of all sizes to simplify HR and help them focus on what they do best.

About PGA TOUR Americas

PGA TOUR Americas identifies and prepares the game’s future stars as players compete to earn membership on the Korn Ferry Tour and eventually the PGA TOUR. The 2026 schedule consists of 15 events in nine countries, and the season culminates in October with the PGA Oceans 4 Tour Championship presented by Scotiabank, where the top 10 players on the season-long points list earned Korn Ferry Tour membership the following season.

Since PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica merged to form PGA TOUR Americas in 2024, Johnny Keefer (2024) and Michael Brennan (2025) have finished No. 1 on the PGA TOUR Americas points list, and both players earned their PGA TOUR cards for the 2026 season.

Wichita Open to Return to Crestview Country Club as a PGA TOUR Americas event in 2026

WICHITA, Kansas – The Wichita Open will return to Crestview Country Club next season as a tournament on PGA TOUR Americas, tournament officials announced Tuesday. The 2026 event will take place June 25-28, as 156 of the game’s best young players compete in the PGA TOUR Americas season-long points race to advance to the Korn Ferry Tour, and eventually the PGA TOUR.

“For more than three decades, the Wichita Open has been a cornerstone of player development and community pride,” said Dusty Buell, Wichita Open Tournament Director. “Joining PGA TOUR Americas gives us an exciting opportunity to continue that legacy while elevating Wichita as a premier stop in professional golf.”

The PGA TOUR formerly operated PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, and in 2023 those two tours combined to form PGA TOUR Americas. In the tour’s first two seasons (2024, 2025), PGA TOUR Americas operated events in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru, as well as seven provinces in Canada and Minnesota.

At the end of the PGA TOUR Americas 2026 season next October, the top 10 players on the season-long Fortinet Cup points list will earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2027. By adding the Wichita Open to its 2026 schedule, PGA TOUR Americas provides a platform to showcase the Wichita community on an international golf stage.

“From the community support to the fan and player experience, the Wichita Open has created a legacy that sets it up for immediate success on PGA TOUR Americas,” said Alex Baldwin, President of PGA TOUR Americas and Korn Ferry Tour. “Over the last four decades, the future stars of the PGA TOUR have competed in Wichita, and that tradition will continue as an event on PGA TOUR Americas.”

A Win for the Community and Sponsors

The Wichita Open has always been about more than golf – it is a celebration of community and impact. With over 225 sponsor partners, tens of thousands of fans, and more than $8 million in annual economic impact, the event remains one of Kansas’ top cultural and charitable traditions.

As a PGA TOUR Americas event, the Wichita Open can maintain a pricing model that has made it accessible to the community for 36 years. This ensures sustainability and long-term sponsor value, while keeping the experience authentic and world-class – from the electric energy at the fan-favorite Hole 17, to enhanced course and player amenities.

“This evolution strengthens the Wichita Open for the next decade,” said Troy Jordan, Chairman of the Board. “It ensures sustainability for our partners and keeps Wichita in the national and global golf spotlight.”

For more information on the Wichita Open, visit wichitaopen.com and follow on Instagram (@the_wichita_open), X (@WichitaOpen) and Facebook.

About PGA TOUR Americas

PGA TOUR Americas is an international tour that provides professional golfers with competitive opportunities and prepares them to advance their careers on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR. The 2025 schedule consisted of 16 events – six in Latin America and 10 in North America – and the season culminated in September with the Fortinet Cup Championship, where the top 10 players on the season-long points list earned Korn Ferry Tour membership the following season.

About the Wichita Open

Founded in 1990, the Wichita Open is one of professional golf’s most enduring and celebrated tournaments. Known for its passionate community, signature fan experience at Hole 17, and commitment to local charities, the event has become a beloved summer tradition in Kansas. The Wichita Open has launched the careers of dozens of PGA TOUR players and continues to represent the best in golf, community, and philanthropy.

Myles Creighton captures the 2025 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open Benefitting KU Wichita Pediatrics

WICHITA, Kansas – Myles Creighton captures the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open Benefitting KU Wichita Pediatrics to become just the third player in Korn Ferry Tour history to win an event after carding a sub-60 round the same week.

The second-year Korn Ferry member claimed his first career victory with a 2-under 68 in the final round, finishing at 17-under 264. The final round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 11th.

In a truly remarkable week, Creighton achieved a rare feat with a hole-in-one and a round of 59, and a trophy in the same tournament.

In the second round, Creighton found himself at three over par after the front nine. He then went on to hole 3 birdies, an eagle and a hole-in-one on the par-3 12th. The ace helped him post a round of 68, barely making the cut.

In the third round, Creighton carded an 18-hole career-low 11-under 59 to become the 15th player in Tour history to record a sub-60 round. He made 12 birdies (Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16) against one bogey (No. 8), becoming the 13th player in Tour history to record 12 birdies in a single round. He becomes only the third player in Korn Ferry Tour history to record a sub-60 round and go on to win the tournament.

With the win, Creighton moved up 58 spots to No. 16 on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Troy Jordan Announced as Chairman of Wichita Open Board

WICHITA, Kansas – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open is pleased to announce Troy Jordan has been appointed as the Board Chair, effective immediately.

“Troy has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Wichita Open for many years,” Tournament Director, Dusty Buell, said. “He has done a little bit of everything with this event, and with his dedication to the past and vision for the future, the Wichita Open will have not only a chairman, but a community leader to help guide us in the coming years.”

Jordan, who has served on the board since 2012, is currently the Managing Director of Wealth and Retirement at INTRUST Bank. A longtime Ambassador of the Wichita Open, Jordan replaces outgoing chair, Jack Pelton.

“I am honored and humbled by the board’s decision,” Jordan said. “The past and future success of the Wichita Open begins with the dedicated staff, the over 100 sponsors, volunteers and the entire Wichita community. The board’s mission remains unchanged: to continue the efforts that have made this one of Kansas’ most successful and beloved events for the past 35 years, ensuring its success for the next 35.”

“The Wichita Open aligns perfectly with what Wichitans and Kansans value,” Jordan continued. “It supports our communities through charitable efforts focused on Kansas kids, provides an outstanding B2B experience for organizations supporting this event, enhances the quality of life in South Central Kansas, and showcases some of the world’s most talented golfers, including future PGA Tour stars. Join us this June for the 36th Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open benefiting KU Wichita Pediatrics!”

The 2025 event will be held at its reigning home for the last 25 years—Crestview Country Club—from June 12 to June 22, with competition rounds from June 19-22. For ticket and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.wichitaopen.com or email golf@wichitaopen.com.

Taylor Dickson wins Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open for second career title

WICHITA, Kansas –  Taylor Dickinson claimed his second Korn Ferry Tour victory of the season at Crestview Country Club on Sunday in dramatic fashion, edging out Wichita native Sam Stevens by one stroke, shooting a -19 on the weekend.

Stevens came in to Sunday leading by three strokes, but Dickson stormed into contention, carding a final-round 5-under 65 via six birdies against one bogey

After a birdie on hole 13 from Stevens, the pair were tied up at -19 a piece. The two stayed that way until a bogey on hole 16 from Dickson propelled Stevens back into sole possession of 1st place with a one stroke lead.

The following holes were where the tournament was decided, though. Dickson parred the final two holes, while Stevens had to settle for back-to-back bogeys, dropping back into a tie for 2nd place, and crowning Taylor Dickson the champion.

Dickson said the back-and-forth between he and Stevens pushed him to continually try to score on each hole.

“Yeah, absolutely. I kind of knew where I was and just tried to keep the pedal down,” Dickson said. “I mean, like I said, Sam’s an unbelievable player. I knew he wasn’t going to go away so I just kept trying to make birdies and see where it put me and luckily it was enough.”

The win in Wichita now marks Dickson’s second career event win on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Advance Catastrophe Technologies Announced as Wichita Open Major Sponsor

WICHITA, Kansas – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open is pleased to announce the addition of Advance Catastrophe Technologies (ACT) as the newest Wichita Open Major Sponsor.

“ACT has come to the Wichita Open and immediately asks us to start dreaming a little bigger. Their energy is infectious, and not only do they see the value of our ambassadors, but they create and add tremendous value for everyone in the room. They are not here to be another person in the room, they have joined the Wichita Open to be an influential advocate of this community. We want strong local leaders to be a part of us, and we firmly believe in their leadership,” said Dusty Buell, Tournament Director.

“The ACT Family is thrilled to join the Wichita Open as a major sponsor,” said Ashlea McDonald, President of ACT. “A signature event like the Wichita Open provides critical support for organizations like KU Wichita Pediatrics and delivers such a positive economic impact throughout the city. As a Wichita-based company, we want to do our part and invest in those that work tirelessly to make this community a better place to live.”

ABOUT ACT:
Founded in 2001, Advance Catastrophe Technologies (ACT) provides disaster planning, response and recovery for over 10,000 commercial properties across the United States and Canada. Specializing in water, fire, environmental, and storm restoration, ACT is dedicated to serving its clients with a proactive approach to any and all disasters. With the goal of minimizing business interruptions, ACT utilizes state-of-the-art technologies along with a heartfelt compassion for those affected by disaster.

The Wichita Open Ambassador program encourages and provides a way for its members to get involved by:

  • Raising Charitable Donations for Local and National Organizations
  • Improving the Overall Quality and Success of the Event
  • Stabilizing the Tournament’s Future

The 2024 event will be held at its reigning home for the last 24 years – Crestview Country Club – from June 6 to June 16, with competition rounds from the 13th to the 16th. Since the inception of the Wichita Open Ambassadors, close to $3M has been donated to local charities.

Meritrust Credit Union Announced as Wichita Open Ambassador

WICHITA, Kansas –The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open is happy to announce the addition of Meritrust Credit Union as the newest Wichita Open Ambassador.

“Meritrust is no stranger to the Wichita Open, they have been a strong supporter for many years. It is incredible to see them join the team of ambassadors this year, and we are excited to continue to bolster our ambassador program by adding community leaders like Meritrust. We see great alignment between The Wichita Open and Meritrust as our missions are in place to improve the lives of the community.” Tournament Director, Dusty Buell, said.

“We are pleased to expand our relationship by becoming a Wichita Open Ambassador,” said Moji Rosson, Director of Growth Strategies and Community Impact. “The impact provided by the Wichita Open aligns with our mission to improve the lives of our members and the communities we serve, and we are honored to join this elite group of sponsors.”

Meritrust Credit Union is a full-service financial institution. As a credit union, we are a member owned cooperative dedicated to our communities and driven by our purpose to create financially healthy employees and members. We offer an array of products and services to assist you no matter where you may be on your financial journey.

The Wichita Open Ambassador program encourages and provides a way for its members to get involved by:

  • Raising Charitable Donations for Local and National Organizations
  • Improving the Overall Quality and Success of the Event
  • Stabilizing the Tournament’s Future

The 2024 event will be held at its reigning home for the last 24 years—Crestview Country Club—from June 6 to June 16, with competition rounds from the 13th to the 16th. Since the inception of the Wichita Open Ambassadors, close to $3M has been donated to local charities.

Ricky Castillo wins professional debut at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open

WICHITA, Kansas – For a second consecutive week, a PGA TOUR University Class of 2023 alum won their professional and Korn Ferry Tour debut. Ricky Castillo defeated Korn Ferry Tour winners Kyle Jones and Adrien Dumont de Chassart – who also won his professional and Korn Ferry Tour debut last week – on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open Benefitting KU Wichita Pediatrics, becoming the 19th player in Korn Ferry Tour history to win their debut start.

Just 18 days ago, Castillo (pronounced cuh-STILL-ee-oh) went undefeated in match play at the 2023 NCAA Championship in Scottsdale, Arizona as University of Florida won the team national title.

Shortly thereafter, Castillo turned professional and accepted Korn Ferry Tour membership (as well as fully exempt status on PGA TOUR Canada) as the No. 9 finisher in the 2023 PGA TOUR University Ranking.

With only five members of the PGA TOUR University Class of 2023 guarnateed starts each week, though, Castillo figured he would play Monday qualifiers until he earned enough points to gain entry to events via the Korn Ferry Tour Priority Ranking. Last Friday, the Wichita Open offered Castillo a restricted sponsor exemption. Castillo accepted, packed his bags, and split the 18-hour drive from Gainesville, Florida to Wichita, Kansas across multiple days, stopping briefly in Tennessee.

Oddly enough, Castillo got into this week’s field via the PGA TOUR University category following a top-25 by Ryan Burnett, the No. 7 finisher in the Class of 2023, and Dumont de Chassart’s victory at last week’s BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX.

“Just really grateful for the opportunity just to be able to play in this event, and to be able to win is just an awesome feeling,” said the 22-year-old Castillo, the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner this season. “Just grateful, that’s the only feeling I’m feeling right now.”

Castillo entered the final round T2 and four strokes behind Dumont de Chassart, the No. 3 finisher from the 2023 PGA TOUR University Ranking who was bidding to join Ben Kohles (2012) as the only other player in Korn Ferry Tour history to win his first two starts on Tour.

With birdies on five of the first seven holes at Crestview Country Club (Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 – even more impressive considering the sixth and seventh were two of the four hardest holes on the course Sunday) and another at the par-5 14th, Castillo reached 21-under par and took a two-stroke lead over Dumont de Chassart, who played his first 13 holes at even par.

The script flipped entirely when Castillo caught a tough lie atop a fairway bunker at the par-4 15th. Facing an awkward stance, a short tree in front of him and an uphill lie, Castillo needed to hoist a shot up in the air but still carry the water in front of the green. He lofted it too high and watched helplessly as his ball tumbled into the water. Castillo went on to make double bogey. Behind him at No. 14, Dumont de Chassart made eagle, creating a four-shot swing.

“I was just trying to get it on the green,” Castillo said. “Honestly, didn’t think I hit that bad of a shot, but just didn’t carry far enough. I thought at one point that could have been a shot that I would be thinking about for a long time. Now I’m probably going to forget about that shot tomorrow morning.”

Castillo parred his last three holes and signed for 4-under 66. Playing in the group behind him, Dumont de Chassart missed greens and could not salvage pars at the par-4 15th and 16th, dropping him into a tie for first at 19-under par. Jones eagled the 14th to reach 19-under par and barely missed birdie opportunities at the 16th and par-3 17th.

On the first hole of the playoff, the par-4 18th, Jones sent his approach long and into the gallery, leading to a bogey. Dumont de Chassart hit a drive through the fairway and could only hit a punch shot toward the green; he left his approach in the front greenside rough, and his chip came up roughly 8 feet short of the cup. Castillo hit a “comfortable 9-iron” roughly 15 feet past the hole from 178 yards and a flier lie in the right rough.

After Castillo curled his putt just beyond tap-in range, Dumont de Chassart missed his par putt, effectively securing the victory for Castillo.

Castillo is the fifth PGA TOUR University alum to win on the Korn Ferry Tour, joining two-time winner Pireceson Coody (won third and 14th starts), Trevor Werbylo (seventh start), Davis Thompson (14th start), and Dumont de Chassart. Of those five, Castillo, Dumont de Chassart and Coody won in their debut season on Tour.

The fact Castillo’s victory came on Fathers Day carried extra meaning. Castillo cited his grandma and both his father as perhaps the most important influences on his life and golf career. The puka shell necklace Castillo wears is a nod to his grandmother; he bought it on a childhood trip to Hawaii.

“My grandma made a really huge impact on my life. She started paying for my golf tournaments when my parents couldn’t afford it,” Castillo said. “I just have to thank her and my dad and my parents for, you know, for everything, just being in the position I am today.

“My dad’s been a really huge role model in my life,” Castillo continued. “He wanted me to be a good golfer but he cared more about me being a good person, and I think that was what he really cared about. That’s what I’ve really focused on. Golf is great and everything, but you’re going to be remembered for the good things you do like the Rickie Fowlers and the Jordan Spieths.”

What will Castillo do to celebrate his first professional victory? The same thing he did to start his professional career: pack his bags and hit the road.

Little Stars Therapy Services, Scott Schneider Law join other community leaders as Wichita Open Ambassadors.

WICHITA, Kansas –  Little Stars Therapy Services, and Scott Schneider Law are Wichita Open Ambassadors

“I could not be more excited about Scott Schneider Law Firm and Little Stars Therapy Services joining our ambassador group as community leaders in the field,” said Dusty Buell, Tournament Director. Buell added, “with the statistics continually rising regarding children diagnosed with autism, knowing we have the first-class facility and the specialized workforce right here in our community is a literal lifesaver for so many families. We surround ourselves with individuals that make Wichita great, and this is another shining example of that.”

“Little Stars Therapy Services takes great pride in its recognition as an Ambassador for the Wichita Open and looks forward to working interactively with the other reputable companies that support this organization,” said CFO and Owner, Nicole McLain. “We share the passion behind the group’s primary initiative of providing resources and efforts that contribute to the continued growth and impact of significant organizations within our community, such as KU Wichita Pediatrics.”

“Our commitment and investment in organizations such as these allows us to give back while remaining focused on improving the lives of children and families impacted by autism in the Wichita area,” McLain continued. “The Little Stars Therapy Services team confidently stands behind the mission and vision of the Wichita Open and are honored to be a part of the legacy they are creating for our community.”

About Little Stars Therapy Services: Little Stars Therapy Services opened its doors in the fall of 2018 after its owner/founder recognized a significant need in our local community for additional services for children and families impacted by autism.  By remaining focused on providing treatment programs that are rooted in evidence-based practices, excellence and compassionate care, their remarkably talented team of professionals work collaboratively to create meaningful change in the lives of the children and families they serve.  In a mere 4 years’ time, the company has experienced exceptional growth and an overwhelmingly positive response from members of our community who desire access to their services. As a result, Little Stars Therapy Services has been able to offer over one hundred additional employment opportunities to our community. They attribute their successes and growth to their adherence to their core values (providing a positive learning environment, quality-driven treatment programs, superior work culture, advanced staff training and support, community engagement, and meaningful outcomes and change for all stakeholders).  These values provide a strong and sustainable foundation for Little Stars Therapy Services to continue to chip away at the gap in services for the children and families impacted by autism in our community.

About Scott Schneider Law Firm: Schneider Law Firm provides governmental relations services for many of Kansas leading organizations. With twenty-five years of experience, Scott has managed a portfolio of diverse issues and has built broad relationships in Kansas. He has performed contract work for both professional organizations in Kansas, such as the Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association and the Associated General Contractors, and some of the largest corporations in the world including Shell Oil, Wal-Mart, and Oracle. His knowledge in multiple industries including construction, healthcare, insurance, transportation, restaurant & hospitality, and energy is valuable in helping the firm’s clients further their business strategies in the regulatory environment.

Scott Schneider said, “The Wichita Open is a great front porch showing off our state and our community to the golfing world. I want to help continue the great tradition of our business leaders proudly supporting our charities, our community and making the Wichita Open the best event on tour. I am proud to be a small part of this exciting event.”

Foley Equipment and SCHEELS join other community leaders as Wichita Open Ambassadors

WICHITA, Kansas – Foley Equipment, and Scheels are Wichita Open Ambassadors

“We see the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open benefiting KU Wichita Pediatrics as an opportunity for our community to come together and unite for a greater cause. Whether that cause is the power in numbers of our Ambassador program for networking and expanding their footprint in our community, to create a greater economic impact for our community at-large, or for the dollars that are invested and used to support local charities. We see these additions to our Ambassadors as added value to the tournament and our ambassador group. We are steadfast in our commitment to continue to make this ambassador program the premiere network for businesses in and around our community, and these new additions are a prime example of that commitment to excellence.”, said Dusty Buell, Tournament Director.

Foley Equipment has been a long-standing supporter of the Wichita Open extending back to the tournament home at Willowbend.   “Foley Equipment is very excited to join the Wichita Open Ambassadors and support the Wichita Open,” said Foley Equipment CEO Ann Konecny. “It is a great event and even more important is the funding that goes to so many excellent charities.  We are happy to be a part of it.”

Foley Industries – Foley Equipment, Foley Rental, Foley Power Solutions and SITECH Central – is in its ninth decade of empowering progress for Kansas and Western Missouri customers. Foley’s 1,200+ employees strive every day to safely deliver excellence in service, parts, rental, and sales across a broad line of Caterpillar and related construction equipment and power generation, SITECH construction technology solutions, and zero- emission commercial trucks. For more information, please visit www.FoleyEq.com

SCHEELS is currently a 30-store operation with stores in 13 states including North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Nevada, Illinois, Utah, Kansas, Colorado, and Texas. SCHEELS will open its 31st location in Wichita, Kansas in July of 2023 at Towne East Square. The store will feature 230,000 square feet of retail and attraction space for the whole family to enjoy.  Steve D. Scheel, the great-grandson of SCHEELS founder, is the company’s Chairman of the Board, and great-great grandson Steve M. Scheel is CEO. Todd Anderson serves as President and oversees SCHEELS daily operations of nearly 10,000 associates.

Lucas Hachmeister, Wichita Scheels Store Leader, said, “We are passionate about giving back to our communities, whether that be through time or resources, and we love to connect with the communities we serve. Being an Ambassador of the Wichita Open is a great way for us to do exactly that. We are thrilled to be part of this fantastic event and look forward to interacting with and supporting the Wichita community for years to come”

The Wichita Open Ambassador program encourages and provides a way for its members to get involved by:

  • Raising Charitable Donations for Local and National Organizations
  • Improving the Overall Quality and Success of the Event
  • Stabilizing the Tournament’s Future

The 2023 event will be held at its reigning home for the last 23years—Crestview Country Club—from June  8  to June  18, with competition rounds from the 15th to the 18th   Since the inception of the Wichita Open Ambassadors,   close to  $3M  has been donated to local charities.