Trustees

Phil Miller, Kansas City - Executive Director

Phil Miller was named Executive Director of the Kansas Golf Foundation in November, 2003. Phil was born and raised in Parsons, Kansas and received both his Business Administration and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Kansas, where he played on the golf team in 1971. After nearly 24 years of private law practice in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Phil began volunteering for the KGA as a Committeeman in 1999 and is currently a member of the USGA Junior Amateur Committee. A two-time Parsons Country Club Champion and former club champion at Milburn Country Club in Overland Park, Phil now playes golf at Mission Hills Country Club.

Phil looks forward to helping the Kansas Golf Foundation grow: "We are the only state-wide charitable foundation devoted to golf and we are affiliated with the KGA, one of the best-run state associations in the country. That makes the Foundation uniquely positioned to reach out to golfers across Kansas to raise funds for scholarships, junior golf and to continue the great traditions of the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame."

Phil is married to Janet Miller, a native of Hutchinson. They live in Kansas City with their son.

Bryan Norton, Mission Hills - President

Bryan was born and raised in Salina, learning the game under the tutelage of Salina Country Club Golf Professional and Kansas Golf Hall of Fame member, Wally Beets. Bryan played golf at Oral Roberts University, contributing to a team that included four All-Americans players and finished 2nd in the NCAA in 1981. Bryan was twice a 2nd Team All-American, finished 4th individually in the 1980 NCAA Championship, and won his first Kansas Amateur Championship in 1980.

After college, Bryan played professionally for 10 years: five on the PGA European Tour, one year on the PGA Tour, one year on the Ben Hogan Tour (now the Nationwide Tour), and won the Kansas Open in 1984. After retiring from professional golf, Bryan settled in Kansas City, where he now works for Lockton Companies. A reinstated amateur, Bryan has continued to compete. He won the Kansas Amateur for a second time in 2002, was runner-up in the 2003 USGA Mid-Amateur, and was stroke play medalist at the British Mid-Amateur in 2003.

Bryan was named to the Foundation Board of Trustees in 2008. He is married to Julie and they have three children, ages 17, 14, 12.

Craig Jorgensen, Lenexa - Secretary Treasurer

After graduating from Northern University in Aberdeen South Dakota, Craig Jorgensen found his calling and started working for American Family Insurance in 1971. After a short stretch of just three years he moved to Kansas City where he currently resides with his wife Sandy. The pair has two daughters, Lisa, and Jennifer, as well as, three grandchildren ages 6, 4, and 1.

Golf has been one of Craig’s main hobbies throughout his life. Not only does he play competitively, but loves getting involved in the community. A past President of the Kansas Golf Foundation he has also been on the board of directors for the Kansas Golf Association since 2000. Craig is also a sponsor of the greater Kansas City area First Tee, and has been on the Golf Digest national course evaluation panel. Other non golf related activities include; Project SOS board member for 8 years, Lenexa Chamber of Commerce board member for 3 years, and founder of American Family Charities.

When asked, “You have been a volunteer for so many different charities, why the Kansas Golf Foundation?” after some thought Craig replied, “I believe that every golfer and club should give back to the game, especially when it involves young people who are the future of golf. The best thing about golf is the people you meet, many will become lifelong friends”.

Jeff Burey, Hutchinson

Jeff was appointed to the Kansas Golf Foundation board of trustees during the fall of 2008. Jeff has been in the golf business since 1974 and is a quarter-century member of the PGA.

Born in Norwalk, Connecticut, Jeff's golf career began at Wee Burn CC in Darien, CT and at John's Island Club in Vero Beach, FL. Jeff served as head golf professional at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club for almost 4 years and went to Prairie Dunes after 26 years as General Manager/Golf Director at Wolf Creek Golf Club in Olathe, KS.

Jeff is married to Cathy and they have three grown children, "Greer", "Blair" and "Jed". Jeff's passions include golf history and architecture, all sports, most of all, college basketball.

When asked, “Why did you get involved with the Foundation and what it means to you?” he quickly responded. ----"It is a privilege to serve as a director for the Kansas Golf Foundation. The goal of promoting the future and preserving the history of golf in Kansas is vital and very important to me. To know where you are going requires exploring and understanding where you have been."

Gary Lucas, Topeka

Gary was born and raised in Sublette, Kansas and started playing golf on Sublette's nine hole sand green golf course when he was five years old. Before he was nine the Sublette's nine holes had turned into only five. Luckily, his father and friends played golf together on weekends and would take Gary along to Plains or Buffalo Dunes.

Randy Hunt was the first golf professional at Buffalo Dunes and Gary participated in his junior golf program. From junior golf at Buffalo Dunes, Gary went on to play one year at Dodge City Community College where he was and All-Conference selection his freshman year. After his freshman year at DCCC, he went on to play three years at Wichita State University. While at WSU he was named to the Missouri Valley Conference Team his sophomore year and two years later graduated with a degree in Business Managment.

Gary has been at State Farm Insurance Agent for 20 years after a short stint in the golf business at Willowbend Golf Club in Wichita. He currently lives in Topeka with his wife Kris and two children, Chance and Megan. Gary has been an active member of the Topeka South Rotary Club and involved with the KGA for over 10 years. Golf has been a major asset to Gary throughout his life, helping him get through college and giving him the opportunity to meet many great people along the way. He hopes to give back to the game as much or more than the game has given to him by being involved with both the KGA and KGF.

Bill Maness, Wichita

Bill was born and raised in Augusta, Kansas and attended Butler County Community College before heading off to Baylor University where he majored in football and golf. He is currently the President of Syndeo Outsourcing in Wichita, a Human Resource and Payroll service, and owner of BGM Sports Marketing, which has the radio broadcasting rights to the Wichita State University sports programs. Bill is a member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) government affairs committee, a past president of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Kansas, a member of the East Wichita Rotary and a member of Flint Hills National in Andover.

An avid golfer and traveler that often plays courses all over the country has qualified for the 2004 USGA Mid-Amateur and was an alternate for the 2008 US Senior Open. When asked what his goal is while serving as a KGF trustee he said, "To give back to the game that has so richly enhanced my life's esperiences. I look forward to serving as a member of the board and beginning the process of giving back."

Bill is married to Linda, his wife of 25 years. They have four children: Stephanie, William, Emily and Joeseph, 2 grandchildren: Stella and Mackenzie with a third on the way.

Advisory Directors
Larry Barrett, Colby
Bob Burris, Overland Park
Gary Conover, Wichita
Sean Dougherty, Overland Park
Bill Knox, Salina
Jerry Waugh, Lawrence