Kapaun’s Whitaker cements high school golf legacy with individual title

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - In Asher Whitaker’s high school golf career, he has achieved quite a few things. He was a Wichita City League champion, a regional champion with a record-breaking score of 63, and even the youngest Kansas amateur champion in nearly a century. However, the one thing he hadn’t accomplished was a Kansas Class 5A individual championship, until last Tuesday.

“I came really close all four years. The two runner-ups the previous years kind of sucked,” said Whitaker. “I’ve just had some crazy competition which feels good because it really makes you earn that win.”

Whitaker said it feels like he just started his high school golf career.

“It’s crazy that it’s over,” said the state champion. “I feel like everyone always says the time flies, but it actually does. It felt like just yesterday that I was starting high school golf.”

Whitaker shot a 70 and 71, making a come-from-behind win to secure his first state title in his last high school tournament. This victory finally allowed him to join his family’s long list of championship titles at Kapaun.

“My oldest sister, she got four team titles in a row, and then my middle sister got four individual titles in a row,” said Whitaker. “They’ve been giving me crap a lot about I’ve come close but I’ve never gotten the job done.’”

Whitaker’s focus is now on his future, starting with the Oklahoma Sooners, and hopefully, more success to come. He looks forward to being with his teammates at OU and learning from coaches.

“They’ve coached a lot of all-Americans and a lot of guys who are on the PGA tour which is where I want to be,” said the high school graduate.