Wichita native Sam Stevens returns home as No. 1-ranked golfer on All Pro Tour
It’s no surprise to those in Wichita that Sam Stevens has ascended to the No. 1 ranking on the All Pro Tour, a professional golf circuit, in just his second summer as a pro.
It was only six years ago that Stevens wrapped up one of the most decorated golf careers in Kansas high school history at Kapaun Mount Carmel. He is one of just nine golfers in state history with three individual titles to his name and he owns the lowest round in state history, as well.
Stevens, who went on to enjoy a successful collegiate career at Oklahoma State, is looking for his third APT win of the summer at Sand Creek Station in Newton this week. The first round teed off Tuesday and the 52-hole tournament concludes Thursday.
“Pro golf is definitely a little different than high school and college, you’re kind of on your own and you’ve got to figure things out,” Stevens said. “But I’ve enjoyed learning and trying to get better every year. It’s been a good year so far, so hopefully I can continue to get better and keep moving up.”
Since graduating from Oklahoma State in 2018, Stevens married his wife, Kelsey, welcomed a son, and moved to Fort Worth, where he’s been playing professional golf full-time.
Last summer Stevens was a regular on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica, which is not operating this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So Stevens hopped on the APT, where he has won twice, finished runner-up once and logged four top-10 finishes in seven starts.
Stevens has pocketed nearly $75,000 in prize money already this summer, the most on the APT. He can add $25,000 more with a victory this week.
“We knew Sam was an Oklahoma State kid and he actually won an event on our tour last year, so we were familiar with him,” said APT director Patrick Murphy. “This summer he’s come right out of the gate and he’s been playing very consistent golf. He’s been in great form and he’s playing very, very well right now.”
“I’ve definitely seen some improvement off the tee,” Stevens said. “I’m hitting my driver longer and straighter and that just makes golf a lot easier. I’ve been really solid throughout the bag this summer and that’s allowed for pretty consistent play.”
Since the pandemic started in March, Stevens and his family have only been able to return to Wichita once. So spending this week with his family has been an added bonus.
The trip home has reunited a historic trio of golfers, too, in Sam, his father, Charlie, and his grandfather, Johnny — all three have won Kansas Amateur titles.
“It’s so nice just being around my dad and granddad and getting to play with them in the evenings,” Stevens said. “It’s been nice to be back and hanging out with my cousins and parents and everybody.”
Stevens’ cousin, Kate Tilma, a 16-year-old junior at Kapaun Mount Carmel, made history earlier this summer by becoming the first female to win the Kansas Women’s Amateur and Kansas Junior Amateur championships in the same summer.
Stevens joked that he is feeling some pressure to follow up her stout performance and represent well for the family.
“Hopefully I can add to that and we can get another win this week,” Stevens said.
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