Every tradition evolves, and sometimes the best changes feel like they’ve been waiting in the wings all along.
For K2K17, we decided to shake things up: turn it into our inaugural Member-Guest tournament, inviting friends to pair up and bringing a fresh energy to the quest. The teams lined up like this:
• Terry Blunt & Randy Blunt
• Andy Ek & Nick Kerr
• Ben Thompson & Jason Murray
• Chris Graham & Chad Castleberry
Texas served as the perfect backdrop—big skies, bold Hill Country courses, and that unrelenting Lone Star humidity that tested grips, feet, and patience alike.
The week was full of standout moments, but one afternoon stole the show: a laid-back round at the iconic Butler Pitch & Putt in downtown Austin. The quirky par-3 gem delivered pure chaos—Andy bladed a chip that rocketed toward an unsuspecting lady (narrow miss, collective gasp, then endless laughs), and Chad took a brief, mid-round “nap” that had us all in stitches. Classic K2K off-script gold.
The main courses kept the competition fierce under the Texas sun, with the quota format building tension all week. It all came down to the 18th hole on the final day—points on the line, approaches sticking or spinning, putts lipping or dropping.
In the end, Andy Ek and Nick Kerr held their nerve and claimed the victory—partners in triumph, proving that sometimes inviting new blood is exactly what a tradition needs to keep burning bright.
A new chapter, a new format, and the same old truth: these trips aren’t just about the golf. They’re about the people we bring along for the ride—and the stories (and near-misses) that follow us home.
Kahola to Kapalua Tournament of Champions 