WICHITA, Kan. – Kansas State incoming freshman Elise Houtz captured the Kansas Amateur Championship on Wednesday, as she fired a 4-over-par 76 in the final round to earn a five-shot victory over Wichita’s Missy Linnens at the Reflection Ridge Golf Club.

A native of Manhattan, Kan., Houtz completed the 54-hole tournament at 2-over-par (73-69-76--218) to collect her first state amateur title. Her twin sister, Emily, finished fifth in the first flight at the championship after shooting rounds of 88-80-71 to finish 23-over 239. Elise’s second-round score of 69 and Emily’s final round score of 71 were the only rounds under-par in the tournament.

A three-time All-State selection at Manhattan High School, Elise Houtz led the Indians to three Class 6-5A state championships, including back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006. She and her sister fired rounds of 77 to finish in a third-place tie at the tournament held at Manhattan Country Club this past October. Earlier this month, Houtz shot a 71 to claim an eight-stroke win at the Kansas Women’s Golf Association’s Junior Girls 1-Day Tournament title in Junction City, Kan.

Houtz will try to defend her state junior title next week at the Manhattan Country Club.

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