Kansas City

« **on:** June 17, 2002, 08:04:22 AM »

I am traveling to Kansas City and would appreciate a suggestion of where to play golf.

« **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2002, 08:22:53 AM »

Fred,

Grab a rental car a drive the 212 miles to Hutchinson, KS and play Prairie Dunes, site of the Women's Open (make sure you don't overlap, as it is July 1-7, and probably closes a week ahead). Huge praise from all about this course, see GCA write-up, and all top 100 lists, as it usually falls in the second 10.

A Letter of Introduction should be all you need to get on at certain times of the week.

« **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2002, 08:34:57 AM »

Fred,

In KC, I have played Tiffany Green (by the airport NW of city), by RTJII, and Iron Horse south in Leawood by Hurdzan. I have also toured Spring Hills (?) by Ken Dye, a city course near Olathe, and another one by Schreiner near 35 and 10 on the SW side, but within housing. All are good modern tracks.

DA Weibring also has a new one on the far NE side of KC, but I have not seen it.

As far as public classics in KC, Swope Park is a Tillie, much remodelled, I believe, but the routing is still there, to my knowledge.

If you have any connections, Tom Watson's home course is KC Country Club, and Mission CC (? exact name?) ane a few others in that area.

If you are willing to drive west to PD, you could also try to get on Fazio's Flint Hills in Wichita, and/or go to Manhattan to play my Colbert Hills, a public course you should have no trouble getting on.

« **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2002, 08:40:17 AM »

Fred,

What is your opinion concerning housing on a golf course...or is it your bread and butter.

« **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2002, 09:13:35 AM »

Fred,

On the MO side, Swope Park is a Tillinghast redesign. On the KS side, I have played and would recommend Falcon Ridge, Sycamore Ridge, Prairie Highlands, Deer Creek, Iron Horse and Heritage Park.

« **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2002, 09:30:40 AM »

Anyone know of a new KC club, called Wolf Creek?

« **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2002, 03:28:01 PM »

The following is a plug:

I haven't seen this course but it was well regarded in the KC star rankings, (actually first, but I don't know anything about how they were ranked)

http://www.sycamoreridgegolf.com/

Here's the blatent plug:

http://fingerdyespann.com/sycamore.html

And the article:

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/2002/03/03/sports/2752751.htm

« **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2002, 04:02:00 PM »

Quote

Anyone know of a new KC club, called Wolf Creek?

I played Wolf Creek about 5 years ago. It's a private "men only" club. It is worthwhile to play... if you can get on. We walked the course (I don't remember ever seeing a cart... hooray!!).

The course was pretty difficult from what I remember, especially the uphill 16th hole.

« **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2002, 07:28:59 PM »

Fred,

When will you be there?

I will be flying in to KC (for business) on Sunday, July 7th, and intend on playing late that afternoon.

« **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2002, 08:05:10 PM »

JakaB,
It is Rutenberg Homes. Keep trying though.

« **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2002, 10:52:34 PM »

Not a big Fazio fan, but I did enjoy playing Hallbrook CC in Leawood. From the tips, the slope is 151.

« **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2002, 11:36:37 PM »

Fred,
I played Tiffany Greens, Iron horse, and Swope memorial when I was in town. Tiffany is the RTJII course that hosts the TD Waterhouse senior tournament. The marshall gave us a little flak about wanting to play the back tees. Memorable holes:#10 3 par favoring a draw(allows bail out to the right) that is a forced carry over water with a long iron if you want to get anywhere near the pin, #15 3 par that is almost a mirrored version of #10 favoring the fade with the long iron over water as well. The greens have some interesting undulation. Iron Horse is Hurzdan design with terrific strategy and angles. However, it does play through houses.(albeit beautiful houses) The course was soggy and wet which confused me since it hadn't rained in the few days I was there before the round. Swope Memorial is an AWT design that was a lttle difficult for this visitor to find but was well worth the search and the $12 they charged to play. The routing alone makes it worthwhile.The course is somewhat short and depending on your skill may have trouble defending itself against the pro v1 or calloway red.(270 yard drives= lots of flip wedges)The course is a great lesson in architecture. If your not a vegetarian, after the round you may want try the Herford House, Plaza One, or Gates Barbeque. Hope you you have a great stay.

Sam Saenz

« **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2002, 06:42:54 AM »

Hi Fred.
I enjoyed Shadow Glen in Olathe, KS.
It's half way between KC and Lawrence.
Weiskopf and Morrish ('89) with lots of elevation
change and zoysia fairways.

« **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2002, 06:51:34 AM »

Fred...please accept my apology for associating you with an excellent home builder but a home builder just the same.

What course in KC was Watson a member of when they had issues with his wifes religion.

« **Reply #14 on:** June 21, 2002, 07:38:38 AM »

JakaB,

I believe that was Mission Hills.

« **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2002, 07:55:47 AM »

Just a quick update...I am in KC and played at Tiffany Greens yesterday. A typical RTJ, Jr. type course, but was quite playable and enjoyable. Plenty of carries over water, well bunkered fairways and greens, and large/undulating putting surfaces.

There was nothing "special" about the course or layout, but it flowed nicely and the round kept moving. Good to play it in the late afternoon timeframe, as the rates go down significantly. not sure it's worth the daytime rate they charge.

« **Reply #16 on:** July 09, 2002, 03:01:27 PM »

Watson was (is? ) a member of Kansas City Country Club which is a Tillinghast design. My trip was delayed and I am going in two weeks. I have been able to make arrangements to play Kansas City CC. I will give my impressions as to how it compares to Winged Foot, Quaker,San Francisco,etc.

« **Reply #17 on:** July 09, 2002, 05:33:06 PM »

Fred, I played Kansas City CC with Watson in 1986 (he stiffed a long iron to a super tough back right hole location on the one shot 12th only to miss the two footer - an unfortunate but accurate reflection of the state of his game at the time)and it is a nice parkland course but you won't be reminded of Tillinghast.

I knew even less then than now but I wouldn't be surprised to find that 5-10 architects have done this or that to it since its inception. The 1st (I think - we played them in a screwy order) may be the most remarkable hole there, thanks to its narrow, tiny green - I wonder if it's still there? I hadn't heard of the 15th at Fenway at the time but there may be some vague similarities with the 1st at KCCC.

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts upon your return.

« **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2002, 05:49:24 PM »

I was just in KC this morning. Like all cities now, they have a golf publication called "Tee Times."

I picked it up at a local course. It lists all the new munis/upscales, etc. I was surpised at how many are new since I went through there doing Colbert Hills out in Manhattan in 1999. YOu could probably pick one up at Tiffany Greens, which is just off I-29 south of the airport.

I noted Staley Farms, by Eric Iverson (fomrer Dye disciple) and Drumm Farm, no designer listed, but managed by Landscapes Unlimited are heavily promoted.

« **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2002, 06:08:30 PM »

Staley Farms is by Eric Iverson, who has worked for Tom Doak in the past and is the now a full time Renaissance staffer.

News:

Fred Ruttenberg

Scott_Burroughs

Jeff_Brauer

JakaB

Allan Long

Brian Jones

Mike Nuzzo

Gary_Nelson

Evan Fleisher

guest

Solario

SS

jayc