Kansas City Golf

[Eric Strulowitz]

Planning a trip this summer, and a quick search revelaed many fine courses.  Had no idea, never really thought much about golf in
KC, but really am impressed by the quantity and quality.

Plan on several days of golf while I am out there, can anyone give me a list of 5 or 6 recommendations?  That would be great, thanks in advance!

[Jud_T]

make the drive over to Hutchinson and spend a couple days playing Prarie Dunes.

[Shane Wright]

Eric,

Jud is right, get to Hutchinson.  That should be your top priority.

As for KC, the really good courses are all private.  There are a couple of pretty good publics (no order):

1. Falcon Ridge
2. Sycamore Ridge
3. Tiffany Greens
4. Iron Horse
5. Prairie Highlands
6. Hidden Gem award - Shirkey Golf Course - Richmond, MO about 45 min from KC - cheap, fun, and always in incredible condition.

In order of how I would choose the KC privates if access isn't an issue:

1. Hallbrook - Really good - Tom Fazio, has been softened, I believe it was once the highest sloped course in the country.  But it is still a lot of fun.

2. Kansas City CC - wear pants, I'm guessing you don't like knee highs with shorts

3. Shadow Glen
4. Milburn CC - a very popular course amongst the really good players in town
5. Staley Farms - blanking on his name, but architect used to work with/for Doak.  It is a really fun course with some bold features around the greens.  Always in beautiful condition
6. Wolf Creek


There are a bunch of other good privates, send me a PM and I can answer questions/thoughts about the others.

[Brandon Urban]

Shane's list is really good. Don't pass up Swope Memorial, a quirky, fun Tilly design, either.

Shoal Creek and Winterstone are also decent.

[Tim Pitner]

5. Staley Farms - blanking on his name, but architect used to work with/for Doak.  It is a really fun course with some bold features around the greens.  Always in beautiful condition

That's Eric Iverson, of CommonGround "fame."

[Michael Underwood]

I have played Kansas City CC, Milburn CC, Shadow Glen, and Wolf Creek GC.  As Shane said all are excellent if you can find your way on them.  It was several years ago when I played these courses and even then I was with a member for each.

[Jason Hines]

Eric,

Do you know where about’s you will be staying?  If so, we can give you recommendations if transportation or time is an issue.

Jason

[Eric Strulowitz]

Eric,

Do you know where about’s you will be staying?  If so, we can give you recommendations if transportation or time is an issue.

Jason

Hi Jason

Probably be staying in Overland Park area, but we are flexible.

Really appreciate all the feedback so far.  Would be a pleasure to hook up with any "local" GCA'ers in the KC area.  Not sure exactly when we are coming, most likely mid/late summer.  Would definatley like to play at least  5 or 6 rounds.   

And any recommnedations on dining, send me a PM.   Been a few years since I have been to the KC area, but your dining is great. Some of the best Mexican I have ever had.  And Jess and Jims was great!

[Jason Hines]

Hi Eric,

I live in Olathe, send me a note or bump up the thread when you get more details on your trip. 

Jason Hines

[Eric Strulowitz]

Hi Eric,

I live in Olathe, send me a note or bump up the thread when you get more details on your trip. 

Jason Hines

Will do that.  Thanks!

[mike_beene]

Where did Watson go when he left KCCountry Club?

[Ken Moum]

Where did Watson go when he left KCCountry Club?

I believe he's affiliated with The National  http://www.thenationalgolfclub.com/.

K

[PCCraig]

Where did Watson go when he left KCCountry Club?

When/why did Watson leave KCCC?

[Jud_T]

Isn't Milburn a Langford?  Is it all original?

[Shane Wright]

Where did Watson go when he left KCCountry Club?

When/why did Watson leave KCCC?

He is still at KCCC. He left temporarily a number of years ago.  But he is back now.

[Cliff Hamm]

When/why did Watson leave KCCC?

His wife at the time, Linda, was Jewish and KCCC would not accept Jews as members.

[Mark Provenzano]

When/why did Watson leave KCCC?

His wife at the time, Linda, was Jewish and KCCC would not accept Jews as members.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1006834/1/index.htm

[Cliff Hamm]

When/why did Watson leave KCCC?

His wife at the time, Linda, was Jewish and KCCC would not accept Jews as members.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1006834/1/index.htm

Excellent piece...Watson remains a close friend of Rush Limbaugh

[Derek Dirksen]

Got a question for you KC guys.  Whats your opinion of The Golf Club of Kansas in Lenexa? 

[Shane Wright]

Sorry, been tied up the past few days.

Eric - I grew up in the KC area but do not live there anymore (Minnesota now) otherwise I'd join you.  Oklahoma Joe's is the best BBQ you will find anywhere, period (I'm almost positive it started in KC, not Oklahoma).  Yes, I have lived in the south as well.  Go find it and kill it.  

Brandon - great recommendation on Swope Memorial.  I believe it hosted a USGA event a few years ago.  Tons of history and it should be seen by visiting golf architecture junkies

Tim - thank you for the reminder on Eric Iverson's name.  I have not seen Commonground YET, but Staley Farms is really fun.  I knew I liked it even more when the guys in my group on my first time playing it were complaining about how "tight" the lies in the fairway were and how the greens were unfair.  Not at all...just pure fun.  

Like I said, KC has some really good private courses.  There are a bunch of others that are good but the list I posted previously are the best privates.

Derek - I have not seen GC of KC.  My brother in law is a member and loves it and says it is really hard.  That is about the extent of my knowledge on it.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jud,

Milburn changed a lot, by Larry Packard and Dave Gill at different times.  Not a lot of Langford left that I saw a few years back when my son played an AJGA event there.  If memory serves, not much left of the clubhouse after a fire.

[Ben Voelker]

Jud,

Milburn changed a lot, by Larry Packard and Dave Gill at different times.  Not a lot of Langford left that I saw a few years back when my son played an AJGA event there.  If memory serves, not much left of the clubhouse after a fire.

My sister lives right along the southern border of the club and the it is true, the clubhouse was completely destroyed by a fire last year.  A recent article about the new clubhouse...

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/29/3460729/country-club-to-rise-from-ashes.html

[Bill Shamleffer]

Kansas City is hosting the baseball All Star Game this summer (7/10/2012), so if you do not want the better courses to be too crowded, you may want to avoid that week and preceding weekend.

The above advice for golf in KC is all very good.  If it is possible, my top pick would be Prarie Dunes.  Swope Park in KC is an excellent muni, that was recently restored to very good condition a few years ago.

I would add that you may also enjoy a visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the jazz museum right next door.  A bit to the east is the Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

[Brandon Urban]

And whatever you do, don't miss Arthur Bryant's on Brooklyn or Oklahoma Joe's on 47th and Mission... best BBQ in town.
I also would be happy to join you for a round if you need some company. Always looking for a good excuse to get out.

[Jason Hines]

Got a question for you KC guys.  Whats your opinion of The Golf Club of Kansas in Lenexa?  

Hi Derek,

Have not played the GC of Kansas for a couple of years, but enjoyed the course every time I have played it.  It was built close to an old mine, so the course is routed through abandon mine shafts, caves and native trees mixed in with the Kansas prairie.  There are some booming tee shots, the course is fairly long and most definitely spread out which makes it a cart experience.  I believe there is a real estate development around the course, but have no idea how that is progressing.

My opinion: I often forget that it is there, it is tucked out of the way.

You?