Golf Kansas
When one thinks of Kansas, images from the Wizard of Oz may come to mind, or a stretch of Interstate 70 that runs flat, smooth and straight through wheat fields disappearing right on off the horizon. If that’s what comes to your mind, then you haven’t played any of the hundreds of golf courses there yet.
The very active Kansas Golf Association’s beginnings go back to 1908; golf in "The Natural State" fits in perfectly amidst the abundant wealth of lakes, streams and wildlife. Like other statewide golf associations, the KGA offers up scholarships and funds research for those interested in pursuing turfgrass research, and the state has its own magazine.
With such a rural environment, the state needs to be divided up into logical/geographical regions. We’ll call the Northeast Region Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka, while the Southeast would include Pittsburg, Independence and Parons. North Central includes Salina, Manhattan, and Hutchinson, but just south of there the South Central region begins at Wichita, and includes the Wellington and El Dorado areas. Finally, the West Region includes Garden City, Colby, Hayes, and Dodge City. The West and North Central regions are probably the most nature-rich areas in a broadly endowed state, while the more populated Northeast region’s more dense population centers.
About one in four of the best-ranked courses in Kansas are found in greater Wichita general area. Just a bit north of Wichita off of I-35, Hutchinson offers up the #1 ranked course in the state, Prairie Dunes. One of four courses in Hutchinson, this course earns national kudos as well. Golf Magazine bestowed Prairie Dunes with a number of awards, most recently giving it #10 of the Best 100 Classic courses in 2006. With a rating of 74 and a slope of 139, its ranking is well earned. This pleasant small town seems to be developing into a bedroom community of Wichita's aerospace industry. (Piper Aircraft is amongst the companies headquartered there.) As such, it merits watching for new verdigris greatness as well.
While we’re on the subject of venerable courses, the Kansas City Country Club’s course in Shawnee Mission was initially designed by A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1896. Robert Trent Jones, ASGCA, has since been involved in developing its rating of 73.4, with a slope rating of 138, and its place as #2 in the state. In Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, we find the Deer Creek Golf Club at #3. This Robert Trent Jones course was built in 1986.
Then we’re back to the Wichita area again The Sierra Hills Golf Club, a Leo Johnson, design, opened in 2004 and gathers up gathers up 4th place in the state. Nearby clubs take up 5th, 6th and 7th place before we return to Wichita. Repeat and rinse. Most of the population in Kansas is found in the northeast, near the Missouri border. As can be expected, as goes the population, likewise go the courses in the area.
Rest assured, there are quality courses to be found throughout the state. Dodge City has at least two courses (one public, one private,) for example. Next time you visit Kansas, bring your clubs along and treat yourself to a few rounds in nature’s Midwest splendor. You’re certain to be glad you did!
