Kansas City Membership - Best Deal in Town?

[RH1]

The wife and I just moved to Brookside and are looking for a club in that area. I typically play Swope but am getting fed up with the 5+ hours for 18 and just overall how crowded it is.

 

We are 30 and 34 with a kid on the way. Looking for something that has golf, tennis and fitness preferably. I’ve looked at Indian, but it seems that the pricing might have us out. The initiation fee just feels too high, Anyone a member at Milburn? They just sent me over their pricing ($8000 initiation and $478 monthly) doesn’t seem unreasonable.

 

Is there anywhere else in the area fellow golfers would recommend? We would still consider Indian, but it just seems not worth it when you compare Milburn and others.

 

How far are you willing to travel? Your only real "close" options are Milburn, Indian, Mission Hills and KCCC. Brookridge isn't terribly far, but who knows what's happening with that course. Oakwood is a predominantly Jewish club, but it's not terribly far either. A lot depends on your tolerance for travel.

 

 

Thats our limiting factor, I want the wife and kids to take advantage and that means we want close proximity. I don’t want to drive 20+ minutes dropping off at swim practice, etc.

 

Milburn seems the way we will go. I don’t even know anyone currently a member at Indian Hills so not sure how we would even go about sponsorship and what not.

 

As a side, does anyone have current membership prices for Indian? I hadn’t checked costs since around 15

 

[krb]

Other than The Watson Challenge, I've never seen anyone walking Shadow Glen in the 15-20 times I've played there. If they do, more power to them. That is a hike I wouldn't voluntarily undertake.

• 150 yards (as the crow flies) from 1 green to 2 tee (crossing a street)
  
• 110 yards (as the crow flies) from 2 green to 3 tee (crossing a street)
  
• 4 is a hike just from tee to green, and I have no idea if they have a trail up the mountain to 5 green
  
• As I understand it, you have to take a cart to get to 1 tee and make the turn
  
• 150 yards (as the crow flies) from 10 green to 11 tee (crossing a street)
  
• 220 yards (as the crow flies) from 11 green to 12 tee (crossing a street)
  
• 100 yards (as the crow flies) from 12 green to 13 tee
  
• 140 yards (as the crow flies) from 13 green to 14 tee
  
• 14-15, 15-16, 16-17, and 17-18 tee to green are all roughly 90 yards (as the crow flies)
  

Just those listed above, that is almost a mile just between tee boxes (as the crow flies).

 

Walkers take a cart from the clubhouse to number one, and back from number nine. Next time you're there, notice if there are any carts parked in the area between 1 tee and 9 green by the pump house. I bet you'll see some. I never considered the green to tee distance an issue, the issue is the elevation changes. The difficult bits are number four and 14 to 15. There is a path from four tee to the green, then up to five tee, but it is a very large elevation change. 14 to 15 is quite steep. 15 to 16 is steep too, there's a path to the front of the teebox where you can drop your clubs and walk back to the teeing area.

 

It's not an easy walk, but calling it 'unwalkable' is too strong.

 

-K

[tnord]

yes, i have seen vacated carts by 1 tee before.

 

any course can be walked, but i don't think that's one i would be willing to do regularly.

[akdoctor]

I was a member at Wolf Creek a few years back but dropped due to having my 4th kid. I really want to join another club. If anyone knows the initiation and dues for Loch Lloyd and Lionsgate send me a pm. I just turned 40 so no JR membership for me anymore!

[QMany]

I was a member at Wolf Creek a few years back but dropped due to having my 4th kid. I really want to join another club. If anyone knows the initiation and dues for Loch Lloyd and Lionsgate send me a pm. I just turned 40 so no JR membership for me anymore!

Is your wife under 40? That matters for Lionsgate's initiation.

[akdoctor]

I was a member at Wolf Creek a few years back but dropped due to having my 4th kid. I really want to join another club. If anyone knows the initiation and dues for Loch Lloyd and Lionsgate send me a pm. I just turned 40 so no JR membership for me anymore!

Is your wife under 40? That matters for Lionsgate's initiation.

 

Yes she's under 40.

[QMany]

I was a member at Wolf Creek a few years back but dropped due to having my 4th kid. I really want to join another club. If anyone knows the initiation and dues for Loch Lloyd and Lionsgate send me a pm. I just turned 40 so no JR membership for me anymore!

Is your wife under 40? That matters for Lionsgate's initiation.

Yes she's under 40.

Then you can get in for the Junior Membership initiation fee and pay Junior Membership dues until she turns 40.

[nix]

The wife and I just moved to Brookside and are looking for a club in that area. I typically play Swope but am getting fed up with the 5+ hours for 18 and just overall how crowded it is.

 

We are 30 and 34 with a kid on the way. Looking for something that has golf, tennis and fitness preferably. I’ve looked at Indian, but it seems that the pricing might have us out. The initiation fee just feels too high, Anyone a member at Milburn? They just sent me over their pricing ($8000 initiation and $478 monthly) doesn’t seem unreasonable.

 

Is there anywhere else in the area fellow golfers would recommend? We would still consider Indian, but it just seems not worth it when you compare Milburn and others.

 

How far are you willing to travel? Your only real "close" options are Milburn, Indian, Mission Hills and KCCC. Brookridge isn't terribly far, but who knows what's happening with that course. Oakwood is a predominantly Jewish club, but it's not terribly far either. A lot depends on your tolerance for travel.

 

 

Thats our limiting factor, I want the wife and kids to take advantage and that means we want close proximity. I don’t want to drive 20+ minutes dropping off at swim practice, etc.

 

Milburn seems the way we will go. I don’t even know anyone currently a member at Indian Hills so not sure how we would even go about sponsorship and what not.

 

As a side, does anyone have current membership prices for Indian? I hadn’t checked costs since around 15

 

Hillcrest is a short drive from brookside. Not a private club, but inexpensive and not crazy busy.

[scagnetti]

I think Arbanas and Swope are walkable tracks that are good and fun. In a lot of ways I think Arbanas may be the most underrated course in the city. I can attest that Hillcrest is very walkable, and I love it. It suffers from what many golden age courses have (too many trees, too narrow of fairways), but it's getting some really good maintenance and improving every year.

 

Personally I'm growing more fond of a walkable course, but it's not a make or break for me. I'm always willing to show someone around Hillcrest if they're interested in seeing the only Ross in the area (it's not private now, but might be soon and some local knowledge never hurts).

 

I think golf in KC is not terrible. I think that there are a LOT of courses considering the population, and there are some really good courses. There aren't a lot of GREAT courses, but I think that the KC golf culture is more around getting out and playing and not super passionate about architecture, walking or anything like that. So for some that would be terrible, but if you want access to golf at a decent price, KC is a great golf market, IMO. I guess I'm saying it has a very wide middle, and a very narrow to non-existant top. Which is why I find it hard to fork out a giant I-fee for a course when there are so many options for courses that are not a huge step down in quality but a huge step down in costs.

 

 

I love Swope, never played Hillcrest but had a buddy that worked there. When I played Swope I was usually out early during the middle of the week, and I could walk and carry and finish in less than 3 hours. I was a Waldo/BKS/Midtown Texas muni-kid transplant, so it was there or HoA, and an occasional trip down to Minor, which I have a soft spot for..

 

I'd love to visit Hillcrest (or any other club ANYONE wants to invite me to as a guest), as I am returning to the States and KCMO in the next couple months.

 

Hope that was funny and cool enough for people to look past my terrible handicap and embrace my entertainment value as a walking golfing companion. If nothing else you can always laugh at my swing...

[scagnetti]

that's a fair assessment, there's not much really great in KC, but i can't really think of any course i don't care to play again either (outside of minor park).

 

it is reasonably priced, there is a fair number of decent golf courses, but probably nothing worth some of the I-fee's being asked.

 

hahahahaaa... oh that's funny...

 

I LOVE Minor Park, for unabashed homerism and schtick. It's one of the only hipster golfer things I cop to is a sincere love of a cheap muni. It's in my blood...

 

Sykes/Lady is classy in this regard. And the woman at the S/L shop reception has a Filipino husband. We got along well. I dunno where I heard it said that at munis, if the course ain't nice, they just moved The Nice inside to the clubhouse...

[scagnetti]

I'd certainly think if they got Blue hills they'd either put that in the top tier or the one with deer, falcon, etc and drop hillcrest down to the classic level with drumm, etc.

 

If hillcrest stole the greenskeeper from down the road at heart of america I've play there all year. Heart's greens are as good as shoal right now. crazy.

 

I've always found HoA in if not good shape, then it is in great shape. It gets dry and a little brown in places near the end of August, but always well maintained. It basically is my 'home' course in KCMO.

[bhj83]

Anyone have any info on Lake Quivira CC? I saw they had a pretty decent promo for juniors (under 40) recently but it states it ended 7/31.

[Truman]

I think the model is actually sustainable, but if it's not I guess I"m ok with a company giving me a great deal on their dime.

serious financial troubles now. st joe hasn’t been able to buy gas for their mowers. The supplier cut them off. Similar problems at Staley. I’m afraid any small recession and they’re back in bankruptcy.

[vernon]

I think the model is actually sustainable, but if it's not I guess I"m ok with a company giving me a great deal on their dime.

serious financial troubles now. st joe hasn’t been able to buy gas for their mowers. The supplier cut them off. Similar problems at Staley. I’m afraid any small recession and they’re back in bankruptcy.

Prairie Highlands is now blocking off tee times on a daily basis due to a shortage of operational carts as batteries are failing and overall cart maintenance is poor. I was told by staff last week that they currently have 15 carts that are down and in such bad shape that it would be cheaper to replace them than to repair them.

 

Pretty bad when a public facility that is dependent upon greens fee revenues has to turn away paying customers due to lack of functional carts. The issue isn't exactly new over there in that many carts have been unable to make it 18 holes since last year. In fact, several months ago Prairie also began allowing the use of private carts which is something that Great Life has been loathe to do in the past. In fact, Staley is the only GL facility that I'm aware of that previously allowed private carts primarily due to the fact that so many were already in use prior to GL becoming a partner.

 

There's also an area of cart path between 6 and 7 at PH that's been collapsing since last year that has received zero attention other than a couple of orange cones to keep people from driving off into the pond overflow area. For over a month the pond on that hole was virtually dry and would have provided a great opportunity to repair the failing structure before it becomes a full blown sink hole but GL apparently doesn't think it's worthy of their attention. I'm no engineer but if this doesn't represent a serious safety issue today it certainly will in the near future.

 

I also know that Falcon Ridge has continued to accept public play despite being very overcrowded already due to having let in WAY too many members. On at least three occasions in the last month I've personally witnessed shop staff ask guys checking in if they were members and when told no, readily accepted credit card payment for greens fees apparently trying to squeeze out every available dollar.

 

I would agree that adequate fuel for maintenance is likely an issue throughout GL as Deer Creek, Falcon Ridge and Prairie Highlands haven't mowed roughs and fairways more than once a week pretty much all summer long and I can't remember the last time that any of those courses were all mowed at anything resembling a common height since early spring. If tee banks and green banks are mowed fairway rough won't be and vice versa. Many times only one side of a given hole will have mowed rough while the other side is 8 - 10 inches and will be that way for several days.

 

Likewise, even at Falcon Ridge (one of the only facilities in that tier that actually HAS sand in the bunkers) the bunkers are only being groomed once or twice per week and are basically unplayable mud holes on the other days.

 

Nonetheless, Great Life continues to promote and sponsor off course social events at Power & Light, a recent Pro Am at Staley featuring PGA pro Brice Garnett (who they also sponsor) at Staley that I'm not sure they had enough participants to even pull off as well as goofy one man bands to provide "entertainment" for Happy Hours at Falcon Ridge.

 

Of course, these same Happy Hour's were recently reduced from every Friday evening to one Friday per month in order to "change things up".

 

I also noticed yesterday that a "Casino Night" is scheduled for later this month at Blue Springs. Whoop dee do I guess.

 

All in all, Great Life continues to provide an inferior product and facility conditions continue to trend dramatically downwards. As a prominent pro at an upper level non Great Life course told me over the weekend, "Nobody has any idea what it is that they're trying to do over there. Absolutely nothing they do makes any sense at all from a basic golf business standpoint."

 

Just glad I'm not a homeowner on a Great Life golf course as the view outside my window wouldn't be a pretty one and might be getting a whole lot worse not too far down the road.

 

Too bad as there's some (formerly) pretty good golf courses in their portfolio if they would just grow and mow grass and forget all the peripheral crap that obviously not enough people care about to matter anyway.

 

Oh yeah, speaking of growing grass, I was also told by staff last week that at one course their share of the recent $50 "water assessment" fee that was charged to all GL members went to pay for grass seed. Kinda woulda thought that grass seed expense would have already been in the normal operating budget but I guess not.

[Almostscratchonce]

I think the model is actually sustainable, but if it's not I guess I"m ok with a company giving me a great deal on their dime.

serious financial troubles now. st joe hasn’t been able to buy gas for their mowers. The supplier cut them off. Similar problems at Staley. I’m afraid any small recession and they’re back in bankruptcy.

 

Have heard similar stories throughout the summer. Most of their vendors have had them on pre-pay/C.O.D. for a while.

 

For anyone that's ever wanted to own a golf course, my guess is there will be a few available at rock-bottom prices in the near future. I feel badly for the facilities' staff that's been swept up in this.

[bhj83]

I think the model is actually sustainable, but if it's not I guess I"m ok with a company giving me a great deal on their dime.

serious financial troubles now. st joe hasn’t been able to buy gas for their mowers. The supplier cut them off. Similar problems at Staley. I’m afraid any small recession and they’re back in bankruptcy.

Prairie Highlands is now blocking off tee times on a daily basis due to a shortage of operational carts as batteries are failing and overall cart maintenance is poor. I was told by staff last week that they currently have 15 carts that are down and in such bad shape that it would be cheaper to replace them than to repair them.

 

Pretty bad when a public facility that is dependent upon greens fee revenues has to turn away paying customers due to lack of functional carts. The issue isn't exactly new over there in that many carts have been unable to make it 18 holes since last year. In fact, several months ago Prairie also began allowing the use of private carts which is something that Great Life has been loathe to do in the past. In fact, Staley is the only GL facility that I'm aware of that previously allowed private carts primarily due to the fact that so many were already in use prior to GL becoming a partner.

 

There's also an area of cart path between 6 and 7 at PH that's been collapsing since last year that has received zero attention other than a couple of orange cones to keep people from driving off into the pond overflow area. For over a month the pond on that hole was virtually dry and would have provided a great opportunity to repair the failing structure before it becomes a full blown sink hole but GL apparently doesn't think it's worthy of their attention. I'm no engineer but if this doesn't represent a serious safety issue today it certainly will in the near future.

 

I also know that Falcon Ridge has continued to accept public play despite being very overcrowded already due to having let in WAY too many members. On at least three occasions in the last month I've personally witnessed shop staff ask guys checking in if they were members and when told no, readily accepted credit card payment for greens fees apparently trying to squeeze out every available dollar.

 

I would agree that adequate fuel for maintenance is likely an issue throughout GL as Deer Creek, Falcon Ridge and Prairie Highlands haven't mowed roughs and fairways more than once a week pretty much all summer long and I can't remember the last time that any of those courses were all mowed at anything resembling a common height since early spring. If tee banks and green banks are mowed fairway rough won't be and vice versa. Many times only one side of a given hole will have mowed rough while the other side is 8 - 10 inches and will be that way for several days.

 

Likewise, even at Falcon Ridge (one of the only facilities in that tier that actually HAS sand in the bunkers) the bunkers are only being groomed once or twice per week and are basically unplayable mud holes on the other days.

 

Nonetheless, Great Life continues to promote and sponsor off course social events at Power & Light, a recent Pro Am at Staley featuring PGA pro Brice Garnett (who they also sponsor) at Staley that I'm not sure they had enough participants to even pull off as well as goofy one man bands to provide "entertainment" for Happy Hours at Falcon Ridge.

 

Of course, these same Happy Hour's were recently reduced from every Friday evening to one Friday per month in order to "change things up".

 

I also noticed yesterday that a "Casino Night" is scheduled for later this month at Blue Springs. Whoop dee do I guess.

 

All in all, Great Life continues to provide an inferior product and facility conditions continue to trend dramatically downwards. As a prominent pro at an upper level non Great Life course told me over the weekend, "Nobody has any idea what it is that they're trying to do over there. Absolutely nothing they do makes any sense at all from a basic golf business standpoint."

 

Just glad I'm not a homeowner on a Great Life golf course as the view outside my window wouldn't be a pretty one and might be getting a whole lot worse not too far down the road.

 

Too bad as there's some (formerly) pretty good golf courses in their portfolio if they would just grow and mow grass and forget all the peripheral crap that obviously not enough people care about to matter anyway.

 

Oh yeah, speaking of growing grass, I was also told by staff last week that at one course their share of the recent $50 "water assessment" fee that was charged to all GL members went to pay for grass seed. Kinda woulda thought that grass seed expense would have already been in the normal operating budget but I guess not.

 

Wow...can't say I'm surprised at all. I joined at Falcon Ridge this year (right before 1/1/18) but was actually able to get out of the membership after going back and forth thru email for a couple of weeks. My main issue was not being able to book at time as a single on weekdays and therefore not being able to play the course as it was always packed. I also saw the writing on the wall for condition issues when BOTH of their pumps went out during the summer and the course was getting baked. It's called PREVENTATIVE maintenance for a reason and they just seem to wait for stuff to break and use it as an excuse.

[vernon]

I think the model is actually sustainable, but if it's not I guess I"m ok with a company giving me a great deal on their dime.

serious financial troubles now. st joe hasn’t been able to buy gas for their mowers. The supplier cut them off. Similar problems at Staley. I’m afraid any small recession and they’re back in bankruptcy.

Prairie Highlands is now blocking off tee times on a daily basis due to a shortage of operational carts as batteries are failing and overall cart maintenance is poor. I was told by staff last week that they currently have 15 carts that are down and in such bad shape that it would be cheaper to replace them than to repair them.

 

Pretty bad when a public facility that is dependent upon greens fee revenues has to turn away paying customers due to lack of functional carts. The issue isn't exactly new over there in that many carts have been unable to make it 18 holes since last year. In fact, several months ago Prairie also began allowing the use of private carts which is something that Great Life has been loathe to do in the past. In fact, Staley is the only GL facility that I'm aware of that previously allowed private carts primarily due to the fact that so many were already in use prior to GL becoming a partner.

 

There's also an area of cart path between 6 and 7 at PH that's been collapsing since last year that has received zero attention other than a couple of orange cones to keep people from driving off into the pond overflow area. For over a month the pond on that hole was virtually dry and would have provided a great opportunity to repair the failing structure before it becomes a full blown sink hole but GL apparently doesn't think it's worthy of their attention. I'm no engineer but if this doesn't represent a serious safety issue today it certainly will in the near future.

 

I also know that Falcon Ridge has continued to accept public play despite being very overcrowded already due to having let in WAY too many members. On at least three occasions in the last month I've personally witnessed shop staff ask guys checking in if they were members and when told no, readily accepted credit card payment for greens fees apparently trying to squeeze out every available dollar.

 

I would agree that adequate fuel for maintenance is likely an issue throughout GL as Deer Creek, Falcon Ridge and Prairie Highlands haven't mowed roughs and fairways more than once a week pretty much all summer long and I can't remember the last time that any of those courses were all mowed at anything resembling a common height since early spring. If tee banks and green banks are mowed fairway rough won't be and vice versa. Many times only one side of a given hole will have mowed rough while the other side is 8 - 10 inches and will be that way for several days.

 

Likewise, even at Falcon Ridge (one of the only facilities in that tier that actually HAS sand in the bunkers) the bunkers are only being groomed once or twice per week and are basically unplayable mud holes on the other days.

 

Nonetheless, Great Life continues to promote and sponsor off course social events at Power & Light, a recent Pro Am at Staley featuring PGA pro Brice Garnett (who they also sponsor) at Staley that I'm not sure they had enough participants to even pull off as well as goofy one man bands to provide "entertainment" for Happy Hours at Falcon Ridge.

 

Of course, these same Happy Hour's were recently reduced from every Friday evening to one Friday per month in order to "change things up".

 

I also noticed yesterday that a "Casino Night" is scheduled for later this month at Blue Springs. Whoop dee do I guess.

 

All in all, Great Life continues to provide an inferior product and facility conditions continue to trend dramatically downwards. As a prominent pro at an upper level non Great Life course told me over the weekend, "Nobody has any idea what it is that they're trying to do over there. Absolutely nothing they do makes any sense at all from a basic golf business standpoint."

 

Just glad I'm not a homeowner on a Great Life golf course as the view outside my window wouldn't be a pretty one and might be getting a whole lot worse not too far down the road.

 

Too bad as there's some (formerly) pretty good golf courses in their portfolio if they would just grow and mow grass and forget all the peripheral crap that obviously not enough people care about to matter anyway.

 

Oh yeah, speaking of growing grass, I was also told by staff last week that at one course their share of the recent $50 "water assessment" fee that was charged to all GL members went to pay for grass seed. Kinda woulda thought that grass seed expense would have already been in the normal operating budget but I guess not.

 

Wow...can't say I'm surprised at all. I joined at Falcon Ridge this year (right before 1/1/18) but was actually able to get out of the membership after going back and forth thru email for a couple of weeks. My main issue was not being able to book at time as a single on weekdays and therefore not being able to play the course as it was always packed. I also saw the writing on the wall for condition issues when BOTH of their pumps went out during the summer and the course was getting baked. It's called PREVENTATIVE maintenance for a reason and they just seem to wait for stuff to break and use it as an excuse.

Might I ask where you ended up? Beginning to wonder if we're going to do this Great Life deal again next year as it's become quite evident that nothing is going to change. At least not in a positive way and the options are getting a little thin what with these guys buying up every property in town and then turning them all into golfing ghetto's.

 

Believe me, as extensive as my post might appear it's only a small fraction of all the stuff that I could have put in there. A guy could literally write a book about the crazy stuff that goes on at GL facilities.

 

Google the name Doug Albers sometime for a little peripheral "perspective" on this operation. He's one of the original principle founders or whatever they call themselves. Seems he got busted pimping fake pharmaceuticals back around 2006. Lost his pharmacist license in Kansas and Missouri and was damn lucky not to do hard time. Only avoided it by ratting out lots of other folks that, along with him, were involved in taking advantage of sick people by selling them fake drugs. Over 50 million dollars worth according to archived articles from the KC Star and other local periodicals.

 

Apparently, he still had enough left to move on and become a "pillar" of the local golf community however.

 

Supposed to be another big "membership drive" starting in the next couple of months. Just what Falcon Ridge needs.

 

Who knows? Maybe they can become the first thousand plus member "private" course ever. Maybe then they can afford to mow the rough and repair the bare spots in the middle of the fairways.

 

Probably require another "assessment" though.

[bhj83]

I ended up going back to Tiffany Greens. They have a great junior membership now (under 40) that includes everything (even range unlike GL).

[br61]

I ended up going back to Tiffany Greens. They have a great junior membership now (under 40) that includes everything (even range unlike GL).

 

There were several groups from Tiffany Greens at my home club(Silo Ridge G&CC) yesterday. They said it's in better condition than last summer when it was in terrible condition while I hosted a tournament there. They told me a new management group has spent the needed money for the repairs.

 

I played at KCCC last week, it is in very good condition except for thin and burnt rough.

[bhj83]

I ended up going back to Tiffany Greens. They have a great junior membership now (under 40) that includes everything (even range unlike GL).

 

There were several groups from Tiffany Greens at my home club(Silo Ridge G&CC) yesterday. They said it's in better condition than last summer when it was in terrible condition while I hosted a tournament there. They told me a new management group has spent the needed money for the repairs.

 

I played at KCCC last week, it is in very good condition except for thin and burnt rough.

 

I can't speak for last year as I was at a different club but it's been in really good shape since I joined again in June. We had that heat wave and a decent chunk of rough got burned out but it's come back better than I expected with that week or so of rain we got. It's just been a tough summer in our area with way too little rain.

[br61]

I ended up going back to Tiffany Greens. They have a great junior membership now (under 40) that includes everything (even range unlike GL).

 

There were several groups from Tiffany Greens at my home club(Silo Ridge G&CC) yesterday. They said it's in better condition than last summer when it was in terrible condition while I hosted a tournament there. They told me a new management group has spent the needed money for the repairs.

 

I played at KCCC last week, it is in very good condition except for thin and burnt rough.

 

I can't speak for last year as I was at a different club but it's been in really good shape since I joined again in June. We had that heat wave and a decent chunk of rough got burned out but it's come back better than I expected with that week or so of rain we got. It's just been a tough summer in our area with way too little rain.

 

I'm glad to hear that it's in good shape. Yeah, this summer was brutal for the courses around here. TG is a fun course to play on.

[Rory4Pres]

Wow, crazy to learn about Doug Albers. Guess it's a good option when you lose your license. Been with Great life for a year now and can't recall 1 time where I was able to call and get a tee time before 11am at the couple courses I normally play on the weekend. I'm pretty sure the retired folks just booked the early tee time once and just told them to hold that tee time every weekend indefinitely.

 

It's kind of like flying southwest...you're just part of the herd of cattle at greatlife.

[vernon]

Regarding the difficulty securing tee times, I'm beginning to think that the best bet is to just show up regardless of how many there are in your group. I've been amazed by how many times the online tee sheet is booked solid until late afternoon or early evening but way more often than not when we arrive 45 minutes to an hour early for our tee time that we're told we can go whenever we want. Apparently, people are booking tee times as far out as possible just in case they want to play but if it doesn't work out they just no-show.

 

About six weeks or so ago Falcon Ridge sent out a notice that they were going to start charging a $20 per player "fine" for no-shows. My response was, wait a minute, you want to start fining people because you can't manage your own tee sheet? You know who these people are - you have their names and contact information just deal with them directly and remind them that they need to be a little more responsible.

 

Nice try but I guess that would have been too much work.

 

Well, anyways, a couple weeks later I called two days out to cancel a tee time and jokingly commented that I hoped I was early enough to have avoided the dreaded "fine". The shop guy responded, "Oh, you don't have to worry about that anymore. They told us we had to come up with a different way to deal with it."

 

So now we're back to having the tee sheet full a week out but nobody on the damn tee.

 

I was also thrilled to see that the back nine green aerification was completed only they didn't use near enough sand (cutting corners however they can again I'm sure) so the back nine will be like putting on a waffle iron for the next six months.

 

Priceless.

 

I keep saying that their slogan needs to be, "Whaddya expect for $150 a month?"

[Tha Carter]

Anyone have any info on Lake Quivira CC? I saw they had a pretty decent promo for juniors (under 40) recently but it states it ended 7/31.

 

Registered to hopefully get some more insight on Lake Quivira. It is close to where I live and joining fee for juniors can be had for $3k or less on a pretty regular basis. Their membership is mostly people that live there and I think they have been trying to get more golf members for some time. I have played the course once about two years ago, but I don't remember anything about it (so maybe that's bad?) I do remember the range sucked but I have heard they have built a new range and practice facility.

 

I am seriously considering joining here next year so would appreciate any feedback. The only drawback is the sort of cult-ish vibe I get from the people that live in Lake Quivira but admittedly I haven't spent a lot of time at the club itself. I know a couple of members but they are 20 years older than me so not sure I value their perspective much.

 

I think the model is actually sustainable, but if it's not I guess I"m ok with a company giving me a great deal on their dime.

serious financial troubles now. st joe hasn’t been able to buy gas for their mowers. The supplier cut them off. Similar problems at Staley. I’m afraid any small recession and they’re back in bankruptcy.

 

I lived in Topeka when Great Life bought up and ruined all the courses there, so I have stayed away from all the courses they are running in KC now. GL was actually good in Topeka for awhile though because I could use the gym for $40 a month and then walk out and play nine pretty much everyday. But their model of no maintenance and tons of rounds eventually makes any course unplayable. I would consider Canyon Farms (I actually like the course, I know some don't) but any affiliation, no matter how small, with GL scares me away.

[ericjohnson520]

A club that doesn't often get mentioned in the KC discussion is Blue Hills. It is located at 127th and State Line on the Missouri side. It is a tree lined course with massive greens. It is a fun course that can challenge every golfer. We have a men's league that is an absolute blast. We have a hundred guys show up every Wednesday with a different format each week. It is a great way to meet other members and find your way into games throughout the week.

 

Blue Hills has a great social component too. It can be hard to quantify the value of the social side of a club, but my family absolutely loves being at Blue Hills. It is a very family-friendly place. On Friday, nights the club is packed for dinner. It is a great environment that my family found to be very welcoming.

[scagnetti]

A club that doesn't often get mentioned in the KC discussion is Blue Hills. It is located at 127th and State Line on the Missouri side. It is a tree lined course with massive greens. It is a fun course that can challenge every golfer. We have a men's league that is an absolute blast. We have a hundred guys show up every Wednesday with a different format each week. It is a great way to meet other members and find your way into games throughout the week.

 

Blue Hills has a great social component too. It can be hard to quantify the value of the social side of a club, but my family absolutely loves being at Blue Hills. It is a very family-friendly place. On Friday, nights the club is packed for dinner. It is a great environment that my family found to be very welcoming.

 

When and what day is a good day to host me there?

[QMany]

A club that doesn't often get mentioned in the KC discussion is Blue Hills. It is located at 127th and State Line on the Missouri side. It is a tree lined course with massive greens. It is a fun course that can challenge every golfer. We have a men's league that is an absolute blast. We have a hundred guys show up every Wednesday with a different format each week. It is a great way to meet other members and find your way into games throughout the week.

 

Blue Hills has a great social component too. It can be hard to quantify the value of the social side of a club, but my family absolutely loves being at Blue Hills. It is a very family-friendly place. On Friday, nights the club is packed for dinner. It is a great environment that my family found to be very welcoming.

 

Blue Hills is a really good track. I played my first big tournament there, the 2013 Missouri Amateur, and was quickly humbled by the greens. They aren't "tricked up" but I find them to be the most challenging in the area.

 

I've heard rumors they may be taking the Web.com reigns, any inside information?

[pdakc]

 

 

I've heard rumors they may be taking the Web.com reigns, any inside information?

 

I have heard the same thing. As an LG member, that's fine by me.

[Truman]

Regarding the difficulty securing tee times, I'm beginning to think that the best bet is to just show up regardless of how many there are in your group. I've been amazed by how many times the online tee sheet is booked solid until late afternoon or early evening but way more often than not when we arrive 45 minutes to an hour early for our tee time that we're told we can go whenever we want. Apparently, people are booking tee times as far out as possible just in case they want to play but if it doesn't work out they just no-show.

 

About six weeks or so ago Falcon Ridge sent out a notice that they were going to start charging a $20 per player "fine" for no-shows. My response was, wait a minute, you want to start fining people because you can't manage your own tee sheet? You know who these people are - you have their names and contact information just deal with them directly and remind them that they need to be a little more responsible.

 

Nice try but I guess that would have been too much work.

 

Well, anyways, a couple weeks later I called two days out to cancel a tee time and jokingly commented that I hoped I was early enough to have avoided the dreaded "fine". The shop guy responded, "Oh, you don't have to worry about that anymore. They told us we had to come up with a different way to deal with it."

 

So now we're back to having the tee sheet full a week out but nobody on the damn tee.

 

I was also thrilled to see that the back nine green aerification was completed only they didn't use near enough sand (cutting corners however they can again I'm sure) so the back nine will be like putting on a waffle iron for the next six months.

 

Priceless.

 

I keep saying that their slogan needs to be, "Whaddya expect for $150 a month?"

low price for low quality

[jayhawk0624]

Has anyone heard what the membership fees are for Milburn lately? I’m 30 and am looking to to join a course near that area (I work less than a mile from Milburn). I’ve also looked a little bit at Lake Quivira, but there isn’t much information about it.