Golf

Golf Pawnee County

Larned Country Club superintendent Dan Collins is happy the 2021 golf season arrived.

Th e 2020 season unfolded like a biblical battle. Larned’s girls had their postseason stopped in October by quarantine restrictions under coach Collins. Collins underwent shoulder surgery, and shortly thereaft er, he missed work when he endured the illness in October.

Collins worked the majority of the course maintenance in 2020 when the coronavirus forced safety restrictions.

With spring high school and junior college sports canceled, the course enjoyed a busy spring and summer.

“When quarantines hit, the golf course was the busiest place in town. Golf was the one sport you could play,” he said. “We enjoyed good local play.”

Club President Chris Froetschner oversaw various club improvements. Th e primary project was repaving a new concrete parking lot. New fencing provided a convenient barrier between the golf course and parking. Th e city of Larned provided manpower and materials and donations reduced the overall price tag.

“It’s been a really nice addition for the club and city when there are golf tournaments staged there,” he said.

Taking expert care of Larned Country Club comes naturally for Collins. He’s spent the past 12 summers serving as full-time golf course superintendent.

Plentiful rain has provided work for a crew that features Steve Webster, Luke Wilson and Larry Wilson.

“It’s been a great growing season. We’ve stayed busy mowing. It’s the best grass-growing year I can remember.”

Memorials from Clint Vratil and Steven Gillett provided money in 2020 that purchased trees which were planted between Nos. 1 and 6.

Th e golf course property is owned by the city of Larned, which pays for the water and irrigation system. Golf carts and cart shed rentals are available. Collins said Josh Kraisinger, Larned’s parks and cemetery supervisor, anchors support from the city of Larned.

“Josh gets equipment prepared, and performs anything mechanical,” Collins said.

Th e driving range stretches to 330 yards. Green fees are $20 during weekdays and $25 on the weekend. It is a well-maintained course featuring small and sloped Bentgrass greens with bluegrass and perennial rye fairways.

Th ree of the sloping fairways are doglegs and tree-lined. Water hazards come into play on three holes. Th e nine-hole Larned Country Club layout features 2,747 yards of golf from the longest tee for a par of 35. Th e course rating is 33.9 and it has a slope rating of 106.

LARNED DISC GOLF — Th e city of Larned gave permission to set up an 18-hole disc golf course several years ago that is next to the Larned Community Center building.

“A group of guys approached me about starting a disc golf course, and I Iiked the idea,” said Mike Seeman, Larned Recreation Commission director. “Th e city council approved the idea. Th ere’s a group of guys who play disc golf about every day, no matter what the weather is.”

Seeman said the players use multiple discs to enhance longer or more precise shots.

“Th ey use a lot of diff erent discs on various shots,” he said. “Several times a year, they run their own tournaments.”

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