10 minute read
ON LOCATION GOLF COURSES IN KANSAS
COMBINING WORK AND PLAY: PREMIERE GOLF COURSES PROVIDE MORE THAN SPORT
By Cecilia Harris, writer, KSAE magazine
It’s a simple truth: Golf links people together. From teeoff to the last hole, the sport that nearly everyone can play provides an opportunity to connect informally with others while on the course. Sharing information through good conversation between shots develops and deepens relationships; therefore, golf is the perfect outdoor activity for conference attendees. Even if golf is not played, the scenic views from a golf course’s meeting facility are a bonus because studies indicate simply looking at nature together reduces stress and improves cognitive function.
Up your game by scheduling one of these five golf courses as your meeting destination:
Colbert Hills, Manhattan
Sprawling across 315 acres in the Flint Hills, Colbert Hills is an 18-hole long and hilly public course with breathtaking views. It has won several accolades, including being ranked the #1 Daily Fee Golf Course in Kansas by Golf Digest, Golf.com and GolfLink. Five different zoysia tee boxes and treeless fairways with generous landing areas accommodate all levels of skill.
General Manager Jeremy Dietz said tournaments may range from smaller events utilizing only tee times to reserving the entire golf course.
“Typically, we don’t require tournaments to hold their conference at our facility but we recommend it so individuals do not have to travel after a conference or meeting and would immediately be able to practice and play golf,” Dietz said.
Event spaces include the Founders Room that overlooks Hole #1 and holds up to 32 people, a semi-private dining room seating 75 with an outstanding view of Manhattan and the Clubhouse that accommodates 225 individuals. There also is a large sitting area with a fireplace at the restaurant’s entrance and a full-service bar.
The charcuterie board, BBQ chicken or pork sliders and the artichoke dip are the menu items most requested by meeting planners as all food and beverages must be purchased through Colbert Hills.
Quality food, the quiet location and incredible views are the clubhouse’s biggest attributes, Dietz said.
Terradyne Country Club, Andover
Rated four Stars by Golf Digest magazine and chosen as one of America’s best courses by Golf Week magazine, Terradyne Country Club offers an elite course.
“The 6,854-yard Donald Sechrest designed Scottish Links style course is a diamond in the heart of the nation,” said Leah Doshier, director of membership and operations. “The rolling blue grass fairways lined by the seemingly bottomless native grasses makes for a mentally challenging and rewarding round.”
A private country club, Terradyne does not allow public tee times; however, planners may contact Brian Ward, head golf professional, regarding scheduling a group outing or tournament.
Three meeting spaces are available for non-members: the Turnberry Room features a wall of windows with blinds and seating for 55 people, the Prestwick Room is perfect for a 10-member board or committee meeting and St. Andrews Banquet Room suits groups of up to 250 people.
The Topeka Country Club, 2700 SW Buchanan in Topeka, features a course designed by world-famous golf course architect Perry Maxwell in the late 1930s.
Colbert Hills Golf Course, 5200 Colbert Hills Dr. in Manhattan, covers 315 acres in the Flint Hills. Although the course only is available to members and their guests, the club bylaws allow for outside golf tournaments to be exclusively scheduled on Mondays, according to Gina Newsham Patterson, director of membership and marketing.
“Meeting planners love that we are all inclusive; the meeting and event space, the linen availability, and the food and beverage service is all in one place,” Doshier said. Favorites off the extensive menu include the Chicken Alfredo, the taco bar, brisket, barbecue meatballs, wonton cups and chicken strips.
Topeka Country Club, Topeka
Designed by world-famous golf course architect Perry Maxwell in the late 1930s, the 18-hole Topeka Country Club traditional parkland style course features narrow corridors lined with trees, zoysia fairways and bent grass greens. Situated in the center of the lush golf course, the Clubhouse provides unique views of the grounds. Among the seven event spaces, ranging in size from 500- to 6,000-square feet, are a Kansas Capitol-themed Board Room, a living room setting with a large fireplace and a large conference room with drop-down audio-visual capabilities. Patterson said planners appreciate the top-notch staff, service and food, with most requesting the pecan chicken and house-made signature
continued from page 7 dessert, which is white chocolate ice cream with raspberry sauce.
“Nestled in the center of the city, our rooms feature beautiful views of the golf course amongst the service and tradition only a private country club can provide,” she said. “The Club is a nicely appointed private meeting space for any event.”
The Jayhawk Club, Lawrence
In 2016, the former Alvamar Golf and Country Club that once hosted a number of significant golf championships became The Jayhawk Club and underwent a major transformation. The partially redesigned parkland-style golf course features 27 holes set in the natural landscape. With sloping terrain and tree-lined, zoysia grass fairways, it now is known for its unique combination of playability and tests of skill that provide fun for both beginners and experienced golfers, according to Wes Lynch, general manager/memberships.
Although a private club, outside golf events such as a group tournament are allowed but must be approved.
The recently renovated clubhouse, built in 1968, combines rustic charm and a contemporary feel with “lots of beautiful windows with golf course views,” Lynch said, adding that meeting planners say the interior is beautiful and comfortable.
The Jayhawk Club, 1809 Birdie Way in Lawrence, features 27 holes set in the natural landscape. The clubhouse, built in 1968, was recently renovated.
The Firekeeper Golf Course, 12524 150th Rd. #8819 in Mayetta, is a par 72 course. It honors the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s tradition of retaining the land’s natural elements with minimal disruption.
The facility’s options and flexible space are its biggest attributes as an event venue, according to Lynch. The Sunflower Room, a bright space with floor-to-ceiling windows, seats 270 people. The Lookout Room handles a group of up to 60, and the 1968 Room holds 25 guests. A modern-style, multi-purpose barn accommodates up to 200 people.
Firekeeper Golf Course at Prairie Band Casino and Resort, Mayetta
With accolades such as best public golf course in Kansas, Top 100 Resort Courses and Top Casino Courses in the country by Golfweek magazine because of its pristine natural bent grass fairways, scenic fairways and greens, and a challenging fescue rough, the par 72 Firekeeper course honors the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s tradition of retaining the land’s natural elements with minimal disruption to prairie, valley and woodlands.
“Showcasing all that Kansas geography has to offer, Firekeeper has become one of the premier golf courses in the region,” said Annette Wheeler, marketing coordinatoradvertising. “Firekeeper is a championship caliber golf course that has hosted multiple professional tour events, as well as multiple high-level amateur tournaments. It is a challenging and rewarding golf course that is a true test of golf for all skill levels.”
Options for groups include scheduling a tournament or simply playing a round of golf with multiple tee times booked based on the number of conference attendees.
The golf course is adjacent to the Prairie Band Casino and Resort with meeting room sizes ranging from a 14-person conference room to 800 people in a 12,000-squarefoot convention center. The Casino provides additional entertainment with bingo, slot machines and table games. F
Johnson Named FTA Executive Director
The Financial Therapy Association (FTA) announced Brandy Johnson, CAE as their executive director effective June 1, 2022. FTA is an organization comprised of professionals dedicated to the Johnson integration of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, relational and financial aspects of well-being. For more information, visit www.financialtherapyassociation.org.
K1 Hospitality Welcomes Director of Events
Nikki Martinek has been named director of events for K1 Hospitality. Martinek, a Topeka native and Emporia State graduate, has more than 16 years of experience creating and managing successful events. Most recently, she served as the marketing manager for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, where she led a creative team to produce datadriven marketing campaigns aimed at building membership and growing its annual tradeshow with over 18,000 attendees and exhibitors each year.
Martinek
Explore Crawford County Names Executive Director
Dave Looby has been named executive eirector of Explore Crawford County (formerly Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau) in Southeast Kansas. For nearly 13 years, Looby served as the president and CEO of Minneapolis Northwest Tourism and has been heavily involved
Looby in industry events and organizations such as the Minnesota Association of CVB’s, the Minnesota Society of Association Executives, Destinations International (where he earned his certification as a Certified Destination Management Executive – CDME), the US Travel Association, as well as many local clubs and business organizations, and he has been a member of Rotary International for more than 35 years.
Visit Topeka President Earns CDME Certification
Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka, has completed the requirements to become a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), the highest individual certification bestowed upon professionals in the Dixon tourism industry. To become certified, Dixon completed courses covering destination management, sales and marketing, leadership strategies, advocacy and community relations, financial management and more. Dixon will have opportunities to continue his professional education, and he may seek recertification every four years.
Steve Walls is the new marketing and communications manager for Visit Kansas City Kansas. Walls develops and oversees marketing and community relations activities Walls and oversees all marketing activities, including advertising buys, marketing projects and publications, website and social media. Walls also directs all communications and PR functions while helping to raise awareness for Visit Kansas
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continued from page 10 City Kansas. Walls is a native Kansas Citian. In addition to working with Visit Kansas City Kansas, he is a credentialed sports media journalist and influencer. Walls can be seen and heard on 100.1FM, 810 WHB Sports Radio, KSHB 41, KCTV5, WDAF Fox 4 and many other sports news and radio stations around the country.
Abilene Named in Top 10 Best Historic Small Towns Contest
Abilene has earned bragging rights taking second place in the 2022 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest in the Best Historic Small Town category. This category is for towns with big histories and populations of fewer than 25,000 people. This is the fourth year Abilene has finished in the top 10. A panel of experts partnered with the 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees. The top 10 winners were then determined by popular vote. Month-Over-Month Increase Indicates Industry is Moving Faster Through Recovery
Knowland, a provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, released its monthly meetings and events data for May with a significant increase of 276% over May 2021. May 2022 rebounded from April 2022 with a 12.5% increase month over month. Average attendees per event continued to outpace 2019 with an average number of attendees at 123 in 2022 compared to 92 in May 2019. Corporate meetings continue to be the dominant segment, representing 62.8% of meeting and event business with technology, healthcare and financial/ banking taking the lead as the largest industry groups. From a recovery standpoint compared to May 2019 levels, online retailer, urban infrastructure, tobacco, and packing/shipping are the segments at the highest level of recovery capture in May 2022. Learn more at www.knowland.com. F
Merry and Bright
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