Courses to Play
Soaring High at Eagles ’ Landing
One of the Kansas City Metro ’ s premier GM ’ s eclipses 25-year tenure . by John Baccala
When you play Eagles ’ Landing Golf Course in Belton , MO , excellent golf and sand come to mind . This 18- hole , par-72 layout features 69 bunkers , including 16 on the par-4 16th hole .
Head PGA Professional Jay Kennedy said , “ If you ’ re on your game , most of the bunkers shouldn ’ t come into play during your round and are there to provide definition to some of Eagles ’ Landing ’ s beautiful golf holes .”
Kennedy knows every inch of the course . He ’ s been at Eagles ’ Landing since 1998 , when the then Belton Municipal Golf Course closed and Eagles ’ Landing was born .
Kennedy ( on left ) has been the head professional and general manager here for 26 years ( 2024 ) — making him one of the longest-tenured professionals remaining at one course in the Kansas City area . During his time there , the course has undergone a number of upgrades and improvements , but he is quick to give credit to others . “ I would credit my longevity to having a great company to work for [ the City of Belton ] and excellent staff over the past 25 years ,” he said .
We concur and add that Kennedy is , without question , one of the premier general managers within the Kansas City Metro . His attention to operational detail and focus on friendly customer service are second to none .
Since 1998 , Eagles ’ Landing birth has undergone almost yearly improvements . New tee boxes were built , all 18 greens were rebuilt , two practice greens were added , the fairway drainage system was upgraded , and continuous , paved cart paths were added around the entire course . In 2006 , the new clubhouse was opened , a first-class driving range was added , and various improvements are always in the works . Today , Eagles ’ Landing is certainly a far cry from what it was in the Belton Municipal Golf Course era when a construction trailer was the pro shop / clubhouse ! And Kennedy has seen it all .
But those 69 bunkers the course is known for can gobble up golf balls if one is off their game . “ Obviously , we have a lot of bunkers , but for the most part , many are smaller pot bunkers ,” Kennedy said , “ and our bunkers have sod slopes compared to other courses that spread the sand all the way up the bunker face .”
Not having to contend with sand along the bunker face does make those knee-knocker shots less daunting — and the sand in Eagles ’ Landing ’ s bunkers is always well-maintained and well-manicured ,
▲ Your shot skill challenges begin on the par-4 2nd hole . It ’ s not an extremely long hole off the tee , but your second shot must be accurate to avoid the bunkers surrounding the front of the green . Go for the middle of the green , and you ’ ll par this one .
14 January 2024 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE