installation and the nation’ s largest paved labyrinth, along with an award-winning hotel, three Airbnbs, and the R. D. Goppert event center, which offers state-of-the-art facilities for corporate retreats, conferences, fundraisers, and family events.
Now more than a century old, the Unity Village Golf Course opened in 1921 as a 9-hole course for members. In 2015, it was opened to public play. A driving range was added in 2016, and in 2018, a renovation of the historic clubhouse included an expanded pro shop, snack bar, and outdoor deck area.
The par-5 5th hole at Unity Village stretches to 480 yards, with hills and valleys off the tee. The green is guarded by sand bunkers both left and right. The back of the green is surrounded by dense forest— don’ t go long on approach! Can be a birdie hole for sharp shooters.
Russell will also be available for golf instruction. An All-American at both Kansas City Kansas Community College and UMKC, Russell won an NJCAA national championship by eagling the final hole. His 27-year professional career is filled with countless highlights, including five straight appearances in the PGA National Club championship, four-time Midwest Section PGA Player of the Year, and 2024 Midwest Section PGA Senior Player of the Year.
The par-3 3rd hole at Unity Village is one of the most challenging within the KC area. Playing as long as 210 yards, the small green with a sand bunker on the right and a large tree on the left forces golfers to have pinpoint accuracy off the tee.( All course photos by Bill Cromwell)
The course boasts three tee boxes per hole, ranging from 2,452 to 2,937 yards, which offers golfers playing a second nine the opportunity to play the course from a different length tee box. There’ s one par 5 stretching from 415 to 480 yards and one tough par 3 that measures 180 to 210 yards.
“ It’ s really a good 9-hole course and a great place to bring a wife and kids wanting to learn the game as well as seniors and even low handicap players,” says Russell. There is a limited number of bunkers, but uneven lies and small target greens put a premium on accurate club selection.
One of Russell’ s first initiatives was to enhance the only driving range in the Lee’ s Summit – Raytown area.“ Most people don’ t realize we have a driving range, which we’ ve updated with new range balls,” he stresses. There’ s also practice putting and chipping greens.
The course is perfect for charitable, corporate, and family golf events. It provides not only quality golf but also a step back into more than a century of history in a clubhouse that was once a farmhouse built before the land for the golf course was purchased in 1919.
The par-4 8th hole at Unity Village features a sharp dogleg left with a large lake on the right off the tee. Golfers try to cut the corner off the tee, but it’ s not wise; balls falling short will be lost in the tall grass. The largest green on the course slopes to the front. Be careful when putting for par or you’ ll roll off the green.
Unity Village Golf Course green fees are $ 27 with carts for 9 holes on weekdays and $ 38 for 18 holes. It’ s a very walkable course; 9-hole walking fees are $ 17 on weekdays and $ 22 on weekends( pull carts, $ 4). Range balls are available from $ 6 to $ 10, depending on bucket size. Learn more about the golf course and the Unity Village community at www. unityvillage. org / golf.
Alan Hoskins, Golf Writer and Lead Feature Writer since 2007
TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE ™ Magazine
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