couldn’ t sell liquor because we couldn’ t get a license. So, I asked if we could give it away, and they said,‘ Why sure.’ So, we gave away free beer.”
“ Everyone was so kind; I got to see so many people I hadn’ t seen in years.”
A member of three straight state championship teams at his high school in Ottumwa, IA, he still shot his age at 81.“ Wolf Creek was shut down, so I played with some Wolf Creek members at Oakwood and beat everyone, although I was pretty well blind by then,” he remembered proudly.
An honorary member at Wolf Creek, he’ s only one of four head professionals in the course’ s 54-year history, an amazing record in a profession where pros frequently move to other courses, retire, or leave the business. Jeff Burey succeeded Bonella from 1981 to 2008, then left for Prairie Dunes for a time, and remains a fixture in Kansas City junior golf. Rod Wray served from 2007 to 2019 and is now head pro at Butler National, an elite men’ s course in Chicago. Bret Burgmeier, the son of former Royals pitcher Tom Burgmeier, is now in his sixth year as head professional.
A young John Bonella( left) with his first teaching professional, Buster Mills.“ My best hire; Buster was as good a teacher as I ever had,” said Bonella.
Not until his ninth year was Bonella able to get Wolf Creek in the black. In his 10th year, he stepped down.“ I took advice from my father, who was also a golf pro in Ottumwa, IA. He said not to stay in one place more than 10 years because the guys who hired you will all be gone.”
By then, Wolf Creek had elevated itself to one of the most prestigious private clubs in the Midwest. Just about every big-name celebrity who came to town and played golf came out— Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Ernie Banks, Bill Russell, Joe Montana, Jerry Lewis, and Evel Knievel. My book,“ The First 25 Years of Wolf Creek,” lists at least 100 well-known athletes and personalities who have played the course.
Bonella, meanwhile, moved west to Denver. He studied commercial real estate and earned certifications through classes. He spent five years developing high-rise buildings in Denver before returning to Kansas City, where he’ s been a real estate asset manager for the last 22 years despite major health problems.
He started losing his sight in 2000 and can now see only contrasts.“ I can get up close to the TV and see a little golf and football, but mostly, I just listen.” He also has COPD that requires a portable breathing machine, and he no longer hears as well as he once did.
But at age 90, he still gets out and about thanks to Bonnie, his wife of 68 years. His mind is as sharp as a tack; his sense of humor hasn’ t lost a beat; and he’ s still revered by all who have come in touch with him. During his 90th birthday luncheon, he recounted numerous stories for 30 minutes and probably could have gone on for another hour.
Former Wolf Creek assistants( from left) Paul Hooser, Rob Wilkin, and Randy Towner were on hand to honor the first Wolf Creek Head Professional, John Bonella( second from left), at his 90th birthday luncheon. Both Hooser and Towner served under Bonella; Wilkin for former Head Professional Jeff Burey.
Today, Wolf Creek continues to thrive with a full membership and a stunning new clubhouse despite countless predictions that it would fail. According to the Wolf Creek website,“ It was a course that by all rights should have never happened. Not only was it put together with baling wire, chewing gum and mirrors, all the odds were against it— too far out, it will never work, too expensive. Let’ s not forget … when Wolf Creek was built, College Boulevard was a gravel road and I-435 didn’ t exist.” �
Alan Hoskins, Golf Writer Lead Feature Writer since 2007 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE ™ Magazine
TeeTimesMagazine. com TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE JULY 2026 21