Play Pristine Bentgrass Thanks to “ Super ” intendent ’ s Return !
Stone Canyon Golf Club
Play Pristine Bentgrass Thanks to “ Super ” intendent ’ s Return !
Editorial and Photography by Bill Cromwell
Stone Canyon ’ s scenic 381-yard , par-4 3rd hole ─ a signature hole .
Could 2024 be the year you finally tee it up at Stone Canyon Golf Club ? A true 18-hole “ championship ” layout that features velvet Bentgrass from tees to fairways and closely mown greens , Stone Canyon offers dramatic layout features with elevated tees traversing to rolling fairways . The property includes rugged terrain with several spectacular stone outcroppings integrated into the layout — hence the name Stone Canyon .
While Stone Canyon is public , it was originally earmarked as a private club . It ’ s the only Greg Norman Signature Design Course in the Midwest . The course opened in 2009 and received immediate national recognition as one of the “ Best New Courses .” The course layout provides truly impressive golf challenges with all of Norman ’ s signature design traits , including quick green speeds , creative bunkering , and landscape accents around bunkers and greens . Its rolling topography with elevated tee complexes to valley fairways enhances its dramatic views toward downtown Kansas City .
Since its 2009 opening , Stone Canyon has operated under several ownership groups , a few of which let the course degrade . The course was purchased in 2015 by Kevin Stallings , the President of D & D Building , Inc ., dba Dreams & Design Building . Stallings is a residential builder in various KC area communities , including the surrounding Stone Canyon subdivision . “ Our long-term plans take the course and residential development well into 2036 ,” said Stallings .
Since 2015 , under the new ownership , over half a million dollars in upgrades have been completed , including a state-of-the-art short game practice area that includes a 5,000-square-foot hitting / chipping area to a 5,000-square-foot green constructed in 2016 . Plus , there are ongoing improvements to the Bentgrass tees and fairways and the driving range that ’ s conveniently located next to a very large practice putting green and the 1st tee .
Stallings also hired Superintendent Jacob Rockhold in 2015 . Rockhold , originally from Chillicothe , MO , worked on the grounds crew at Green Hills Golf Course during high school . Through college , he worked at A . L . Golf Course in Columbia , MO , while attending Mizzou . He then served his agronomy internship in New Jersey at Baltusrol Golf Club in 2012 . Baltusrol is one of the oldest clubs in the United States , hosting many PGA TOUR and Major Championships . Before coming to Stone Canyon , he was an assistant superintendent at Shadow Glen Golf Club for two years .
Rockhold immediately got to work improving the conditions at Stone Canyon . Bentgrass greens , tees , and fairways are challenging to maintain and require a lot of care and knowledge , or they will brown and / or burn up quickly . Rockhold did incredible work revitalizing the turf conditions and elevating the course to its original glory .
However , in 2019 , Rockhold was offered the superintendent ’ s position at Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate . After four seasons at Lionsgate , Stallings persuaded Rockhold to return to Stone Canyon . In October 2023 , Rockhold returned as the director of agronomy . When asked why he decided to return to Stone Canyon , Rockhold simply replied , “ This feels like home for me and my family ; I enjoy working and being here .”
Golfers can expect exceptional course conditions under Rockhold ’ s leadership — he and his grounds crew go above and beyond to maintain the pristine Bentgrass unique to Stone Canyon . Plus , his Labrador Retriever , Harper , returned as well , so watch for her running beside or sitting next to him in the maintenance cart . That ’ s always a fun sight to see !
Stone Canyon also offers a unique Shark Challenge . “ If you ’ ve got the game , we ’ ve got the course ,” says General Manager Rick Holtcamp . “ The back tees are designated as the ‘ Shark tees ’ and set apart from the regular tees to lengthen the course to 7,059 yards as opposed to the regular back tees of 6,663 yards .
“ It ’ s an incredible challenge ,” says Holtcamp . “ We have a couple of par 5s that play 600 yards and one par 3 that can play nearly 225 yards . We have some golfers who take on the challenge of taming the Shark .”
The golfers who want to enjoy the course without the need to bomb a 300-yard drive , however , should not be discouraged . Each hole offers five tee boxes from 5,021 to 6,663 yards , so you choose the intensity of “ Shark bite ” that ’ s right for you .
Another benefit to playing the course yearround — it allows carts on its lush ( green ) Bentgrass fairways throughout the winter ( weather permitting ), making rounds faster and more enjoyable .
Play Stone Canyon during 2024 — you might like what you see ; just be cautious of how much of the Shark you decide to bite off !
Located in Independence ( with a Blue Springs address ), Stone Canyon Golf Club is just north of I-70 on Woods Chapel Road and less than 10 minutes east of Arrowhead Stadium at 22415 East 39th St S , Blue Springs , MO 64015 . For more information and tee times , call 816.228 . 3333 or visit www . StoneCanyonGolfClub . com .
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