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Heritage Park Golf Course
Anyone Who Loves Golf , Will Enjoy It Here .
Editorial by Bill Cromwell
Sometimes , golf is simple . Not the game itself , but why we play . That thought really resonated with me when I asked Rob Wilkin , PGA professional and golf operations manager at Heritage Park Golf Course in Olathe , KS , why so many golfers play this course ? “ Because anyone who loves golf , enjoys it here ,” he said . Whether striping it down the fairway or slicing it in the trees , there is a lot to enjoy at Heritage Park .
Long a favorite among KC area golfers , Heritage Park ’ s par 71 course is perfectly located within Johnson County ’ s Heritage Park . “ I think there are several reasons why our patrons love to play here , and one may be the simple fact it ’ s within the park and not through housing developments ,” Wilkin said . “ It ’ s very peaceful and scenic .” And , with four sets of tees with yardages ranging from almost 7,000 to just over 5,000 yards , Heritage Park is very “ player-friendly ,” regardless of ability level . “ It challenges and rewards at the same time ,” he said .
Your first real challenge on this Don Sechrest-designed course comes quickly on the second hole . This fairly lengthy par 3 is all carry over water and , along with the par- 3 16th , gives Heritage Park two of the most formidable and intimidating par 3s in the KC Metro . From the championship tee , the second hole plays 220 yards and , according to Wilkin , “ is more than scary for even the best of players .” Even from the forward tees , just 90 yards away , you need “ a solid strike , or else you ’ re nervous .” The par-3 16th at least has a bailout area , but it is no gimme , especially when the wind is in your face — and the green is severely undulated . “ Even
after a great shot , your par isn ’ t in the bag until you ’ ve managed the tricky green ,” he said .
Tough par 3s are typical of Sechrestdesigned courses , so if you are going to “ go low ” at Heritage Park , you need to take advantage of the course ’ s wide fairways . “ There ’ s plenty of room off the tee here , so let it fly on the par 4s and 5s ,” Wilkin said . But , that ’ s not to say the par 4s and 5s here are easy — they ’ re not . Especially the dogleg right par-5 9th , where hitting the “ right ” (“ right ” as in “ correct ”) side of the rolling fairway is critical .
Heritage Park ’ s pristine conditions make hitting good ( and great ) shots easier . Tee boxes and bunkers were upgraded in 2020 , and the driving range was laser leveled and features Zoysia turf just like the fairways . Wilkins says , “ Greens , fairways , and roughs all require different approaches to maintenance . We also benefit from an outstanding irrigation system allowing us to keep the course green and healthy .”
And , if you want to test every facet of your golf game , Heritage Park is the place to play . Thanks to its design , Wilkin said a round of golf here offers “ a little bit of everything ” and leaves you looking forward to a return trip .
“ You ’ ll use every club in your bag , and when you ’ re finished , you ’ ll feel tested , but not beat up .”
Owned by Johnson County Parks and Recreation District , Heritage Park offers very affordable green fee rates depending on the time of day and day of the week .
Three lakes and Coffee Creek meanders through the course bringing water into play on 11 of the 18 holes .
The six-hole Wee Links Golf Course is also available for play . The longest hole is 30 yards . It ’ s intended to be a place for young and beginner golfers to play golf , to learn , and grow the game . Course fee is only $ 3 per person .
Heritage Park Golf Course Stats
Rob Wilkin , Head PGA Professional and Manager of Golf Operations .
Green fee rates range from $ 28 to walk depending on the time of day and day of the week . Carts are an additional $ 18 to ride for 18 holes . Senior Fees $ 35 ( M-F with cart ) . Patron Card discount rates available .
● Holes 18 and Par 71
● Length 6,876 yards
● Slope 131 ● Rating 72.6
● Driving Range
● Putting Green and Short Game area
● Walking allowed : Yes
● Singles allowed : No
● Rentals / Services : Pull Carts , Clubs and ( limited ) Caddies available
● Full-Service Pro Shop
Heritage Park Golf Course 913.829.4653 16445 Lackman Road , Olathe , KS 66062 https :// jcprdgolf . com .
14 October 2024 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE