TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE Magazine October 2024 | Page 27

Unity Village Golf Club

Kansas City Area Fall Golf Options

Unity Village Golf Club
It ’ s Like Golfing in A Nature Park !
WinterStone Golf Course
A Best of KC Winner Two Years Running !
Tomahawk Hills Golf Course
Plays Much Longer Than It Looks
Always Time For 9 ...
Lee ’ s Summit , MO — The Unity Village Golf Club opened to public play in 2015 after being a private course since it was founded in 1921 . It ’ s nearly impossible to find a more storied history of a Kansas City area golf course than this unique 9-hole course . Unity Village with its landmark tower is located just off 350 Hwy and Colbern Road in a picturesque setting only 15 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City .
During 2018 , the historic clubhouse was renovated to include a large pro shop and snack bar . A new outdoor deck area was built outside the clubhouse to accommodate up to 48 people — complete with umbrella tables and chairs , a bar rail , and rail-bench seating . The deck and clubhouse expansion will be great for golf tournaments . In 2016 , the course opened a driving range with both artificial turf and grass teeing areas .
New Club Car golf carts arrived in 2023 .
Where the golf course is concerned , from the blue tees , the course has one par 3 and one par 5 and the rest are par 4s . A par 34 course playing 2,937 yards from the blue tees and 2,452 yards from the red tees . It is not a long course ; however , the shortest hole for men or women is a 185-yard par 3 . Nearly devoid of ball marks , the well-maintained greens are beautiful , fast , and fun to play ! It ’ s like golfing in a nature park .
Unity Village golf course has affordable public green fee rates ; ( walking ) are $ 17 for 9 holes and $ 23 for 18 holes . With cart for 9 holes is $ 27 and $ 38 for 18 holes ( per person ). For tee times , call the pro shop at 816.251.3582 or visit www . unityvillage . org / golf . Unity Golf Club , 1901 NW Blue Parkway , Unity Village , MO 64065 . Call 816.251.3582 .
( Rates mentioned are subject to change .)
INDEPENDENCE MO — WinterStone Golf Course opened in 2003 and was immediately tagged “ A Touch of the Ozarks ” by Bill Cromwell , publisher of Tee Times Golf Guide Magazine . You don ’ t need to drive two hours south to enjoy the wonders of Ozark golf . This gem , created by Craig Schreiner Golf Course Architects , in Independence , MO , couples scenic beauty and dramatic elevation changes to give KC golfers the closest thing to Ozark golf north of the Lake of the Ozarks .
“ I think the first thing that hits you is the dramatic elevation changes ,” said Cromwell . “ So much so that there ’ s not a hole in which you ’ re not either hitting uphill or downhill , which does two things — creates challenges and makes for spectacular views — up , down , and across the tree-lined fairways . There ’ s some pretty incredible views .”
The par-72 , 18-hole course plays 6,752 yards from the championship tee boxes and 5,611 from the forward tees . Each nine has two par 3 holes , two par 5 holes , and five par 4 holes .
Its superb greens are large and undulated , while the immaculate fairways are contoured . The terrain offers rolling hills , deep valleys , and sculpted mounding . WinterStone has a covenant that does not allow the land for uses of anything but a golf course for 23 years , so there ’ s no houses lining the course . Nice !
The facility offers a large driving range and practice putting green . There ’ s a full service pro shop and golf lessons are available . Additionally , there is a large pavilion offering food and drinks with outdoor seating overlooking the course for relaxing after your round .
WinterStone Golf Course , 816.257.5755 . Located at 17101 E . Kentucky Road ( 291 Hwy and Kentucky Road ) Independence , MO . www . WinterStoneGolf . com .
SHAWNEE , KS — Tomahawk Hills Golf Course is one of the oldest public courses in Kansas City at its original location . Every golfer remembers the final picturesque hole on each nine holes , and every golfer needs to play it at least once . From the tee boxes constructed on a bluff overlooking a wide expanse of Shawnee , it ’ s a drop in elevation of 92 feet on the 170-yard No . 9 and another 98 feet to the green on the 178-yard 18th hole . They ’ re two of the most memorable holes in Kansas City .
Located on Midland Drive just west of I-435 , Tomahawk Hills is now in its 119th year . A par 70 course , its only 5,978 yards from the back tees , but Tomahawk Hills plays much longer . “ People look at 6,000 yards and don ’ t expect much — only to find out when they get out on it — it can eat your lunch ,” said Michael Tanner , Head PGA professional and manager of golf operations . “ It ’ s not what they expected . If you don ’ t hit the ball straight , it can be a nightmare . You just have to keep the ball in play .”
For example , the No . 1 handicap hole is the 410-yard par-4 4th featuring a tiered fairway that slopes to the right making it difficult to keep the ball in the fairway and on the green . Toughest on the backside is the 390-yard 12th . A dogleg uphill to an elevated green , even the best of tee shots require a second shot of 150 yards — and it ’ s all uphill . The forward ( red ) tees are played at 5,117 yards and are highly recommended for seniors and women .
A fun course to play ; add it to your 2024 “ Must Play ” list .
Tomahawk ’ s very affordable non-patron green fees are $ 25 Mon . -Fri. and $ 32 weekends and holidays . Carts are $ 18 . Senior rates Mon . -Fri. only $ 33 with cart . Tomahawk Hills Golf Club , 913.631.8000 . Located at 17501 Midland Drive , Shawnee , KS 66218 . https :// jcprdgolf . com .
( Rates subject to change .)
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