“ Once I started, I just couldn’ t stop. My dad found out how to run a bulldozer, and I couldn’ t get him stopped. The golf economy was a lot better in the 90s. We did the construction on all three courses. The last course [ Hoot’ s Hollow ], we did everything, including installing all the water irrigation lines. We knew a lot more about building greens on the Hoot’ s course; they’ re a lot more undulated than the other two. Everything was booming at the time, with golf interest, thanks to Tiger Woods, and prices were lower. That’ s how we originally ended up with three courses.”
McKee’ s interest in golf courses started as far back as junior high school.“ My friend and I would draw golf courses on paper,” says McKee, the No. 1 player on his high school team at Harrisonville, before earning a degree in accounting from the University of Missouri.
Waterfalls divide the 9th and 18th fairways at Hoot’ s Hollow before merging at a massive double green.( Photo by Alan Hoskins)
The greens are among the largest you’ ll find, averaging about 7,000 square feet. Again, water comes into play on 10 holes, including two large water hazards that must be carried on the No. 1 handicap hole, the 409-yard par-4 16th. It’ s followed by the 172-yard par-3 17th with an island green. Waterfalls divide the 9th and 18th fairways before merging at a massive double green, which is double the fun to play!
McKee says he rarely plays golf anymore; instead, he feeds his passion for being outdoors by jumping on a mower.
( Photo by Alan Hoskins)
“ Except for those four years at MU, I spent every day with my dad,” said McKee. He says he rarely plays golf anymore; instead, he feeds his passion for being outdoors by jumping on a mower.“ I usually start mowing at 5 a. m. and mow seven days a week. I’ m usually on the first green mower, so I’ m ahead of the first golfer. After the greens, I get on another mower or keep everyone on schedule and pointed in the right direction.”
Each of County Creek’ s two golf courses boasts either an island or a peninsula green. By constructing his own courses, McKee ensured ample water supplies by building several lakes that feature signature island or peninsula greens on each course. Between lakes and streams, water comes into play on at least 10 holes on each course.
Not one but two large inlets of water must be carried to reach the green on the 409-yard 16th hole at Hoot’ s Hollow, one of two courses at the 36-hole Country Creek Golf Complex.
( Photo by Alan Hoskins)
Country Creek offers very affordable green fees.“ We’ re priced right and below what it is up in the city because it takes a little drive to get to us,” says McKee. The Rock course rates Monday through Friday are $ 35 with cart, $ 33 for seniors, and $ 30 after 2 p. m. Weekends and holidays, it’ s $ 45 for everyone. Hoot’ s Hollow course rates Monday through Friday are $ 40 with cart, $ 38 for seniors, and $ 35 after 2 p. m. Weekends and holidays are $ 50 for everyone.
“ Building the golf courses was a lot of fun— envisioning something in your head and then making it become a reality,” says McKee.“ It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it— it really didn’ t seem like work.”
Hoot’ s Hollow— The busiest of the two courses and the longest at 7,012 yards with a 71.9 course rating and 119 slope from the back( black) tees, it offers spacious Zoysia fairways and is amateur-friendly.
The Rock can be reached at 816.540.5225; Hoot’ s Hollow at 816.380.4920. Visit www. CounryCreekGolf. com to learn more about the courses or to book tee times.
( Green fee rates mentioned are subject to change.) TeeTimesMagazine. com TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE September 2025 17