KC Golf News
Swope Memorial’ s Gates Have Reopened
The big reveal wait is over, and golfers are teeing it up!
by Bill Cromwell
After over a year-long closure of Swope Memorial Golf Course and an estimated $ 9 million in renovations, it planned to open for play on July 31, but two inches of overnight rain delayed the opening. Nevertheless, it’ s open now, and after 111 years( opened in 1915) and countless rounds of golf, the course received a complete facelift. It now looks like a new billion-dollar baby and is ready for golfers to enjoy.
As mentioned in our February 2025 issue, Josh Lynn, the golf course superintendent, and his team completed a full-scale course restoration, including tee complexes, new white quartz-sand bunkers, renovated greens, dynamic mounding for aesthetic appeal and playability, new cart paths, a new irrigation pond, and various other improvements. Lynn and the grounds crew completed the final stages of preparations. Mother Nature was good to the Zoysia fairway grass, Fescue rough grasses, and Bentgrass greens, which are now lush, green, and ready for prime-time golf rounds.
a more in-depth feature review of the course and everything new. In the meantime, here are a few new things you can expect when playing the course.
Swope Memorial’ s 18-hole, par-71 course at 6,324 yards( from the back tees) is not extremely long compared with today’ s newer courses. However, by no means should you let that fool you! Its classic golf course design, with a deceptive 6,274 yards of hilly terrain, doglegs, and now undulating greens guarded by new white sand bunkers, will certainly challenge the best golfers.
Josh Lynn, Swope Memorial Golf Course Superintendent.
I’ m definitely excited about the reopening. Due to time constraints in getting this issue off to press, I haven’ t had a chance to play the newly renovated course yet. I can’ t wait to tee it up and experience the all-new Swope Memorial Golf Course. When I do, we will have
With recent renovations and hole rerouting, the course yardage may change slightly. For example, the former 3rd hole is now the 8th, and the former 4th hole is now the 9th. Central Links Golf will most likely visit the course soon to complete the new“ Course Rating and Slope Rating” and verify yardages for the USGA Course Rating System( see page 14 to learn more about course ratings).
The team at Swope Memorial has been hard at work getting every detail ready for your return. You can now book tee times up to seven days in advance( hope you can get one). You are now required to prepay at the time of booking to confirm your reservation. Groups are limited to four players( no fivesomes). There’ s more flexible 9-hole play with tee times available after 3 p. m. All tee times from 4 to 5:30 p. m. are reserved for 9-hole rounds.
20 September 2026 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE