Cottonwood Hills - Buhler Kansas

[PlaneMaker]

New Faldo design very good and challenging course just about 30 miles from Sand Creek Station.

 

 

Cottonwood Hills

[profsmitty]

Wonderful course. I just hope it makes financial sense to have a course of this quality located in the absolute middle of nowhere. It Cottonwood Hills was located within easy driving distance to a major population area, it would be famous. As it is, Cottonwood is just that public course a few miles from Prairre Dunes. If you have a chance, please play Cottonwood Hills. It is well worth the effort.

[funkyfedora]

A lot of the guys from my town go there. I've heard a lot of good things about it. I am a little over an hour away from it.

[PlaneMaker]

Sad to say but Cottonwood Hills is closed. The owners say that it is just for the winter. However, all of the equipment has been repossessed.

 

The course has only been open for a couple of years. Unfortunately, if it is not maintained it will be ruined very quickly.

 

Hope it gets opened up again.

[profsmitty]

At this point, I'm not sure if I'm sad, mad, or hopeful. I'm sad that it's finally happened, mad that it's been taken away, but hopeful this will finally result in someone with a business plan that makes sense buying the place. This course is a treasure. It deserves to be an active, well-maintained, viable part of the Kansas (and the broader region for that matter) golf community. Here's hoping that someone with deep pockets picks Cottonwood up and soon.

[kslinksguy]

Has anybody heard if anything is happening on Cottonwood Hills? The manager at Golf HQ said he heard a rumor that maybe Hutchinson would take it over.

 

How long can a course stay unattended before it becomes too much to salvage? Not long once the spring starts I'd suspect.

[profsmitty]

I read a short article somewhere that quoted the owner as saying that Cottonwood would "definitely" open in April. I hope he is right however given the history of the place, I am not inclined to put too much faith in his statements. I wish the Kansas golf community could be somehow heard on this tragedy. We have so few public access, world class courses in the area and it is a profound shame to loss something of this quality. I hope Nick Faldo has some interest in seeing his creation not return to a thicket. If someone doesn't do something, and quickly, that is exactly what is going to happen.

[kslinksguy]

Article in the Eagle today said the course is reopening next month. (Hopefully)

 

Wichita Eagle article on Cottonwood

[profsmitty]

I just have to keep reminding myself that the source that claims that Cottonwood is opening is the same source that said that there was no problem in the first place. They were under-capitalized from the beginning and are under-capitalized now. They had their equipment repossessed when they said it was in storage. I could go on but let's just say that I don't trust the current ownership. I am hopeful but pragmatic. Unless something miraculous changes in the very near future, Cottonwood Hills will be foreclosed on, will sit idle for months, and then the process will begin again. A sad fate for a potentially great golf course.

[jkd9977]

Its now April, anyone with any new insight? Looking to take my dad down there to play Cottonwood and Sand Creek the end of the month.

[profsmitty]

Its now April, anyone with any new insight? Looking to take my dad down there to play Cottonwood and Sand Creek the end of the month.

I called the course today and got the same recorded message. Still says that the course is supposed to be open this Spring but nothing any more definite than that. Sorry not to have better news. As an alternative, consider playing Auburn Hills in Wichita - a very challenging course that you might find worth the effort.

[kslinksguy]

At least we've still got Sand Creek in Newton and Auburn in Wichita.

 

Then again, I'm such a hack I can make a challenge out of any of the local courses.

[Burns]

I certainly hope this opens again. In my opinion it is the best course in Kansas. Sand Creek and Auburn are great, but a level below in quality and challenge.

[irvina]

Cottonwood Hills re-opened on 4/15/2009. I've got a tee time for next Sat. The pro shop staff said the course is in good shape, so hopefully that is right.

[profsmitty]

How was the condition of the course after the winter?

[irvina]

Course was in good shape

[kanzaclimber]

Hey all,
Anyone played this recently? How was the course condition? I'd like to go sometime soon again. Thanks all!

[funkyfedora]

Been about a month and a half to 2 months but when I played it was amazing. Stuck in college here in Kansas and Don't get to go on my golf trips like I did in the summer...


I always go ball hunting on that par5 on the back with the dogleg right. A lot of slicers and weekend warriors think they can go for the green in 2 and I get a few Pro Vs...

[jkd9977]

Been wanting to get out and play here. If anyone would like to meet up there and play sometime, drop me a PM. Can't seem to get any of my buddies up here to make the drive.

[WichitaDuffer]

Anybody know if this course is going to open for 2010? If so, anyone want to Join me? I am a terrible golfer, but always a good time.

[TCMP]

It should be open in the spring I have heard. I"ve played there a couple times and find that it is a fun and challenging course. Played from the tips as a foursome and shot 9 under par for second place in a tourney last year.

[TCMP]

[profsmitty]

[quote name='TCMP' date='02 February 2010 - 06:16 PM' timestamp='1265156176' post='2223234']
It should be open in the spring I have heard. I"ve played there a couple times and find that it is a fun and challenging course. Played from the tips as a foursome and shot 9 under par for second place in a tourney last year.
[/quote]

I assume that you were playing a scramble and the foursome shot 9 under. Either that or you are my new hero. Cottonwood is a beast from the tips . . . or anywhere else for that matter. It's a shame that the odds that it will make it for much longer as is are very slim. Keep your fingers crossed, this is just too good a course. If you are anywhere near Hutchinson and the course is open, give yourself a treat.

[TCMP]

[quote name='smith5606' date='02 February 2010 - 07:18 PM' timestamp='1265159931' post='2223364']
[quote name='TCMP' date='02 February 2010 - 06:16 PM' timestamp='1265156176' post='2223234']
It should be open in the spring I have heard. I"ve played there a couple times and find that it is a fun and challenging course. Played from the tips as a foursome and shot 9 under par for second place in a tourney last year.
[/quote]

I assume that you were playing a scramble and the foursome shot 9 under. Either that or you are my new hero. Cottonwood is a beast from the tips . . . or anywhere else for that matter. It's a shame that the odds that it will make it for much longer as is are very slim. Keep your fingers crossed, this is just too good a course. If you are anywhere near Hutchinson and the course is open, give yourself a treat.
[/quote]


I am 20 minutes away from Hutch. Yes, the foursome shot 9 under from the tips. I wouldn't break 90 from the tips and I am a 7 handicap.

[profsmitty]

[quote name='TCMP' date='02 February 2010 - 07:45 PM' timestamp='1265161559' post='2223460']
[quote name='smith5606' date='02 February 2010 - 07:18 PM' timestamp='1265159931' post='2223364']
[quote name='TCMP' date='02 February 2010 - 06:16 PM' timestamp='1265156176' post='2223234']
It should be open in the spring I have heard. I"ve played there a couple times and find that it is a fun and challenging course. Played from the tips as a foursome and shot 9 under par for second place in a tourney last year.
[/quote]

I assume that you were playing a scramble and the foursome shot 9 under. Either that or you are my new hero. Cottonwood is a beast from the tips . . . or anywhere else for that matter. It's a shame that the odds that it will make it for much longer as is are very slim. Keep your fingers crossed, this is just too good a course. If you are anywhere near Hutchinson and the course is open, give yourself a treat.
[/quote]


I am 20 minutes away from Hutch. Yes, the foursome shot 9 under from the tips. I wouldn't break 90 from the tips and I am a 7 handicap.
[/quote]

Where are you from? I'm in Wichita.

[TCMP]

[quote name='smith5606' date='02 February 2010 - 08:33 PM' timestamp='1265164397' post='2223582']
[quote name='TCMP' date='02 February 2010 - 07:45 PM' timestamp='1265161559' post='2223460']
[quote name='smith5606' date='02 February 2010 - 07:18 PM' timestamp='1265159931' post='2223364']
[quote name='TCMP' date='02 February 2010 - 06:16 PM' timestamp='1265156176' post='2223234']
It should be open in the spring I have heard. I"ve played there a couple times and find that it is a fun and challenging course. Played from the tips as a foursome and shot 9 under par for second place in a tourney last year.
[/quote]

I assume that you were playing a scramble and the foursome shot 9 under. Either that or you are my new hero. Cottonwood is a beast from the tips . . . or anywhere else for that matter. It's a shame that the odds that it will make it for much longer as is are very slim. Keep your fingers crossed, this is just too good a course. If you are anywhere near Hutchinson and the course is open, give yourself a treat.
[/quote]


I am 20 minutes away from Hutch. Yes, the foursome shot 9 under from the tips. I wouldn't break 90 from the tips and I am a 7 handicap.
[/quote]

Where are you from? I'm in Wichita.
[/quote]

McPherson - 1 hour straight up I-135. My wife goes to graduate school at WSU - drives everyday to Wichita.

[kanzaclimber]

Mac to WSU everyday? Man, that's a drive. I just graduated from WSU last year, and I complained about driving from Newton, lol. Anyone wants to head to Cottonwood, let me know. I am always looking for someone to play with lol.

[profsmitty]

[quote name='kanzaclimber' date='02 February 2010 - 08:45 PM' timestamp='1265165143' post='2223607']
Mac to WSU everyday? Man, that's a drive. I just graduated from WSU last year, and I complained about driving from Newton, lol. Anyone wants to head to Cottonwood, let me know. I am always looking for someone to play with lol.
[/quote]

When we can see the ground, lets try to get a Kansas WRXers outing at either Cottonwood or Sandcreek. That would be really fun. Let's check back in late April or early May.

Anyone interested?

[TCMP]

Sounds good.

[kanzaclimber]

I'm in. Sand Creek is 3 minutes away and I can keep you guys all posted. Sounds sweeeet.