Friends to Give Makeover to Kansas Golf Course

Members of the Kansas Golf Course Superintendents Association will travel to Greensburg, Kan., September 20 to restore conditions at Cannonball Golf Course.

Located on the east edge of town, the facility incurred damage from the May 4 tornado that virtually wiped out the southwestern Kansas community. The clubhouse sustained damage and debris was strewn over the golf course. Volunteers, including area golf course superintendents, provided initial assistance in cleaning the course and readying it for high school graduation ceremonies.

Approximately 50 members of the Kansas GCSA, including superintendents, assistant superintendents and vendors, are expected to be on hand to assist Cannonball Golf Course superintendent Gerald Morehead finish the restoration efforts. The greens and tees will be aerated, verticut, seeded and fertilized in addition to various other activities to enhance the quality of the golf course. All materials, labor and equipment will be donated.

"The city of Greensburg will persevere, thanks to the spirit of its residents and the support we have received from others such as members of the Kansas Golf Course Superintendents Association," said Stan Robertson, president of the board of directors for the golf course. "Restoring the golf course is vital to rebuilding the community. It provides a place for the residents to recreate and engage in fellowship. It is a place to experience and enjoy the nature. It is a piece of our economic infrastructure. There was great excitement when the Kansas GCSA approached us."

Cannonball Golf Course is a semiprivate nine-hole facility founded in 1971. It is named after a stage coach line that stopped in Greensburg during the days of the Wild West. Because of the resources needed to assist the recovery operations in other portions of the community, the golf course has suffered some neglect since the tornado hit.

"This is our small contribution to bettering the lives of the residents of Greensburg," said Matt Miller, golf course superintendent at Carey Park in Hutchinson, and coordinator of the project. "We approached the community with the idea of sprucing up the golf course and they could not have been more receptive. The golf course is an important piece of the fabric of their lives. The response from our members and vendors has been overwhelming. We look forward to our trip to Greensburg."

Those Kansas GCSA and GCSAA members who have committed to participate to date include:

Golf Course Superintendents

Ryan Bourne, Dodge City Country Club, Dodge City
Cliff Dipman, Manhattan Country Club, Manhattan
Trevor Fralick, Dodge City Country Club, Dodge City
Jason Gerber, Rolling Hills Country Club, Wichita
Andrew Huffman, Cypress Ridge Golf Course, Topeka
Paul Jonas, Flint Hills National Golf Club, Andover
Kevin Kamphaus Quail Ridge Golf Club, Winfield
Darrell Kennedy, Willow Tree Golf Course, Liberal
L.C. Lacey, Allen Country Country Club, Iola
Matt Lowery, Mariah Hills Golf Course, Dodge City
Danzey Nickel, Tamarisk Golf Course, Syracuse
Matt Miller, Carey Park Golf Course, Hutchinson
Ron Reese, L.W. Clapp Golf Course, Wichita
Kevin Snook, Point Rock Golf Course, Elkhart, Kan.
Charlie Thompson, Willowbrook Golf Course, Hutchinson
Kevin Wallace, Cottonwood Hills Golf Club, Hutchinson

Industry Vendors Rick Blasi, Helena Chemical, Lenexa
Russell Cole, RMI Golf Carts, Olathe
Jeff Gazaway, Estes, Tulsa, Okla.
Bob Johanning, Industrial Sales, Olathe
Jim Johnson, Bayer, Liberty, Mo.
Brian Ruder, Helena Chemical, Lenexa
Mike Simon, Kansas Golf & Turf, Wichita
Gregg Snyder, TPEC, Wichita
Shawn Spann, Van Wall Equipment, Hutchinson/Olathe

The Kansas GCSA is one of 104 affiliated chapters of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide.

From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association’s philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.