COLBERT HILLS GOLF COURSE

The reputation of Colbert Hills as that really big course out in Kansas is attracting players from across the country that want to test their skills against one of the nation's toughest courses.

The dream of Colbert Hills goes back to 1994 when Senior PGA Tour great Jim Colbert, an alumnus of Kansas State, got involved with a project to help build an official Kansas State golf course, a place where the K-State golf team could train and where the university could train golf course superintendents and managers and do research on turfgrass. The university's vision and that of Jim Colbert was that the project would also be a public daily fee course and one where disadvantaged children could learn the game of golf.

Colbert found the perfect site, 300 acres in the Flint Hills area on the northwest edge of Manhattan. An alumnus who was grazing cattle on this site donated the property, and Colbert donated a half million dollars. Soon other donors signed on. Jim Colbert combined with well-known Dallas architect Jeffrey Brauer to lay out the $11 million course.

“God built about 14 of the holes, and we built about four of them,” Colbert said. “I hope you can't tell the difference.”

Colbert Hills opened officially in May 2000 with a bevy of golfing celebrities on hand, including Lee Trevino, Raymond Floyd and Annika Sorenstam, who played in a Founders Pro-Am.

“What an unbelievable effort to attract the commitment and bring all these people together,” said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem at the dedication.

“What they got (at Kansas State) is a big sprawling layout that rides comfortably on the Flint Hills outside Manhattan,” John Garrity, Sports Illustrated columnist, said. “From the seventh tee, you can see for miles in all directions and what you see is mostly sky and prairie, with a few ranches thrown in for rustic charm.”

What Kansas State had built is a huge links-style course that plays at 7,525 yards from the back tees, nicknamed the Black and Blue tees. It lies on a superb site of rolling hills with changes in elevation that most Americans had no idea could exist in the prairies of Kansas. Colbert Hills includes a new clubhouse, state of the art driving range and enough acreage for a nine-hole teaching course, as well as a host of research and academic opportunities for K-State researchers and students.

Colbert Hills has become the first PGA Tour collegiate licensed facility. With a world-class golf course, the university will restructure the turf program, making it one of the best in the world. Today, K-State offers a specialized degree in turf management and has separated itself from all other turf programs in the nation by expanding its curriculum to include all aspects of the profession, including business administration and hospitality.

Graduates are now effectively prepared in the overall management of golf facilities.

"GCSAA is pleased to join Jim Colbert, the PGA Tour and Kansas State University in this endeavor that will benefit all who enjoy the game of golf," said GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Stephen F. Mona.

"The positive impact of this project will be far reaching - a golf management program to train tomorrow's leaders, a research facility to aid the golf industry and a first-class facility for golf enthusiasts to enjoy a game that is growing faster than any sport in America."

FIELDHOUSE DEVELOPMENT INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY

The K-State Fieldhouse Development Indoor Facility was officially dedicated on October 14, 2007. The programs opened the 1,344 square-foot, all-weather practice facility with a ribbon cutting and open house.

The facility includes three all-weather hitting bays, an indoor putting surface and a hitting bay with cutting-edge video technology. The hitting bays allow for up to six golfers at a time to hit full shots onto the driving range, while the video technology records the swings and provides instant feedback and insight for swing improvements.

The $275,000 project was made possible by generous donations from Zac and Amber Burton and supporters of Chip-In for K-State Golf and will allow K-State golfers to improve their game no matter the season or weather.

“This facility will allow our players the opportunity to develop and refine their games during the entire golf season, not just the winter months,” Norris said.

“The Wildcats now have the chance to feel competitive in the early part of the spring season. I look at the indoor facility as an improvement tool more than a recruiting tool.”

Photo Gallery: K-State Fieldhouse Development Indoor Practice Facility

COLBERT HILLS CLUBHOUSE

The new Colbert Hills clubhouse meets the needs of visitors who play 28,000 rounds each year at the scenic Flint Hills course. Groundbreaking took place on July 10, 2008, while construction began on August 1.

The clubhouse houses new expanded locker rooms, a pro shop, a multi-purpose area, a conference room and a bar and grill within its estimated 13,500 square feet.

The $5 million project was financed entirely with private donations.

“This is going to be first class, all the way,” said men’s golf coach Tim Norris. “There won’t be any missing links now. I don’t know if a bigger locker room is going to make us play any better, but we will have a place that is pretty impressive. This is going to help us as far as the quality of tournaments that we are going to host, as well as the quantity. We are going to be able to do more things out here with a full-size clubhouse.”

Other amenities include a 3,000- square-foot covered patio, administrative offices and a display area for trophies and memorabilia.

The process started with a lead gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Since then, Ernie Barrett led the fundraising effort. Barrett, known as "Mr. K-State," retired last year as director of development with K-State athletics.

 Photo Gallery: Clubhouse Dedication