Monday, May 1, 2000

VISION BECOMES REALITY IN K-STATE'S COLBERT HILLS

 

MANHATTAN -- A champion's vision to build a world-class, 18-hole championship golf course has become a reality.

Golf great Jim Colbert had long dreamed of giving back to the two entities that had greatly contributed to his success -- Kansas State University and the PGA TOUR. In early 1994, the leading money winner of the Senior PGA TOUR in 1995 and 1996 was struck with an idea: Why couldn't the same be done for the Wildcat women's and men's golf programs as was done for K-State football? Coach Bill Snyder had proven things could get done. With adequate facilities, the Wildcat golf teams could become one of the nation's elite programs as well.

With much persistence and encouragement, Colbert's dream will become a reality on May 1 with the opening of Colbert Hills Golf Course, an 18-hole PGA TOUR-caliber championship course, located just northwest of Manhattan. Situated on 315 acres, the course extends 7,525 yards from the back tees and includes a temporary 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.

Spearheaded by Colbert, a 1964 K-State alumnus, Colbert Hills was built through a partnership involving K-State, PGA TOUR GOLF COURSE Properties Inc. and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Financing for Colbert Hills was provided by private contributions, including $500,000 from Colbert and more than $3 million from special friends of the golfer. Additionally, the John Deere Company furnished new equipment, Rain Bird contributed state-of-the-art irrigation systems and Club Car is providing golf carts.

The course, which is owned by the not-for-profit Kansas State University Golf Course Management and Research Foundation, will be open to the general public at a daily fee. Discount fees will be available to K-State faculty, students, staff and members of the alumni association.

Course architects were Jim Colbert and Jeff Brauer, president of GolfScapes Inc. in Arlington, Texas. Golf course construction contractor is Wildcat Golf Inc. of Wichita. Estimated cost of the course, which extends 7,500 yards from the back tees, is $10 million.

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Prepared by Robyn Horton. For more information the K-State Golf Course Management and Research Foundation at 785-532-5942.