Colbert Hills Golf Course is a public
golf course located in
Manhattan, Kansas. Utilizing the natural ecosystem of the surrounding
Flint Hills, it is a
links-style course with few trees. From its opening to 2011 Colbert Hills was ranked by ''
Golfweek'' as the best public course in
Kansas, and it has ranked as the second-best from 2012 to present. Among both public and private courses, it has also been continuously ranked by ''
Golf Digest
''Golf Digest'' is a monthly golf magazine published by Warner Bros. Discovery through its sports unit under its Warner Bros. Discovery Golf division. It is a generalist golf publication covering recreational golf and men's and women's competiti ...
'' among the top eight overall in the state.
The course is home to the men's and women's golf teams of
Kansas State University
Kansas State University (KSU, Kansas State, or K-State) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, United States. It was opened as the state's land-grant college in 1863 and was the first public instit ...
, and is used by the university as an environmental research and turf management facility. Colbert Hills is also home to
The First Tee
First Tee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that teaches children life skills, self-confidence, and resilience through golf lessons. First Tee reaches more than 3.6 million youth annually through programs delivered at chapter program locations, ...
Academy and the
Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy.
The course was co-designed by professional golfer
Jim Colbert, a Kansas State University graduate. A statue of him stands at the facility. Colbert Hills also features a Par-3 course.
History
The course opened with an invitational pro-am tournament on April 30, 2000. Among those competing in the tournament were Jim Colbert,
Lee Trevino
Lee Buck Trevino (born December 1, 1939) is an American retired professional golfer who is regarded as one of the greatest players in golf history. He was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981. Trevino won six major championships and ...
,
Raymond Floyd
Raymond Loran Floyd (born September 4, 1942) is an American retired golfer who has won numerous tournaments on both the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour, including four majors and four senior majors. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame ...
,
Annika Sörenstam and Manhattan native
Deb Richard. Also present at the opening was
Tim Finchem, Commissioner of the
PGA Tour.
A new clubhouse was completed in May 2010, on the tenth anniversary of the course.
Tournaments
Colbert Hills was host to the
Big 12 Conference women's golf championships on April 19–21, 2002.
Layout and Signature Holes
The
signature hole is number 7, which is a 600-yard par 5 that begins with a drop from the tee to the fairway. The initial landing area is bracketed by 3 bunkers, making controlled shots essential. The second landing area is also well bunkered, combining with the bunkers at the green to require an entrance from the right side of the second landing area.
Scorecard
Distances listed are from the black/blue tee boxes.
Scorecard
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References
{{Kansas State University
Kansas State Wildcats
College golf clubs and courses in the United States
Golf clubs and courses in Kansas
Buildings and structures in Riley County, Kansas
Tourist attractions in Riley County, Kansas
Manhattan, Kansas