Safari Golf Course, Chanute, Kan.

I got a nice e-mail from former GCSAA staff member (and 2009 U.S. Open Pick 'Em winner) Kyle Kreighbaum this afternoon. Seems that his interaction with you supers and your business had some effect on him. I say that because he and Brian Dick, another former GCSAA staffer, now own/operate Safari Golf Course in Chanute, Kan. (More on this in a second.)

Kreighbaum (pictured left, doing his best 'tough golfer' look) told me that he chose Glover to win the Open because he "didn't want to pick any big names for the Open." He also noted that this strategy "worked out pretty dang good!"

For his deft picks, Kyle wins the official U.S. Open program and a stylin' new GCM golf shirt to sport while working at Safari GC. Thanks to everyone who entered! We'll do another pick 'em for the PGA Championship at Hazeltine in August, so please enter that one when the tournament gets here.

So, back to Safari... K-Bomb and BD (Brian Dick), as we call them, are indeed two friends of mine. I've played a few rounds of golf with both, K-Bomb would join us for the local Chinese buffet on occasion, and BD was on my city league basketball team. From having an occasional post-game beer with Dick, I knew he liked the idea of working on a golf course someday.

Chanute is located about two hours straight south of Lawrence. I had heard that the guys were back in the golf biz, but hadn't heard directly from either of them. I asked Kyle what he was up to, and he sent me this story, from The Chanute Tribune.

New golf course owners make progress
 
Persistent rains this spring haven’t dampened the enthusiasm of the Safari Golf Course’s new operators after three months on the job.

“It’s been a tough spring with the rains and trying to redo the greens, but business has picked up lately and all holes should be ready to play soon,” said Kyle Kreighbaum, who along with Brian Dick signed a three-year lease with the city in March to assume operation of the public golf course.

To see a photo of the course, click here. You can also read the entirety of the story on that site, but they do charge $6 for an on-line subscription first (thus, quelling your interest I'm sure, but, hey -- this is the future of the internet!)

So, anyway, a tip of the hat to K-Bomb and BD... next time I find myself near Chanute, Kan., I'm coming to your course, and I want a discounted green fee, hear me, guys?

Comments

[Thomas Lervik Jr]

Played Safari many a time. Would get out there at 4pm and play a quick 9 to be home before dinner was ready. If they could tear down the 7th hole that would be awesome, I hate that Par 3...

[Neuty]

Not sure if I "cracked" their system, but I was able to view the entire piece at this link:

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=1290ADB3887B7E58&p_docnum=3