Swope Memorial rebuilt its playing surfaces while restoring Tillinghast’s design intent
Swope Memorial’s renovation rebuilt all greens, tee boxes, bunkers and cart paths, added new irrigation infrastructure, and included clubhouse and site improvements—not just a refresh of the turf. KSHB’s July 31, 2026 report puts the Kansas City, Missouri, public-course restoration at $10 million.
What changed on the course?
The work combined historic-design restoration with infrastructure replacement:
- Greens, tees and bunkers: reconstructed as part of the return toward A.W. Tillinghast’s original architectural intent.
- Cart paths: reconstructed throughout the course.
- Water management: a new irrigation system, pump station and irrigation pond, plus drainage improvements.
- Facilities: clubhouse and surrounding-site improvements.
Kansas City Parks & Recreation confirms the greens, bunkers, tees, drainage and water-system work. It identifies Todd Clark and Brent Hugo of CE Golf Design as the renovation architects, with historical guidance from Ron Whitten. The cart-path, pump-station and clubhouse details come from the July 31 KSHB report.
The aim was to recover the course’s historic character while improving conditions and long-term maintenance—not replace it with an unrelated modern layout. The operator’s current course overview lists 18 holes, par 71 and 6,324 yards, describing rolling fairways, a tight strategic layout and undulating greens.
For your return round, use the current scorecard linked on that overview rather than an old card. Choose tees by the listed distances; the restoration description alone does not establish that the course now plays easier or harder.
Is the renovation closure over?
The operator now presents the restoration as completed and offers an official tee-time booking page. The city records the construction closure as January 2025–July 2026. In its July 31 report, KSHB said overnight rain had pushed the planned Friday reopening to Saturday morning, August 1.
That reopening delay is historical, not a standing closure notice. The operator’s rates page, checked October 28, 2026, warns that scheduled maintenance may limit tee-time availability. For your date, check the tee sheet and ask the golf shop about maintenance or weather restrictions before traveling.
What should you check before booking?
Book through the course, and expect to prepay. The official booking page, checked October 28, 2026, says all tee times require prepayment. KSHB reported a seven-day advance booking window on July 31; confirm the available dates and cancellation terms in the reservation service before paying.
The operator’s rates page, checked October 28, lists these standard rates:
| Day | Walk | Ride |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | $51 | $70 |
| Friday–Sunday and holidays | $84 | $84 |
Use the current booking total for your selected round rather than assuming an old green fee still applies.
There is no driving range on site. The same rates page directs golfers to nearby Heart of America Golf Course for a practice area and range. If you want a full-swing warm-up, allow time for that separate stop—not just arrival at Swope Memorial’s first tee.