Crestview Country Club has been an iconic club in Wichita, KS, since its founding in 1921 by three local businessmen. The trio purchased 160 acres of land between 17th and 21st Streets. They laid out the golf course and put fencing around the greens to keep the cows from grazing.
Throughout the years, the club continued to grow and flourish, but not without some ups and downs: World War II, the Great Depression, and a fire that destroyed the original Clubhouse. In 2016, this private, member-owned club was purchased by Concert Golf Partners, giving it a much-needed infusion of capital and charting the course for the next 100 years.
Crestview Country Club is the only 36-hole private club in the state of Kansas. Both the North and South courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones and are challenging. The South Course is more “user-friendly” and provides for a fun day on the golf course.
The North Course has hosted The Wichita Open for the past 16 years. This annual event brings in over 50,000 spectators and is something the entire area looks forward to. The community puts on a wide variety of fun and entertaining events during tournament week, letting guests experience Wichita at its finest.
The North Course features a dramatic parkland setting with mature, tree-lined fairways and numerous water hazards in the form of lakes and creeks. The native buffalo and wild grasses only add to the aesthetic beauty of the golf course. Water comes into play on at least 11 holes, more if you spray it! There are five sets of tees, and the course can be played anywhere from 4,598 to 6,959 yards. I chose the White Tees at 5,951 yards, which provided a fun and challenging round.
There are several memorable holes, starting with Number 1, a gentle dogleg right that plays 395 from the White Tees. If I were naming holes, this would be called “Well Guarded!” It’s evident on your tee shot, with bunkers on either side of the landing area, and on your approach shot into a slightly elevated green that is surrounded by four bunkers.
The second hole on the North Course is an interesting part 5. From the White Tees, the hole plays 455 yards with a creek that crosses the fairway about 210 yards. If you can carry the creek and find the fairway, you’ll have a legitimate chance to go for the green. If you’re laying up, there are bunkers in play on either side at 75 and 100 yards from the green. The green is long and narrow with a large bunker protecting the left side.
The 15th hole will test your distance control and accuracy. It’s a short dogleg left, measuring only 339 yards from the White Tees, yet most players are best advised to leave the driver in the bag. Hit your tee shot over the bunker on the left and leave yourself a short to mid-iron into the green. Your approach shot plays over water into a well-undulated and tricky green. Short but challenging!
When the winter weather’s got you down and golf is but a faded memory, keep your swing in shape at the RTJ Player’s Den. The Den features a TrackMan simulator where you can fine-tune your game or compete against friends on over 100 courses. It’s a great way to connect with the kids, too! The Club has two simulators that can be reserved.
With 36 holes of championship Robert Trent Jones golf, Crestview Country Club is a popular venue for hosting golf tournaments and charitable events. They offer a wide variety of tournament and special event packages and can help with tournament format, rule sheets, pairings, and scoring.
Just slightly behind golf as the most popular Club amenity is tennis, and Crestview’s tennis complex is recognized as one of the finest in the region. It has four indoor, climate-controlled courts and six outdoor courts, allowing year-round play regardless of the weather. If you’re interested in becoming part of the fastest-growing sport in the world, there are six dedicated pickleball courts. The Club’s professional staff is available for private and group tennis lessons and clinics, and offers an extensive junior development program.
Each year from Memorial Day in late May until Labor Day in early September, Crestview’s pool is where families go to play. The Jr. Olympic pool is laned for laps, and there’s a brand new splash pad to keep the kids entertained as well as cabanas and a snack bar. With a large staff of certified lifeguards, you can rest assured that your kids are safe even if you’re not around.
For those serious about getting in shape, Crestview’s fitness center is equipped with a variety of cardio equipment, including treadmills, a stair machine, and stationary bikes. For strength training, they have several weight machines as well as dumbbells and fixed barbells. The fitness center is available 7 days a week.
Crestview’s 29,000-square-foot clubhouse has seen a lot over the years. Hundreds of private parties, receptions, business meetings, and special Club events have been held here with themes ranging from hoedowns to elegant black-tie affairs. The grill and lounge provide a laid-back yet sophisticated atmosphere, creating a unique dining experience. Each of these rooms accommodates a different number of guests and can be combined and set up to accommodate several hundred guests.
The dining room is the perfect place to meet up with friends after your round. I can personally attest to the food at Crestview Country Club. We started with the chicken wings, cooked to perfection, and tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce that wasn’t too hot. The Trout Almondine was incredible as well.
Any General Manager who has built a successful club will tell you, “Keep the kids entertained and the parents will come. And then create a family-centric environment that brings them all together.” Crestview has created an ever-expanding list of programs for youths that run throughout the year, and the staff works hard to provide exceptional youth-focused experiences, whether at the pool, on the golf course, or tennis courts. The Club offers in-house childcare in the Kids Cave, allowing parents to enjoy other amenities knowing their children are well-supervised.
As you can imagine, Crestview is a much-sought-after wedding venue. They offer two outdoor venues that can accommodate all types of events, from an intimate ceremony with 50 guests or a larger party of up to 250. Indoors, there’s the Garden Room with beautiful views of the garden, or the Grand Ballroom with all of its elegance and charm.
When you visit Crestview and like what you see, why not consider becoming a member? All Memberships include immediate family members and children under the age of 24. A Full Membership gives you full access to the golf course and practice facilities, access to the pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and all Club social events. The same guest can play 6 times during the year, at current guest fee rates. A Junior Intermediate and a Junior Golf Membership have the same privileges and are available for Members 36-39 and under 36, respectively. A Senior Golf Membership is designed for Members over 70 years of age. Social/Sports Memberships are also available.
For more information on the Club or to arrange a visit, give them a call at 316/733.1344 or visit them online at www.crestviewcountryclub.com.