Woodland Hills Golf Course was for many years a private country club that went by the name Fort Scott Country Club. Because of some difficult economic times in Fort Scott, the country club also began to suffer financially and for many years, fell into disrepair. In 2012, the City of Fort Scott and many gracious donors stepped in and purchased the course, renaming it Woodland Hills Golf Course. At the time of the City's purchase, only 8 holes of the 18 were open and playable, and the 100-year-old Clubhouse was in need of much repair.
After purchasing the course in 2012, The City of Fort Scott hired GCSCA Golf Course Superintendent Jon Kindlesparger. Jon has 30 years of experience maintaining golf courses such as Alvamar Golf Club in Lawrence, KS and Four Oaks Golf Course in Pittsburg, KS. Jon has been able to get all 18 holes of the Woodland Hills Golf Course back into great condition, making it one of the best public courses in South East Kansas. The course is 6100 yards from the back tees and features a very challenging layout with undulating bent grass greens and plush Bermuda grass fairways.
In the spring of 2016, the City of Fort Scott hired PGA Golf Professional Shannon O'Neil, who has 20 years of experience as a PGA Golf Professional, managing public and semi-private courses throughout the Midwest. Shannon brings a new level of golf knowledge and professionalism to Woodland Hills. His specialties are tournament operations and teaching.
Also in the spring of 2016, the City of Fort Scott in conjunction with the Fort Scott Community College and many donors, built a new clubhouse and demolished the old. The new building features a large back patio that looks out onto the 9th green and the putting green. The next time that you are in the Fort Scott area, make sure to bring your clubs and come enjoy one of Southeast Kansas's hidden treasures at the Woodland Hills Golf Course in Fort Scott, Kansas!
