The Kansas City Country Club

The Kansas City Country Club, founded in 1896, is one of the oldest country clubs west of the Mississippi River. Originally located at the current site of Loose Park in Missouri, the club relocated to Mission Hills, Kansas in 1926 following the sale of its original property. Renowned golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast was involved in designing the course at its current location. The club has hosted numerous regional and national tournaments, including the first Trans-Mississippi Amateur. The Kansas City Country Club is notably the home course of five-time British Open Champion Tom Watson, who developed his skills under the tutelage of long-time club professional Stan Thirsk before going on to win eight major championships. The club's heritage extends beyond golf, as polo was once an important tradition at both its original and current locations. In the 1950s, abandoned polo grounds were eventually incorporated into the golf course design and converted into practice facilities approximately 40 years later, enhancing the overall club amenities.