Sand Creek Station debuts as the first muni course in Newton, Kan.

NEWTON, Kan. -- The city of Newton has unveiled Sand Creek Station as its first municipal golf course and the community's first 18-hole facility. The course was designed by golf course architect Jeffrey Brauer of Arlington, Tex.

The city and Wichita land developers J. Russell Co. and Ritchie Associates negotiated a unique public-private partnership, with the developers donating 175 acres that the city turned into a golf course.

The surrounding 565-home development, and others to follow, will bring revenue to the community and provide an amenity to the developers. Meanwhile, Russell and Ritchie paid Newton $600,000 and will pay another $2,400 for every lot that is developed.

Drawing on Newton's history as an old railroad town with an active junction, Brauer designed Sand Creek Station with Troon and Prestwick golf clubs in Scotland in mind. They are both located adjacent the railroad lines, and at Sand Creek Station Brauer emulated the use of the railway as a hazard on some holes. Throughout the course, he has used the course as a buffer between the railway and home sites.

Brauer believes Sand Creek Station will win over Wichita-area golfers with its links style and thought-provoking holes fashioned after other Scottish links and other holes that interplay with Sand Creek and the wooded areas around it.

The property's challenges included elevating the holes along Sand creek for flood protection while creating interest on the land that began as generally billiard-table flat.

Sand Creek Station is "a great mix of Scottish-style links and target holes," said General Manager and Head Golf Professional Chris Tuohey. He said the multiple tees range from 5,200 yards to 7,400 yards, a perfect range for beginners, seniors, women and low-handicappers.

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