May 2, 2018
Colbert Hills Golf Course celebrates 18th anniversary
Colbert Hills Golf Course celebrated its 18th anniversary on Tuesday, May 1. Constructed as a daily-fee championship caliber golf course, Colbert Hills serves as a focal point and attraction for the west end of Manhattan that covers 7,500 yards over 300 acres through the Flint Hills and Grand Mere.
"Colbert Hills will undoubtedly provide players of all levels with a golfing experience that is truly world-class. Colbert Hills provides the ultimate in service and lasting golfing memories for all that challenge the course," said co-designer and PGA Tour player Jim Colbert.
Colbert Hills has hosted more than 400,000 golf rounds on the Championship Course and more than 75,000 rounds on the Par 3 course. The facility hosted the 2002 Big 12 Women's Golf Championship, 2003 NCAA Men's Central Regional Championship, 2005 Kansas Amateur Championship, and the 2012-17 Colbert Charity Classic professional golf event.
Other golf course accolades include 2007 Golf Digest America's 50 Toughest Golf Courses, No. 42; Golf Digest and Golfweek Top 20 Collegiate Golf Course; and No. 1 Ranked Daily Fee Golf Course in Kansas and overall Top 10 Golf Course in Kansas by numerous publications over the years.
In May 2010, construction was completed on a new 13,500 square foot clubhouse with the opening of its public restaurant and bar, Colbert's. The restaurant is open daily for lunch, Tuesday through Saturday for dinner, and hosts several special events throughout the year.
Colbert Hills is owned by the Kansas State University Golf Course Management and Research Foundation, or KSUGCMRF, with the intention of fulfilling multiple purposes. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Colbert Hills provides educational opportunities to K-State students, a playing condition research facility, home of K-State golf, and impacts local youth with The First Tee of Manhattan. Furthermore, Colbert Hills was designated an Audubon Silver Signature Sanctuary course in 2001, which was one of only six golf courses worldwide meeting the strict environmental criteria required. Since its inception, Colbert Hills has left a large economic footprint on this community with a direct and indirect impact of more than $150 million.