Busy Season Start for New Superintedent

Woodland Hills Golf Course Superintendent Doug Guns is 42 years old and has been in the golf business since he was 19.

“So that’s 23 years,” Guns said. “I was going to college and needed a summer job. A local golf club needed help at the clubhouse. I learned all about the maintenance of the greens.”

He attended  West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Pennsylvania State University.

“I started as an art major and when I got into golf, I switched majors to plant-soil sciences,” Guns said. “The last two courses have been business management classes online from Penn State.”

He started as Woodland Hills Golf Course Superintendent on Sept. 16, after being at Girard’s golf course for four seasons.

His duties include equipment maintenance, irrigation maintenance, supervising personnel, public relations and “Keeping the greens healthy,” he said.

“It’s like an ecosystem, each part of the course has different soil qualities,” Guns said.

Jon Kindlesparger, the current superintendent, is staying on until the end of the year to help the transition, he will then retire.

“It’s nice having his knowledge and experience here,” Guns said.

Guns lives in Girard.

Busy Season at Woodland Hills

The next few weeks are busy on the course:

  • The Kruger Golf Classic is Sept. 21, with registration at 7 a.m. It is a four-person scramble. Contact James Wood, 224-9687 or Les Russell, 215-3199.
  • The Special Olympics of Kansas Benefit Golf Scramble is  Sept. 28. The cost is $50 person and is a four-person scramble, sponsored by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Contact Steve Anthony at 215-2392 or Ben Cole at 223-1440.
  • The Elks Lodge Benefit Tournament is Oct. 5 with an 11 a.m. registration. This is to benefit the Christmas baskets the lodge distributes each year. Cost is $60 per person. Contact the lodge at 223-5821.

The Fort Scott High School, Uniontown High School, and Fort Scott Community College golf teams use the course daily, Shannon O’Neil, clubhouse manager said.

On Oct. 14-15, regional high school tournaments will be held at the course, with the outcome deciding who goes to state in golf, he said.

O’Neil offers lessons in an annual junior golf camp in June and July.

He also does private lessons for both adults and children.

There have been two major updates at Woodland Hills in the last few years: a new clubhouse was built in 2015-16, and a new golf cart barn built in 2018.

Golf Course Trades

Recent Posts

Georgia Honors Drinkard as Superintendent of the Year

Few go so far in a golf course superintendent career without going anywhere than James…

2 days ago

Exploring Barefoot Resort & Golf: A Superintendent’s Perspective on Its Courses, Holes, and Maintenance

For golf course superintendents seeking inspiration, insight, and best practices, Barefoot Resort & Golf in…

4 days ago

Advanced Turf Solutions to Acquire Assets of Atlantic Golf and Turf

Advanced Turf Solutions, Inc., an independent and employee-owned distributor of turf and ornamental products, announced…

5 days ago

Coxreels® Brawny Option for the 100 Series Reels

Coxreels is proud to offer the Brawny option available for most 100 Series hose reels.…

1 week ago

Bobby Jones Golf Course Named NGCOA’s 2025 Jemsek National Course of the Year

Bobby Jones Golf Course, managed by Bobby Jones Links (BJL), the golf industry’s leading client-centric,…

2 weeks ago

Audubon International Awarded $25,000 FairWays Foundation Grant for Monarchs In The Rough Program

Audubon International – the environmentally focused non-profit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives…

2 weeks ago