April 1, 1917

In 1916, anyone riding the Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway to developer William B. Strang Jr.'s popular recreational and entertainment attractions got a long look at John and Mary Ellen Foster's farm. Their bluegrass pasture stretched south and west from Milburn station, constrained by ravines, meandering creeks, and dense woodland. It was the sort of land golf architects, hoping to land a contract, describe as "put here by the Almighty for golf."