Normally, the renovation of a once-public golf course in Kansas City wouldn’t warrant a news story. Hundreds of courses undergo significant work and ownership changes each year, so what makes this significant? The group acquiring the old Hillcrest Country Club is one that’s different than any other in the industry.
Links Golf Club is a digital collection of members, now totaling over 7,000 across 40 countries, comprising a decentralized autonomous organization made up of mostly young, tech-forward millennial and Gen-Z golfers. In 2021, CEO Jim Daily and his COO Mike Dudas formed LinksDAO to make golf more accessible, and within three weeks the organization had raised more than $12 million. Links Golf Club’s first project entailed acquiring a Scottish course, Spey Bay Golf Course on the Moray coast of northern Scotland, with fully reversible layout designed by Mike DeVries and Michael Clayton. Daily says seven holes ready for preview play this spring at Spey Bay.
Now LinksDAO has its first project in the U.S., where about 80 percent of its members reside. Hillcrest, designed by Donald Ross in 1915, believed to be the second-oldest club in Kansas City, was last operational as a public course in 2023, though it had been private in past iterations. LinksDAO will seek the approval of the organization’s members to sign off on a complete transformation by architect Tripp Davis, who had his plans approved and is already clearing trees. Davis is known for his renovation work at esteemed clubs such as Oak Tree National in Oklahoma, Atlanta Athletic Club (Riverside), Preston Trail in Dallas and Augusta Country Club.
“This has the potential to be a top 100 course,” Daily said.
The statement might be a bit hyperbolic, but Links has a proposed $30 million plan to allow Davis free reign on the property. Looking back at Ross’ comments to the Kansas City Star in 1912, he said: “Kansas City will have the world’s finest course.” Hillcrest never cracked Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest courses ranking, which started in 1966, but it’s clear this land—a secluded 135 acres sitting on the county’s highest point within Swope Park with rolling, bold elevation and towering oaks and sycamores with views of downtown Kansas City—has potential. In addition to clearing of overgrown trees, officials have torn down the existing clubhouse to preparation of building an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art edifice.
Links is also partnering with Robb Heineman, a prominent Kansas City developer and minority owner of the MLS’ Kansas City Sporting Club, who will serve as the founder. Daily says a few “mega sports stars” from the NFL and MLB are in talks to become members. In addition to LinksDAO members having access to the club, local memberships will be sold in the Kansas City market.
Sitting 12 miles from downtown Kansas City on the county’s highest point, golfers will be able to see the city once the property is cleared.
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“The goal is to make it the Kansas City’s area’s premier private course,” Daily said, “and I’d say we’d also like to have one of the most vibrant national and international memberships anywhere in the U.S.”
Added Heineman: “We’re thrilled to partner with LinksDAO to continue the transformation of Hillcrest to a top 100 golf course. With their forward-thinking and high-quality member base, LinksDAO provides us a great opportunity to create a vibrant national membership.”
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Officials are hopeful with a strong growing season and its members’ approval that the new Hillcrest Country Club can be unveiled in Spring 2026.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
