Stagg Hill History

Stagg Hill Golf Club began its life in the early 1930s when members of the local American Legion solicited funding to build a golf course that would serve the Manhattan community. In 1930 construction began on rented land on top of Stagg Hill, west of Manhattan. The fairways were composed of buffalo grass and the tee boxes and putting greens were made of sand. Motor oil was even used to keep the sand in place!

The course steadily lost money in the years after and was sold and incorporated in 1937 as a non-profit. By the 1960s rents had become too costly for the club and the scarcity of water on the hill made conventional green grass difficult to grow. In 1967, Johnny Kaw’s creator, George Filinger, acquired land to develop a new course with access to plenty of water and space for recreation, including fishing and picnicking.

Stagg Hill Golf Club is now a thriving 18 Hole course and community hub, hosting a variety of events and tournaments throughout the year!