Oakwoodian Newsletter October 2025

The Oakwoodian OCTOBER 2025 NEWSLETTER

9800 Grandview Road. Kansas City, MO 64137

(816) 761-5501

oakwoodcountryclub.org

From the General Manager DEAR OAKWOOD MEMBERS, As we move into October, Oakwood is at its most breathtaking.

The brilliant fall colors on the course and the crisp, comfortable temperatures make this one of the best times of year to play and enjoy the Club. Every round feels just a little more special against the autumn backdrop, and we hope you’ll take full advantage of these perfect golf days.

Beyond the course, fall at Oakwood brings a season of celebration. We’ve curated a robust lineup of activities and events—both on and off the course—to keep our community connected. From family-friendly festivals to member socials and dining events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

Full Golf – 277 Weekday – 62 Executive – 16 National – 41 Clubhouse Associate – 34

Total – 430

And as the holidays approach, our team is already preparing festive programming to make this season truly memorable.

From gatherings with friends to celebrations with family, Oakwood will be the place to experience the joy, tradition, and warmth of the season.

On behalf of the entire Oakwood staff, thank you for being part of what makes our Club so vibrant. Your energy and engagement fuel everything we do. I look forward to seeing you around the Club this fall, whether on the course, in the dining room, or celebrating together during the holidays.

Warm regards,

From the Course Oakwood Agronomy Synopsis – Autumn Report The Agronomy Team has worked hard over the past several weeks, making steady course improvements despite challenging weather and turf conditions. Key efforts include recovery in thin areas, weed control, irrigation upgrades, and preparing the course for upcoming events.

Tree Management Updates Alongside our turf care work, we’ve also been focusing on tree health and course playability. So far, 16 trees have been removed, with another 17 scheduled for removal by early October. Later this fall, our team will return to grind down the stumps and tidy up these areas.

Overseeding & Native Grass Areas Rough overseeding is underway and will continue into mid-October as we take advantage of cooler temperatures and ideal soil conditions for germination. Native grass areas were recently cut back as part of our annual cycle—done once or twice each year to minimize weeds and encourage healthy growth. While these areas contribute to course beauty and ecology, we remind members not to linger searching for golf balls, as it slows overall pace of play.

Seasonal Member Notes As zoysia transitions into dormancy, please avoid tight cart turns on fairways, which can leave visible tire marks.

Keep pace of play top of mind—lost balls in native areas should not delay your round.

Please refrain from walking or driving through newly seeded areas to give the turf its best chance to establish.

Our agronomy team is dedicated to finishing the season strong and completing several important projects before winter preparations begin.

Thank you for your support as we work to ensure excellent playing conditions this fall.

Regards,

Jacob Foster Golf Course Superintendent

From the Head Golf Pro OCTOBER 2025 GOLF UPDATE As we approach the close of the 2025 golf season at Oakwood, I’d like to take a moment to share a few highlights as we enjoy these final days of fall golf.

With the Chiefs’ season in full swing, many of you may be hosting guests in town for the games — and we’re excited to welcome them here at Oakwood. If you’re bringing visitors, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is happy to make their experience special with options such as personalized cart tags, custom merchandise ready on their carts, special drink requests, and more.

We’re also available to help arrange games through Golf Genius or even organize private tournaments for your group — perfect for showcasing Oakwood and creating memorable experiences for your guests.

As our 18-hole course season winds down, our focus shifts to the Performance Center this winter. To keep your game sharp and the Oakwood spirit lively, we’ll be hosting a variety of simulator competitions throughout the colder months.

Wishing you all a fantastic fall — I look forward to seeing you on the course and in the Simulator season ahead!

All the best, Hunter Hayes, PGA Head Golf Professional Oakwood Country Club

Golf Spotlight GOL

GOLF SHOP We’re excited to announce the launch of Oakwood’s brand-new Online Golf Shop COMING SOON! When the site goes live, the Oakwood App under the Golf tab you will find a link to the new store. Expect an email soon announcing the official launch!

Now you can browse and purchase the latest Oakwood golf gear, apparel, and accessories from the comfort of your home — or even from the course. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your look, stock up on essentials, or find the perfect gift for the golfer in your life, our online shop makes it easier than ever.

College football season has arrived, and we’re excited to collaborate with top brands to bring you the newest team apparel from Mizzou, Kansas, and Kansas State. Looking for another school? We’re happy to help with special orders to ensure you can represent your team in style.

And don’t forget — the Oakwood Golf Shop is your destination for more than just golf. From equipment and apparel to business attire and leisure wear, we offer a wide selection both in-shop and through custom orders. With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to start your shopping right here at Oakwood.

From the Director of Instruction How to Lower Your Scores Without Changing Your Swing Improving your golf game doesn’t always mean grinding on swing mechanics. In fact, some of the fastest ways to shave strokes come from strategy, mindset, and sharpening the parts of your game you may overlook. Here are 7 key areas to focus on this fall: 1. Smarter Course Management Think of golf like chess, not checkers. Instead of attacking every flag, ask: Where’s the safest place to leave this shot?

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Be smarter and more realistic with your target lines, not the heroic line.

Choose clubs that keep trouble out of play (even if it means leaving the driver in the bag).

Know your “comfort distances” and play to them.

The 3 L’s: A Smarter Way to Think Through Every Shot

Before you swing, ask yourself these three questions: 1.What is my Lie? Assess the situation honestly. Is the ball sitting up, down in the rough, on a slope, or in a bunker?

Your lie dictates what shots are realistic—and which ones are off the table.

2.Where do I want to Land the ball?

Pick a precise target. Instead of “somewhere on the green,” choose a safe zone or exact spot.

Remember: conservative targets often yield better scoring results than aggressive ones.

3.Where is my Leave?

Plan for the “miss.” If you don’t pull the shot off perfectly, where do you want the ball to end up?

Leaving yourself an uphill putt or an easy chip is far better than short-siding yourself.

👉 When you consistently use the 3 L’s, you take control of your round. Instead of hoping for the best, you’ll be making deliberate, confident decisions.

Coach Mo Tip: One bogey avoided is just as valuable as one birdie made.

2. Short Game Sharpness (100 Yards & In) Tour players say: “Drive for show, putt for dough,” but wedge play is the real secret weapon.

Practice 40–100 yard shots with three different clubs.

Experiment with trajectory control: high soft shots vs. lower bump-and-run wedges.

Keep a “go-to” shot you trust under pressure!!!!!!

Want help putting these strategies into action? Join our Fall Practice Lunch Club or book a session with the Oakwood Performance Team—we’ll help you practice with purpose and play smarter golf this season.

From the Performance Center Lower Your Scores, Continued 4. Putting Speed Control Most golfers lose more strokes on the greens than anywhere else—often from poor distance control, not missed short putts.

Lag Putting Practice: Work on eliminating 3-putts by training your feel from 20–30 feet.

The goal: consistently leave the ball inside 3 feet.

Ladder Drills: Set up tees or coins at different distances (10, 20, 30 feet) and roll putts to stop the ball as close as possible to each target.

Target Awareness: Try this drill—look at the hole while making your stroke, then look back at the ball for the next one. This trains your eyes and hands to connect speed with distance.

Mental Picture: Hold a clear image of how far the hole is in space. Great short-game players excel at this hand-eye coordination, and it’s a skill you can train with intentional practice.

👉 Sharpening your speed control is one of the fastest ways to lower scores without changing your stroke.

5. Pre-Shot Routine & Mental Focus A consistent routine creates calm, confident swings.

Pick a target. Commit. Step in. Swing.

Eliminate “thoughts” over the ball.

Breathe before you pull the trigger.

Coach Mo Reminder: Confidence comes from clarity, not from overthinking.

6. Play From the Right Tees It’s not about ego—it’s about enjoyment and scoring potential. Playing the right tees keeps you in position to hit the clubs you like most.

7. Know Your Game (and Gaps) Understanding your tendencies is half the battle.

Track where you lose strokes (tee, approach, short game, putting).

Consider a club/ball fitting or a performance session to make sure your equipment supports your goals.

The Bottom Line Lower scores are within reach—without changing a single move in your swing. By managing your course strategy, sharpening your short game, and sticking to strong routines, you’ll start seeing results immediately.

-Coach Mo

Chicken Cacciatori

Black Cod

Short Rib Ravioli

New Menu Items

Blackened Shrimp Risotto Lobster Thermidor

Bolognese

“I WANT TO TELL YOU HOW IMPRESSED I WAS WITH THE COTTAGE AND THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE. MY GUESTS WERE EQUALLY IMPRESSED. THE FOOD WAS OUTSTANDING AND DELIVERED BEAUTIFULLY. EVERYTHING WAS DONE PROMPTLY. ALL OF OUR REQUESTS WERE MET WITH ENTHUSIASM AND KINDNESS. THE COTTAGE IS OUTSTANDING! I LOOK FORWARD TO MY NEXT STAY AND EVENT!! I AM PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH A GREAT CLUB!” -Mike Wood Oakwood Member

“WE BOOKED ONE OF THE COTTAGES FOR A FAMILY WEEKEND AND OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN JOINED US. WE PLAYED GOLF, TOOK THE GRANDKIDS TO THE KIDS POOL AND SPLASH PAD, PLAYED PICKLEBALL AND WENT FISHING. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WAS AFTER AN EVENING ON THE PUTTING COURSE, WE TOOK A GOLF CART RIDE ALONG THE PAR 3 COURSE PATHS AND COUNTED THE LIGHTNING BUGS WE SAW! THE COTTAGES ARE PERFECT FOR A SHORT FAMILY GATHERING!” -Mike and Mary Smith Oakwood National Members

STAFF DIRECTORY STEVEN SHRAWDER, General Manager Email: steven@oakwoodcountryclub.org Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 138 Direct Line: (816) 768-8656

KATELYN LAWSON, Assistant GM and Catering Email: katelyn@oakwoodcountryclub.org Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 104 Direct Line: (816) 595-4066

DENISE WIPPERMAN, Administrative Assistant and AR Email: denise@oakwoodcountryclub.org Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 100 Direct Line: (816) 595-4063

TRAVIS NAPIER, Executive Chef Email: travis@oakwoodcountryclub.org Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 111 Phone: (816) 595-4069

TIFFANY MURPHY, Food and Beverage Director Email: tiffany@oakwoodcountryclub.org Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 106 Direct Line: (816) 595-4065

JESS EYSTAD, Director of Membership & Marketing Email: jess@oakwoodcountryclub.org Phone: (816) 595-4703

STAFF DIRECTORY HUNTER HAYES, PGA Head Golf Professional Email: hunter@oakwoodcountryclub.org Phone: (816) 761-5501 x 132 Direct Line: (816) 595-4072

MAUREEN FARRELL, PGA Director of Instruction Email: Coachmogolf@gmail.com Direct Line: (402) 209-0501

CASSIE LOWELL, PGA Lead Assistant Golf Pro Email: cassie@oakwoodcountryclub.org

JEFF LONG, Assistant Golf Pro & Tournament Director Email: jeff@oakwoodcountryclub.org Direct Line: (816) 761-3670

JUSTIN EVANS, Assistant Golf Pro Email: justin@oakwoodcountryclub.org Direct Line: (816) 761-3670

JACOB FOSTER, GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT Email: brentracer@gmail.com Direct Line: (816) 761- 1477