Swope Memorial has challenged golfers since the turn of the century. In 1996 Swope Memorial celebrated its 90th year of play, making it the oldest public course in the greater Kansas City area. It was closed in 1989 to be restored to its original Tillinghast design of 1934. The "new" Swope Memorial re-opened in the summer of 1990, and has become a marvelous course with a rich tradition. Swope's unique layout includes zoysia fairways, undulated greens and many sand and grass bunkers.