“F 
or the love of the game” is often regarded as a huge 
cliché, but for Prairie Dunes, the ongoing decision to 
enter the national stage rings way louder than words. 
Maybe nowhere else in all of golfdom do all the appreciable 
elements of the game come so boldly into focus; unexpected 
natural topography, uncontrollable natural elements, historic 
architecture, major championship golf and radical hospitality. 
Prairie Dunes loves the game! 
“Prairie Dunes was very 
gracious in inviting the USGA 
back to host both the 2029 
U.S. Senior Open and the 
2032 U.S. Senior Women’s 
Open,” remarked USGA Senior 
Director U.S. Senior Open Hank 
Thompson. “The willingness, 
even eagerness, of a revered, 
top-ranked golf course like 
Prairie Dunes to welcome the 
USGA speaks volumes about its 
leaders and membership, and 
to continue to invite us back is 
really special.” 
DESTINATION DUNES
Prairie Dunes U.S. Senior Open Tournament Chair Allen 
Fee tells us that for one week in the summer of 2029 [dates 
still to be announced], 156 of the best senior men’s golfers 
in the world, 50 to 70 USGA staffers, and roughly 75 
thousand visitors will converge on the Dunes and create an 
area economic impact of $20 to $30 million. “The spotlight 
will shine brightly on the Dunes, Hutchinson and the state 
of Kansas with this incredible global event, and we have 
assembled a wonderful team of Dunes leadership to pull it 
together.” 
Fee and Former PD Board President Keith Hughes are the 
veterans on the leadership team; both were immersed in 
the planning, preparation, and execution of the 2006 U.S. 
Senior Open. Board members Brad Pryor and Dale Snell 
represent the future and will likely assume the lead for the 
2032 championship. And, of course, PD Head Pro John 
Lanham and Superintendent Cory Griess will both be directly 
in the line of fire in bringing a successful championship 
home.
From experience, Fee knows hosting is a long game that 
requires participation from many outside players — city, 
county and state government; 
corporate and individual 
sponsors; and an army of 
volunteers. “I believe we are 
off to a great start, seeing 
strong interest, and maybe 
even a little ahead of where 
we were in 2006 at this 
point. But even though we 
are fewer than three years 
away, we have to keep the 
pedal down.”
THE
BIGGEST
EVENT IN SENIOR MEN’S GOLF!
49TH U.S. SENIOR OPEN IN 2029
Hank Thompson,
USGA Senior Director 
U.S. Senior Open
Allen Fee,
Prairie Dunes U.S. Senior 
Open Tournament Chair
12

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