Kansas Outdoor Classic
The Kansas Wildscape Foundation’s Outdoor Classic Fundraiser highlights popular outdoor activities in the heart of Kansas on the state’s largest reservoir. Milford Reservoir, Acorns Resort and Geary County, are home to this annual September event pitting 4-person teams against one another for the ultimate battle in golf, shotgun target shooting and fishing with points awarded for each activity.
Ultimately a winning team is crowned, and the traveling trophy is theirs to display until the following year’s event. The weekend features an auction with all proceeds going to outdoor projects that benefit Kansans.
Up to 16, 4-person teams compete in a friendly competition that tests golf skill levels at Rolling Meadows, fishing with guides from Grandpa Boone’s Cabins and Outfitters, and shotgun shooting 5-stand targets at Sportsman’s Acres. Winners are crowned at an awards dinner on Saturday evening.
The event is popular and a wonderful opportunity to get away for a relaxing and fun-filled weekend. Entry fees are $750 per individual and include Friday’s lunch and dinner, Saturday’s breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus lodging and all fees for golf, fishing and shooting.
So, grab three of your friends and sign up as a team for a fun-tastic weekend!!! Register early as participation is limited to the first 16 teams to sign-up!
For more information on the event, contact Wildscape’s Executive Director, Marc Murrell, at marcmurrell@wildscape.org.
Update on the 2024 Outdoor Classic
The Kansas Wildscape Foundation’s 2024 Outdoor Classic fundraiser wrapped up last month and was a big hit. Four-person teams assembled at Acorns Resort on Milford Reservoir for a friendly outdoor-themed competition and weekend of fun.
The annual event kicked off on Friday with a 4-person scramble at Rolling Meadows Golf Course after a catered lunch. Teams checked into their cabins later and then assembled for a tasty dinner followed by an auction of about a dozen items and experiences. Auction items included an Argentina dove hunt, African Safari, TriStar shotgun, 4-person golf package to Flint Hills National Golf Course, TrueTimber camouflage hunting outfit, and other experiences including a waterfowl hunt for two and a guided fishing trip with Wildscape board member, Ward Svarvari, and Executive Director, Marc Murrell, respectively.   Â
Saturday is split into morning and afternoon. It included shooting at Geary County Fish & Game Club and consisted of one round of trap and one round of 5-stand clays. Teams alternate with fishing as they hopped aboard pontoon boats with experienced guides from Grandpa Boones Outfitters. All but one team reached an arbitrary limit of 20 fish (mostly white bass and wipers) for the competition, so fishing was good!!
The official portion of the event wrapped up Saturday evening (participants can stay in their cabins Saturday night, too) with a great BBQ dinner followed by awards. In addition to the longest drive and closest to the pin contests, teams were ranked with points according to their finishes in golf, fishing, and shooting. The top three teams are awarded prizes, and the winning team has the luxury of taking home a whopper of a trophy that’s even spent time in the Kansas State Capitol!! When the smoke cleared, a team from Wichita, Performance Arms, was crowned the 2024 Champion with Captain Chris Harter and teammates, Dan Biehler, Jordan Harter, and Jon Lucas.  Â
The 2024 Kansas Outdoor Classic Fundraiser set a record with more than $24,000 total raised for Wildscape’s programs and projects. All money raised stays in Kansas, for Kansans. Most of Wildscape’s efforts are in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and many focus on youth and family activities. These include the National Archery in the Schools Program, Outdoor Kansas (OK) Kids events, Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshops, EcoMeets, high school trap teams, and other educational outdoor interests including traveling cargo trailers for use by KDWP Law Enforcement and the Kansas Furharvesters Association.
Wildscape was pleased to receive support for the Outdoor Classic from this year’s sponsors and hosts including Acorns Resort, Rolling Meadows Golf Course, Geary County Fish & Game Association, Grandpa Boone’s Outfitters, Geary County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hodgdons, TriStar Arms, Flint Hills National Golf Course, Scheels, TrueTimber Camouflage, and Cole Spriggs.
The 2025 event is scheduled for September 12th-14th with room for 16, 4-person teams. The $750/person ($3,000/team) entry fee covers nearly everything including two nights lodging, all meals, drinks (adult and otherwise), shooting range fees, shotgun shells, golf fees and carts, and fishing guides for the weekend. Each of the new teams the last few years have returned which is a testament to a weekend of fun and a great event.Â
For more information, or to reserve your spot in this fun weekend, contact Wildscape’s Executive Director, Marc Murrell, at (316) 391-0807, or marcmurrell@wildscape.org.
