Fish Galore at Missouri Course

It's very common for golf courses to have ponds on them, and it's almost as common for those ponds to hold fish. But at Sycamore Creek Golf Course in Osage Beach, Mo., the fish might sometimes seem to be taking over the place. That's because Sycamore Creek is also the home of Osage Catfisheries. Actually, it was the home of the fish farming operation long before it was a golf course.

According to an article in the Kansas City Star by Brent Frazee, course owner Jim Kahrs' family has been raising fish in ponds around the Lake of the Ozarks for 50 years.

Frank York, Sycamore Creek’s superintendent for a year and a half, says working for the Kahrs family is a pleasure. "Having the fish farm crew actually helps with the course," he said. "There are times of the year when the crew isn't busy, so they come over to help with projects on the course.

"With the course and fishery both being family-run businesses, everyone has an interest in getting things done. And they are all great people and hard workers," he said.

Unlike most courses, where finding the manpower to accomplish off-season projects is always difficult, the Kahrs often pitch in to get them done. According to York, it's like having two golf course crews. "Plus, they treat all of us like family," York said.

Although some people might think having commercial fisheries ponds around a golf course would have an impact on the application of fertilizers and other chemicals, York says managing Sycamore Creek is like any course. "You have to be cautious. But that's true at any golf course," York said.

The above story is courtesy of the GCSAA’s Divot Mix e-publication and the Kansas City Star.