Buffalo Dunes Golf Course

I would give the course itself four stars. Beautiful layout through the hilly, windswept western Kansas countryside. It was not in the very best of shape (I played in early June), but not bad. The layout is what sets it apart, however. But service, I would rate zero stars. I have no idea how this course shows up in Golf Week's list of best public courses by state if service is part of the judging metric. I had made a reservation over the phone for 18 holes, and found out when I got there I could only play one nine due to women's league. I was disappointed, but mistakes happen. I asked what time I'd need to arrive to be able to play the front nine the next day, and was told the men's league would be on the back nine, so any time would work. After the staff members at the desk double checked and confirmed this with me while I was there, I made a tee time for 3:50 PM the next day. When I arrived, I was told I had to go out the back again because the league switched nines. First, had I known this, I would have come out earlier and played the front. Second, no apology was offered, no discount, etc. Then, on a 98 degree day, there were absolutely no water coolers on the course, and I never once saw the beverage cart during my round. I did see two beverage carts get loaded and go out for the men's league, but never while I was on the course. I understand it doesn't make sense to pay someone to drive the beverage cart if there are only a couple golfers out, but water coolers prominently placed near the tee on a few holes per nine should be provided at the very least. It was a very hot day, and this put unprepared golfers in a potentially dangerous situation. If a course shows up on a list of top public golf courses, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect such a basic amenity. I'm pretty sure I even saw posts for water coolers near some of the tees. They just hadn't put them out. I emailed both the pro and superintendent and heard nothing back. I like the course a lot, but am very disappointed in their service and staff.