What Is the KCHBA and the Annual Golf Tournament at Staley Farms?
The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA) is a cornerstone of our local housing community. Comprising around 500 member companies, including your friends here at Blingle, the KCHBA represents an industry that contributes over $1.5 billion to the Kansas City economy and supports more than 20,000 jobs. Its mission is to promote homeownership through education, research, and community outreach, advocating for diverse and attainable housing for everyone in the KC area. In other words, when you enjoy the comfort of your Kansas City home, there’s a good chance the KCHBA’s efforts have in some way helped make that possible – from backing sensible housing policies to encouraging high construction standards.
Why should homeowners care about the KCHBA?
Because this organization is essentially the voice of our region’s housing industry. It works behind the scenes on things like building codes, development issues, and educating builders, all to ensure quality housing is available. The KCHBA also values community connection and giving back. In fact, its core values include philanthropy, volunteerism, and building strong community relationships. For example, the Home Builders Charitable Foundation (the KCHBA’s nonprofit arm) supports local housing-related charities and training programs, reflecting the association’s commitment to the greater good of Kansas City. When the KCHBA gets together – whether in meetings or on the golf course – it’s not just networking for members; it’s strengthening the fabric of our area’s housing community, which ultimately benefits homeowners through better homes and vibrant neighborhoods.
Staley Farms: A Neighborhood Gem in the Northland
When it came time to pick a venue for the 2025 KCHBA Annual Golf Tournament, Staley Farms Golf Club in Kansas City’s Northland was an obvious choice. Staley Farms is the heart of a thriving residential community known for its beauty and friendly atmosphere. The neighborhood was master-planned around the championship golf course and will ultimately include about 600 distinctive single-family homes nestled among rolling hills and scenic landscapes. For those who haven’t been, Staley Farms offers a true “country club lifestyle” for residents, with amenities like a modern sports and recreation club, swimming pool, tennis courts, and of course the 18-hole private golf course right in their backyard. It’s no wonder this community is considered a premier golf course neighborhood in the Northland, combining casual elegance with family-friendly charm.
The golf course at Staley Farms itself is a highlight for the whole city. Opened in 2002 and designed by renowned golf architect Eric Iverson, the course was built to be challenging yet enjoyable for all skill levels. Iverson, a protégé of legendary designer Tom Doak, crafted Staley’s layout with an emphasis on strategic thinking and shot-making. In his words, the goal was to “encourage creative, thoughtful shots… not just off the tees, but into and around the greens”, with fast, firm playing surfaces and plenty of contour to keep things interesting. For players, that means Staley Farms delivers terrific views and a never-boring golf experience – perfect for a fun outing like the KCHBA tournament. And for homeowners, having such a high-quality course and clubhouse in the community is a point of pride that can even bolster home values (after all, a beautiful golf course can be an attractive extension of one’s backyard – just add lights!). The Staley Farms clubhouse, a rustic lodge-style building, often becomes a social hub for community events. From weddings and family gatherings to events like the HBA tournament, the clubhouse and its staff provide a welcoming setting that brings people together.
It’s also worth noting the local heritage behind the name “Staley Farms.” Longtime Kansas Citians might recognize the Staley name – the area was once farmland owned by the Staley family decades ago, before it blossomed into the luxury community it is today. That blend of history and progress gives the neighborhood a special character. When homeowners in Staley Farms cheer on golfers or volunteer at events, they’re continuing a tradition of community spirit on land that’s been part of KC’s story for generations.
A Golf Tournament That Brings the Community Together
Every year, the KCHBA’s Annual Golf Tournament is one of the most anticipated events on the association’s calendar. It’s a day when home builders, remodelers, suppliers, and associates trade in their hard hats for golf hats and come together for some friendly competition on the course. The atmosphere is a lighthearted scramble format, meaning teams of four play best-ball style, ensuring even those who only dust off their clubs a few times a year can have a blast. There are usually contests like longest drive or closest-to-the-pin, mulligans sold for charity or bragging rights, and plenty of laughs echoing across the fairways.
But beyond the fun, the real purpose of the tournament is community building. According to the KCHBA, this golf outing provides an excellent chance to network and even treat clients to “a little business fun.” It’s a relaxed setting where builders and their trade partners can strengthen relationships outside of job sites and meeting rooms. You might find a custom homebuilder sharing a cart with a roofing supplier, or a mortgage lender teeing off alongside an interior designer – in other words, folks who might normally only email each other are now cheering each other’s shots and swapping stories between holes. These connections can spark new ideas and collaborations that ultimately improve the homebuilding process. (Imagine a builder learning about a new energy-efficient product from a supplier while waiting on the tee – that idea could end up in someone’s future home!)
The KCHBA tournament has also become a bit of a tradition that reflects the pride of Kansas City’s residential construction industry. Each year it’s held at a top local course – this year at Staley Farms, as it was SOLD OUT well in advance. In past years, it’s been at other beautiful venues around town, showcasing the variety of great golf Kansas City offers. By rotating through different communities, the tournament also lets participants appreciate neighborhoods and developments they might not see every day, highlighting the regional character of our metro area. And for the host community, it’s a chance to shine. In Staley Farms, residents were excited to welcome the event; there’s a sense of pride in showing off their neighborhood to the broader homebuilding family.
While the tournament is primarily for those in the industry, its ripple effects touch homeowners as well. The camaraderie and knowledge-sharing that happen on the golf course can translate into more cooperative working relationships back on the job. That means smoother home-building projects, better craftsmanship, and a stronger network of professionals ready to serve KC homeowners. Plus, the proceeds from sponsorships and entry fees help fuel the KCHBA’s activities year-round – including educational programs and charitable initiatives that uplift housing in our area. (Fun fact: photos from the tournament typically make their way onto the KCHBA’s Facebook page and into their monthly Building Business News magazine, so the good times are celebrated throughout the community.) In short, when you see a bunch of home builders hitting the links, know it’s an investment in a tighter-knit, more collaborative industry that ultimately benefits everyone who lives in the homes they build.
Neighborhood Pride and Regional Character
For a general audience of Kansas City homeowners, an event like the HBA golf tournament might seem like “inside baseball” (or inside golf, as it were) – something only industry folks would care about. But take a closer look and you’ll find themes that resonate with all of us who call KC home. Neighborhood pride, for one. Think about it: we all love seeing our neighborhoods come alive with activity and get recognition. When Staley Farms hosts the tournament, it’s a point of pride for the Northland. Homeowners nearby can smile knowing one of their local spots is attracting admirers from all over the metro, showing off the beauty and friendliness of their community. It’s similar to when a neighborhood hosts the Parade of Homes or a community festival – these events put a spotlight on what makes each corner of Kansas City special.
There’s also the aspect of home value and upkeep. The KCHBA’s very existence is about promoting quality home building and homeownership for all. Events that strengthen the bonds among builders and suppliers indirectly support that mission. A well-connected homebuilding community tends to share best practices and uphold higher standards. For homeowners, that means better-built homes and neighborhoods that retain their value. The tournament might be a casual day off for the participants, but it reinforces their connection to the industry and region – encouraging them to keep raising the bar in their work. And when local builders take pride in their community (whether it’s through sponsoring a golf hole or volunteering locally), they’re more likely to pour that pride into the homes and neighborhoods they help create.
Finally, consider regional character and networking. Kansas Citians are known for being friendly and community-oriented – we chat with neighbors, support local businesses, and rally together for our sports teams – GO ROYALS !! The HBA golf tournament is an extension of that spirit into the realm of homebuilding. It’s a reminder that behind the houses and developments, there’s a community of real people who know each other, support each other, and share a laugh on the golf course. That human connection is part of what gives our region its character. Homes aren’t just bricks and lumber; they’re the product of relationships and community effort. When homeowners know that their builder golfs with the electrician and sponsors the same charity events as the plumber, it instills a sense of trust. We’re all neighbors here, working and playing together to make Kansas City a great place to live.
Building Community, One Swing at a Time
As Kansas City homeowners, it’s easy to drive past new home developments or see construction crews in our neighborhood and forget that there’s a tight-knit community behind those houses. The KCHBA Annual Golf Tournament is a wonderful reminder that homebuilding is a people business at heart. When local builders, suppliers, and associates come together on the golf course each year, they’re renewing friendships, forging new partnerships, and recharging their communal spirit. Those intangible outcomes have real effects: they lead to stronger collaboration on projects, innovative solutions to building challenges, and a shared pride in the neighborhoods they help create.
For homeowners, knowing that our home pros are engaged in events like this offers reassurance that they are connected and committed to our region. It’s reassuring to see that the folks who build and improve our homes also care about having fun in our community and giving back. Whether it’s through charity tie-ins, sponsorships like Blingle KC’s, or simply the goodwill generated, the tournament reflects the best of Kansas City’s community values. We take our work seriously here, but we also know how to have a good time and support each other.
In the end, the KCHBA Golf Tournament at Staley Farms is about much more than golf. It’s about neighborhood pride – showcasing a beautiful community and its amenities. It’s about home value – fostering an environment where professionals collaborate to build better homes. It’s about community networking – strengthening the ties that make Kansas City’s homebuilding industry responsive and resilient. And it’s about our regional character – friendly, collaborative, and proud. So the next time you tee up at a local course or attend a neighborhood event, remember that behind that experience is a whole network of neighbors working (and playing) together to build the community we all enjoy. In Kansas City, even a day on the greens can bring us all closer to home.
Sources:
- Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City – About Us & Mission
- KCHBA “Homeownership for All” Mission Update
- KCHBA 2024 Golf Tournament Overview – Networking and Fun
- Staley Farms Golf Club – Course Architecture and Design (Eric Iverson, 2002)
- Don Julian Builders – Staley Farms Community Description
- TeeOff Golf Guide – Staley Farms Course Details