Project Manager, John T. Smith

John Smith is the owner and president of John T. Smith Associates, Inc. in Liberal, KS. John has wide range in experience in land planning, development and real estate management services.

After graduating with a Bachelors of Science (business administration), Bachelor of Urban Planning and Master of Urban Planning, John served as the senior downtown planner of the Wichita Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department. John occupied that position until 1971 when he started John T. Smith Associates, Inc. Through his business he has provided management services for various investor owned ventures as well as providing planning consulting to governmental entities in Southwest Kansas.


Superintendent and Club Manager, Trent Kitch

Trent Kitch comes to the Yucca Ridge project from the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge at Winter Garden, Florida where he was superintendent. He has over 12 years experience as maintenance technician, irrigation technician, assistant superintendent and superintendent.

Trent attended Baker University (KS) as well as numerous education and training seminar in golf course operations, maintenance and management. He spent 3 years at Copper Creek Golf Course in Colorado. Before Orange County Trent worked for Country Club at Heathrow and Tuscawilla Country Club, both in Florida.


Project Designer, Richard “Ric” Buxton

Ric Buxton has over 25 years experience in the planning and design of high end golf and resort communities. Ric is president of Redstone International, Inc. of Denver, Colorado.

After receiving his bachelor of landscape architecture from California Polytechnic State University, Ric had various positions as designer and manager for a variety of recreation projects. He was principle designer and recognized for his work at the Rio Grande Club at South Fork Ranches, South Fork, Colorado. His design work at the Rio Grande Club was recognized “6th Best New Up-Scale Public Course” in the January, 2004 issue of Golf Digest Magazine.