Business was Devlin's lifeblood, but golf became his passion. His business enabled him to play various courses around the country. What bothered him was he had to travel from Kansas to quench his thirst for first-class facilities. 

The birth of Flint Hills National started with Devlin's dream of creating a world-class  golf facility in Sedgwick County.

"What started this process was my thought that we didn't have any type of championship course in the Wichita area,'' Devlin said. "We all have to put back into our community. I felt it was time for me to see if I could help create something that would give the Wichita area something that would be nationally known.''

Devlin faced two problems - he didn't own any property and he hadn't signed an architect to  design his "dream course."

Tom Fazio of Hendersonville, N.C., was the nationally-known architect Devlin had in mind. But Fazio told Devlin in 1995 he might have to wait as long as three years for his services.

Devlin knew Fazio's reputation since both were members at two Vintage Club courses in Indian Wells, Calif. Fazio has designed over 20 courses ranked among the top 100 by either Golf Digest, Golfweek or Golf Magazine. Fazio's Midwest gems are Hallbrook Country Club in Leawood, Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla., and the Golf Club of Oklahoma outside Tulsa.

"Every Fazio course I'd ever played was fair and playable,'' Devlin said. "He was the type of architect who could take a piece of land and make it play natural with no blind shots. His best strength was designing good short holes, which is the mark of a true architect.''

Devlin was mulling his options when the phone rang.

It was Fazio.

"Mr. Fazio told me he had to wait on a course in Florida, but that he'd work with me if we could start tomorrow," Devlin said. "If this was truly a deal I wanted to pursue, I had to make a quick decision. That probably pushed me over the hump. It was a go."

Devlin's next problem?

He couldn't tell Fazio where to build because he hadn't acquired any property. Devlin went to the air to view prospective sites surrounding Wichita.

"I rented a helicopter and hovered around the city in a 10-mile radius," Devlin said. "I land I liked had hills, trees and water. I didn't know how good the land was until he viewed it on the ground."

The 640-acre tract of land was located 2 miles from Andover and 6 miles from Rose Hill just off Andover Road. The land was originally owned by Bill Graham. Graham's daughter, Margie, married Johnny Stevens, a Kansas Hall of Fame golfer.

"Johnny Stevens had always felt the land would make a great golf course," Devlin said. "Off we went. We probably overpaid for it."

Fazio was surprised by the quality of the land.

"The perception outside Kansas is that it's flat, but that depends on where you are," Fazio said. "I'd rank it as good a property as I've ever worked with. It was a prime piece of land where very little earth had to be moved."

Fueled by mutual respect, Devlin and Fazio created what has been described as a visual masterpiece. Flint Hills National features 67 bunkers and 24 acres of ponds that brings water into play on eight holes.

Devlin's hands-on approach mixed well with Fazio. 

"It's always easy when you have a client and owner who is actively involved and wants to build something attractive," Fazio said. "Tom is an energetic, enthusiastic guy who knew what he wanted - a golf course that was as good as any around. Tom had great ideas. He was demanding, but wanted quality. You always hope you spend your dollars wisely. But what you remember the most is the quality of the work."

What Devlin remembers is Fazio's acceptance of his input.

"Tom let me get involved in the process and it was neat he was willing to do that," Devlin said. "Tom knew he was dealing with a guy who wanted to get things done. I changed four or five holes."

All those changes came with a price tag.

"I remember the day we made a $200,000 change,'' Devlin said. "We exceeded what had been our budget by a lot. But then Tom mentioned that Flint Hills was one of the best courses he'd ever designed. He was right. Things turned out good. It was worth it."

Actually, better than good, according to Fazio. When Flint Hills is ranked in Golf Digest later this year, Fazio expects it to make a strong national debut.  Flint Hills measures 6,921 yards with a course rating of 75.4 and a slope rating of 152. Zoysia fairways and tees are accompanied by bentgrass greens that average 70,000 square feet. 

"Flint Hills is as good a course as I've ever designed,'' Fazio said. "I always strive for a visual impact of a special place, one that people will remember. I seek something sensational and dramatic. Yet, I believe that a golf course should look difficult, but actually play easier than it appears."

Devlin's design team included his wife Myra, who designed the clubhouse, guest house and founder's lodge; a son Tom, who built the tee boxes; and a son Tim, who was the head of the irrigation crew.

"It really was a family project,'' Devlin said. "They really took part in taking ownership of the golf course."

Director of Golf Dave Henson, a native of Hesston, said he realized Devlin meant business when  they toured several high-profile country clubs to illustrate what Flint Hills might be like.

"Everything Mr. Devlin has done is first class," Henson said. "I knew he'd be the single owner and I like those one-man committees.  You don't get a chance to sit back because he's always pushing you to go to the next level. He's always thinking ahead."

In its young history, Flint Hills National has already played host to the USGA Women's Amateur Championship in 2001, as well as the 2003 Trans Mississippi Championship, and has committed to hosting the 2007 USGA Senior Men's Amateur Championship.

"Mr. Devlin is totally committed to supporting amateur golf and is looking forward to hosting more national amateur championships," Henson said.