By KALEY LYON

klyon@dailynews.net

Today, the grounds of Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course are frequented by enthusiasts of the game, who ride golf carts and tote their clubs.

But more than 100 years ago, the same land was occupied by high-profile soldiers such as Lt. Col. George Custer and Gen. Philip Sheridan, who rode horseback and toted battlefield guns.

A current project is designed to help connect the present to the land's rich history. Informational signs have been posted throughout the course, highlighting archaeological finds and other historic facts.

"It's kind of another aspect to the golf course that makes it more of an interesting course," said Bob Wilhelm, director of Historic Fort Hays. "It's the fact that all these soldiers were walking around here; Custer was here and Sheridan was here."

The 19 signs will be posted in front of each tee box, with a larger sign planned for the front of the club house. In keeping with the old-fashioned aesthetics, the signs will be mounted on cedar and posted on limestone.

The signs are printed in color, having been embedded in fiberglass.

The project has been talked about for more than a decade, Wilhelm said, noting he's pleased the city of Hays and the Kansas State Historical Society were eager to collaborate.

Sign subjects include the native wildflowers of the plains, the fort's remaining structures and local legend Elizabeth Polly.

Following extensive archaeological surveys, features such as trail ruts, rifle pits and depressions in the land resulting from old dug-out houses also are marked.

The signs provide only a short synopsis, but a book containing more extensive information could be posted in the course's clubhouse for curious visitors, Wilhelm said.

The project was a joint effort, with the city funding almost $2,700 for sign production and the Society of Friends of Historic Fort Hays purchasing wood for mounting the signs.

The signs are one of many changes golfers have noticed at the course during the past year. A new irrigation system was installed on the front nine this spring, and the course reopened in April.

City Parks Director Jeff Boyle said the city and golf course advisory board are pleased with the new aesthetics.

"That's what's neat about this, is the signs that are placed at each hole kind of identify the area the folks are playing golf in and kind of gives it some historical significance," Boyle said. "I think most of the folks that read the signs will take a step back and look at it in a little different way as they're playing."