PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A major renovation of a one of the city's historic sporting landmarks began Monday with a ceremonial groundbreaking in West Philadelphia.
Cobbs Creek Golf Course was built as an inclusive public space in 1916 but fell into disrepair in recent decades before closing for renovations in 2020.
“We are standing on historic ground — the place where golfers of all races, genders, backgrounds were welcomed to play the sport at a time when other clubs shut them out,” said Jeff Shanahan, president of the Cobbs Creek Foundation, the nonprofit overseeing the restoration.
Shanahan noted that golf trailblazer Charlie Sifford called the Cobbs Creek course home as he learned the game in the 1940s, before going on to become the first Black player to win on the PGA Tour.
The redesign will feature an 18-hole championship course capable of hosting PGA events, a short course, a two-tiered driving range, a new clubhouse and restaurant, and an education center built in partnership with Tiger Woods’ TGR Foundation.
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With the full restoration, Cobbs Creek officials aim to create a community hub that will connect new generations of golfers.
When the project was first proposed, it attracted criticism from some neighbors and environmentalists as large swaths of trees were cut down in the course redesign. Officials downplay those concerns, saying an environmental improvement project is underway to restore 3 miles of the creek bed, and the felled trees will be more than replaced to increase the city’s tree canopy. The project also includes the creation of a new wetland to reduce flooding.
The Cobbs Creek revitalization project will be completed in phases from 2024 through 2026. First to start construction, expected this fall, will be the TGR Learning Lab, a STEM education resource center providing access to college- and career-readiness programs. Half of the creek bed restoration and the short course, driving range and maintenance facility are scheduled for completion in 2025. The other half of the restoration, the clubhouse and the remaining golf course construction is slated for completion in 2026.
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CORRECTION: According to the Cobbs Creek Foundation, the project will invest at least $100 million into restoring the golf course and transforming the property. The story has been corrected to reflect this figure.