Cobbs Creek Golf Course, established in 1916, is a 340-acre public, city-owned golf course in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
. It was one of the first courses in the area to welcome golfers of all races, ethnicities, and genders.
The course consists of the 'Olde Course' and the adjoining Karakung Course which was added in 1929.
History
Cobbs Creek Golf Course was designed by Hugh Wilson with contributions from A. W. Tillinghast, George C. Thomas Jr., William Flynn, George Crump, and William Fownes. Wilson also designed nearby
Merion Golf Club's east course.
Charlie Sifford
Charles Luther Sifford (June 2, 1922 – February 3, 2015) was an American professional golfer who was the first African American to play on the PGA Tour. He won the Greater Hartford Open in 1967 and the Los Angeles Open in 1969. He also won the ...
, the first Black golfer to play in a PGA tour event, learned to play at the course.
The course hosted the United States Public Links championship (1928), the United Golfers Association Championship for Black golfers, and two PGA tour events (1950s).
In the 1950s and 60s, part of the course was used by the military as an anti-aircraft battery.
The course is situated between Philadelphia's
Overbrook and
Overbrook Park neighborhoods.
Restoration
The course's clubhouse was destroyed by a fire in 2016. In 2019, the city's lease with the operating contractor expired and the course closed. The Cobbs Creek Foundation was formed soon after and was granted a 70-year lease.
The foundation is facilitating a $100 million renovation of the course which will restore the 18-hole ‘Olde Course’ and revive its adjoining facility, Karakung Golf Course, into a nine-hole course.
Jim Wagner of
Gil Hanse and Hanse Golf Design is leading the design team.
Tiger Woods
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods (born December 30, 1975) is an American professional golfer. He is tied for first in List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins, PGA Tour wins, ranks second in List of men's major championships winning golfers, men's m ...
, through the
TGR Foundation, provided funding for an on-site TGR learning lab.
There was initial controversy surrounding the environmental impact of the restoration from several local organizations. Specifically, clear cutting trees without notice, damaging habitats, reducing biodiversity, and contributing to soil erosion and flooding. The course was eventually granted an exemption from legal minimum anti-erosion standards.
The restoration is being overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Awards
The course was inducted into the
National Black Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.
References
{{Reflist
External links
Cobbs Creek FoundationAerial view: May 30, 1928 via J. Victor Dallin Aerial Survey collection
Sports venues in Philadelphia
Golf clubs and courses in Pennsylvania
1916 establishments in Pennsylvania
Sports venues completed in 1916
1916 in golf