Local Paper Tidbits...02/06

[Ryan Book]

A little birdie has asked me to start sharing course updates I find on local news here on a more regular basis...I'll try to avoid things that are already blowing up on major golf outlets. Feel free to chip in and/or let me know if you don't care.


These are in order of "most assured to happen" to "Bryson Dechambeau talking out loud."


Esplande: Discovery Land Co. has Tom Fazio and Taylor Morrison has Chris Wilczynski; the architect will have built six courses for the developer now. https://thegolfwire.com/taylor-morrisons-st-marys/
Maverick: The newest Fazio-Discovery Land Co. development has been fairly well-reported…one difference between it and his other DLC work will be that this development will include one “championship,” one 12-hole executive course and a nine-hole par three course. https://www.wbap.com/a-former-north-texas-ranch-is-turning-into-a-500-home-development-with-water-park-and-golf-courses/
Gambler Ridge: A first-time course operator has purchased the New Jersey course…his plans are admirably subdued, looking to build event revenue prior to moving to course improvements. https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2025/02/04/gambler-ridge-golf-club-sold-monmouth-county-nj.html
Port Charlotte: The Florida municipality will purchase the course, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian. Talk is of a more general community asset, albeit one that may include a nine-hole golf course. https://www.gulfshorebusiness.com/charlotte-county-land-acquisition-could-expand-parkside-area/
Whaling City: The city of New Bedford wants to develop a new research and manufacturing center, which would cover/disrupt five holes at Whaling City GC, to be replaced by five new holes. The course suggests Donald Ross handled its opening nine…others disagree. https://newbedfordlight.org/new-pitch-for-business-park-at-whaling-city-golf-course/
Lakefield: Lakefield, nee North Valley, was just purchased by the title Minnesota town during 2023. It’s potentially looking to sell again…and a local couple are looking to build a hotel development around it while maintaining the course. Based on the property and location…good luck! https://www.lakefieldstandard.com/articles/big-plans-for-golf-course-if-sold/
Crescent Bar Island: Grant County has hired a consultant to gauge the long-term feasibility of the aforementioned golf course, a nine-hole offering on a vacation-oriented island in the Columbia River. Side note…this is near to the Gorge Amphitheatre, which is worth visiting for a show. https://www.yoursourceone.com/columbia_basin/grant-pud-commissions-study-on-crescent-bar-island-golf-courses-future/article_ea43e6d4-df4f-11ef-9c2d-6bea136083b5.html
Clovis, CA: The oft-excitable Dechambeau suggested he’s looking to create an athletics campus on a 200-acre plot northeast of his hometown of Clovis, including a golf course. Although his mother has been equally glib, the land company that Dechambeau cited – Cook – declined further comment. As a BD staffer at a large law firm, I can only imagine how much a talker like Bryson would give our partners headaches. https://kmph.com/news/local/clovis-native-bryson-dechambeau-plans-mega-golf-project

[Andrew Harvie]

Another Discovery Land in metro Dallas is interesting. I guess, like Florida, Texas is exploding as well, but still!

[Greg Hohman]

Ryan, the recent obit in a local paper for Martha (Marty) Elizabeth Johnson Evanko led me to a NLE par 3 near Pittsburgh airport. Although Marty’s death may not have led directly to the closure after 50+ years, your thread presented an unexpected opportunity to acknowledge this family course on GCA:

“Together, with her in-laws, sister Katy and Dick's twin brother Bob, they formed West Hills Par 3 and Pro Shop.”

https://westhillspar3.com/

https://obituaries.post-gazette.com/obituary/martha-marty-elizabeth-johnson-evanko-1092585446

(Although I am from the area, I had not heard of West Hills Par 3.)

[David_Tepper]

Ryan -


Thanks very much for starting this thread. I hope there is more to come.


If possible, could you more clearly identify the locations of the courses you mention? That would be helpful.


Thanks again.


DT

[Ryan Book]

Fort Worth in particular...this is a huge residential development, with Bluejack 2 happening as well.

Another Discovery Land in metro Dallas is interesting. I guess, like Florida, Texas is exploding as well, but still!

[Ryan Book]

Would be happy to include specific city names moving forward...one benefit the UK has over the States...not many repeated town names so it's not too difficult to discern which "Lakefield" we're talking about!

Ryan -


Thanks very much for starting this thread. I hope there is more to come.


If possible, could you more clearly identify the locations of the courses you mention? That would be helpful.


Thanks again.


DT

[Ryan Book]

It's a great topic often unexplored...what is the succession plan for family-founded and operated courses? The Gambler Ridge story referenced above is one with a thus-far happy ending...the founding family handing the keys to someone planning to maintain it as a course rather than a housing development. I'm sure we're all aware that for the relative boom of Top 100-worthy clubs, there has been a lack of new bread-and-butter courses like these.

Ryan, the recent obit in a local paper for Martha (Marty) Elizabeth Johnson Evanko led me to a NLE par 3 near Pittsburgh airport. Although Marty’s death may not have led directly to the closure after 50+ years, your thread presented an unexpected opportunity to acknowledge this family course on GCA:

“Together, with her in-laws, sister Katy and Dick's twin brother Bob, they formed West Hills Par 3 and Pro Shop.”

https://westhillspar3.com/

https://obituaries.post-gazette.com/obituary/martha-marty-elizabeth-johnson-evanko-1092585446

(Although I am from the area, I had not heard of West Hills Par 3.)

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