WHO WE ARE

Setting A Course
For Greatness

The Cobbs Creek Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization comprised of Philadelphia residents who are community, civic, and business leaders seeking to restore the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course, creating an economically sustainable golf and educational campus which will offer world-class golf and provide ongoing opportunities for the surrounding neighborhoods.

Cobbs Creek will remain an inviting and supportive public course that welcomes all players. Revenue from the course will directly support its maintenance and operations, as well as the many programs of the Education Center.

THE OBJECTIVE

This Restoration Isn’t Just a Preservation of Philadelphia’s Past,
It's an Investment in Our City’s Future

Through this project, the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course will be restored, creating exciting and expanded educational opportunities, as well as increased revenue and tourism for the City – all while cultivating community cohesiveness.

Our Approach

approach

COMMUNITY

Through frequent dialogue and authentic engagement with the surrounding community, we are working with and for our neighbors in the revitalization of Cobbs Creek, creating a campus that welcomes and supports the local community.

Community Events
approach

EDUCATION

Harnessing the economic power of a thriving golf course, we will create year-round, innovative, holistic educational programming for grades 1-12 to help accelerate learning in a safe environment, building on the existing assets of our surrounding community.

How We Make An Impact
approach

GOLF COURSE RESTORATION

We are creating a championship-level golf course with a new clubhouse, restaurant, driving range, and more so that Cobbs Creek will become a destination for local and national golf fans alike.

Restoration Plans

Our Team

Staff

  • President

    Jeffrey Shanahan

  • COO

    Enrique Hervada

  • Golf Course Superintendent

    Ben Dewan

  • SVP Development and Communication

    Julia Dignam

  • SVP Education, Social Responsibility, and Community Engagement

    Maria Stroup

  • Director of Education and Community Engagement

    Morgan Moore

Board Members

  • Chairman

    Christopher Maguire

  • Founding CEO

    Chris Lange, Sr.

  • President

    Jeffrey Shanahan

  • Treasurer

    Fran Van Kirk

  • Russ Ball

  • William Boonn

  • James Bradbeer

  • Amara Briggs

  • Steve Davidson

  • Chris Dodson

  • Michele Dowell

  • Harold Epps

  • Michael Forman

  • Thomas Gravina

  • Terrence Griffith

  • Reginald Johnson

  • Steve Kelly

  • Chris Lange, Jr.

  • Kevin Lucey

  • James Maguire

  • Deborah Maine

  • Michael McDermott

  • George Nichols

  • Megan Maguire Nicoletti

  • Charles Pizzi

  • Andy Pyfer

  • Jason Ray

  • Marjorie Rendell

  • William Sasso

  • Judith von Seldeneck

  • William Smilow

  • Oscar Turner

  • Matthew Tewksbury

  • James Woodland

  • Stanley Woodland

Partners

  • Parks & Recreation

  • The City of Philadelphia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is being done to prevent flooding?

The Cobbs Creek Foundation has pledged at least $15 million for a restoration of three miles of Cobbs Creek and its tributaries, to prevent further ecological damage. In addition, more than 16,000 new trees, shrubs and other vegetation will be planted in the floodplain. Additionally, the project will create 37 acres of new wetlands to alleviate flooding on the property.

Who owns Cobbs Creek Golf Course?

The City of Philadelphia has leased the land to the Cobbs Creek Foundation, which is spearheading the revitalization of the course. The lease agreement is for 70 years. The new course will be self-sustaining, with any earned revenue going directly to pay for the costs and upkeep of the course and the property. Any earned revenue in excess of operating costs will go toward the Education Center.

Who is paying for the revitalization project?

The Cobbs Creek Foundation is raising over $100 million from individual donors, public funding and other generous supporters who believe in the project.

What is the Cobbs Creek Foundation? What does it do?

The Cobbs Creek Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization comprised of Philadelphia residents, as well as community, civic, and business leaders seeking to create an all-inclusive, state-of-the-art golf campus that unites communities while educating and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.​ In addition to revitalizing the physical property, the Foundation is partnering with schools and engaging with the community to develop programs in partnership with the surrounding neighborhoods.​ The Foundation will also aim to attract visitors, drive revenue, and raise awareness of the course’s role in America’s golfing history. ​

Will Cobbs Creek be a private club? Can anyone play?

Cobbs Creek has always been a public course, and that is how it will stay. The completed Cobbs Creek Golf Course will be accessible to people from all over the city and beyond.

When will all this be finished?

Our target date for completion of the Education and Community Engagement Center and driving range is 2024. The golf course is targeted to be open in Spring 2025.

Annual Reports

Cobbs Creek History

Click Arrows to See More

03 / 04

COBBS CREEK BEGAN AS

A Humble Water Mill Outside of Philadelphia.

GOLF ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA AND CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

Appoints Hugh Wilson & The Philadelphia School of Golf Architecture to Design the Course.

COBBS CREEK BREAKS BARRIERS

By Welcome Female Golfers Before They Even Had Voting Rights.

COBBS CREEK SERVED AS

The Home Course for Barrier-Breaker Charlie Sifford.

COBBS CREEK HOSTS THE UNITED GOLF ASSOCIATION

The Men's and Women's Open, Won by Greats Howard Wheeler, Lucy Williams. and Thelma Cowans.

ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY

15% of the course was annexed by the U.S. Military for an anti-aircraft battery during the early years of the Cold War. This loss of acreage significantly re-routed the course, adversely affecting a third of the holes, most of them among the most renowned and iconic on the golf course.

COBBS CREEK HOSTS

The Daily News Open Played by Legends like Arnold Palmer.

CHARLIE SIFFORD BECOMES

The First Black Golfer on the PGA Tour, Winning Two Official Events in 1967 and 1969, and Paving the Way for a New Generation of Minority Golfers.

News & Events

News & Events

Foundation NewsMar. 14, 2023

TGR FOUNDATION AND TGR DESIGN TO PARTNER WITH THE COBBS CREEK FOUNDATION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

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Foundation NewsFeb. 13, 2023

Essential Utilities launches one of the largest urban creek restoration projects in the U.S. through $1 million donation to Cobbs Creek Foundation

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Foundation NewsDec. 13, 2022

Growing West Philly’s Tree Canopy

Learn More
News & Events

Lend Your Support Today

Your generous support will help us restore the Cobbs Creek Golf Course and provide transformative opportunities for Philadelphia's youth.

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