AN INSPIRED BEGINNING

The Architects

As they were designing some of the top private golf courses in the world (Merion East, Pine Valley, Oakmont, Winged Foot), Hugh Wilson and his fellow architects of the influential Philadelphia School of Golf Architecture felt the call to design a course where everyone– all genders, all races, all ages– could enjoy the game.

And they did it without pay. From the day Cobbs Creek opened in 1916, thousands found a home at this highly-rated public course, decades before they even had a chance to vote.

Today, we have world-renowned golf course architect Gil Hanse and design partner Jim Wagner leading our restoration efforts. They have created a Master Plan for the historic restoration of Cobbs Creek in a way that honors and protects its important history as well as moves it forward into modern times. Hanse and Wagner have completed restorations of many top 100 golf courses including:

  • Merion Golf Club – East Course
  • Winged Foot Golf Club
  • Aronimink Golf Cub

THE GAME CHANGERS

The legends
that called it home

Cobbs Creek became the home course for inclusion in America, as legendary golfers like Howard Wheeler, Charlie Sifford, and others honed their game here at a time when they were not welcomed elsewhere. Charlie once remarked, “I was delighted to see both Black and White golfers playing side by side there. Here was a place I could play without having to worry about some groundskeeper coming by to run me off the course.”

Dr. Charlie Sifford went on to win 6 United Golf Association National Opens (including 5 in a row) before he broke the color barrier on the PGA Tour in 1961. Even on the Tour, Charlie was taunted and tormented as he still was told  “No.” But Charlie just chomped harder on his trademark cigar and won two PGA tournaments after the age of 45, won the PGA Seniors Championship in 1975, and was inducted into the Golf World Hall of Fame in 2004.

A Restoration Like No Other

Property Overview

A revitalized Cobbs Creek will include new state-of-the-art facilities:

  • 18-Hole Championship Course capable of hosting PGA Tour events
  • TGR Learning Lab
  • 9-Hole Course
  • TGR Design Short Course
  • Two-Story Driving Range
  • Restaurant
  • Heritage Center
  • Golf Center
  • Club House

Economic Impact

The property is projected to provide the following economic benefits:

Construction  Phase:

  • $201 million in economic impact for the City of Philadelphia
  • 650 full-time employees during onsite construction

On-Going Campus Operations Post – Opening:

  • $25.7 million in economic impact for the City of Philadelphia
  • 137 full-time employees on the Cobbs Creek Campus

Impacts of a Professional Golf Tournament:

  • $50 million in economic impact for the region
  • 400 estimated jobs
  • $16 million estimated labor income

Figures provided by Econsult Solutions

Environmental Investment

The Cobbs Creek Foundation is investing $30 Million Towards a Greener Tomorrow

  • Repairing three miles of waterways
  • Creating 25-40 acres of new wetlands
  • Utilizing cutting-edge technology for efficient water distribution

Coming Soon

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03 / 04

TGR LEARNING LAB

Spring 2025

JUNIOR GOLF PUTTING GREEN

Spring 2025

DRIVING RANGE

Summer 2025

RESTAURANT

Summer 2025

COMMUNITY EVENT SPACE

Summer 2025

TGR DESIGN SHORT COURSE

Summer 2025

COBBS CREEK GOLF COURSE

Coming 2026

News & Events

Foundation NewsOct. 07, 2024

Cobbs Creek Foundation, TGR Foundation Partner Together for the Inaugural Career-Connected Learning Event at Merion Golf Club

Learn More

Foundation NewsSep. 30, 2024

September Edition – Cobbs Creek Foundation Newsletter

Learn More

In The NewsSep. 19, 2024

NYTimes, The Athletic: “Can a reimagined Cobbs Creek fulfill its promise? Public golf is hoping so”

Learn More

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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