Golf Courses Sites

The public golf course in Oakland, Maryland is one of 254 new golf courses created by the WPA during the Great Depression (they reconstructed or improved 378 others). According to the Golf Club at Oakland: “On January 7, 1937, over 100 Oakland citizens petitioned Mayor Lawrence M. Fraley and the Town Council to build a golf course. In support of the course were F. D. Bittle, Ralph Towler, and local Works Progress Administration (WPA) chief, Henry Tarring, Jr….On March 15, 1937, federal funding was approved from President Roosevelt’s ‘WPA’ and design of the new golf course began…The original design was a par 34,...

Links Magazine reports that the par-71 Ohio State University Golf Course was built "during the Depression with a grant from the WPA ... his strategic gem was restored in 2006 by Buckeye legend Jack Nicklaus, who returned the course to Alister MacKenzie's original vision." The course opened in 1938. Nicklaus.com: "Alister MacKenzie, the architect of Cypress Point and Augusta National, designed Ohio State’s Scarlet course in 1931 but died in 1934, before ground was broken. Thankfully, Perry Maxwell oversaw the construction, which was completed in 1938. Scarlet has been home to Ohio State players like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and John Cook,...

The FERA started and the WPA completed the Orangebrook Golf Course (which has since been expanded).  

The WPA constructed the clubhouse on this golf course circa 1940 to 1943.

Otis Park and Golf Course encompasses nearly 150 acres and features a collection of historic limestone structures from the early 20th century. It was acquired by the City of Bedford, Indiana in 1935 as a gift from Fred B. Otis, a Bedford newspaperman. The majority of the construction on the grounds between 1937 and 1941 and was funded with grants from the Works Progress Administration. On of the park's features, a band shell, was planned by Indiana WPA engineers and is the only band shell of its kind in the nation built by WPA.

In 1939 the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped build the Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. “Through the assistance of a grant by WPA of $61,587,” a writer for Parks & Recreation reported in January of 1939, “construction of a municipal golf course will soon be under way at Pebble Lake, Fergus Falls, Minn.” City boosters and businessmen led the charge to locate a new golf course within the municipality of Fergus Falls. After much legal and political wrangling, WPA laborers eventually began constructing the course. “The 20 WPA workers” assigned to the project, historian Randy LaFoy documents, “used stones...

The New York City Parks Department website declares: "Despite the hardships endured by New Yorkers over the course of the World Wars and the Great Depression, the demand for golf courses increased steadily. Under the tenure of Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888-1981), New York City’s recreational facilities saw great changes. With federal funding provided by the Works Progress Administration, Moses created a variety of new public facilities and expanded others throughout the city. In 1936, the Pell Golf Course was refurbished, and renamed the Pelham Golf Course. That same year, the adjacent Split Rock Golf Course and clubhouse were built." Nonetheless, a Parks...

Pelham Bay Park, the largest in the city of New York (three times the size of Central Park), sits on Pelham Bay in the northeast corner of The Bronx. It was established in 1888, when The Bronx was still separate from New York City. The park was greatly improved by Robert Moses and the NY City Parks Department, with the help of federal New Deal funds and workers from the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Works Progress Administration (WPA). On November 10, 1941, the New York City Department of Parks announced the completion of the massive overhaul of the 60-acre Isaac L. Rice Memorial...

"It wasn’t until July 1933 when the WPA approved a request from the county to borrow the money from the federal government to build the course. Construction of the 18-hole course began in 1934. It opened in July 1936. Green fees were just 35 cents when the course first opened." (kenoshanews.com) Some additional funding ($3000) from the WPA went to building a clubhouse a year later -- in 1937.

In 1938, the WPA reconstructed and expanded this course, with possible assistance from the CCC. From the Phillips Park Golf Course website: During the Depression in 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps undertook improvements to the golf course as part of the “New Deal” program to combat unemployment. A Beacon article, dated September 11th, 1938, titled, “Start 200 Men Tomorrow On Park Project”, explained how the WPA improvement project was going to spend the $189,000 allotted for the project by both the government and the city. It also noted that park employees tore down the old golf course the week prior. In a...

The beautiful Pinecrest Municipal Golf Course in Idaho Falls, Idaho was constructed as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in 1936-37. The clubhouse at Pinecrest, completed in 1937, is intact. It was built in a classic park rustic style much in favor in the first half of the 20th century, with stone pillars, log walls and wooden interior. There is a WPA plaque on the exterior wall of the clubhouse by the entrance.

Description of a project undertaken by the W.P.A. in 1938: "Ponkapoag Public Golf Course; work was started in the late fall to complete the development of nine additional holes at the course. Under this project, clearing, grubbing, grading and loaming is being done, new roads with necessary drainage are being constructed and a complete fairways watering system is being installed for the entire twenty-seven holes."

Originally known as the San Mateo Municipal, the course was built in 1933 by the WPA.

"St. Charles, Ill.—Plans of Robert Trent Jones, Jr., for Pottawatomie Park muny course have been approved and construction of WPA project is under way. Design makes use of Fox river on four holes. Intention is to make job ideal achievement of WPA 9-hole courses."

The WPA constructed the first nine holes of this course in 1937.  

In 1937, the WPA constructed this golf course for the city of Pueblo. Evidence indicates that the Army Corps of Engineers may have contributed. The course is now known as the Elmwood Golf Course.

The WPA constructed the first nine holes of this golf course, also known as the Baker City Golf Club, in 1936. From the club website: "In 1936 the WPA started constructing the 9-hole public golf course off Indiana Avenue, in Baker City, Oregon.  It was replacing the 9 hole private City Golf and Country Club created in 1924 at the end of Washington Street.  The clubhouse then was the Fireside.  The new public course was to be known as the Municipal Golf Links."

The WPA allocated $15,508 in late 1938 to "reconstruct and improve municipal golf course and tennis courts" in Glasgow, Montana. The precise location of these projects is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration built a recreational center that included a club house and a municipal golf course in Winslow, Navajo County. Project #271, completed circa 1936.

The WPA constructed this nine hole golf course in Kalamazoo in 1937. From the Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association: “Red Arrow is a downtown community greenspace established in 1937 as part of the WPA’s Depression reconstruction efforts when workmen earned $15/week, although the first City Commission began acquiring land along the south bank of the river in 1885. Later foresight by succeeding commissions and the demise of the Michigan Buggy Co. in the 1920’s added remaining acreage. Aerial mapping now shows a green triangle of city parkland, forever commercially undevelopable to serve recreation needs of residents, organizations, and businesses. What began...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped construct Salem-Winston’s Reynolds Park and Recreation Center between 1939 and 1940. “A $300,000 proposed municipal park and recreation center at Winston-Salem, N.C., has received final approval in Washington,” a journalist for Park & Recreation magazine reported. “The development, to be known as Reynolds Park, will be located two miles east of the courthouse square…Within the area will be an 18-hole golf course, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, an athletic field and wooded area for walking and picnicking.” The fruits of this WPA-funded project can still be enjoyed today.

In 1939 the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Riverside Golf Course and clubhouse, as well as an adjacent swimming beach and playground in Fresno. "Riverside Golf Course was designed by Billy Bell and built in 1939 as a WPA project. This parkland-style course along the San Joaquin River, features expansive tree-lined fairways stretching over gently rolling terrain, a new lake bringing water into play on four holes and very small greens." - https://www.bestarticle.org/travel/championship-caliber-golf-in-fresno-ca/?expert=Carl_Spackler_II Prior to the construction of the WPA course, a 9 hole course, built in 1926 as a private club by several wealthy farmers, existed in the spot where Riverside...

Portland's Riverside Golf Course was one of several local sites to be improved by the WPA in 1936 when "the Public Works and Park Departments received $86,875 in WPA funds for engineering, supervision, a portion of the wages of skilled labor, equipment hire, and some materials." (Conforti) The golf course was originally built in 1932, but only expanded to an 18-hole course with this WPA funding. In the winter, the course is used for skiing, sledding, an ice rink and other seasonal activities.

WPA crews expanded this course, circa 1936. A news story from the time stated: "construction work enlarging Rock Manor public course resumed with additional WPA funds."

This municipal golf course opened in 1938. The first nine holes were constructed by the CWA. Additional work was completed by the WPA.

Roman Nose State Park was created with extensive CCC work from 1935 to 1937. From Wayfinding.com: Henry Caruthers Roman Nose was a chief of the southern Cheyenne. Born in 1856, this 600 acres was his federal allotment. He lived here from 1887 until his death in 1917. This is a canyon with bluffs overlooking ancient mesas. Company 2819 of the Civilian Conservation Corps labored to make this area a beautiful sight. Work began on September 10, 1935 and the park was opened on May 16, 1937. The park is located on rolling hills, with gypsum bluffs. Throughout the park, stonework can be...

A Works Progress Administration-built stone bridge crosses the Arroyo Seco along Washington Boulevard at the edge of the golf course. The WPA laid a plaque (possibly bronze) at the end of the bridge. It is currently covered by a modern chain link fence. "Historical trails, rock retaining walls, and local public art throughout the Arroyo Seco were...constructed under the auspices of the WPA." --Arroyo Seco Watershed Assessment  

Rose City Golf Course, constructed adjacent to a middle-class residential development in 1923, was the second public golf course in Portland and the state of Oregon. In 1937, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) redesigned the first nine-holes, rebuilding the greens and lengthening the course by 450 yards, and added rock walls and stone curbs along 72nd Drive.  Local basalt rock served as the landscaping material, as was the case in many WPA projects. City of Portland records indicate that approximately $38,000 was spent by the WPA on the Rose City Golf Course landscaping and redesign. WPA funding for these improvements was...

The beautifully designed low retaining wall is on the south side of the Ruth Park Golf Course in University City, MO. The design is of horizontal rock flagstones interrupted by several rows of vertical rocks periodically. There are few places where it is not in excellent condition, one at a tree which is much larger than when the wall was originally built.

WPA crews completed the first nine holes of the Seneca Golf Course in suburban Cleveland in 1940. From the website GolfNow.com: "Using WPA funds, the city of Cleveland opened Seneca Golf Course on August 1, 1940 to provide 'fine, low-cost, pay-as-you-play golfing' to westsiders. Only nine holes were opened with the purpose of gaining revenue to buy equipment to complete the other 27 holes the following year." In 2010, Course B at Seneca was closed; it is unclear whether this closure includes any WPA work.

"The construction of Sharon Woods Golf Course began in 1936. WPA crews did most of the groundwork on the project. Tons of topsoil were dredged from the east side of the lake for constructing greens. The course opened in 1938 when legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones hit the first golf ball on May 27... Mr. William H. Diddel was the golf course architect of Sharon Woods Golf Course. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Mr. Diddel designed over 70 courses in his career."   (https://greatparks.org/)

"Sharon Woods Park was first established in 1932, making it the oldest park managed by Hamilton County. Many of the park's amenities, including the dam and golf course were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Today it remains a popular recreation destination for local residents and boasts miles of multipurpose trails, boat rentals, picnic shelters, and much more."   (https://recplanet.com/node/26678) The WPA was also involved in developing the park.

"Shelbina boasts a beautiful city lake, built in 1936 as a WPA project, to serve as the city's water reservoir. A second WPA project begun in 1941, added picnic tables, landscaping, shelter houses, and a 9 hole golf course. The lake area is beautifully maintained by the city. This beauty enhanced by mature trees and grassy rolling hills, makes camping, picnicking, fishing, or just visiting the lake area, a very pleasant experience for both young and old." -City of Shelbina

On May 7, 1936, the Department of Parks announced the opening of the Silver Lake Golf Course, which had been "thoroughly reconstructed with new tees and greens throughout...with relief funds provided by the C.W.A., T.E.R.A. and W.P.A."

The New York City Parks Department website declares: "Despite the hardships endured by New Yorkers over the course of the World Wars and the Great Depression, the demand for golf courses increased steadily. Under the tenure of Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888-1981), New York City’s recreational facilities saw great changes. With federal funding provided by the Works Progress Administration, Moses created a variety of new public facilities and expanded others throughout the city. In 1936, the Pell Golf Course was refurbished, and renamed the Pelham Golf Course. That same year, the adjacent Split Rock Golf Course and clubhouse were built." The New...

This stone building on the edge of the Historic Brackenridge Golf Course in San Antonio, Texas is attributed the work of the National Youth Administration. The NYA completed many projects in the park. The registration form for the park's nomination to the National Register of Historic Places refers to the construction of a starter house, caddy house, tee boxes and drinking fountains on the golf course by the NYA. The form states that only the starter house is standing at this time.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped develop the 67 acres of Tayman in Healdsburg CA and the municipal golf course in the park. We cannot be sure of what parts of the golf course were done by the WPA.  Tne rock walls around the entry gate, clubhouse and parking lot look typical of WPA relief workers' handiwork.

The Tilden Park golf course was constructed by the the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) with aid of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) relief labor in 1936-37.   WPA workers first uprooted 20,000 eucalyptus from former plantations of the trees in the Berkeley Hills.  Then they prepared the land and laid out the course.  It opened in November 1937. Of the total cost of $173,000, abut $139,000 was paid out of WPA funds. The rest came from the Parks District. The course was designed by William Bell, a nationally prominent golf course architect, who was assisted by Richard Walpole, who later became...

From 1938 to 1939, the WPA constructed the first nine holes of the Tri-City Country Club golf course. From the course website: "The original Twin City Golf Club was formed in 1938. Back then the city of Kennewick purchased the property known as Hover’s Fountain Park from the KID for $100 for the purpose of creating a golf course. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked with the members of the Twin City Golf Club built the original 9 hole course. Kennewick specified in the first lease to the club that none of the materials or labor had been provided by...

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a clubhouse and completed improvements at the Warren District Country Club, located between Bisbee and Naco. The CWA began the project and the WPA finished it. The University of Arizona Libraries Digital Collections describe the work done by the WPA: "The first nine holes at the Turquoise Valley Golf Course were constructed with funds from the Works Progress Administration. They remain largely unchanged -- still challenging -- since their completion in 1936. The Turquoise Valley Golf Course is the oldest continuously operated course in Arizona. The Clubhouse, constructed from...