Five-year renewal plan to culminate in a centennial celebration in 2028
January 19, 2023 – Cleveland – After a competitive RFP process the city has selected the Highland Park Golf Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, as the top pick to lead the revitalization, operations, and management of Highland Park Golf Course. The City plans to introduce legislation to enter into a Qualified Management Agreement with the Foundation on January 23.
“The Highland Park Golf Foundation’s proposal reflects the commitment to celebrating the course’s rich history as a minority golf course,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “We are thrilled with the team that has come together in the interest of preserving and elevating this legacy asset.”
The City received six proposals in response to its September 2022 request for proposals. The selection committee, chaired by Chief Operating Officer Bonnie Teeuwen, selected the Highland Park Golf Foundation proposal for its not-for-profit mission and for its vision for the Highland Park Golf Course. In a similar model to Washington D.C.’s successful National Links Trust, the Highland Park Golf Foundation team has created a 501c3 consisting of local leaders, many of whom are regular golfers at Highland Park. The Foundation’s plan honors the course’s heritage and legacy, maintains its historic 36 holes, and incorporates a commitment to Cleveland residents to maintain and expand affordable access to golf.
The Highland Park Golf Foundation intends to contract with Troon, a world-class course operator which manages over 750 courses worldwide and 140 municipal courses in the U.S. This includes operating five courses within the U.S. that host PGA, LPGA, or Senior PGA tournaments.
“We feel confident that the Highland Park Golf Foundation’s passion for the course, in partnership with Troon’s expertise across the country, will result in an elevated golf experience at affordable prices for Clevelanders,” said Cleveland’s Chief Operating Officer Bonnie Teeuwen, “We believe it will also ultimately help the City’s bottom line.”
The Highland Park Golf Foundation proposal included a 5-year timeline to make course and clubhouse improvements, build a driving range, construct a chipping and putting center, become certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, and host a dedication ceremony of the revitalized course by its 100th year celebration in 2028. This plan involves minimal interruption to course play through improvements.
Related: Cleveland Releases RFP to Revitalize Historic Highland Park Golf Course | City of Cleveland Ohio - Mayor Justin M. Bibb
