Revitalizing a Community | The Cobbs Creek Project
By Tony Starks
The history of Cobbs Creek Golf Course is deeply rooted in the culture of West Philadelphia. Founded in 1916, the same year the PGA of America was born, it was among only a handful of courses in the country that embraced women and people of color as golfers from Day One.
It was the home course for golfing icon Charlie Sifford, who found people from all walks of life playing side by side at Cobbs when he arrived in Philadelphia in 1940 as a 17-year-old from the south. It was the launching pad that propelled him to overcome barriers and find his way to becoming the first African American to play, and win, on the PGA TOUR.
Charlie Sifford become for the first black man to compete and win on the PGA TOUR after the abolishment of the Caucasian-Only Clause in 1961. He honed his game on the fairways of Cobbs Creek as a young man.
Now, on the cusp of a transformative revitalization that promises to uplift the surrounding community with a people-focused mentality, the future of Cobbs Creek is even brighter than its past.
As a hub for PGA of America programming and employment, Cobbs Creek has already fostered a strong relationship with the Philadelphia PGA Section and both are excited about future prospects for partnership.
“The Philadelphia Section and PGA REACH Philadelphia fully embrace Cobbs Creek and the mission of community impact,” says Geoffrey Surrette, PGA, Section Executive Director. “We look forward to collaboration and building on our engagement as the project continues to grow. It will be a wonderful way to impact lives through golf!”
Situated in the heart of West Philly, this immense restoration project has all the right puzzle pieces. The original layout was done by Hugh Wilson, the same architect behind Merion Golf Club. Gil Hanse – in partnership with his right-hand man, Jim Wagner – is restoring the course and has already taken shovels to ground. Tiger Woods is constructing the second-ever TGR Learning Lab through his TGR Foundation. The Learning Lab is a safe and inspiring space that provides youth from underresourced communities access to innovative programs on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), educational enrichment, health and well-being, and career and college readiness. Furthermore, they have the city’s full support, a fact that can’t be overstated.
TGR Learning Lab Summer Science Camp in West Philadelphia.
Behind the scenes, the operation is guided by the dedicated efforts of individuals like Mike O’Neill, Cobbs Creek Foundation Executive Vice President; Cyndi Court, TGR Foundation CEO; and Joe Wilkins, a long-time healthcare executive who recently took a position on the TGR Foundation Board of Governors. This highly ambitious and truly impactful undertaking seeks not only to revitalize a golf course but, more importantly, to establish a nexus for education, golf and community engagement.
“We are excited to be a part of this incredible project as it aligns with our mission and combines Tiger’s passions, supporting youth through education and the game of golf,” says Court. “Through the TGR Learning Lab, we will empower Philadelphia’s youth to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in school and life.”
The TGR Learning Lab will be central to the Cobbs Creek project, providing hands-on learning experiences to inspire students to realize their fullest potential. Through STEAM-based courses, after-school tutoring and immersive real-world career-focused experiences, the Learning Lab seeks to ignite a passion for lifelong learning in youth while helping them prepare for their futures.
Young students in the modern media center at TGR Learning Lab Anaheim.
O’Neill, who also has a background in education, brings a different strength to the project. Joining the Cobbs Creek Foundation after a long-standing career as a top-level administrator at Villanova University, he possesses top-tier fundraising strengths and strong ties to the Philadelphia community. Himself a first-generation high school and college graduate, his experience underscores the vision for Cobbs Creek as more than just a golfing destination. It will be a campus for the community.
“For everyone involved, it represents a beacon of opportunity and access,” says O’Neill, a member of Overbrook Country Club, which employs Philadelphia PGA Section Secretary Eric Kennedy as PGA of America Head Professional. “For under-re sourced communities, I intimately understand the transformative impact of education on individuals and the broader community. Building golf courses is great, building up people is even better.”
The restoration of Cobbs Creek Golf Course transcends the creation of a world-class sporting venue. It encompasses a multifaceted approach that intertwines education, environmental sustainability and economic development to uplift the surrounding communities. Through the creation of wetlands, restoration of waterways and adoption of eco-friendly practices, Cobbs Creek is poised to become self-sufficient with zero city water usage – a rare feat for a municipally owned golf course.
“We are all in the business of building healthy communities. Healthcare researchers have proven that safe, clean and vibrant communities like what we are building at Cobbs Creek, improves the health and wellness of all within a community,” says Joe Wilkins, a healthcare executive and TGR Foundation Board Member. “This is particularly true when it comes to the addition of pleasant green areas and spaces within urban communities. “Healthcare scientists and clinicians have done a vast amount of research on Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. The bottom line is that the body never forgets. It’s proven that when we suffer crises as children, we’re at far greater risk for mental and physical health issues down the road. That’s why the significance of providing safe and nurturing environments like Cobbs Creek, where children can thrive and flourish, is critical for uplifting healthy communities now and into the future.”
The green space throughout the Cobbs Creek campus will not only host the 18-hole Hanse/Wagner restoration Championship Course, but also a nine-hole short course designed by Woods’ TGR Design to introduce newcomers to golf in a welcoming and accessible manner. Additionally, plans include a two-story driving range, a community restaurant and a history and heritage museum, showcasing the rich cultural significance of Cobbs Creek in Philadelphia.
Building on that history, the future of Cobbs Creek is boundless. The Championship Course will be nothing short of spectacular. Having hosted the 1928 U.S. Amateur Public Links, going forward they have aspirations of hosting PGA TOUR events and even major championships. All amenities, including the golf courses and range, will be subject to affordable local pricing for community members, with many additional offers underscored through the philanthropic portals of the operating foundations.
Historical image of Cobbs Creek.
As the project progresses, the support and enthusiasm from the community continues to grow. Town hall meetings and community gatherings serve as platforms for dialogue and collaboration, fostering trust and partnership between project organizers and local residents.
With an estimated goal of $150 million in investment, the Cobbs Creek restoration project represents a substantial commitment to Philadelphia’s future. Already, significant funding has been secured from philanthropists, public sources and corporate sponsors, underscoring the widespread support and belief in the project’s mission.
An undertaking of this magnitude will undoubtedly require great leadership. That’s what inspired the Cobbs Creek Foundation to seek Troon Golf Management as the managing partner for golf operations.
“Cobbs Creek epitomizes a commitment to inclusivity, building on the rich history embodied by Charlie Sifford’s legacy with a forward-looking perspective through the TGR Learning Lab. Troon is proud to serve as the management company and look forward to bringing the vision of the Cobbs Creek Foundation to life,” says PGA of America Golf Professional Kendall Murphy, Director of DEI for Troon. “Beyond the golf course, it stands as a beacon of community engagement, providing a haven for all.
“With a community-first focus, our combined efforts to grow the game and develop a community, along with overlaying industry initiatives like PGA REACH, PGA Jr. League and more, this campus will transcend traditional golf experiences.”
The TGR Learning Lab is projected to be completed in spring 2025, with pre-launch educational programming already taking place at local schools. The driving range is expected to be finished in the summer of 2025, while the entirety of the golf course projects are on pace to be done by the end of 2026.
As construction progresses and the vision materializes, Cobbs Creek is poised to inspire hope and opportunity for generations to come. Marrying a culturally-rich heritage with innovative educational opportunities, this project lays the foundation for a brighter and more connected future for West Philadelphia.
Note: This story first appeared in the July issue of PGA Magazine.
