Tucked into a corner of one of America’s greatest urban parks, hard by the Pacific Ocean, in the shadow of San Francisco’s celebrated windmills, the Golden Gate Park Golf Course has been a treasured local secret since 1951. The par-3 course is a community gathering place and portal into the game for many beginners. Now, under the stewardship of the First Tee – San Francisco and the city’s Parks and Rec Dept., the course is being reimagined.

Golden Gate Park GC has been shuttered since March for significant maintenance work. Thanks to the generosity of several First Tee – SF supporters, the $2.5 million project includes a new state-of-the-art irrigation system and an improved environmental and agronomic footprint (less water, less mowing). Course architect Jay Blasi (below, middle) is enhancing playability with more teeing areas while making the expanded greens more fun and interesting. With the course situated only a couple of blocks from the beach, Blasi has restored several native sand areas to improve drainage and reduce maintenance costs while amplifying GGP’s sense of place. “As an architect, you dream of finding a site like this with rolling dunes and beautiful cypress trees,” says Blasi. “We think this can be one of the best par-3 courses in the country, but golfers won’t have to travel to an expensive, far-flung destination—it’s right here in the heart of a great city.”

The First Tee – San Francisco has operated GGP since 2013 as a key program site for underserved youth. The course renovation is part of a new long-term operating lease, securing an important program location for up to 15 years. Just as Sandy Tatum revived nearby Harding Park, the First Tee is giving a tired course a much-needed makeover at no cost to the city or its residents. “It’s a huge win for the community,” says Dan Burke (above, right), the CEO of FTSF. “The spirit of Sandy Tatum lives on as we’re investing in a golf course that everyone will be able to enjoy, particularly the First Tee kids.”

The project is being overseen by Josh Lewis, the former superintendent at Chambers Bay who is now a partner at Gradoville and Hertzing Management Group. Lewis (above, left) is managing the grow-in of the fine fescue turf and will be collaborating with city workers on a long-term maintenance program to ensure optimal playability. 

Here at the Fire Pit Collective, we have been documenting the work on GGP since March. Plenty of content is to come, but for now the grass, and anticipation, continues to grow. “We can’t wait for the golf world to discover this place,” says Blasi. “It’s rare to be able to give everyday golfers a world-class experience that is inexpensive and accessible. We think this is going to be the kind of course where people fall in love with the game.”