A Philadelphia golf course is working to reclaim its historic role as a force for opportunity and inclusion. The Philadelphia region has hosted major championships at clubs like Merion and Aronimink, but its greatest contribution to the game may have come from a public course in West Philadelphia: Cobbs Creek Golf Club.
A History of Inclusion
Opened in 1916, Cobbs Creek welcomed golfers of all backgrounds. Women could play before they could vote, and there was no segregation at the course, unlike many others at the time. Hall of Famer Charlie Sifford, who broke golf's color barrier in 1961, honed his skills there and called it home.
Sifford's success helped spark support for the Cobbs Creek Foundation's restoration of the 350-acre property. A major boost came from Tiger Woods, who credits Sifford as a mentor and named his son after him.
Tiger Woods and the TGR Learning Lab
Woods opened his foundation's second TGR Learning Lab at Cobbs Creek in 2025, offering educational and golf-related activities for youth. “Coming here, to a place he played, he grew up, he called home… to be able to build something. A home, a safe place, innovation,” Woods said. “I didn’t start the foundation to produce golfers. I started it to produce the greatest humans possible.”
The lab includes a junior putting green funded by Jordan Spieth's foundation, a 68-bay driving range, and a short course designed by Woods' company. Spieth noted, “The accessibility for anybody, of any age, to come. Do golf however you want to do golf.”
Restoration and Future Plans
The grand plan is to restore the championship course to the original design by Hugh Wilson, who also designed Merion. The rebuild has been challenging due to flooding and decades of disrepair, leading to closure in 2020. The hope is to eventually host a PGA Tour event. “We knew we were going to restore this golf course for the good of the public,” said COO Enrique Hervada. “Golf is very exclusive. This is extremely inclusive. Everybody is welcome here. It was always that way.”
Cobbs Creek was established to serve those unable to play at private clubs. It hosted the USGA Amateur Public Links in 1928 and the Negro National Open in 1947. It became one of few courses in the National Black Golf Hall of Fame in 2021. The renovation costs $180 million, with architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner leading the work. Drainage issues have been addressed, and plans include restoring three miles of creek and creating over 20 acres of wetlands.
Educational Impact
The 30,000-square-foot TGR Learning Lab serves grades 1-12 with STEAM programs. Executive Director Meredith Foote said, “We exist to open up doors and opportunities. When the right doors to educational enrichment open, there is no limit for our students.” Student Corrine Schultz, 18, joined a robotics team at the lab and plans to give back. “The legacy of this program is the kids who find their passion and go on to do amazing things,” Foote added.
