KemperSports to Manage Colwood Golf Course

9-hole course to serve as cornerstone of restoration project

(NORTHBROOK, Ill.) – KemperSports has been selected to manage Colwood Golf Course in the Cully neighborhood of Portland, Ore. This is KemperSports’ second management contract in the City of Portland as the Northbrook, Ill-based company also manages the City of Portland’s Heron Lakes Golf Course.

Located on the land recently acquired by Portland Parks & Recreation, Colwood Golf Course is being renovated into a much-anticipated 9-hole, par-3 course and natural turf driving range. The Colwood Grill offers ample banquet space for weddings and corporate functions.

Situated amid open parkland and forested and wetland areas that protect the Columbia Slough in Northeast Portland, Colwood Golf Course and the surrounding property are the cornerstone of a long-term restoration project that will reshape the existing landscape into an important public natural area. The plan calls for a wetlands restoration project in order to preserve the natural landscape while focusing on improving water quality – all located within the urban backdrop of Portland.

The Portland non-profit group First Tee will be offering classes for youth in the near future. Portland Public Golf, part of Portland Parks & Recreation, is working with a non-profit partner on hiring local workers from the Cully neighborhood, where the course is located.

“Expanding the game of golf to traditionally underserved communities is exactly what we’ve been envisioning for this property,” says Portland Public Golf Manager John Zoller.  “And from here on, here’s hoping we further these sorts of efforts in conjunction with our valued partners.”

“We are proud to bring a large portion of the Colwood Golf Course and natural area into public ownership, and KemperSports is the right company to manage the course,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “It is land which represents significant environmental and recreational opportunities for the entire City of Portland.”

The Trust for Public Land is the national non-profit that managed the complex deal to transfer Colwood Golf Course to the City of Portland, calling the transfer a “win-win situation.” PP&R will manage more than one-third of the restored land as a natural area, protecting wildlife and water quality, creating a rare opportunity for Portlanders to access nature in the heart of the city.

Significant restoration and enhancement of wetlands and forest will be undertaken by the owner of the industrial portion of the property. 48 acres at the north of the property was rezoned for commercial/industrial use in October 2013.

During the transition, as PP&R finalizes plans for the land in consultation with the local community, we will continue to operate a portion of the property as a 9-hole golf facility with other amenities.  Ultimately, the aim is to give local people close-to-home access to a lifetime of outdoor recreation.  

“We look forward to working with Portland Parks & Recreation on the redevelopment of Colwood Golf Course,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “The 9-hole, par-3 course and driving range currently being developed will be a great amenity for the local community and help us grow the game of golf.”

For more information on Colwood Golf Course and Portland Public Golf, visit http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/63560.