A historic Donald Ross-designed golf course at one of the nation’s largest military installations is set to close at the end of September, ending nearly 80 years of golf at the facility.
Stryker Golf Course at Fort Bragg in North Carolina has been a recreational destination for military personnel and their families since opening in 1946. But declining play and the rising cost of maintaining the 18-hole course have led officials to determine that it is no longer financially sustainable.
According to ABC affiliate WTVD, Stryker Golf Course will close at the end of the month.
The course is located outside Fort Bragg’s gates at the end of Bragg Boulevard, across from the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds.
Jennifer Hodges, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), which oversees Fort Bragg’s two golf courses, said the decision to close Stryker was difficult but ultimately came down to finances.
“What it comes down to is the financial sustainability. Unfortunately, we’re not able to financially sustain two courses,” Hodges told WTVD.
Stryker costs approximately $750,000 a year to maintain, while declining attendance has reduced revenue and made it increasingly difficult to justify keeping the course open.
Hodges said Fort Bragg officials explored ways to increase participation before deciding to close the facility.
“Before we repurpose or close any type of activity, we make sure we exhaust every avenue first — the marketing campaign to drive foot traffic,” she said.
Stryker is not the only recreational facility at Fort Bragg to face cuts in recent years. Several bowling alleys and other amenities have also closed as the installation works to balance recreational offerings with budget constraints.
The future of the Stryker property has been the subject of discussion for several years.
In 2024, Cumberland County commissioners voted against a proposal to move a high school to the Stryker site. Fort Bragg officials, however, continued exploring potential uses for the property.
At the time, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. Chad Mixon said the installation was considering transforming the site into what could be called the Stryker Entertainment Complex.
“There’s going to be room for investment from Fort Bragg, but also we’re working with local civic leaders as well as the state and federal funding,” Mixon said.
The closure will leave Fort Bragg with one remaining golf course: Ryder Golf Course, located on Normandy Drive on the installation, approximately five miles from Stryker.
For golfers who have played Stryker over the decades, the closure represents the end of a course with a significant history — and the loss of another Donald Ross-designed layout.
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