Join us in transforming our historic 350 acres into a campus of opportunity for a city, a neighborhood, and a game.
How are we changing the game?
Cobbs Creek, opened in 1916 as a trailblazing golf course for all, will soon become a campus of opportunity through a visionary $180-million project that is attracting philanthropic investment and partnerships.
Join us in supporting the Cobbs Creek Foundation as we create a self-sustaining model making golf a conduit for social impact. We will keep world-class golf accessible, and the revenue stream generated from 36 holes and a best-in-class driving range will provide ongoing support for the Cobbs Creek Campus and its wealth of free programming serving our community.
Our vision has inspired investment from across our community and far beyond, as this ambitious work is gaining increasing national attention. The latest example is a new docuseries on the Golf Channel and Golf Pass. The first installment, “Cobbs Creek Rising: Headwaters to Horizons,” previewed below, premiered on June 17.
What can I do?
We are welcoming philanthropic partners at every level committed to supporting our vision for the Cobbs Creek Campus and this $180 million campaign. Reach out to Gail Hoeflich to set up a conversation.
A phased approach
To ensure responsible management and implementation, this work is thoughtfully divided into two overlapping phases.
We chose not to launch Phase 2 until we raised 70% of funding to ensure fiscal discipline. With a team of seasoned experts leading the effort, we are well-positioned to deliver on both our financial goals and project timeline.
This year marks a pivotal moment in our progress—with the opening of the Smilow | Woodland TGR Learning Lab, dedicated to community-centered education, and Lincoln Financial Center, our driving range complex that welcome become the heart and economic engine of the campus.
Phase 1: July 2023 - April 2027
$110 million
Smilow | Woodland TGR Learning Lab (opened April 2025)
Short Course (opening Fall 2025)
Driving Range Complex - named Lincoln Financial Center (restaurant, community space, retail, Heritage Center; opening Fall 2025)
Reservoir (opened Spring 2024)
Creek Restoration (began May 2025, will be completed spring 2027)
Phase 2: Beginning April 2025
$70 million
18-hole Olde Course (began summer 2025, opening 2027)
Maintenance Facility
Cart Barn
Clubhouse
Karakung Course (opening 2028)
Our new campus
Between now and fall 2027, the Cobbs Creek Campus, propelled by philanthropy and partnerships, will come alive.
The Reservoir, a key component of our commitment to sustainability and smart management of resources, opened in Spring 2024.
A
In May 2025, we began restoring three miles of creek and adding more than 25 acres of wetlands.
B
The heart of Campus, the Smilow|Woodland TGR Learning Lab, is open, bringing some 4,500 students in grades 1–12 and their families here for STEAM, career readiness, and college access programs.
C
Our two-tier Driving Range Complex, named Lincoln Financial Center, will have Top-Tracer technology and will open by fall 2025. Soon after, the Heritage Center, a Restaurant, and Event Space will follow, all inside this building.
D
TGR-designed short course and its Jordan B. Spieth Practice Green will open by fall 2025.
E
The Clubhouse (right) and Halfway House will anchor the Olde Course, open for golf in 2027.
F
A SEPTA bus stop on Lansdowne Avenue, combined with the nearby 69th Street Transportation Center, will ensure easier access to Campus.
G
Karakung will be transformed into a 9-hole course by 2028.
H
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your generous support of the Cobbs Creek Foundation. Your early leadership and belief in our mission have been instrumental in reaching this pivotal moment—completing the first building on campus, preparing to open our state-of-the-art driving range and practice facility at the heart of the campus in fall 2025, and surpassing $111 million in fundraising to date.
Our work is far from finished. To bring this vision fully to life, we must continue to rally dedicated and inspired benefactors who share our belief in the power of education and access. With your continued partnership, we can ensure that the Cobbs Creek vision becomes a reality.
On April 1, we proudly opened the Smilow| Woodland TGR Learning Lab. Already, it has begun making a meaningful impact with programs that will ultimately reach an estimated 4,500 young people annually across grades 1 through 12. Through scholarships, mentoring, and robust educational resources, the Lab is designed to improve outcomes and open pathways for underserved Philadelphia youth.
Beyond education, the Cobbs Creek Campus represents an economic revitalization of 350 acres. Once completed, the campus is projected to generate hundreds of jobs, welcome over 285,000 visitors each year, and contribute millions to the regional economy. This bold initiative will re-establish Cobbs Creek Golf Course as a Philadelphia icon and stand as a symbol of the inclusive future we are building together.
Your generosity can continue to propel this visionary project forward as part of our $180 million comprehensive campaign, Change the Game. Together, we can deliver not only a world-class golf experience, but a powerful educational platform that levels the playing field for young people from under-resourced communities.
Sincerely,
JEFF SHANAHAN, President
CHRIS MAGUIRE, Chairman of the Board
Remarkable progress
Cobbs Creek Foundation has been thinking big since the start. Since breaking ground in 2023, Don Dissinger, our Project Development Director, has worked alongside construction management to expand our plans to include a state-of-the-art driving range facility—now known as Lincoln Financial Center—with a restaurant, pro shop and Heritage Center, a larger Smilow|Woodland TGR Learning Lab, a nine-hole short course, and much more. We have also looked for opportunities to emphasize environmental stewardship of our 350 acres by undertaking the largest-ever urban creek restoration and adding more than 25 acres of flood-plain wetlands. We are fulfilling this expansive vision and mission through our $180 million Change the Game campaign.
In April, we opened 30,000 square feet of education space—and the response was immediate and extraordinary. Classes and field trips are offered every weekday, with forensic science and makerspace among the most popular subjects. We anticipate full enrollment for the summer programming and surpassing our goals for the number of students served.
The state-of-the-art facility features seven classrooms, a multipurpose community room, a makerspace, music and podcast studios, and a golf simulator.
Just off the back patio, a junior putting experience generously sponsored by the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation offers students an accessible introduction to the game of golf. Beyond the Lab’s backyard sits the nine-hole, USGA-rated short course, designed under the vision of Tiger Woods, which will open to the public in fall 2025.
Smilow | Woodland TGR Learning Lab
Support continues to grow from individuals, corporations, and public officials. As of June 2025, the Cobbs Creek Foundation has received more than $11 million in public funding, and we recently welcomed Mayor Cherelle Parker to tour the Smilow|Woodland TGR Learning Lab and the campus in progress.
Public Leadership out in Front
The Driving Range Complex
Sponsored by Lincoln Financial, the Driving Range Complex under construction and expected to open in Fall 2025. In addition to 68 driving range bays, the building will feature a restaurant, event space, retail shop, and our Heritage Center. Envisioned as the heart of campus and economic engine of Cobbs Creek’s self-sustaining model, this facility will play a vital role in sustaining and growing educational and community-focused programs across the campus.
As our campus takes shape, the Foundation has thoughtfully prioritized named giving opportunities to recognize transformational support. Each opportunity allows a donor, family, or company to create a legacy while investing in education, community, and championship-level golf.
We welcome conversations around any of the opportunities for meaningful recognition listed here, as well as those organized under initiatives, such as THE 18 (name an Olde Course hole) and Legacy Builders (recognizing construction partners making game-changing in-kind gifts).
Named giving opportunities
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Driving Range Complex – Lincoln Financial (Confirmed)
East Campus, $15,000,000 – Available
West Campus, $15,000,000 – Available
Heritage Center, $3,000,000 – Available
Driving Range Bay, $100,000 – Available
-
Maintenance Facility, $3,000,000 – Available
Halfway House, $1,000,000 – Available
First Hole Practice Green, $1,000,000 – Fox Family (Confirmed)
Olde Course Holes, $1,000,000 each - 2 Holes (Confirmed), 16 Available
Bridges / Tunnels, $500,000 each – Available
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Learning Lab Building, $20,000,000 – Smilow Foundation (Confirmed), Woodland Family (Confirmed)
Multi-Purpose Room, $2,000,000 – Available
6 Classrooms, $1,000,000 each – Connelly Foundation (Confirmed), 5 Available
Golf Simulator Room, $1,000,000 – Available
Wellness Room, $1,000,000 – Available
Podcast Room, $1,000,000 – Available
Student Lounge, $500,000 – Available
Youth Putting Green, $250,000 – Jordan Spieth Family Foundation (Confirmed)
“Supporting this project means investing in a brighter future for everyone involved, especially our children and families.”
DR. STACY PHILLIPS, CEO, West Philadelphia
Achievement Charter Elementary School
285,000
anticipated golfers and visitors who will use our Campus annually
30,000
square feet of opportunities for the entire community in the TGR Learning Lab
4,500
students every year in grades 1-12 will be connected to brighter futures on the Cobbs Creek Campus
Campaign fundraising
In a city known for firsts, an extraordinary combination of public and private partnerships and investments are bringing to life this self-sustaining, revolutionary model, which will put us out in front again.
“Just like my dad, I admire the legacy Tiger Woods is creating for young golfers of color. He is following in Charlie Sifford’s footsteps and changing the game for generations to come.”
CHARLIE SIFFORD JR.
With the Campaign for Cobbs Creek, the game of golf, which has always offered its share of rewards, challenges, and lasting lessons, now has the capacity to change lives, land, and legacy—for good.
$10+ million
projected annual revenue, all reinvested in programs and community
137 FTE jobs
in addition to 650 FTE jobs during construction
$50+ million
in economic impact from a future professional golf event
We are proud that Change the Game has attracted a number of high-profile partnerships, and we look forward to adding to this infrastructure of support and collaboration.
Our Foundation and this campaign benefit immeasurably from the leadership of a dedicated cadre of Philadelphia-area leaders and innovators.
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Christopher Maguire, Chairman
William Smilow, Vice Chair
Chris Lange, Sr., Founding CEO
Jeffrey Shanahan, President
James Woodland, Vice President
Chris Dodson, Secretary
Jason Ray, Treasurer
Russ Ball
William Boonn
James Bradbeer
Amara Briggs
Steve Davison
Caroline De Marco
Michele Dowell
Harold Epps
Michael Forman
Christopher Franklin
Thomas Gravina
Terrence Griffith
Reginald Johnson
Steve Kelly
Fran Van Kirk
Chris Lange, Jr.
Kevin Lucey
James Maguire
Deborah Maine
Michael McDermott
Chris Neczypor
Megan Maguire Nicoletti
Charles Pizzi
Andy Pyfer
Marjorie Rendell
William Sasso
Judith von Seldeneck
Oscar Turner
Matthew Tewksbury
Cyrus Walker
Stanley Woodland -
Jeffrey Shanahan, President
Enrique Hervada, Chief Operating Officer
Chuck Bernicker, Chief Financial Officer
Don Dissinger, Project Development Director
Erin Cook, Senior Vice President
Gail Hoeflich, Vice President
Colby Roberts, Director of Development and Communications
Bob Higgins, Financial Controller
Chris Parker, General Manager
Ben Dewan, Golf Course Superintendent
Patrick Andrews, Old Course Superintendent
Frank C. Riehl, Director of Security and Buildings
Robert Dennison, IT Director