City of Portland turns old Colwood site into first-class practice facility

When Portland’s Colwood National Golf Club closed its doors in 2014, it was feared that another golf course in the Pacific Northwest would be replaced by office buildings or warehouses. But along came the city of Portland to the rescue, buying the site and keeping the golf game in business.

Welcome to the Colwood Golf Center, owned by the city of Portland and managed by KemperSports. The city of Portland spent $5 million to purchase part of the old Colwood property and turned the site into a large practice area and short golf course. Golf still lives at Colwood.

Colwood National had been part of the Portland golf landscape for over 80 years before shutting down in 2014. Many golfers thought the land would be turned into something other than a golf course. They were wrong. The city of Portland stepped in, bought much of the property and kept golf going near the Columbia River.
The city kept the Colwood name and re-named the new site the Colwood Golf Center. They put in a large grass practice teeing area, putting green and short game practice area. In addition, they added a nine-hole short course that opened in April.

It’s a complex that has become popular with Portland golfers right away. The grass practice tees are rare in the area and the short course provides action for both high and low handicap players alike. One big advantage of the course is how quickly golfers can get in a round – a big advantage when the days are short or when time is a challenge.

The city of Portland’s investment in the area is a boon for golfers and for people who enjoy parks because some of the area of the old course will be turned into parkland.

See www.colwoodgolf.com for more.