Cleveland Selects Foundation to Manage Highland Park GC

Foundation Will Contract with Troon Golf for Day-to-Day Operations

After a competitive RFP process, the City of Cleveland has selected the Highland Park Golf Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, as the top pick to lead the revitalization, operations, and management of Highland Park Golf Course. The City plans to introduce legislation to enter into a Qualified Management Agreement with the Foundation on January 23.

The City received six proposals in response to its September 2022 request for proposals. The selection committee chose the Highland Park Golf Foundation proposal for its not-for-profit mission and for its vision for the Highland Park Golf Course.

In a similar model to Washington D.C.’s successful National Links Trust, the Highland Park Golf Foundation team has created a 501c3 consisting of local leaders, many of whom are regular golfers at Highland Park. The Foundation’s plan honors the course’s heritage and legacy, maintains its historic 36 holes, and incorporates a commitment to Cleveland residents to maintain and expand affordable access to golf.

In turn, the Highland Park Golf Foundation intends to contract with Troon, a course operator that manages over 750 courses worldwide and 140 municipal courses in the U.S.

The Highland Park Golf Foundation proposal included a 5-year timeline to make course and clubhouse improvements, build a driving range, construct a chipping and putting center, become certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, and host a dedication ceremony of the revitalized course by its 100th year celebration in 2028. This plan involves minimal interruption to course play through improvements.