The restoration project at Wildcreek Golf Course is in full swing with Sparks’ longtime course set to reopen to the public soon.
After acquiring Wildcreek in July 2022, the First Tee of Northern Nevada announced plans for a $16-million renovation to make it the non-profit’s home base while also serving as an affordable place for public golf. A ceremonial groundbreaking for phase one of the project was held in January.
“It’s been amazing just to watch how it went from all dirt to this incredible green scenery now,” said Chris Dewar-Mazzaferri, executive director of the First Tee. “All the greens are amazing and just being able to play this is going to be phenomenal.”
The existing nine-hole, par-3 course has undergone a makeover in the form of reseeded fairways and greens, a new cart path and the filling of long-empty water hazards. Dewar says it could be ready as early as this motnh. The first phase of the project also includes a new driving range and the creation of a nine-hole championship course on the leftover land following the building of Hug High School. Previously, only six holes remained on the property.
Brian Curley of Curley-Wagner Golf Design has been tasked with transforming Wildcreek’s new championship course. Curley and the project have been featured on a few national publications such as Golf Course Industry, Golf Course Architecture and Golfweek.
“We put in brand new cart paths,” Dewar said. “We saved all the greens, and then we ended up putting all new bunkers in. For the first time in 40 years, there’s actually water in the ponds. This is not only going to be an amazing place for all of our youth in our community, but a place where the whole community can get involved here and come and just have a great time. Get outdoors, put your phones down and have some fun.”
While the modernized Wildcreek will bring new life to public golf in Northern Nevada, it will also elevate the First Tee’s efforts as the non-profit’s official home. The organization, which teaches area youth valuable life skills through golf, had previously operated at multiple area courses depending on availability.
Dewar says the First Tee’s acquisition and revitalization of Wildcreek will greatly increase the non-profit’s impact in the region.
“It feels like a huge accomplishment,” Dewar said. “We are so excited to be able to serve more kids in this community. Reno’s growing leaps and bounds, and there’s a ton of kids that don’t have this chance to be involved in our organization. So we’re opening that up.”
The First Tee is still raising funds to complete the massive project. While phase one focuses solely on the grounds themselves, phase two will address the course’s buildings, including the construction of a three-level structure on the driving range, new offices and space for the First Tee plus renovations to the clubhouse, restaurant and bar.
“There is a huge call to action,” Dewar said. “This is a huge undertaking for First Tee. We’ve made it this far, and we’re going to finish this project. But we do need the community’s help. Anybody that is interested in helping us with this, we’d love to have you on board on our team.”
To learn more on the restoration efforts and how you can support them, head to wildcreekgolf.org.
Watch our update from Wildcreek Golf Course below.
