The First Tee of Northern Nevada has hired architect Brian Curley to completely rethink the site of the former Wildcreek Golf Course in Sparks, just outside Reno. The $16 million project will see the former 27-hole facility converted to include an entirely new full-sized, nine-hole course plus a nine-hole, par-3 course and a three-tier practice facility.
Wildcreek had an 18-hole main course and a par-3 course. Ownership of the facility was transferred from Washoe County to The First Tee of Northern Nevada in 2021 as part of a larger deal that saw a new high school built on the site of the 18-hole course. The sale of the land for Hug High School to the school district helped fund the planned Curley renovation. The First Tee of Northern Nevada is one of few such organizations to own and operate its own course in the U.S.
“The main nine-hole course will be entirely new, meandering over previous golf terrain recaptured and designed for this overall project theme,” Curley, one of the founders of Curley-Wagner Golf Design, said in a media release announcing the project. “On the nine-hole, par-3 course, we are not changing a great deal in order to keep costs down – most notably saving all the greens – while the new driving range will be built on top of two of the former golf holes.
“There will be an emphasis on playability for all levels from young beginners to seniors, and we will be laser focused on sustainable maintenance to keep greens fees low. From an overall design point of view, our intent is to provide ample turf within an environment that ultimately transitions to native areas of slope and grasses. Incorporating a natural look and theme while still catering to all levels of play is front and center to our efforts. My hope is for a stunningly crafted course that incorporates a natural character and walkability in an environment of massive views of the valley.”
The two nine-hole courses will be Phase 1 of the project, and Curley said they could open before the end of 2025. Following will be the construction of the practice facility – which will be built from repurposed storage containers – as part of a Phase 2 that includes a learning center and refurbishment of the clubhouse.
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