The first tee at Lake Redding Golf Course.

Lake Redding Golf Course in Redding, California, is expected to close at the end of October as the landowner, the McConnell Foundation, takes time to evaluate the future of golf there.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, McConnell announced the closure, which is expected to last about a year.

“The Foundation has independently elected to explore the design and development of a new golf-related amenity,” McConnell said in a news release.

The decision comes a little over two years after a new operator took over the city’s oldest public golf course. California Sporting Co. assumed management of the course in July 2023.

Shannon Phillips, chief operating officer for the McConnell Foundation, said its lease with California Sporting Co. will end as the course is closed to facilitate a reevaluation of the operation.

Phillips said Chad New and California Sporting Co. brought passion and energy to the operation and made improvements, but the two sides came to an amicable agreement to end the lease.

Lake Redding Golf Course is expected to close on Oct. 31, Phillips said.

The foundation will spend the winter and into next year examining every aspect of the operation, from a possible redesign of the course and changes to the driving range and clubhouse, to potentially introducing new technology and even considering the addition of a miniature golf course to attract more families.

“Realistically, we would love to be able to by next summer at least share with the public what is coming,” Phillips said.

Over the past nine months, Phillips said the foundation learned that the irrigation system at the golf course was no longer working after many years of service.

“It became clear to the operator and the McConnell Foundation that the infrastructure needed for the property needed to be (upgraded)” and that was going to require a significant investment, Phillips said.

She said the golf course’s location, across the street from Caldwell Park, near downtown and Turtle Bay Exploration Park, is ideal.

“We really want to take some time and reimagine what the golf course could be next,” Phillips said.

In the news release, McConnell Foundation CEO John Mancasola said “Lake Redding’s Golf Course’s central and scenic location is worthy of spending time and money to redevelop into a more relevant golfing and recreational experience.”

Whatever the foundation does, Phillips said the golf course isn’t going away.

“Our intent, and this is our honest intent, is to have Lake Redding Golf Course retain the golf experience for the public. The golf experience may look different, but you are going to be able to go out there with a golf club and you are going to play golf,” Phillips said.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: California municipal golf course closing for a year. What's next for the property?

Reporting by David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight

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