This Goose is Finally Cooked

For as long as I can remember there have been whispers about Goose Creek Golf Club being turned into a housing community. During my 12 years as the golf professional at Westpark Golf Club I think it changed hands 4 times. Every time a new group bought the course we thought it would be the end.

Those rumors turned to reality last month as the Board of Supervisors voted 6-3 to allow Kettler, the developer of the Village at Leesburg and owner of the course, to rezone the 110.8 acre property. Nine holes will be eliminated and in its’ place will be 158 residential units. In addition to the 125 townhomes and 33 single family homes (the builder has yet to be named) there will be a 132 room hotel, 6,000 square foot restaurant, and 36,000 square feet of retail space. A new bridge crossing Tuscarora Creek at Cochran Mill Road and a full sized athletic field with parking were the key parts of the proffer package. Kettler will also be footing the bill to enhance and expand the Keep Loudoun Beautiful Park located on site.

As far as the course is concerned 9 holes will be redesigned and a new practice facility created. According to the plans it does not appear as though a new clubhouse will be built. Some existing holes appear to remain in place and as we write this there is no indication as to whether or not the course will close for the redesign. I’ve only played the course once and part of me is sad to see it change. There aren’t many courses that have been around since the 1950’s and we are losing a little history. The fact that Ben Hogan played the course, let alone held the course record of 59, was enough to make it special.

Kettler spokesperson Coco Lyons informed us they are in the very beginning stages of planning the development. As of today there is no time frame for construction and a phasing plan has yet to be established. We are on the short list for updates so stay tuned.

Cheers,
Mike