Foxburg CC plans restoration project
FOXBURG — In existence since 1887, Foxburg Golf Course holds the distinction of being the longest continually running golf facility in the country.
That streak won’t be ending anytime soon.
The Foxburg Golf Preservation, Inc., has announced a preservation and restoration project for the course that will involve raising $1 million in donations toward that effort. The organization has hired Ron Forse of Forse Design, Inc., to prepare architectural plans to update the course while retaining its Victorian roots.
“They specialize in Victorian golf courses,” Bruce Whitehair, vice president of Foxburg Golf Preservation, Inc., said. “That’s what this course is known for. That’s what we are and what we’ll continue to be.”
From 2006 through 2025, 11 golf courses hosting USGA national championships have been significantly renovated or restored by Forge Design. The organization also worked on a Victorian golf course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., recently.
“We’re taking a look at the work they did there,” said Andy Rapp, president of Foxburg Golf Preservation, Inc. “We are one of only four Victorian courses in the country, so we’re interested in that restoration of the Saratoga Springs facility.”
Because the Foxburg region’s population and financial resources have gradually declined in recent decades, Foxburg Country Club has not been able to sustain consistent investment in the course’s historic original design, infrastructure, equipment and maintenance, the facility stated in a news release.
The golf course has been maintained in recent years by “hard-working legacy members,” Rapp said.
But those membership numbers are on the decline as well.
“They’re just not as active as they used to be,” Rapp said. “Many have gotten older, they’ve retired or simply can’t golf anymore.”
Rapp estimates the overall timetable for the Foxburg restoration project to be two to five years. A design committee will be formed and “Mr. Forse is going to teach us,” he said.
Forse expects to oversee the restoration of several greens, tee boxes, bunkers, sand traps and fairways, along with additional historic architectural features on the nine-hole course’s 40-acre playing surface.
“After 135 years, this course has tradition, culture, heritage. a sense of pride that will always be here,” Rapp said. “It just needs upgraded.”
As part of the fundraising effort, Foxburg Golf Preservation board director Gary Whittington and former FCC board member Jeff Carr have announced a $100,000 challenge match to encourage donations. The Carr-Whittington Challenge will match gifts greater than $1,000. Carr and Whittington now live in Texas.
“We have a number of former board members who have since left the area who still care very deeply for this facility,” Whitehair said.
Foxburg Country Club will play host to the National Hickory Championship June 2-4 of this year. Though the course has hosted hickory stick golf events before, this is the first time the national championship will be played there.
“We want this to be two courses in one,” Rapp said. “good for the modern-day golfer and the hickory player. This restoration effort will accomplish that.”
Contributions to the project may be made by contacting the organization by email at contact@1887project.org or by writing to the The Foxburg Golf Preservation, Inc., The 1887 Project, PO Box 326, Foxburg, Pa., 16036.
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