Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation, Friends of Warner Parks, and the Tennessee Golf Foundation are excited to announce the re-opening of Percy Warner Golf Course (PWGC) following a 20-month golf course restoration and enhancement project.
Work on the 87-year-old golf course was completed last fall under the guidance of golf course architect Bruce Hepner and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held in October with famed sports broadcaster Jim Nantz serving as master of ceremonies. The course officially opened for public play on June 30, 2024 following a “Donor Play Day”.
The Percy Warner Golf Course restoration project was paid for entirely with private contributions, many coming from donors who have sentimental ties to the course. Percy Warner opened in 1937 and is Nashville’s second oldest public golf course. It is credited with introducing more people to the game of golf than any other course in Nashville – including 2012 FedExCup champion and nine-time PGA TOUR winner Brandt Snedeker.
The public-private partnership raised $2.5 million for the course renovations and improvements.
“The restoration of the Percy Warner Golf Course stands as a resounding testament to the strength of Nashville’s public-private partnerships, preserving the city’s heritage and propelling the game of golf forward for our community,” said Bond Oman, Co-chair of the PWGC Restoration Committee and Friends of Warner Parks Board Member. “It’s an honor to collaborate closely with our partners at Metro Parks and Recreation and the Tennessee Golf Foundation to bring this project to life.”
Percy Warner Golf Course has remained extremely popular over the decades due to its picturesque setting and golfer-friendly terrain, which makes the nine-hole, par-34 layout easily walkable while still providing a challenge with its tree-lined fairways and undulating greens. Over the past ten years, Percy Warner has averaged 26,813 rounds played annually.
The vision of the restoration project was to create a modern, sustainable course that will inspire a connection to nature and introduce the greater Nashville community to Warner Parks and the game of golf.
The course was closed to public play in November of 2022. Among the improvements made to Percy Warner Golf Course during the closure:
- Installation of a new irrigation system. The previous system was over 50 years old and made of galvanized pipe. Replacing the irrigation with a modern automated system will improve efficiency, improve turf quality and free up vital labor hours.
- Creation of a one-of-a-kind practice area with putting greens, a short game training area, and practice bunkers.
- Replacement of summer and winter putting greens and green surroundings with one modern green complex. The previous greens were originally built in 1937 and feature a double-green system. Replacing those with one green complex on each hole will improve playability, smoothness, consistency and maintenance efficiency.
- Improvement and expansion of tee boxes and bunkers. The previous tee boxes were small and uneven. Expanding and leveling them, as well as creating some new tee boxes, will improve turf quality and playability for all ages and skill levels.
- Restoration and management of golf course woodlands and surrounding landscapes. Modern design features will elevate the aesthetics of the course, not only benefitting the golfers, but also the neighboring community and park visitors.
- Renovation of the clubhouse interior
“This is what can happen when like-minded groups can get together and focus on a problem. It’s not just about golf, it’s about the community, the parks, the beautification of the area….and in our world, the golf world, it’s about the core values of golf. I think the core values of golf are the core values of life,” said Jim Seabury, Chairman of the Tennessee Golf Foundation.
The Tennessee Golf Foundation (TGF) will use its involvement in the project to expand junior golf programming opportunities to Percy Warner, including The First Tee, PGA Junior League and more. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., the TGF impacts more than 40,000 golfers annually state-wide through its various program- ming, with an emphasis on juniors, veterans and the disadvantaged.
“We are so excited to share Percy Warner Golf Course with the community,” said Whit Turnbow, President of the Tennessee Golf Foundation. “Friends of Warner Parks and Metro Parks have been wonderful partners on this project that has garnered national attention. I can’t wait for all of Nashville to see the incredible work Bruce Hepner has done on this historic facility that has impacted countless lives in its nearly 90 year history.”
The course will have the following operating hours this summer: weekdays 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. and weekends 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tee times can be made by calling (615) 352-9958.
