Maggie Hathaway Golf Course renewal project starts today

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Fore Youth Golf Foundation and American Golf, have announced the groundbreaking of the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course renewal project at 10 a.m. today. When completed, this significantly upgraded course will be the jewel of LA County Parks’ 20 golf courses, the largest municipal golf course system in the United States.
Maggie Hathaway Golf Course, a 12-acre course at 9637 S. Western Ave. will boast a completely renovated Par 3 course by renowned firm Hanse Golf Course Design. This firm, founded by Gil Hanse, are known for their work at the Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles and Rustic Canyon
Golf Course in Moorpark, as well as many notable national and international renovation and restoration projects.
In addition to this Maggie Hathaway premier course upgrade, there are other significant improvements. The existing driving range will be reimagined from 10 to 18 stalls as well as be reversed to be more accessible, along with enhanced practice areas for putting and chipping. A new building will be constructed that will include a clubhouse, offices, community room, and a public art exhibit that will retell the history of Maggie Hathaway and the course. These much-needed improvements will be enhanced by sustainability elements such as water-saving turf varieties, a new computer-controlled irrigation system linked to an onsite weather station, and new trees and greenery.
The course and driving range are expected to reopen at the end of 2025. The clubhouse building, entrance and perimeter enhancements are projected to start construction in late 2025 with an expected completion by late 2026. The entire project cost is estimated at $15.2 million.
On Oct. 8, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an investment of $7.8 million from the 2024-2025 Supplemental Budget for the Maggie Hathaway Renewal Project. To date, the Fore Youth Golf Foundation has raised more than $10 million and continues to raise funds.
“Our South LA community is excited to see the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course revitalized for future generations to continue to enjoy,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “Maggie Hathaway fought against segregation and expanded access to the sport of golf for Black residents and other underrepresented communities.” This multi-million-dollar investment will provide necessary infrastructure enhancements for our local communities to fully enjoy the course and programming for their health and well-being. Thank you to the County’s Parks Department and our partners at the Fore Youth Golf Foundation and American Golf for upholding Maggie Hathaway’s legacy and helping to transform this community gem.
“After the course opened in 1962, there were very few improvements while the neighborhood’s need for outdoor recreation continued to grow. This $15 million golf project in South Los Angeles represents LA County’s goal of diversifying and growing the sport of golf, especially among communities of color, women and girls,” said Norma E. García-González, director of Los Angeles County Parks. “The new Gil Hanse design will be beautiful, world-class and challenging. I anticipate it will be on the radar of golfers nationwide. It’s important to LA County Parks that when children in our youth golf programs step on the fairway, they feel they are getting a premier golf experience. I want them to feel valued by their community. And I think we will accomplish that here.”
“The Maggie Hathaway Golf Course renovation represents an extraordinary effort to build community and enrich our young people via golf and public/private partnership,” shared Fred Terrell, Co-Chairman of the LACC 2023 US Open Legacy Committee and Vice Chairman of Investment Banking at Wells Fargo.
Paul Ballam, senior vice president of American Golf, the course’s operator, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Fore Youth Golf Foundation on the much-anticipated renovation of this cherished community golf course. Together, we embrace Maggie Hathaway’s vision of creating a welcoming space that enhances the physical and emotional well-being of community members.
“This project offers a unique chance to profoundly impact the youth of the Second District. By providing a completely renovated, dedicated space to learn, practice and play the game of golf, collectively we empower our youth to build essential life skills through golf in an engaging community setting. This important community parkland will be overseen by our dedicated agronomy professionals who will steward environmentally responsible practices that will provide an attractive golf experience and preserve the diverse habitats for native plants and wildlife, ensuring a healthier community for generations to come.”