Home General Before and after photos show how dead golf courses are being transformed into housing, parks, and flood protection systems

Before and after photos show how dead golf courses are being transformed into housing, parks, and flood protection systems

by kenya-tribune
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Golf is steadily losing players. When the Sports & Fitness Industry Association released data on the number of players in 2015, it showed the sport’s lowest point in recent memory.

More than 800 golf courses have closed across the United States in the past decade, and millennials don’t appear to be as interested in the sport as generations past.

Shifts in work culture and the economy are partly responsible for this decline in popularity, as more people are working long hours and no longer have as much time to invest in golf.

But there’s an upside to these closures: lots and lots of new space for developers.

Former golf courses are now being turned into residential areas, industrial spaces, parks, and detention ponds. Take a look at a few of the ongoing projects below.

The Apple Ridge Country Club, which was formerly an apple orchard, opened its doors in 1966.


The Apple Ridge Country Club, which was formerly an apple orchard, opened its doors in 1966.play

The Apple Ridge Country Club, which was formerly an apple orchard, opened its doors in 1966.

(Sarah Jacobs)

Located in Mahwah, New Jersey, the club was a popular gathering place for the surrounding community. The 108-acre property included an 18-hole golf course, a swimming pool, and tennis courts.

Apple Ridge closed in late 2015. Last year, it was being treated for lead and arsenic contamination in the soil.


Apple Ridge closed in late 2015. Last year, it was being treated for lead and arsenic contamination in the soil.play

Apple Ridge closed in late 2015. Last year, it was being treated for lead and arsenic contamination in the soil.

(Sarah Jacobs)

The country club was left uncared for after it officially closed.


The country club was left uncared for after it officially closed.play

The country club was left uncared for after it officially closed.

(Sarah Jacobs)

Curtains remained hanging inside, and vandals degraded the property, breaking windows and covering the walls with graffiti.

In this photo from May 2017, a water fountain outside the country club is empty.


In this photo from May 2017, a water fountain outside the country club is empty.play

In this photo from May 2017, a water fountain outside the country club is empty.

(Sarah Jacobs)

But in the past three years, developers have built nearly 80 upscale homes on the 108-acre property.


But in the past three years, developers have built nearly 80 upscale homes on the 108-acre property.play

But in the past three years, developers have built nearly 80 upscale homes on the 108-acre property.

(Toll Brothers)

Andrea Mack, a spokesperson for developer Toll Brothers, told Business Insider that two separate neighborhoods are being built on the land.


Andrea Mack, a spokesperson for developer Toll Brothers, told Business Insider that two separate neighborhoods are being built on the land.play

Andrea Mack, a spokesperson for developer Toll Brothers, told Business Insider that two separate neighborhoods are being built on the land.

(Toll Brothers)

One of them, Orchard Ridge at Mahwah, includes 34 homes.


One of them, Orchard Ridge at Mahwah, includes 34 homes.play

One of them, Orchard Ridge at Mahwah, includes 34 homes.

(Toll Brothers)

The other development, Preserve at Upper Saddle River, has 44 sites.


The other development, Preserve at Upper Saddle River, has 44 sites.play

The other development, Preserve at Upper Saddle River, has 44 sites.

(Toll Brothers)

Both Upper Saddle River and Orchard Ridge at Mahwah are in a relatively convenient location for New York City commuters.


Both Upper Saddle River and Orchard Ridge at Mahwah are in a relatively convenient location for New York City commuters.play

Both Upper Saddle River and Orchard Ridge at Mahwah are in a relatively convenient location for New York City commuters.

(Toll Brothers)

Each of the new developments is located on a 36,000-square-foot plot.


Each of the new developments is located on a 36,000-square-foot plot.play

Each of the new developments is located on a 36,000-square-foot plot.

(Toll Brothers)

Beyond residential units, some developers have decided to turn former golf courses into detention ponds.


Friends reunite in the middle of a flooded intersection as water continues to rise in their neighborhood following Hurricane Harvey on August 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas.play

Friends reunite in the middle of a flooded intersection as water continues to rise in their neighborhood following Hurricane Harvey on August 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

(Getty Images)

When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston last year, it destroyed between 30,000 to 40,000 homes, damaged power lines for thousands of residents, and waterlogged roughly 500,000 cars.

Scientists say climate change will keep making storms like Harvey more destructive, so flood-prone areas like Houston are looking for ways to reduce future impacts.

In Clear Lake City, which is about 20 miles outside of downtown Houston, the water authority is turning a former golf course into detention ponds that can reduce flooding.


In Clear Lake City, which is about 20 miles outside of downtown Houston, the water authority is turning a former golf course into detention ponds that can reduce flooding.play

In Clear Lake City, which is about 20 miles outside of downtown Houston, the water authority is turning a former golf course into detention ponds that can reduce flooding.

(Jerry Hamby/Exploration Green)

Four of the ponds were not yet built when Harvey devastated the city, and the fifth one was only 80% complete. Still, that pond kept about 100 million gallons of water from reaching Houston’s drainage system.


Four of the ponds were not yet built when Harvey devastated the city, and the fifth one was only 80% complete. Still, that pond kept about 100 million gallons of water from reaching Houston's drainage system.play

Four of the ponds were not yet built when Harvey devastated the city, and the fifth one was only 80% complete. Still, that pond kept about 100 million gallons of water from reaching Houston’s drainage system.

(Jerry Hamby/Exploration Green)

This project, which broke ground in 2016, will cost $28 million and is expected to be finished by 2021. The five detention ponds will be able to hold half a billion gallons of stormwater.

Kelly Shipley, a project manager, previously told Business Insider that about 200 nearby homes were saved from flooding due to the pond.


Kelly Shipley, a project manager, previously told Business Insider that about 200 nearby homes were saved from flooding due to the pond.play

Kelly Shipley, a project manager, previously told Business Insider that about 200 nearby homes were saved from flooding due to the pond.

(Jerry Hamby/Exploration Green)

By the time the project is done, the five ponds will be able to protect about 2,000 homes from flooding, Shipley said.

In Belton, Missouri, a $105 million plan was recently approved to turn a former golf course into a 148-acre industrial campus.


In Belton, Missouri, a $105 million plan was recently approved to turn a former golf course into a 148-acre industrial campus.play

In Belton, Missouri, a $105 million plan was recently approved to turn a former golf course into a 148-acre industrial campus.

(City of Belton)

More than 10 years after the golf course closed, the Southview Commerce Center is slated for groundbreaking later this year.


More than 10 years after the golf course closed, the Southview Commerce Center is slated for groundbreaking later this year.play

More than 10 years after the golf course closed, the Southview Commerce Center is slated for groundbreaking later this year.

(City of Belton)

The development will include five buildings and is expected to create 1,400 new jobs.


The development will include five buildings and is expected to create 1,400 new jobs.play

The development will include five buildings and is expected to create 1,400 new jobs.

(City of Belton)

When built, this project will feature light manufacturing, warehouses, and distribution space.


When built, this project will feature light manufacturing, warehouses, and distribution space.play

When built, this project will feature light manufacturing, warehouses, and distribution space.

(City of Belton)

Leanna Garfield contributed to this story.



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