I don't play golf except the occasional charity scramble. I personally could care less about the course BUT a lot of business people do and an amazing amount of business takes place on the golf course. Last time I played was with my banker closing a commercial loan. I know of least one business owner that moved here because it was easier to get tee times than it was in California, Pure speculation on my part but I would assume having nice courses are a draw for attracting new businesses and also young professionals to OKC. Part of a quality lifestyle.

Yes to all of this. Add retirees and near retirees to that list as well.

Press release;

*******

Groundbreaking ceremony for Lake Hefner Golf Club Clubhouse Aug. 29
Post Date:08/16/2024 9:41 AM

The community is invited to join civic leaders as they break ground on a new 18,000-square-foot clubhouse at Lake Hefner Golf Club, 4491 S Lake Hefner Dr., at 10 a.m. on Aug. 29.

The clubhouse’s first floor will include a golf shop, locker rooms, office space and a grab-and-go food and beverage area so golfers can enjoy lunch, dinner or snacks on the course. The second story will feature a full-service restaurant and bar with panoramic views over the north course and Lake Hefner.

The clubhouse will be constructed with limestone walls that mirror the riprap and dam along the lake, while oxide metal contrasts against the Oklahoma City sky.

“Oklahoma City has come a long way since Lake Hefner’s current clubhouse was constructed in the mid-1960s,” Oklahoma City Golf Commission Chairman and former Mayor Mick Cornett said. “Since that time, the 36-hole complex has become one of the most popular golf destinations in the region. Though the clubhouse has served us well, it is time we looked forward to a new facility that reflects the modern game and the modern golfer."

The club’s two golf courses and existing clubhouse will remain open while the new clubhouse is under construction.

The new clubhouse is expected to open in 2026.

The $11.8 million clubhouse is funded by the Better Streets, Safer City 2017 Bond Program. Improvement projects have also been completed at the clubhouses of two other City-owned courses, Earlywine Golf Club and James E. Stewart Golf Course.

Learn more about Oklahoma City’s public golf courses, reserve tee times and more at okcgolf.com.

Hey Pete, what about the Hefner Boathouse? I’m assuming that is completely unrelated to this project but they had some beautiful renderings of a building I remember to be mostly glass facing the lake and it seems like there hasn’t been any updates.

Hey Pete, what about the Hefner Boathouse? I’m assuming that is completely unrelated to this project but they had some beautiful renderings of a building I remember to be mostly glass facing the lake and it seems like there hasn’t been any updates.

That building was torn down some time ago.

That building was torn down some time ago.
I thought there were plans to replace it.

That building was torn down some time ago.

Actually was just knocked down in January and finished early in February...of course with little info on plans to replace it or the boat dump station they took out with it.

Actually was just knocked down in January and finished early in February...of course with little info on plans to replace it or the boat dump station they took out with it.
The old "Lake Patrol Station"?

Actually was just knocked down in January and finished early in February...of course with little info on plans to replace it or the boat dump station they took out with it.

Six months isn't 'some time ago'?

There are no plans to replace it.

I think we should build/grow and maintain what OKC has, but I feel there is a lack of priority where it needs to be - the young people of the city. Yes, we're FINALLY building youth centers but you also have parks and community centers throughout the city that are underfunded, in disrepair, or worse. If I had to chose between golf and the youth I'd always chose the latter - giving them safe, fully funded resources reduces crime and allows youth to have a great childhood and by extension, builds pride in their city/community.

Again, I'm not saying we shouldn't rebuild the golf center. But we also should take just as much if not more effort to our youth and facilities available to them. To that regard, golf should wait since MOST of the folks enjoying it do have resources that could help with funding it.

I am a golfer so I am probably biased. But I think a lot of people who don’t frequent the city owned courses don’t realize the massive number of regular Joe Schmo’s who use them every single day. Joining a golf club is prohibitively expensive, so if golf is your primary hobby, the muni’s are your only option. Look at the peer cities we compete with and research their muni golf courses. It is an amenity that we should be proud of and look to improve upon.

^

Not only that, but the restaurants are used by many people, not just golfers.

And these new OKC clubhouses (Lincoln, Earlywine, Hefner) also have rooms available to rent for events.


Want to have a really nice and cheap afternoon or evening? Go hit a bucket of balls at Lincoln (or skip the golf entirely), then get a cool beverage and something to eat and sit on the covered 2nd level veranda overlooking the beautifully green and wooded course.

Hefner will soon have this too, complete with a nice view of the lake.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lincoln042115d.jpg

Six months isn't 'some time ago'?

There are no plans to replace it.

Not to split hairs but "some time ago" seems like years when we've been talking about that boat/ranger house (or renovations to it) here since 2016-2018 or so, not something that was finished the first or second week of this February.

^

Not only that, but the restaurants are used by many people, not just golfers.

And these new OKC clubhouses (Lincoln, Earlywine, Hefner) also have rooms available to rent for events.


Want to have a really nice and cheap afternoon or evening? Go hit a bucket of balls at Lincoln (or skip the golf entirely), then get a cool beverage and something to eat and sit on the covered 2nd level veranda overlooking the beautifully green and wooded course.

Hefner will soon have this too, complete with a nice view of the lake.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lincoln042115d.jpg

This idea is HIGHLY underrated. That second floor patio area at Lincoln is especially awesome.

I think we should build/grow and maintain what OKC has, but I feel there is a lack of priority where it needs to be - the young people of the city. Yes, we're FINALLY building youth centers but you also have parks and community centers throughout the city that are underfunded, in disrepair, or worse. If I had to chose between golf and the youth I'd always chose the latter - giving them safe, fully funded resources reduces crime and allows youth to have a great childhood and by extension, builds pride in their city/community.

Again, I'm not saying we shouldn't rebuild the golf center. But we also should take just as much if not more effort to our youth and facilities available to them. To that regard, golf should wait since MOST of the folks enjoying it do have resources that could help with funding it.

I will suggest to you and to @Oski that if you want different spending priorities, then get involved in city government and change them. This golf clubhouse was part of a public vote. Just like MAPS have been public votes. They both suggest the majority of OKCityans agree with the current plan for spending.

Six months isn't 'some time ago'?

There are no plans to replace it.
Am I crazy here? I thought they had renderings of a new glass house?

I will suggest to you and to @Oski that if you want different spending priorities, then get involved in city government and change them. This golf clubhouse was part of a public vote. Just like MAPS have been public votes. They both suggest the majority of OKCityans agree with the current plan for spending.

if true, this speaks volumes!

if true, this speaks volumes!

It’s true when over half of the OKC population who can vote vote yes; otherwise, the statement should be changed to: ‘They both suggest the majority of those who voted agree with the current plan for spending.’ There’s a significant difference between these two scenarios. Just something to think about. My main concern is ensuring maximum impact for every dollar invested. Whether it’s golf courses, basketball courts, parking lots, or something else, prioritize what the majority of the population needs most and then proceed down the list. Don’t lose sleep over it!

Or - hear me out - prioritize the things that voters themselves have prioritized by voting for, and separately prioritize things that generate revenue and additional sales taxes for the City of OKC. Oh, and quality of life enhancements are also important. Golf checks every one of these boxes.

I can't wait for the new clubhouse. A great place to go sit on their veranda with a view of the lake in a great setting.

I went by the old facility a few years ago to take photos and it was pretty much the same as when I'd go tag along with my dad in the 60's. Glad I saw and documented it, now time to move forward.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Was expanded and reconfigured a bit in the 90s (or perhaps the very early aughts), but without question it’s tired, cramped, and doesn’t take advantage of its setting, which is a special one. I hit balls at Lincoln Park late this afternoon and multiple times in recent weeks, and it’s just night and day. Lake Hefner and NW OKC deserve far better.

While we're at it, I wish Stars and Stripes Park would receive more attention sometime soon. It has the potential to be one of the most beautiful parks in the city. The last time I was there, it was a haven for marijuana smokers, and trash was everywhere.

These are the final plans, slightly revised.

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Edit: nevermind, glass is on the back side.

This is a neat building, especially with all the windows looking out onto the lake, if my geography is accurate

“Maxwell’s” is surely a tip of the cap to Perry Maxwell, who among other courses designed Dornick Hills in Ardmore, where he grew up, Southern Hills, Twin Hills, Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, KS (often rated as one of the top 10-25 courses in the U.S. and perhaps the best dunes-style course outside of Scotland), plus major renovations or other significant contributions to Pine Valley, Augusta National, Colonial, and Merion, among others. Hefner was his final full course design to be built in his lifetime.

One of the greatest golf architects of all time, under appreciated in Oklahoma, I’m my opinion, probably due to how much time has passed due to his death. Glad to see him getting this recognition here.

Would be great if they restored portions of the the north course to something that resembled his design, which ran along side the lake much more than the current routing. And remove the trees to open up views to the lake. If you look closely out there you can still see some of the original green sites. Completely agree about Perry, though. He probably is more notable to golf aficionados outside of Oklahoma than inside, though this does seem to be changing a bit.

19087

It will be interesting to see which Maxwell’s is better, as this is also the name of the primary restaurant in the recently-renovated Twin Hills clubhouse, unless a cease and desist is forthcoming. :p

This par of the conversation caused me to go read more about Perry Maxwell, and I discovered I was wrong about him growing up in Ardmore. I knew he was originally from Kentucky, but thought he’d moved to Oklahoma as a child. Instead it appears that he moved to Ardmore as an adult. He had to quit college in Kentucky due to having tuberculosis, and moved here, apparently to live in a drier climate. He became a cashier at a bank and was ultimately promoted to vice president before he started designing courses.

Here’s a fairly detailed write up I found on Maxwell: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/architect/perry-maxwell

^ That is correct. If anyone is interested in learning more about him, highly recommend The Midwest Associate by Chris Clouser. There's also a local Perry Maxwell society that is a fun group, and the Perry Maxwell Archive (https://www.perrymaxwellarchive.com) is probably the most comprehensive online record of his work and life. There's also a lot of good information on Golf Club Atlas, especially regarding his higher end courses. His grave at Dornick is a great pilgrimage for any Maxwell fan.

Here's info and Oklahoman excerpts for Lake Hefner:

https://www.perrymaxwellarchive.com/lake-he

It will be interesting to see which Maxwell’s is better, as this is also the name of the primary restaurant in the recently-renovated Twin Hills clubhouse, unless a cease and desist is forthcoming. :p

Ha. And the restaurant at Dornick is called the Maxwell Room. Someone somewhere should be getting some licensing money.

This par of the conversation caused me to go read more about Perry Maxwell, and I discovered I was wrong about him growing up in Ardmore. I knew he was originally from Kentucky, but thought he’d moved to Oklahoma as a child. Instead it appears that he moved to Ardmore as an adult. He had to quit college in Kentucky due to having tuberculosis, and moved here, apparently to live in a drier climate. He became a cashier at a bank and was ultimately promoted to vice president before he started designing courses.
I love the appropriate typo in your first sentence ;)

^^^^^^^
Haha, a rare UNintentional pun from me

If the food is good the view from a second story will be well worth going for just to eat/drink. Much better than the East Wharf restaurants that you're looking right into the sun most of the year at dinner time.

Construction is well underway.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hefner122824a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hefner122824b.jpg

the veiw from this clubhouse is going to be great

Hopefully they don't divert all of their time and attention to this project. The South course is nothing more than a goat track now. Further, they stack tee times entirely too close to each other--a 5 hour round is normal out there.

Hopefully they don't divert all of their time and attention to this project. The South course is nothing more than a goat track now. Further, they stack tee times entirely too close to each other--a 5 hour round is normal out there.
I haven't played golf in over 25 years but I would have said the same things then. So not much has changed apparently.

the veiw from this clubhouse is going to be great
It is. We might have to go eat there just to see the view of the lake. East Wharf is great but early evening the sun can be brutal. The view from south to north will be much better.

I walked through the old clubhouse a couple of days ago and it was in really bad shape.

I have a lot of nostalgia for the old building and I know they haven't been putting money into it due to the new place, but it's just plain sad.

Looking forward to having the new facility and a nice place to sit and see the lake.

I can't even count how many rounds of golf I played there in the late 60s and 70s both N & S courses it is so many. It's where I started Jr Golf. We only lived a mile from there so it was our go to course. My father and I would go out and play 9 after he would get off work for their twilight rates.

I am truly surprised any one still plays at Hefner with the shape it’s in when you can just go to Lincoln. OKC golf should be embarrassed at the state it’s in

I can't even count how many rounds of golf I played there in the late 60s and 70s both N & S courses it is so many. It's where I started Jr Golf. We only lived a mile from there so it was our go to course. My father and I would go out and play 9 after he would get off work for their twilight rates.
Might have just missed you. I started playing with a couple guys from high school in the mid 70s. Played with them into the 80s then added a couple guys thatI worked with.

I am truly surprised any one still plays at Hefner with the shape it’s in when you can just go to Lincoln. OKC golf should be embarrassed at the state it’s in
Yeah I played South a few months ago for the first time in a few years. Back in the nineties and early aughts it was essentially my home course; I even played it basically daily (walking) for a number of months when I was between jobs in ‘99. My dad lived across the road from Hefner throughout the nineties. I was there with him often. I’m pretty sentimental about it, and it hurt to see the condition it was in. OTOH this summer I visited the driving range at Lincoln almost every evening and kept kicking myself for not carving out time to play a round there. All of the parts I could see around the clubhouse and range looked pretty great.

I have so many memories of the old clubhouse...

It was built in the mid-60s and my family bought a home in 1963 just to the south across NW Expressway after moving down from Wisconsin.

My dad was an avid golfer and I'd sometimes tag along when he played with his buddies on Sunday morning. I remember getting milk (with ice for some reason) at the snack bar. It still looks today like it did then.

This whole series of events played into my inexplicable love for OKC. The move had been for a job and with it we had a new house with a pool and my dad could afford the luxury of playing a lot of golf. I would hear him on the phone with his 3 brothers, trying to get them to move down. Ultimately, one of my grandmothers did. So, seeing the world through my father's eyes, I saw OKC as this great place of unlimited opportunity -- I loved it because he loved it.

When I got a little older, my dad would take me out to Hefner on summer evenings and would play a hole with me, using only a putter. He would still beat me as by this time he was a really good amateur golfer; I remember him being in the paper for a couple of holes-in-one. His group ultimately migrated to Cedar Valley for some reason but would still play at Hefner once in a while.

My father passed away my senior year in college and being the only son, I inherited his Ping golf clubs. I started playing at Hefner a bit, and also Cedar Valley.

42 years later, I still have those clubs and always think of my dad (and those days at Hefner) when I use them.

^^^ Thank you for sharing your story with us; such beautiful memories!

I haven't played golf in over 25 years but I would have said the same things then. So not much has changed apparently.

Yes it seems they've always packed the tee times pretty tight, but it wasn't that long ago I thought the course was in pretty good shape. Maybe ten years? Maybe that is a long time, dang.

I have so many memories of the old clubhouse...

It was built in the mid-60s and my family bought a home in 1963 just to the south across NW Expressway after moving down from Wisconsin.

My dad was an avid golfer and I'd sometimes tag along when he played with his buddies on Sunday morning. I remember getting milk (with ice for some reason) at the snack bar. It still looks today like it did then.

This whole series of events played into my inexplicable love for OKC. The move had been for a job and with it we had a new house with a pool and my dad could afford the luxury of playing a lot of golf. I would hear him on the phone with his 3 brothers, trying to get them to move down. Ultimately, one of my grandmothers did. So, seeing the world through my father's eyes, I saw OKC as this great place of unlimited opportunity -- I loved it because he loved it.

When I got a little older, my dad would take me out to Hefner on summer evenings and would play a hole with me, using only a putter. He would still beat me as by this time he was a really good amateur golfer; I remember him being in the paper for a couple of holes-in-one. His group ultimately migrated to Cedar Valley for some reason but would still play at Hefner once in a while.

My father passed away my senior year in college and being the only son, I inherited his Ping golf clubs. I started playing at Hefner a bit, and also Cedar Valley.

42 years later, I still have those clubs and always think of my dad (and those days at Hefner) when I use them.

My dad taught me to play with his Ping Eye 2 clubs. Years after I had moved away and bought my own clubs, etc. I came home and played with him. He was still playing those Pings, and even had the original persimmon woods (still hit them very well, too). I never could quite hit anything like I'd hit those, so I had to go find a vintage set on eBay for myself. Found I preferred them over my much newer Callaways. I haven't played golf in years, but am finally in a position where it's a possibility again!

Looking very much forward to the new clubhouse. I don't remember anything about that place changing in the last 40 years.

There was a remodel in either the late nineties or early 2000s. It wasn’t a huge remodel; moved the sales counter, updated locker room, some updates to the lunch counter/area, outdoor area and such. Pretty light touch. Mostly finishes. But yeah, it’s been pretty static for a long time. This will be a MUCH needed update to the overall experience there.

There was a remodel in either the late nineties or early 2000s. It wasn’t a huge remodel; moved the sales counter, updated locker room, some updates to the lunch counter/area, outdoor area and such. Pretty light touch. Mostly finishes. But yeah, it’s been pretty static for a long time. This will be a MUCH needed update to the overall experience there.

Ah, ok. I was living in California from 96-06, so it must not have made much of an impression on me. I need to get down to Lincoln and check that place out.

One more thing...the driving range. You don't need ProV1s to have a "nice" driving range. However, they use glorified putt putt balls they bought from the Perfect Swing Family Fun Center in Norman when it closed a decade ago.

One more thing...the driving range. You don't need ProV1s to have a "nice" driving range. However, they use glorified putt putt balls they bought from the Perfect Swing Family Fun Center in Norman when it closed a decade ago.
Those are probably better than what we were hitting in the 80s and 90s.

One more thing...the driving range. You don't need ProV1s to have a "nice" driving range. However, they use glorified putt putt balls they bought from the Perfect Swing Family Fun Center in Norman when it closed a decade ago.

I remember Perfect Swing having a fairly decent driving range. But that's a long time to be reusing golf balls.