Local golf enthusiasts are bemoaning lost golf opportunities in the Reno area – for good reason.
If the proposed Wildcreek High School gets built on what is now Wildcreek Golf Course, “it means that Reno-Sparks golfers will have lost 99 holes in the past 10 years,” said Mike Mazzaferri, manager of the Sierra Sage Golf Course.
Mazzaferri is presenting the state of local golf at a public forum Wednesday at 6:45 at the Reno Elks Club, 597 Kumle Lane.
His presentation will be followed by the “Save Wildcreek” grassroots organization, which is protesting the building of the high school. Save Wildcreek will present their concerns regarding the proposed location of the high school, traffic impacts, FAA and flood control.
Mazzaferri, who is not part of the Save Wildcreek effort, said that some golf should be kept at Wildcreek.
“We’re working with county and school district to see if we can save part of the golf course,” he added. “We can’t lose another facility.”
Wildcreek Golf Course loses about $300,000 a year, according to the RSCVA, and Washoe County School District maintains that Wildcreek is the most suitable location for the school. The school district previously said it will maintain nine holes at the site. Golfers would like to see that commitment sustained indefinitely.
Today, school district spokeswoman Vickie Campbell said the district is working with the county and their design team to determine how much of the course will remain if the school gets built.
“We do not have an answer yet on how many holes of golf would remain,” she said.
Other speakers at the Wednesday forum:
- Ward Sutton, president of the Sierra Nevada Chapter and PGA Manager at Hidden Valley CC who will open the meeting and discuss current golf market conditions.
- Chris Dewar, LPGA, executive director of The First Tee of Northern Nevada who will talk about programs of The First Tee of Northern Nevada and other junior golf initiatives in the region.
- Fred Elliot, PGA, former director of golf and general manager at Wildcreek. Fred will talk about Wildcreek’s history and mission and its storied past.
UPDATE: Wildcreek’s operating loss was added to this article after initial publication.
