HIGHLAND HILLS, Ohio — The City of Cleveland is hoping to revitalize Highland Park Golf Course.
On Thursday, Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb issued a request for proposal (RFP) for a vendor to lease, revitalize, and manage operations of the historic course located at 3550 Green Road.
Having first opened in 1928, the 36-hole course and clubhouse is owned by the City and operated by an external management company. According to a release, the city is "seeking to establish Highland as a tournament-ready course and a leader in community impact and sustainability."
“This course has a rich history of promoting diversity in the sport of golf," Mayor Bibb said in a statement. "As the golf course nears its centennial, this is an opportunity to elevate it as a premier public course for locals and a destination for golfers across the country."
A release also noted that as the only public course near Cleveland’s east side, Highland has been a welcoming course for minority players in an overwhelmingly white sport. In 1987, the course hosted the inaugural PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, at which African American golf stars including Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, Calvin Peete, Jim Dent, and Renee Powell held free golf clinics for the community.
The course also welcomed golf greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tony Lema during the PGA Tour’s Cleveland Open in 1964 and 1965.
“As a young man, this was the first place I played golf,” Mayor Bibb said. “It would bring me immense pride to restore the course and create a professional tournament-level course while maintaining it as a space for Black golfers, both aspiring and seasoned, to enjoy.”
Responses to the RFP are due October 20, 2022. Submissions will be considered based on their proposals for "establishment of a best-in-class facility, exploration and expansion of community impact and thoughtful consideration of environmental sustainability."
The full RFP can be viewed here.