A Legacy Renewed

To reestablish Cobbs Creek as a premier public amenity, the Cobbs Creek Foundation recognized a need for a modern, dynamic entertainment space that supports a diverse range of activities. One of the new buildings on the site is a Lincoln Financial Center driving range and entertainment facility, which houses a restaurant, bar, event space, pro shop, heritage center, and outdoor hitting bays.

Fostering Social Connection

Social connection is at the heart of the design, transforming a visit to the driving range into a full-day destination. By seamlessly integrating hospitality spaces, the experience extends beyond golf, encouraging guests to gather, dine, and celebrate.

EwingCole’s approach was not to create a traditional clubhouse but one that feels accessible to all. To achieve this, the team incorporates thoughtful programming and design elements, grounded in Cobbs Creek’s site and history, balancing intimate moments with open views and connections to the surrounding landscape. The main level, designed as the primary social hub, features a restaurant and an open, airy bar with large windows that visually connect the interiors to the course and hitting bays. Inside, warm wood finishes, steel accents, and a central floor-to-ceiling fireplace create a welcoming atmosphere. Mesh panels separate distinct dining and bar areas, providing visual flow across the space.

The second level provides a flexible event area that can accommodate up to 100 guests or be partitioned into three private rooms, with wood-paneled walls and a coffered ceiling that harmonizes with the building’s industrial millhouse aesthetic. Every detail enhances the hospitality experience, making the space as inviting as it is functional. By incorporating raw elements like exposed columns and thin black mullions on glazing, EwingCole’s design honors the original architecture while adding modern conveniences.

Creating Champions and Cultivating Community

Cobbs Creek became a hub for competitive golf, hosting prestigious tournaments like the 1928 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and the United Golfers Association Championships, which provided competitive opportunities for Black golfers during segregation. The course also welcomed female golfers, serving as a venue for pioneering women in the sport. Beyond professional events, it was a community space where local talents, such as Joe Coble, and Charlie Sifford honed their skills, symbolizing the course’s role in democratizing the sport and creating golf legends.

Honoring Broken Barriers

The Heritage Center is a crucial component honors and memorializes Cobbs Creeks legacy. Here, visitors can engage with Cobbs Creek’s rich narrative, from its role in the early days of public golf to its pivotal place in providing opportunities for minority golfers during the age of segregation. The design ensures that history isn’t just preserved but felt, woven into the visitor experience as a tangible reminder of the game’s potential to unite and inspire.

The design strikes a balance between historic respect and modern functionality. By enhancing connections between interior spaces and the course, incorporating a heritage center, and offering varied dining and event experiences, the new design establishes a revitalized social and recreational venue for the Philadelphia community. The phased renewal reaffirms Cobbs Creek’s role as a community-centric destination with lasting cultural impact.