Jefferson Park Golf Course Holes #11 & 12 Poles and Netting Replacement
Updated: April 6, 2024
Spring 2024
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is installing new netting on holes 11 and 12 at Jefferson Park Golf Course to reduce golf balls travelling out of the park. The plans for the new poles and netting system have been submitted to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). Permitting will require a height variance, which will take nine to twelve months for City Council approval. Construction will start after the permit is approved, fall / winter 2024.
During the Golf Master Plan process the errant ball issue around holes 11 to 12 at Jefferson Park Golf was identified. SPR worked with Premier Golf and originally planned to reroute holes form a counterclockwise pattern to a clockwise pattern, but as the design and permitting was further developed, we concluded that permitting requirements, loss of trees, extensive course closure to complete this work, loss of revenue and overall project costs outweighed the option of installing netting.
We are now planning to install new netting on poles along a portion of holes 11 and 12 to reduce golf balls travelling out of the park. The netting and poles will be installed at edge of the fairways, along 24th Ave S. and S. Spokane Street. Trees that have been planted along the property line will eventually buffer the visual impact of the netting as they mature. Holes 11 and 12 have been temporarily modified to minimize balls leaving the course. Once the netting system is installed, the holes will be returned to their original playing configuration.
Location
4101 Beacon Ave S, Seattle 98108
Budget
2009 Golf Master Plan Debt Financing
Schedule
Construction: Begins Fall 2024 (Subject to change depending on when the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) approves the permit.)
Project Description
The Jefferson Park Golf Course has been a public golf course since 1915. The facility consists of an 18-hole regulation golf course, a 9-hole par-3 course, golf practice range, modest-size clubhouse and support facilities. The total land area is approximately 123 acres, of which 97 are used for the regulation length course and about 21 acres for the 9-hole par 3 course. The golf courses were designed by Robert Johnstone, one of America's pioneer golf architects, and opened for play in 1915. The 18-hole course is a par-70 returning nine layout of 6,093 yards from the back tees. The regulation length golf course has very modest topography and is developed in a core design on a relatively small site. The course has mature landscaping and is generally regarded as a well-designed golf layout that is less challenging than the city's other two courses.
The 9-hole course is a par-27 layout, with nine par-3s. The course, also a core design, has very little definition and is developed on a relatively flat parcel. The course length is 1,225 yards and has night lighting. The range built in 2015, has a two (2) tier tee-line with 48 tee stations, with 4 dedicated for golf instruction. Range poles with lights allow early morning and evening range use.
The golf club house is new, 2015, with modern design qualities. The approximate 8,000 sf clubhouse include a pro shop, restaurant, administrative offices, upstairs banquet space and classroom environment currently leased by First Tee of Greater Seattle. The Jefferson Park complex is bisected by Beacon Avenue S, a primary arterial with a large median which serves as additional parking for golfers. In 2015, a small parking lot was located just south of the putting greens and clubhouse for easy access to the course. On the east side of Beacon Avenue S is the 18-hole regulation length course. The 9-hole course, clubhouse, practice range and maintenance buildings and cart storage structures arc on the west side. Thus, golfers must cross Beacon Avenue at grade to reach the regulation length course from the clubhouse. In addition to First Tee of Greater Seattle, many middle and high school programs practice and play at Jefferson Park. We wish to continue the long history of golf on Beacon Hill.
Community Participation
Thank you for joining us for this informational event to learn more about the new poles and netting and view the schematic rendering. The event took place on January 28, 2023 at the Jefferson Park Golf Course where we answered questions and reviewed materials shared at the earlier September 10, 2020 public meeting.
View the event poster here.
Public Meeting 9/10/2020