Olde at Cobbs Creek Golf Club

Cobbs Creek Golf Club's Olde Course occupies a historic site in West Philadelphia, designed by Hugh Wilson and opened in 1916. Wilson, best known for creating Merion's East Course, brought similar design principles to this municipal facility, which was among the first public courses in the United States built to championship standards. The property sits in Cobbs Creek Park along the creek of the same name, with the course routed through rolling parkland terrain characteristic of the Philadelphia region.

The layout features Wilson's trademark strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward thoughtful play over pure power. The routing makes effective use of the natural topography, with elevation changes providing variety and strategic interest throughout the round. For decades, Cobbs Creek served as an important venue for African American golfers when many private clubs maintained exclusionary policies, hosting significant tournaments and helping develop numerous accomplished players who were otherwise denied access to competitive golf.

The course fell into severe disrepair in recent decades as municipal funding declined, but a comprehensive restoration effort launched in the 2020s aims to return the layout to Wilson's original design intent. This project involves rebuilding greens, restoring bunker positions, and reclaiming playing corridors that had become overgrown. The restoration seeks to honor both Wilson's architectural legacy and the course's important place in the history of American public golf and the game's civil rights struggles.