A golf course that has long been a source of recreation and relaxation for military members on one of the world's largest bases appears destined to be shuttered soon.
ABC affiliate WTVD — which covers the North Carolina communities of Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville — reported that historic Stryker Golf Course at Fort Bragg will shut down at the end of the month.
The 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course opened in 1946 and sits outside of Fort Bragg’s gates at the end of Bragg Boulevard, across from the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds.
But according to WTVD, the course has become too expensive to maintain:
Jennifer Hodges, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), which manages both of Fort Bragg's golf courses, said the decision to close
Stryker was not made lightly.
"What it comes down to is the financial sustainability. Unfortunately, we're not able to financially sustain two courses" Hodges said.
The course costs about $750,000 a year to maintain, and declining attendance forced tough choices, she added.
"Before we repurpose or close any type of activity, we make sure we exhaust every avenue first the marketing campaign to drive foot traffic."
Other recreational amenities on post, including several bowling alleys, have also closed in recent years as post looks for ways to balance its recreational offerings and budget limitations.
Back in 2024, Cumberland County Commissioners voted against moving a high school to Stryker, but post officials kept considering other options for the land.
At that time, Fort Bragg garrison commander Col. Chad Mixon said officials were considering rebranding it as the Stryker Entertainment Complex.
“There’s going to be room for investment from Fort Bragg, but also we’re working with local civic leaders as well as the state and federal funding,” Mixon said.
Fort Bragg’s other golf course, Ryder Golf Course, is on Normandy Drive on post, about 5 miles from Stryker.
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek and the golf coordinator for USA Today Network.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Donald Ross golf course at one of nation's largest military bases to close
