Major Curley-led rebuild for new First Tee venue

Architect Brian Curley of design firm Curley-Wagner has broken ground on a reconstruction of the former Wildcreek golf course in Sparks, just outside Reno, for new course owner First Tee of Northern Nevada.

Wildcreek was formerly owned by Washoe County, but it was transferred to First Tee in 2021, as part of a larger deal that saw the construction of the new Hug High School on part of the golf course site – the sale of the land to the school district has helped to fund the golf course project, while First Tee has raised the remainder of the cost. The rest of the land occupied by former eighteen hole course, which also had a nine hole course and practice range will now be transformed into a new full-sized nine hole course, a nine hole par three course, and a three-tier practice facility, which will, innovatively, be built from repurposed storage containers.

“The main nine hole course will be entirely new, meandering over previous golf terrain recaptured and designed for this overall project theme,” says Curley. “On the nine hole par three course, we are not changing a great deal in order to keep costs down – most notably saving all the greens – while the new driving range will be built on top of two of the former golf holes.”

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“There will be an emphasis on playability for all levels from young beginners to seniors, and we will be laser focused on sustainable maintenance to keep greens fees low. From an overall design point of view, our intent is to provide ample turf within an environment that ultimately transitions to native areas of slope and grasses. Incorporating a natural look and theme while still catering to all levels of play is front and center to our efforts. My hope is for a stunningly crafted course that incorporates a natural character and walkability in an environment of massive views of the valley.”

The two nine hole golf courses represent the first phase of the project, which should be completed and grassed by the end of summer. “It could possibly open before the end of the year,” says Curley. The three-tier range, the first such facility in the Reno area, will be built in phase two, which also includes a new learning center for year-round use, and a total refurbishment of the existing clubhouse to deliver restaurant, bar and changing facilities, as well as offices and meeting space for the First Tee chapter. The project will make First Tee Northern Nevada one of only a few such organizations across the US to own and operate its own public golf course.

About Curley-Wagner Golf Design

Curley-Wagner Golf Design was formed in early 2024 by Brian Curley and Jim Wagner. Curley is the longtime principal of Schmidt-Curley Design and has created many high-profile courses across the world in his long career, including Mission Hills Shenzhen and Haikou, the world’s two largest golf resorts. Wagner is a former senior designer at Nicklaus Design. The firm is based in Arizona and has offices in Vietnam and the Philippines.