Located in the village of Highland Hills and owned by the City of Cleveland, our course has a storied claim to fame. Highland hosted the Cleveland Open in the mid-1960s and saw greats like Palmer, Nicholas, and Tony Lema.
It is also where Cleveland native Bob Hope first played golf. Learn more about our two 18-hole courses - the red and blue course - below.
It is also where Cleveland native Bob Hope first played golf. Learn more about our two 18-hole courses - the red and blue course - below.
COURSE DETAILS
BLUE COURSE
Holes 18 | Par 71 | Length 6,740 yards
Our blue course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep this 18 difficult yet friendly.
Our blue course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep this 18 difficult yet friendly.
RED COURSE
Holes 18 | Par 71 | Length 6,322 yards
The 18-hole "Red" course has a course rating is 69.7 and it has a slope rating of 113. Designed by Sandy Alves, the Red golf course opened in 1928.
The 18-hole "Red" course has a course rating is 69.7 and it has a slope rating of 113. Designed by Sandy Alves, the Red golf course opened in 1928.
A STORIED HISTORY
Opened in 1927, the city-owned golf course boasts a rich history. We have been visited by some of golf’s greatest players, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and many more.
HIGHLAND HOSTS PGA TOUR
From 1963 to 1972 the PGA Tour played "The Cleveland Open" at a various courses in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. Highland Park was proud to host it twice in 1964 and 1965.
The 1965 event was the first pro tournament to offer a $100,000 purse, setting a higher standard for PGA championships. Highland was the “winter home” of the PGA and the association’s first owned and operated public golf facility.
Tony Lema won in 1964, capping a brilliant four-week winning stretch and dethroning the 1963 champion of the event, Arnold Palmer, in a playoff. Both golfers had reached a whopping 14 under. The next year David Sikes won at 12 under by one stroke with Tony Lema (nearly defending his title!) placing second.
The 1965 event was the first pro tournament to offer a $100,000 purse, setting a higher standard for PGA championships. Highland was the “winter home” of the PGA and the association’s first owned and operated public golf facility.
Tony Lema won in 1964, capping a brilliant four-week winning stretch and dethroning the 1963 champion of the event, Arnold Palmer, in a playoff. Both golfers had reached a whopping 14 under. The next year David Sikes won at 12 under by one stroke with Tony Lema (nearly defending his title!) placing second.
HOME COURSE OF CHARLIE SIFFORD
Highland Park Golf Course has an undeniable historical and cultural significance. Charlie Sifford, the first African American to play and win on the PGA Tour, claimed Highland Park as his home course for a time during his professional career.
Sifford, known as the “Jackie Robinson of Golf,” started in golf as a caddie. By taking advantage of the free Monday golf perks Charlie was playing par golf by the age of thirteen. He was the first black golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Just three months before Sifford’s death, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House for his bravery and perseverance in fighting for racial justice. Tiger Woods acknowledged that Sifford paved the way for his career and so many other minority golfers.
Sifford, known as the “Jackie Robinson of Golf,” started in golf as a caddie. By taking advantage of the free Monday golf perks Charlie was playing par golf by the age of thirteen. He was the first black golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Just three months before Sifford’s death, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House for his bravery and perseverance in fighting for racial justice. Tiger Woods acknowledged that Sifford paved the way for his career and so many other minority golfers.
LEGACY OF PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN GOLF
As the only public course near Cleveland’s east side, Highland has historically been a welcoming course for minority players in an overwhelmingly white sport. The Sixth City Golf Club (established in 1946) and Forest City Golf Club were two pioneering African American golf leagues that played primarily at Highland Park.
The Sixth City Club’s annual Cleveland Holiday Open tournament, which began in the 1940s, drew big names such as Charles Sifford, Lee Elder, Charles Owens, Jim and Chuck Thorpe, Orville Moody, Gibby Gilbert, Nate Starks, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Dick (Night Train) Lane, and Cazzie Russell over the years.
The Sixth City Club’s annual Cleveland Holiday Open tournament, which began in the 1940s, drew big names such as Charles Sifford, Lee Elder, Charles Owens, Jim and Chuck Thorpe, Orville Moody, Gibby Gilbert, Nate Starks, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Dick (Night Train) Lane, and Cazzie Russell over the years.
PGA MINORITY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
The course also hosted the inaugural PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship in 1987, at which African American golf stars (including Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, Calvin Peete, Jim Dent, and Renee Powell) held free golf clinics for the community.
After the Minority Golf Championship moved locations, Highland launched a Cleveland Minority Scholarship tournament. These tournaments allowed for collegiate and amateur golfers to play as well as a celebrity minority golf team. The opportunity to play golf at minority colleges was often rare and so players would come from all across the country to compete. The program also included funding and scholarships for minority colleges to create golf teams in an effort to diversify the sport. These tournaments often received national attention on USA Today and Sports Illustrated.
After the Minority Golf Championship moved locations, Highland launched a Cleveland Minority Scholarship tournament. These tournaments allowed for collegiate and amateur golfers to play as well as a celebrity minority golf team. The opportunity to play golf at minority colleges was often rare and so players would come from all across the country to compete. The program also included funding and scholarships for minority colleges to create golf teams in an effort to diversify the sport. These tournaments often received national attention on USA Today and Sports Illustrated.
HIGHLAND HILLS COMMUNITY'S GEM
The course has maintained its popularity into the 1990s and 2000s. When Highland Hills attempted to cut out nine holes of the course to expand a nearby cemetery, the City of Cleveland protected the historic course. Mayor Michael R. White hosted annual golf tournaments during the 1990s for the region to raise funds for the homeless and just in 2016, a project to restore a degraded and channelized section of Mill Creek was focused on the course.
Most aren’t aware that Cleveland native, Bob Hope also first played golf on the Highland greens.
Most aren’t aware that Cleveland native, Bob Hope also first played golf on the Highland greens.
OTHER COURSE ACCOLADES & AWARDS
In the 1970s, the Golf Digest magazine ranked Highland’s North Course the number one affordable, public course in the nation.
HIGHLAND PARK REVIEWS
PERFECT FOR GOLF OUTINGS
Our staff can arrange for a variety of golf outings, events and tournament services and packages to fit your needs.