Lake Redding Golf announces reopening and new driving range
The golf course has been closed the past several months while its owner, The McConnell Foundation, figured out improvements and changes to the site.
Lake Redding Golf is partnering with Tierra Oaks Golf Club operator Jason Munson to construct and open a new driving range facility. The golf course, which is located on Benton Drive near Caldwell Park, is expected to open next month after being closed since late last year.
According to a press release by The McConnell Foundation, which owns Lake Redding Golf, Munson will focus on programs that provide golf-related opportunities for youth, locals and visitors, continuing the foundation’s mission to provide “affordable recreational opportunities to the communities it serves.”
The intention behind the project is to give golfers a place to improve their skills on a functioning driving range, the press release explained.
“Inspiration to bring this idea to The McConnell Foundation is because of the easily accessible, center of Redding location, the ideal sun orientation for a driving range, and a passion for the growing golf opportunities for youth,” Munson said in the release.
Lake Redding Golf closed in late 2025 for redevelopment and improvement purposes. It was in operation for more than 60 years prior.
The McConnell Foundation explained in the press release that its representatives learned that Redding has a shortage of driving range and golf-related practice options, saying this project is intended to support — not detract from — golf courses in the area.
“We are pleased to open Lake Redding Golf up again, and to create a recreational amenity the public can enjoy,” The McConnell Foundation CEO John Mancasola said in the release. “The Foundation’s goal remains to keep this property as a golf-related recreational asset for generations to come.”
Construction begins in mid-April, and the driving range is expected to open in May.
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I reached out to The McConnell Foundation to ask if the facility will include the golf course and driving range or just a driving range, and I received this response from Chief Operating Officer Shannon Phillips: “For now, only a driving range. We are exploring whether to redevelop Lake Redding as a traditional 9-hole course, or to develop golf-golf related amenities, such as a short course (fewer than 9-holes), a pitch and put, practice areas, and even other recreation opportunities. The property is 23-acres, and we are interested in investing the most community benefit for the future.”
A practice putting green and maybe a practice sand trap would be great.
Also, the Meadows Golf Course at Sunriver (near Bend) has a fun 18-hole grass putting course. Just putting greens—no windmills, bank shots, and that kind of junk.
Remember the beautiful little mini golf course / putting green at Park Marina Dr? The McConnell Foundation bought and destroyed it. Now its a park very very few people use.
Im afraid they will do the same here.
That damned McConnell Foundation ruins everything. Turtle Bay Explorstion Park, McConnell Arboretum, Cascade Theater, Lima Ranch, Sundial Bridge, Shasta Community Health Center, Meyers Community Hospital, Center of Hope, One Safe Place, Redding School of the Arts, Greater Redding Area Recreation Trails, Tehama County Library, Weed Community Center…
.
…oh Jeez, I think I see the problem. Someone is feeling left out.
Will it ever re open as a 9 hole course with stroke play? Golf, like the economy has gotten so expensive and affordable options are few, along with getting in 9 holes in under 2 hours.
I’m confused. Is the facility being converted to a driving range (i.e, no more golf course), or will there be a new driving range and a golf course?
Same here. I’ve read this article three times and can’t tell.
KM: We’ve asked for clarity!
There’s no room for both. If practice facilities like Top Golf are any indication, there’s demand for driving ranges and a lack of them locally. You can fit more golfers on a driving range than you’ll generally find at a time on a short 9-hole course. Aqua Golf is fun, but it’s hard to dial in distances when every shot comes to a stop exactly where it lands.
It will be an oversized driving range or maybe two, with one facing the other. That way collecting the balls will be easier.
George Carlin offered a genial solution to the homeless problem that involved putting these wasted open spaces to good use.