Norman K. Probstein Community Golf Course
And Youth Learning Center in Forest Park
Forest Park golfers can enjoy one of the finest public courses in the country.
Although the Forest Park golf course was built in 1913 on the site of the 1904 World's Fair, today the Norman K. Probstein Community Golf Course and Youth Learning Center in Forest Park is all new.
And, for the first time, the golf course has its own clubhouse, complete with restaurant, pro shop, banquet facilities and a youth learning center.
The Forest Park Master Plan called for the $12.5 million renovation of the golf course and the removal of holes from Art Hill and the Grand Basin.
Stan Gentry, chief architect for Hale Irwin Golf Services Inc., was charged with taking one of the favorite golf courses in the area and reconfiguring the 27 holes as three nine hole courses, which can be combined to be played as 18 holes, lending more variety and flexibility for golfers.
All three courses have lush zoysia fairways and are par 35. They are named for trees found in St. Louis:
Hawthorne: A beautiful layout that is relatively flat and easy to walk. There are enough hazards to make it challenging but still enjoyable.
Dogwood: This is for the more adventurous golfer. It starts out hilly, has one hole with a water fairway and ends with a 600 yards par 5.
Redbud: This is for the adventurous golfer and incorporates some of the most dramatic holes from the original golf course layout. It is very hilly and a challenging layout.
The clubhouse is a beautiful glass structure, located on Lagoon Drive, near the Forsyth entrance to Forest Park. Ruthie’s Grill is one of the finest restaurants in the park. Its veranda and patio have a view of the golf course.
The Lindell Pavilion, the former clubhouse, is now a Visitor’s Center and has lockers available for golfers to use.
The facility is named the Norman K. Probstein Community Golf Courses and Youth Learning Center in Forest Park because a $2 million pledge from St. Louis developer Norman K. Probstein was the initial gift toward the full project funding. Additional funds include $1.6 million from the City of St. Louis, $2 million from American Golf Corporation, $2.4 million from the Danforth Foundation as part of their Progress Plus challenge grant, $4.5 million in private funds from Forest Park Forever and tax credits from the Missouri Development Finance Board.
In making his pledge, Probstein explained, "The golf courses in Forest Park have been the training ground and home course for innumerable St. Louis golfers over the years. It is very exciting for me to know that future generations will also get their start here, and that they will do so in a unique urban setting on one of the finest municipal courses in the nation. I am privileged and delighted to play a part in the improvements to the courses, the new clubhouse and the restoration of Forest Park."
The brainchild of Probstein, the new Youth Learning Center is run by a PGA professional and is open to children in the community, ages 7 to 17. It offers golf instruction for all skill levels with an emphasis on diversity and broad-based participation.
American Golf has managed and maintained the courses for the past 16 years, and recently signed a lease extension with the City of St. Louis.
 Official Web Site of the City of St. Louis
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