Tacoma’s public golf scene is set for a significant transformation. After nearly two years of extensive construction, renovation, and architectural reimagining, the former North Shore Golf Course has officially entered its new era as Cedar Irons Golf Club. This significant revitalization, supported by a $7.5 million investment, directed by acclaimed Pacific Northwest architect Dan Hixson, and owned by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, sees all 18 holes reopening to the public on Friday, May 1.
For a region with a rich golf history and a vibrant playing community, this is more than just a renovation; it’s a revival.
A Vision Rooted in Restoration and Playability
Upon his initial assessment of the property, Dan Hixson recognized what many long-time Tacoma golfers already knew: the course possessed excellent fundamental elements but had gradually lost its distinct character. Overgrown vegetation had narrowed the fairways, impeded airflow, and obscured the land’s natural beauty. The irrigation system, dating back over four decades, struggled to meet contemporary conditioning standards, and the once-favored layout had become less playable and visually less engaging.
Hixson’s renovation aimed to reverse this trend, focusing not on reinventing the course but on revealing its inherent potential.
He reopened playing corridors, reinstated long-obscured sightlines, and reintroduced the natural contours of the land. The outcome is a layout that feels more strategic, more inviting, and more in harmony with the Pacific Northwest environment. As Hixson articulated, “The property had wonderful bones, but over time it had become tight and overgrown. It’s really kind of magical when a course like Cedar Irons is opened up.”
This sense of magic is now infused into every hole.
Cedar Irons Golf Club: A Course Rebuilt From the Ground Up
While the overall routing remains familiar, almost every aspect of the course has been touched, refined, or rebuilt. The tee boxes have been expanded and leveled to provide more consistent starting points. Fairways are now wider and more forgiving, encouraging creative shot-making rather than just navigating tight passages. Every bunker on the property has been reconstructed, lending the course a cleaner, more deliberate aesthetic.
The greens, always the heart of any renovation, received the most meticulous attention. All 18 green complexes were either rebuilt or recontoured, with several holes featuring entirely new green designs. The front nine, in particular, showcases dramatic updates. Holes 1, 2, 3, and 6 boast completely rebuilt greens, each offering novel angles, updated slopes, and fresh scoring opportunities.
The renovation also introduced significant changes to the course’s par and yardage. The 17th hole, formerly a par 3, now plays as a par 4, extending the back nine from a par 35 to a par 36. On the front side, the previous 347-yard second hole now measures over 400 yards, the par-5 third has been reduced to a par 4, and the fifth hole has been converted from a par 4 to a par 5. These adjustments bring the course to a total of 6,109 yards with a par of 72, striking a balance between challenge and accessibility.
Beyond the playing surfaces, the infrastructure has undergone a major upgrade. The new, long-overdue irrigation system ensures consistent turf quality and promotes more sustainable water management. Enhanced drainage and increased sunlight exposure have already significantly improved the course’s conditioning. Walking the course is now more pleasant, the turf is healthier, and the overall experience is smoother for golfers of all skill levels.
A Practice Facility Designed for Modern Golfers
Cedar Irons Golf Club’s improvements extend beyond the course itself. The practice facility has been reimagined to meet the expectations of today’s golfers. New targets, a revamped chipping green, covered hitting bays, a grass teeing area, and an outdoor section with mats provide a versatile space for warm-ups, lessons, and dedicated practice sessions.
For a public course aiming to become a community hub, investing in the practice area signifies a commitment to player development and accessibility.
A New Name With Deep Regional Roots
The renovation ushers in a new identity—Cedar Irons—a name selected to reflect both the natural landscape and the character of the redesigned course. Towering cedar trees continue to be a defining feature of the property, grounding the course in the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The “Irons” component of the name alludes to the style of play the course now favors: thoughtful shotmaking, strategic decision-making, and the artistry of golf over brute force.
For the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the name holds both cultural and environmental significance. “Cedar Irons represents stewardship of this land and a commitment to creating a welcoming place for the community to gather,” stated Kyle Eley, Chief Operating Officer of the Puyallup Tribe. “This renovation restores the beauty of the property while creating a golf experience that can be enjoyed by longtime Tacoma golfers and those discovering the game for the first time.”
The name serves as both a tribute to the land and a promise to the community.
Honoring the Past While Embracing the Future
Cedar Irons is not a departure from North Shore’s legacy; it is an evolution. The course retains enough familiarity for long-time players to recognize its spirit, yet it feels fresh enough to generate new excitement. Hixson’s design incorporates subtle quirks, more engaging greens, and rebuilt bunkers that add character without overwhelming the average golfer.
“We wanted a course that wouldn’t be your typical public experience,” Hixson remarked. “We added some quirk into the course, built greens that are a little more interesting, and rebuilt every bunker to add some challenge, and yet keep it very playable.”
This equilibrium—playable yet compelling, strategic yet welcoming—positions Cedar Irons to emerge as one of the region’s premier public golf destinations.
A New Standard for Tacoma Public Golf
With its May 1 reopening, Cedar Irons Golf Club confidently assumes its new role as a revitalized, contemporary, and community-focused golf destination. The course now boasts improved conditioning, is more enjoyable to walk, is visually more captivating, and offers greater strategic rewards. It is a place where beginners can learn, seasoned players can test their skills, and where Tacoma’s golf community can convene for decades to come.
Cedar Irons is not merely reopening; it is redefining the potential of public golf in Tacoma.