Cobbs Creek Golf Course, which sits on the border between Upper Darby and Philadelphia, is finally on the verge of a major restoration, writes Joe Juliano for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The crown jewel of area golf courses for almost a half-century, Cobbs Creek had fallen on hard times. However, an 11-years-long effort to revitalize the course is finally nearing its goal.

Two months ago, a unanimous City Council vote gave the course to the Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation for $1 in rent. In return, the nonprofit will restore, maintain, and operate the facility.

The organization is headed by Chris Lange from Bryn Mawr. Lange is a commercial real estate broker and a two-time Golf Association of Philadelphia Player of the Year who has been involved since 2010.

But the restoration process will not be cheap. Once the initial 30-year lease is signed, the Foundation will present the city with a strategic plan to restore both the course and the creek. The Foundation will need to raise $20 million in private donations for the project.

“The plan is to restore the creek and restore the golf course, which we’ll do in an environmentally sensitive way,” said Lange.

Read more about Cobbs Creek Golf Course in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.