Westport Golf Links - State of Washington
Westport Golf Links project is a proposal to build a seaside golf course with hospitality resort as part of the overall development of Westport Light State Park near Westport, Washington. The proposal comes from Westport Golf Inc., a private company in Seattle ledy by Chris Day.
The property's golf course would be designed by David McLay Kidd, who has designed nearby resort courses Bandon Dunes, Oregon and Gamble Sands, Washington. The property is 600 acres of state park land along the Pacific Ocean. The climate is suitable for fescue grass which was planted in the Bandon, Oregon property.
The project is currently in environmental review. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is expected to issue a decision on the project in early 2024. If the project is approved, construction is expected to begin in late 2024 with a golf course opening forecast for 2026. The inn would be expected to open in 2027.
350 jobs are anticipated during construction with estimates for a $55 million one time beneficial impact on the region. 100 permanent jobs are forecast once the project is completed. The project is budgeted to generate $29 million in economic golf tourism activity annually. The DNR has held a number of public community feedback meetings to review the project, receiving many comments in the July through October 2023 period from public stakeholders. Planning for the coastal property includes provision for an 37 extra beachside parking spaces to accommodate summer visitors.
Demand for Kidd's leadership in design keeps him at the top of the game with projects underway at Two Rivers in Florida, GrayBull in Nebraska, Loraloma in Texas, Gamble Sands II in Washington, and Shura Island in Saudi Arabia.