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Westport Golf Links
CG FOLLOW-UP FEATURE
Illumination Revisited
Westport Golf Links developer still moving forward with hopeful opening of new destination in Grays Harbor
BY TONY DEAR • CG EDITOR
Very few golf developments ever get from conception to construction without encountering some opposition, and it was really only a matter of time before proposals for Westport Golf Links on the Grays Harbor County coastline, 20 miles west of Aberdeen, came under scrutiny from environmentalists sharing their positions on the matter.
In mid-April of this year, non-profit news organization The Washington Standard reported that two environmental groups were suing the state to halt the development. Grays Harbor Audubon Society and Friends of Grays Harbor filed the complaint in Thurston County Superior Court on March 29, saying developer Ryann Day and the State Parks Commission are ignoring past agreements limiting wetland development. Friends of Grays Harbor President Arthur Grunbaum says the state’s due diligence has been “woefully inadequate.”
We reported on Day’s proposals in the April 2023 issue of Cascade Golfer, laying out his plan to convert the 603-acre state park into a Scottish-style links course designed by David McLay Kidd with surrounding resort lodging, as well as transform the under-used park into a tourist attraction with hiking and biking trails.
Revenue would be shared between Day’s investment group and the state, and while income from the course and resort would certainly be substantial, the positive effect the development might have on the City of Westport and surrounding area, which has suffered downturns over the last few decades, would be greater still.
Indeed, a report authored last year by Renton’s Sieger Consulting SPC predicted that Westport Golf Links would have a one-time economic impact of $55 million with the creation of 349 temporary jobs. Post-construction, the report continued, Grays Harbor County would see an annual benefit of $25 million with 303 permanent jobs.
The environmental groups’ opposition focuses on the potential loss of habitat for a range of birds and other wildlife, the possible effect it may have on water quality, and beach access. It stems from a 2007 agreement between landowners Mox Chehalis LLC and Friends of Grays Harbor, which prevented Mox Chehalis LLC from filling in wetlands in its attempt to build a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, hotel and convention center.
Mox Chehalis would later agree to terms with the Army Corps of Engineers, prohibiting the company from filling in wetlands and making other significant changes to the landscape.
Day, is taking this obstacle seriously and is happy the benefits of his proposed development far outweigh any potential negatives.
“I certainly anticipated something like this happening and am not downplaying it,” he says, “But I am curious about the timing. Our proposal hasn’t even passed through the courts, so it’s not really even a reality yet.”
Day will press on and says a 1,000-page Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be published soon will provide evidence of how beneficial the project would be not only financially but also environmentally.
“Besides potentially creating new wildlife habitats,” he says, “we’d be adding much-needed firebreaks, greatly reducing any risk of a wildfire.”
Once the state, which purchased 300 acres from Mox Chehalis in 2015, analyzes the EIS, Day is confident he will win its approval. And when the process requires public approval, he’s confident he’ll earn that too.
“We’ve tried to go about this the right way from the very start,” he says. “And I feel very strongly that people in Westport and Grays Harbor County are behind us. The opposition’s appeal is really seeking to quash the public process. I want to see the public decide what happens.”
“We’ve tried to go about this the right way from the very start,” he says. “And I feel very strongly that people in Westport and Grays Harbor County are behind us. The opposition’s appeal is really seeking to quash the public process. I want to see the public decide what happens.”
One other potential sticking point for Day would be the fact Washington State purchased the land nine years ago using a Recreation and Conservation Office Grant which, the opposition says, precludes the construction of a golf course.
What is golf if not recreational (it’s important to note Westport GL would be a public course), and many are the stories of how golf courses have enhanced their surroundings and how golf course superintendents have become responsible stewards of the environment.
The 2023 Concept Plan (a draft proposal, shown left) contains visions and responsible steps to be taken. The key/legend lists 17 specific locations including the golf course, lodging, maintenance facility, and parking areas, along with: “Gateway/Wayfinding”, “New Park Loop Trail”, “Beach Access Stairs/Ramp”, “Short Course” (which would be a favorite hangout/after-school destination for local children), “Sensitive areas”, “Foredune Improved Viewing”, “Potential Wetland Creation/Rehabilitation Zones”, “Preserve Vegetation Communities” and “Invasive Species Management.”
Like Day, many following the progress are not taking Grays Harbor Audubon Society and Friends of Grays Harbor’s lawsuit lightly. It’s apparently not without merit and warrants careful analysis. Ultimately though, many golfers in the Pacific Northwest are pro-golf and pro-environment, and all this careful review and consideration is warranted and necessary.
Cascade Golfer will continue to monitor the developments. Our first feature appeared in the April 2023 issue, which can be found at CascadeGolfer.com under the past issues menu.
