On March 4, Rosie Calvillo and I toured the newly renovated Rockwood Park Golf Course.  It is located northwest of downtown Fort Worth along Jacksboro Highway. The City of Fort Worth invested $5.1 million in the renovations that include new greens, tees, fairways, cart paths and irrigation & drainage systems.  The goal is to make Rockwood North Texas’ showcase golf course and is set to open in July.

Colligan Golf Design was tasked with the improvements; their motto is “golf should be enjoyed, not endured” (great goal; some days - yes, some day - no).  
  • TifEagle greens and fairway grass from south Texas were used as they are robust enough to withstand our weather extremes. 
  • They removed 108 trees that will be strategically replaced (all 108) to promote player safety from fairway to fairway and provide adequate shading around tee boxes.
  • Better Billy Bunker systems were installed (no washout; quick drying) so we get a consistent bunker playing experience no matter the weather (we all have fun at the beach – right?).
  • Aerators were installed in the new water features of the course to help prevent algae (and that annoying odor) from forming. 

There is a cluster of live oak trees over 500 years old along the right side of fairway #1; you want to avoid them.  Only a forester can care for these Heritage Trees; they literally require a tree surgeon for any damage/maintenance.

Each hole has five tee boxes – black, blue, white, red/white, red; the red tee yardage is 5157.  Water can be a factor on 7 and bunkers on 15 of the 18 holes so course management will be paramount.  For you long hitters, there are several risk/reward holes to tempt you.

The redesign allows for wonderful views of downtown Fort Worth, Will Rogers Coliseum and Pioneer Tower.  This would be a great course for walking, for those inclined; but, they will have all new gas power golf carts for the rest of us.   I can’t wait to play this “new” course!

Rockwood also has a short course called “The River’s Edge.”  It can be played as either a par 4 - 3 hole course or a 3 par - 6 hole course.  The First Tee program uses this short course for their students; but would be great for an after-work tune-up as well.

In addition, Footgolf can also be played on The River’s Edge.  With 9 holes to best with a soccer ball, you’ll surely get plenty of exercise walking the short course as you play 9 holes totaling 899 yards.  You will definitely wish the Footgolf cups were in use on the 18-hole course too (no more 3 putts!!). 

Rockwood Park Golf Course
1851 Jacksboro Hwy | Fort Worth, TX 76114
817-624-1771

Pic insert:
Rosie Calvillo, Shawn Watson - PGA | Head Professional, and Terry Rolan