Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Golf Course is located inside the state park of the same name about 90 minutes northwest of Nashville in a remote and wooded part of Kentucky.
The golf course’s original nine was designed by prolific architect Larry Packard, who had a hand in some 600 different courses during his career. A second nine was added in 2003 and winds along a small valley that carves through wooded hills.
But the course is in danger of being shuttered, something residents in the area were surprised to hear when a local politician mentioned it on a rural Kentucky radio talk show.
More: Golfweek’s list of the best public, private golf courses in KY
According to a story at the Madisonville (Ky.) Messenger, Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam said the state is considering closing the course, noting that maintenance costs per round played average somewhere near $100.
“Here is what Commissioner Russ Meyer informed us: ‘Pennyrile Forest State Park’s golf course is the most costly course to maintain while it generates the least amount of revenue,’ ” Gilliam said. “ ‘With the significantly lower rounds of play, it simply is cost prohibitive to keep in operation.’ ”
According to a story at WEHT in Henderson, the decision has yet to be made, but losses are mounting.
A spokesperson with the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet explains since the golf course was built in a floodplain, it suffers from significant damage during rain events, washing out the cart path, damaging bridges and causing other damage, leading to long closures and expensive repairs to make the course safe and playable. With these challenges, the course is the least played and lowest quality among the Kentucky State Parks golf courses, requiring at least $2 to $3 million to be brought up to standards, yet persistent issues would remain.
Cabinet officials say Parks officials have not made a final decision on the Pennyrile golf course, and all options are being explored. Commissioner Meyer told local leaders he wanted to continue talking to them about future options and opportunities. Kentucky State Parks says it remains dedicated to its mission of making Kentucky’s parks a vibrant and welcoming space for all to enjoy.
According to officials, of the 5,862 “stay and play” rounds of golf played at all Kentucky state park courses in the 2023 fiscal year, just 13 of those were at Pennyrile. The golf course has just one full-time employee who, if the course were closed, would be moved into a similar role at the state park or another park course. The course brings in the least revenue and has the highest cost per round among the Kentucky Department of Parks courses.