Course History

Founded in 1917 — the same year the United States entered World War I — by renowned golf expert Mrs. Gourtley Dunn Webb, Washoe Golf Course has long been woven into the history of Reno and Northern Nevada golf. Washoe is believed to be one of the earliest golf courses in the American West designed by a woman, making its origins a unique part of golf history in the region.

Originally opened as a private 9-hole members-only club, Washoe evolved alongside the growing Truckee Meadows community and officially became a public golf course in 1936 following the Great Depression. As Reno transformed from a railroad and mining town into Northern Nevada’s largest city, Washoe Golf Course became one of the community’s enduring recreational landmarks and premier golf destinations.

One of the most significant chapters in Washoe’s story came during the 1930s, when the course underwent a major transformation as part of a WPA-era project. Construction and improvements helped shape the classic layout golfers still enjoy today.

History from the era highlights the work of noted golf course architect Sam Whiting of San Francisco’s Olympic Club, who declared that Washoe could become “the equal of any he has worked or played.” Early reports also praised the course’s exceptional conditioning, scenic beauty, and natural setting — many qualities that still continue to define “The Shoe” nearly a century later.

Washoe hosted its first professional tournament in 1946 and boasts among its champions none other than golf legend Ben Hogan. Over the decades, Washoe has hosted countless state, regional, and local championships while remaining one of the most beloved and playable tracks in Northern Nevada, earning a reputation for classic architecture, walkability, and course conditions.

Today, Washoe Golf Course continues to serve as a gathering place for golfers of all ages and abilities. Generations of locals have learned the game here, competed in tournaments here, and created lasting memories on its fairways. The course’s mature trees, walkable layout, and timeless design continue to make Washoe Golf Course one of Reno’s true golf treasures.