White Clay Creek Golf Course closes after 20 years

WILMINGTON — The White Clay Creek Country Club will be closing its 18-hole championship course for good on Jan. 1.

Members were notified by White Clay Creek Country Club General Manager Ryan Kidwell via a letter sent on Dec. 30. The letter notes the decision was made “with careful consideration by ownership” and was not made lightly. The country club is “working on multiple options to find a new owner but this will take time.”

Requests for comment by the Delaware Business Times were not immediately returned.

KemperSports was brought on as the golf course’s manager in 2022, shortly after the Rickman family sold Delaware Park Casino and Racetrack at the end of last year to a coalition of investors led by a Canadian private equity firm. It was KemperSport’s first course in Delaware; it currently manages about 120 courses across 24 states.

The course, which opened 20 years ago, is a hidden gem as it was designed by famed golf course architecture duo Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest. It spans 7,007 yards of fairways and greens. The course has five different tee placements on each hole and golfers of all abilities can have an enjoyable experience. Prices were also affordable with Green fees from $45 to $98.

The White Clay Creek Golf Course was ranked No. 5 in GolfPass’ annual Golfers’ Choice list of best courses in Delaware. It has consistently been in the top five for the past few years.

In addition to the course, White Clay Creek Country Club has a 40,000 square-foot club house and other amenities like The Rail Bar and Grill. KemperSports was also brought on to bolster banquet business and dining revenues.

This is not the first golf course closure in the First State, as Jonathan’s Landing Golf Course in Magnolia announced it would close on Dec. 31. That decision came after a comprehensive review to improve Jonathan’s Landings’ financial position at a high cost. That course was in business for 30 years.

The Rookery also closed in Milford in recent years but was later reopened by Matt Johnson of the new Southern Delaware Golf Club in 2024. Big Oyster Brewery took over the clubhouse as a Milford location.