114-year-old golf course may get shortened up

DENVER - Pictures on the wall of the clubhouse at the Overland Park Golf Course tell the story of a golf course that opened in 1895. They are images from another time that are embraced by golfers of today, golfers like Chuck Dreiling.

"It is part of people's history. It is part of the history of Denver and it should stay a part of the history of Denver," Dreiling said.

Dreiling started playing golf at the Overland Park as a young boy, some 40 years ago. To him, it is more than just a golf course.

"It is your childhood. It is your life," Dreiling said.

How long the Overland Park Golf Course remains a part of golfers, like Dreiling, remains to be seen. The city of Denver's Parks and Recreation Department is conducting a land use study called the River South Master Plan.

It is looking at the future of land along the South Platte River between Confluence Park and Dartmouth Avenue, including the Overland Park Golf Course.

"The concept is to convert it from an 18-hole golf course to a 9-hole par 3 course and then use the rest of the area to create an additional park," Jill McGranahan, communication director for Denver Parks and Recreation, said.

She says the proposed change at Overland Park Golf Course is in response to the future needs of the city.

"It is really about, Denver's population is growing and becoming denser and we really need to look at new ways of using our park land," McGranahan said. "We have no more space to expand, so we're looking at creative concepts and creative ideas for enhancing the park experience for people."

Golfers, like Dreiling point to the heavy use of Overland Park Golf Course as a reason to not make the change. The course averages 58,000 rounds a year.

"Is this place busy? It is busy everyday," Dreiling said.

The River South Master Plan is in its final draft stage and it is hoped the final plan will be completed by mid 2010. The city says there will be opportunities for public comment on the plan before any changes are made.