Popular Tacoma golf course renamed, reopened after $7.5 million renovation
After two years and $7.5 million in renovations, Cedar Irons Golf Club has reopened to the public in northeast Tacoma.
The 18-hole championship course formerly known as North Shore welcomed golfers to the new-and-improved local fixture on Friday morning, updated with a modernized irrigation system and reimagined layout that caters to all skill levels.
Pacific Northwest golf architect Dan Hixson spearheaded the project, which began in November 2024.
“The property had wonderful bones, but over time it had become tight and overgrown,” Hixson said. “It’s really kind of magical when a course like Cedar Irons is opened up. It creates a better playing experience with improved sightlines, more strategic options, and a layout that’s enjoyable for everyday golfers while still challenging for better players.”
The renovated, 18-hole track managed by Columbia Hospitality features expanded tee boxes and widened fairways. Hixson and Cedar Irons rebuilt every bunker and either reconstructed or refined all 18 greens.
“Hixson’s renovation reestablishes clear playing corridors, opens views across the property, and restores the course’s natural flow,” a press release said.
Owned by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Cedar Irons opened its renovated back nine in 2025. The revitalized front nine was completed in April.
.jpg "CH_Cedar Irons_2026-3 (1).jpg")
Here’s a hole-by-hole guide of the course’s more significant modifications:
- Cedar Irons completely rebuilt putting surfaces on Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 6.
- No. 2, once a 347-yard par 4, now plays over 400 yards.
- No. 3, once a par 5, was shortened to a par 4.
- No. 5, once a par 4, was stretched into a par 5.
- No. 17, once a par 3, was stretched into a Par 4 that turned the back nine into a Par 36.
Updated practice facilities include new range targets, an improved chipping green, and covered hitting stalls.
The newly-named Cedar Irons “represents a course rooted in the land and designed to celebrate the artistry of the game,” the release said. Renovations improved drainage, turf conditions, and all-around playability for golfers of all abilities.
Al Smith designed the original track that opened in 1961.
“For the Puyallup Tribe, Cedar Irons represents stewardship of this land and a commitment to creating a welcoming place for the community to gather,” said Kyle Eley, Chief Operating Officer of the Puyallup Tribe. “This renovation restores the beauty of the property while creating a golf experience that can be enjoyed by longtime Tacoma golfers and those discovering the game for the first time.”
This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Popular Tacoma golf course renamed, reopened after $7.5 million renovation."
