(Philadelphia, Pa.) – The Cobbs Creek Foundation and Lincoln Financial today celebrated the grand opening of the Lincoln Financial Center at Cobbs Creek and launched the first full season of golf since the Cobbs Creek Foundation began revitalizing the historic course.
Joined by elected officials, business leaders, community members, and executives from Lincoln Financial, leadership from the nonprofit Cobbs Creek Foundation cut a ribbon on the 42,000 square-foot Lincoln Financial Center at Cobbs Creek. The three-story complex houses a driving range and golf entertainment center, The Little Horse Tavern restaurant, retail pro shop and 200-person event and community space.
“We are thrilled to bring to life our partnership with Lincoln Financial on the new Cobbs Creek Golf and Education Campus and to welcome visitors from across the city and region to the Lincoln Financial Center,” said Jeffrey Shanahan, president of the Cobbs Creek Foundation. “We thank our partners at Lincoln Financial for their investment in this community. Their commitment ensures that the Cobbs Creek campus will be a beacon of education, life-changing opportunities, and environmental stewardship.”
“For more than 120 years, providing financial protection and security for our customers and their families has been central to Lincoln Financial’s mission — and that commitment extends to strengthening the communities where we live and work,” said Ellen Cooper, Chairman, President and CEO of Lincoln Financial. “We are proud to support the Cobbs Creek Foundation’s work to expand access and opportunity across Philadelphia. Through our partnership with TGR Foundation, we are bringing financial literacy and economic empowerment programs to the next generation. As a founding partner, we are honored to be part of this effort and to call this city our home.”
Lincoln Financial became a founding partner of the nonprofit Cobbs Creek Foundation in March 2025, a strategic alignment that will further the restoration of the historic campus as well as the development of community education, networking and mentorship opportunities – reflecting a shared, long-term commitment to the Philadelphia community through increased access to innovative programs and world class facilities.
Together with its partners, Cobbs Creek Foundation is building Philadelphia’s newest amateur and professional sports venue — one rooted in excellence, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to giving back to the community. As one of the first founding partners in this initiative, Lincoln Financial is leading the way in this groundbreaking private-public partnership in sports and education, bringing together mission-driven organizations committed to expanding access, opportunity, and community impact in West Philadelphia.
In addition to naming the Lincoln Financial Center at Cobbs Creek, the company has also partnered with TGR Foundation to develop a new financial wellness program, Money Moves. This program is designed for students in grades 4-12 and their families to build real-world money management skills through topics such as budgeting, entrepreneurship, investing and more. Powered by Lincoln Financial, the program will launch in July at the Smilow Woodland TGR Learning Lab at Cobbs Creek and be available at all TGR Learning Labs starting with the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Smilow Woodland TGR Learning Lab, which opened in April 2025, provides free, year-round educational opportunities for local youth in grades 1-12, including STEAM courses, academic support, college prep and career-connected learning experiences.
The Q School short course, now open to the public, is an entry point for golfers of all ages and abilities and is designed to introduce new players to the game, while also creating a venue for accomplished players to hone their iron play and short game.
The Lincoln Financial Center at Cobbs Creek opened in December 2025 as the first golf amenity reopened to the public since the golf course closed in 2020. The new building’s state-of-the-art amenities include:
– A double-decker golf practice facility equipped with Toptracer technology and food and beverage service to all 68 bays. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with walk-ins welcome.
– The Little Horse Tavern, an elevated and approachable neighborhood restaurant and bar.
– A retail pro shop featuring Cobbs Creek apparel, gear and other items for golfers and Cobbs Creek history enthusiasts.
1916 by Fitler Club, a 200+ person community event/banquet space on the top floor. Named after the year the Cobbs Creek Golf Course originally opened, this space is available for meetings, corporate and community events.
“The Lincoln Financial Center at Cobbs Creek is a place for us to gather, reconnect and enjoy time together, but it’s much more than that,” said Chris Maguire, chairman of the board of the Cobbs Creek Foundation. “More importantly, it will generate revenue to begin transforming this golf course into a unique self-sustaining destination where golf serves as the engine powering opportunity, education, and community impact for generations to come.”
The Cobbs Creek Foundation is raising $180 million to restore and revitalize the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course, with the remainder of the project set to open in phases. The Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner-led restoration of the 18-hole championship course is underway with an opening planned for 2027, and the nine-hole Karakung course set to open in 2028.
The Cobbs Creek Golf Campus is managed by Troon, the global leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services.