Pierce County

Pierce County Parks and Recreation: Golf Course Management Services

2026-RFP-246

Open

Department

Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation - Parks Director

Summary

Pierce County Parks and Recreation are interested in building strong local and regional interest and profitability of our two golf courses. The County is seeking a long-term operating partner that will bring operational expertise, innovation, financial strength, and a willingness to invest in the continued success of Chambers Bay and Lake Spanaway. Proposals should identify opportunities for operator-funded, jointly funded, or other innovative capital investment and revenue-growth strategies. We are seeking a highly skilled and qualified golf management organization to operate, maintain, market, and enhance Chambers Bay Golf Course and Lake Spanaway Golf Course. The County's objectives include increasing rounds and local participation; securing regional, national, and international tournaments; maximizing sustainable revenues and operating efficiencies; maintaining high-quality course conditions and customer service; and supporting long-term capital reinvestment in the County's golf facilities. Our current management company’s contract is expiring and as a public facility, Pierce County ensures that a fair and competitive process is open to all qualified and interested parties. Through this process, we expect to obtain the most qualified golf management company who will deliver the best in service delivery and profitability to the citizens of Pierce County.

Background

Pierce County Parks and Recreation is responsible for two golf courses owned by the County. We understand the benefits of obtaining the experience and expertise of a golf course management company and believe our facilities are better served and maintained by those with these core competencies. Therefore, we are seeking proposals from qualified organizations to operate the following golf courses and their associated retail shops, restaurants, and services. The Chambers Bay Golf Course is an 18-hole Irish/Scottish links style course located along the shores of Puget Sound. The Course hosted the 2015 U.S. Open and 2010 U.S. Amateur Championships. The Course recently hosted the US Women’s Amateur in 2022 and has two additional USGA events scheduled for 2027 and 2033, as well as numerous other national, regional, and collegiate tournaments. The course is in the City of University Place, Washington, approximately forty-three miles south of downtown Seattle, thirty-three miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and twenty-four miles north of Olympia. The site boasts beautiful scenic views of the snow-covered Olympic Mountain ranges, adjacent islands and Puget Sound. The Course is readily accessible by Interstate 5 or State Highway 16. The course plays from 5,100 to 7,585 yards with a rating of 75.6 from the Navy tees with a slope of 139. The clubhouse consists of a pro shop and restaurant with outdoor patio seating. In addition, “The Landing” is located between the 1st and 10th hole and serves as a starting area for golfers, and place to grab a quick bite or meet for a drink for both golfers and park goers. On a seasonal basis, the Chambers Bay Event Pavilion is erected which serves up to 200 guests for special events. The course includes two driving ranges. One full size range located south of the course and another small range is located near the 1st tee in the interior of the course. Shuttle vehicles are utilized to transport golfers from the clubhouse to the driving range and “The Landing”. Golf instruction is provided on-site. Another unique feature of Chambers Bay is the integration of a pedestrian walking path into the actual course design. The Soundview Trail winds through a portion of the course offering walkers sweeping water views of Puget Sound. The companion Grandview Trail offers panoramic views over the course. The combined 3.1-mile loop is a popular destination and draws walkers and recreational enthusiasts from around the region. Lake Spanaway Golf Course opened in 1967 and is located at 15602 Pacific Avenue in Spanaway, a community south of Tacoma adjacent to Spanaway Lake and Sprinker Recreation Center, one of Pierce County’s most heavily used recreational facilities, serving more than one million visitors. Pierce County is making a significant investment in the renovation and modernization of Sprinker Recreation Center and views Lake Spanaway Golf Course as an integral part of the broader revitalization of this recreation campus. The County sees opportunities to strengthen the connection between the two facilities through coordinated programming, amenities, customer experience, and future investment that enhances the overall recreational value of the site. The 18-hole, championship layout course is 7,083 yards long, par 72, with a slope of 136 and a rating of 74.2 from the back tees; and 6,278 yards long, par 72, with a slope of 120 and a rating of 70.3, from the white tees. The 3,520 square foot clubhouse consists of a pro shop, restaurant and 1,080 square foot unimproved basement used for storage. There is a covered, full-size, lighted driving range with some grass tees. Part of the driving range building serves as a covered, 24-golf car storage structure. Golf instruction is provided on-site.

Important Dates

Release Date

10/16/2026

Pre-Proposal Date

10/27/2026

Q&A Deadline

11/5/2026

Proposal Deadline

11/13/2026

Contact Information

Project Contact

Stephanie Browning

Procurement and Contract Specialist 2

stephanie.browning@piercecountywa.gov

(253) 798-7796

1501 Market

Suite #420

Tacoma, WA 98402

Procurement Contact

Stephanie Browning

Procurement and Contract Specialist 2

stephanie.browning@piercecountywa.gov

(253) 798-7796

1501 Market

Suite #420

Tacoma, WA 98402