Golf Blog

A Victory for Public Golf: Every Hole at Maggie Hathaway Golf Course

With the National Links Trust losing their lease in Washington DC, affordable and accessible public golf in America needs a victory. Fortunately, not everyone is out to privatize the sport we love. The public golf course of Maggie Hathaway Golf facilities are getting a full renovation and a serious upgrade. Located in the heart of South Central LA, the municipal golf course has been serving the local community since 1962. Originally known as Jack Thompson Golf Course, the facility was renamed in 1997 to honor Hathaway, a golf instructor, blues singer, and civil rights leader who helped break through the color barrier on public courses in Los Angeles.

Out of the $20 million being spent, approximately $8 million came from LA county’s supplemental budget with significant contributions coming from the USGA, SCGA, LA Clippers, and the exclusive Los Angeles Country Club. PGA tour player Collin Morikawa is also heavily involved with the project.

The world class design team of Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner offered their services pro bono to make sure that the tiny 12 acre parcel of land is as good as it possibly can be. The land at Maggie Hathaway that Gil and Jim had to work with is an awkward “L shaped” piece of property surrounded by homes, an elementary school and even a power station. Given what they had to work with, the results are spectacular.

Re-opening in March of 2025, Maggie Hathaway is looking to make a difference in South Los Angeles. Here is a quick list of the new features to a classic local LA favorite.

  • Larger greens with varied hole locations

  • New grasses for better play less water use

  • Improved views

  • Turf reduction with new sand areas

  • Expanded practice facilities

  • New hole numbering

Hole #1: Par 3 - Front: 90 Yards - Back: 125 yards

Maggie Hathaway kicks off with a bang. The opening hole is perhaps the finest hole on the property and easily the most photogenic. The hole is only 125 yards long and features a gorgeous waste bunker that crosses in front of the hole and down the entire right hand side. Since I was the very first golfer to play the fresh renovation, it was a foregone conclusion that I was going to establish a brand new course record. I started off with a steady par.

Hole #2: Par 3 - Front: 81 yards - Back: 129 yards

The second hole is one of two golf holes at Maggie Hathaway that features no bunkers. Like many holes on the golf course, the green on #2 is the most interesting aspect of the design. A large swale in the center of the green separates the top half of the green from the bottom and creates a challenge for those not playing to the proper level.

Hole #3: Par 3 - Front 65 yards - Back: 89 yards

After 2 tee shots over 100 yards, we dip below 100 yards on the 3rd hole. The green slopes gently from left to right and a bunker protects the right hand side of the golf hole. A handful of large signature trees loom beyond the green to add some ambiance.

Hole #4: Par 3 - Front: 80 yards - Back: 101 yards

The 4th may look innocent enough but you do not want to go long on the 4th hole. A sneaky little bunker waits for you across the back of this green. Several new saplings have been planted on the right hand side to create some separation between the 4th and 5th holes.

Hole #5: Par 3 - Front: 70 - Back: 112 yards

Gil Hanse has made great use of the terrain as we turn the corner on the golf course. The are two prominent mounds directly in front of the green. Anything to the left or right slopes away from the putting surface. Split the mounds with the proper distance and you will be fine but hitting your tee shot off line will present the golfer with a challenging par save.

Hole #6: Par 3 - Front: 57 yards - Back: 106 yards

The 6th hole is the centerpiece of Maggie Hathaway. Located just beyond the 1st and 3rd holes, the location is perfect for bringing all golfers together. The green is nestled in between a grove of trees with a large bunker winding around the right hand side. The putting surface has a significant rise in the middle half of the back of the green that will make for plenty of interesting putts.

Course History Alert: on January 7th, 2026, with the pin front and center, I holed a 35 foot putt for birdie from the back right hand portion of the green. This was the first official birdie on the freshly renovated Maggie Hathaway Golf Course. Course Superintendent, Doug Wilkinson was there to witness the historic moment.

Hole #7: Par 3 - Front: 95 yards - Back: 134 yards

The longest golf hole at Maggie Hathaway comes in at a whopping 134 yards, which means that most golfers can get away with bringing just 1-3 golf clubs for a round of golf. One of Hanse’s waste bunkers lines the left hand side of the property with a second bunker along the right hand side of the green. The putting surface slopes from back to front with a slight rise in the back right hand portion of the putting surface.

Hole #8: Par 3 - Front: 72 yards - Back: 98 yards

There are two golf holes at Maggie Hathaway that finish up on the far side of the driving range. Quite frankly, it is impressive that Hanse even managed to fit 157 yards of golf onto that side of the property. The result is two cozy finishing holes.

Hole #9: Par 3 - Front: 44 yards - Back: 59 yards

Why save the best for last when you can save the shortest for last? Just a short little walk across a bunker path next to the 8th green and you will find the final tee box. It is a tiny little shot but your distance control will need to be dialed in due to a large plateau situated on the back of the green. The grand slopes on the 9th green should provide some drama for your final putts at Maggie Hathaway.

After I finished my round at Maggie Hathaway, I counted up my strokes. With 8 pars and 1 birdie, I carded a round of -1 and a score of 26 to establish a new course record. I would challenge every one in the Los Angeles area to come out and attempt to break my record. Even if you come up short, you are certain to have a glorious good time at Maggie Hathaway.