Golden Gate Park Golf Course open again after July 2 blaze

Golden Gate Park Golf Course has reopened less than three weeks after a fire destroyed its clubhouse, city officials announced Friday.

The clubhouse, built in 1951, was almost completely razed in an early morning fire July 2. The remains of the building were removed by July 11, according to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and a temporary structure has been erected where the clubhouse once stood.

“The Golden Gate Park Golf Course means so much to so many,” said Phil Ginsburg, Rec and Park’s general manager. “Countless San Franciscans have fallen in love with the game there, and we wanted to make sure golfers of all abilities could get back to honing their skills.”

The clubhouse, which had a pro shop and full kitchen, was a favorite for players of the nine-hole, par-3 course. Food service will be limited at the temporary building, but “all other operations have resumed,” officials said in a statement.

At 2:47 a.m. July 2, the San Francisco Fire Department received a report that a fire had broken out near the entrance of the club. Crews responded and doused the clubhouse for at least an hour.

The Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the blaze.

There were no injuries and no one was displaced, but the clubhouse was destroyed. Park and Rec officials originally expected the course to be closed for no longer than a week.

“We have received hundreds of emails and phone calls showing support after the fire,” said Justin Moore, general manager of the course. “It truly means a great deal to the golf course staff. The support and kind words have given us the motivation to resume normal operations.”