ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are going into the golf business as they and the city of Arlington continue to grow the entertainment going up around Globe Life Park.
The Texas Rangers Golf Club is scheduled to open this summer in place of the former Chester W. Ditto Golf Course, just north of Globe Life Park. The Rangers are allowing the city to use their brand on the course at no cost. The city remains the owner and operator of the Major League Baseball-themed course.
"It is so exciting to see the transformation of Chester Ditto Golf Course," Arlington mayor Jeff Williams said. "This is really great evidence of the partnership, for the Rangers willing to lend their name to what is going to become one of the best golf courses in North Texas."
The course will attract high-profile tournaments at the high school, college and professional levels, and should be a big boost for the University of Texas-Arlington golf program, which is beginning to flourish under the direction of PGA golfer Stuart Deane.
"This is going to be a huge step in making our parks and recreation offerings that much better," Williams said. "It is sure to be a bucket-list item for baseball fans across the globe, especially our Rangers fans right here in Arlington. It is awesome that our citizens are going to have a world-class golf course. It also raises the image of our community."
The $24 million project includes a total renovation and updating of the existing course. The new 33,871-square-foot clubhouse will feature a full-service restaurant and bar, covered patio overlooking the golf course, pro shop, locker room and one of the largest driving ranges in North Texas. The clubhouse will be named after Chester Ditto.
"The Texas Rangers Golf Club is the first of its kind, and gives us the opportunity to not only promote golf and baseball here in Arlington, but to the millions of people who come to our entertainment district year after year after year," Rangers vice president Rob Matwick said. "These are exciting times in Arlington, both for the city and the Rangers. Opportunities like this only happen through great relationships."
The Texas Rangers Golf Club is the latest addition to the entertainment district with Texas Live! opening this year, and a luxury hotel and new ballpark in the future. Globe Life Field is scheduled to open in 2020.
"We welcome [more than] 14 million visitors to Arlington each year," said Ron Price, president of the Arlington convention and visitors bureau. "Part of our job is how do we grow that and how do we extend their visit one more day. We are always looking for opportunities. So you can imagine why we are so excited to partner on this adventure. This allows us to give that visitor one more day."