MANSFIELD — One of Richland County’s oldest layouts, Coolridge Golf Course, is reopening with new owners and a new name.
A ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, June 15 marks the official opening of the restaurant at Dawson Ridge Par and Pub. The course opening is a couple of weeks away, as refurbishing the grounds continues.
That will culminate a winding road for the course and the Dawsons.
In April, Doris and Delbert Dawson, Mansfield residents for the past 39 years, bought the 9-hole, 86-acre course where they first started golfing in 1989. They have since renamed it Dawson Ridge Par and Pub to signal a new era for the property.
Shortly after the Depression the land was formally opened as a golf course by the Huntsman family. Then, the business shifted ownership for the next 20 years before closing for a few years. Recently, the course has lacked stable ownership. Doris and Delbert, however, hope to provide just that.
“It’s funny because we had been talking about retiring,” Doris said, laughing.
Instead, they will be doing quite the opposite. Both Doris and her husband decided to take on the golf course on top of still managing other business interests.
It hasn’t been light work, either. The couple, their children, and a growing team of workers have been working tirelessly since buying the property. The course alone takes four mowers, mowing all day, every day.
“We’re balancing” Doris said of the work. “It’s been some 12- and 14-hour days.”
But they wouldn’t be juggling multiple jobs if they weren’t enthusiastic about the property.
“The land, itself, you just cannot put a price on it.”
The expansive greens warrant three ponds, numerous ditches, hills, and distant views of central Mansfield. The Dawsons are keeping it a strictly 9-hole course, but it has some par 5 and par 4 holes.
“They’re challenging holes.” Doris said as she discussed the technicalities of the layout.
As for the pub, it serves typical American food and the Dawsons are hoping to create a family atmosphere.
The big hit since the bar’s opening a few weeks ago has been the breakfast Dawson Triple Hoagie. Doris also recommends the famous Dawson Ridge burger.
