Owasso Ready For The Patriot At Stone Canyon

Plans were announced on Wednesday to build a world-class golf course in Owasso.  It's called The Patriot at Stone Canyon.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports it's scheduled to open next May.

A renowned architect has been brought in to design The Patriot, and once it's finished, developers say Green Country will have two big-time golf courses.

Those behind The Patriot at Stone Canyon traded shovels for drivers during Wednesday's ground-breaking ceremony.

This pristine property in Owasso is being transformed into a private 7,100 yard, par 72 course.

"To our surprise frankly, and to the surprise of others, there is a significant demand for an upscale golf facility here in Tulsa," said David Charney with Owasso Land Trust.

Designing the course is renowned architect Robert Trent Jones, Junior.  He has helped build more than 300 courses worldwide, but this is his first project in Oklahoma.  Jones says he is attracted to the natural beauty of the site, which includes canyons, prairie, woodlands and marshlands.  The course will take advantage of those features.

"This experience, we hope, will be the feeling of playing in a beautiful, beautiful painting," said architect Robert Trent Jones, Junior.

At the first tee, Golfers will actually tee off into a canyon. You can see the skyline of Tulsa.  If you've ever played at Southern Hills that view may look familiar, and it's that level that organizers say they are aiming for.

"It will be a world-class golf facility that will rival that sort of course.  No doubt about it.  I'm certain that it will," said David Charney with Owasso Land Trust.

But those building The Patriot say there is plenty of room in Green Country for two prominent courses.

"Maybe golfers from other parts of the country or beyond will play both those courses and come to Tulsa and enjoy themselves with their friends," said architect Robert Trent Jones, Junior.

Developers say the land has remained pristine because it belonged to a local family for decades.  Other areas of the property will be transformed into sub-divisions.