1. Norman K. Probstein Community Golf Course And Youth Learning Center
City: Forest Park, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (314) 367-1337
Address: 6141 Lagoon Drive
Description: At the turn of the 20th century, a number of local businessmen and sportsmen began a campaign for the construction of a municipal golf course. Several sites were suggested, but since the municipality was busy with plans for the coming World’s Fair, nothing was done about a golf course for several years. In 1912 Dwight Davis, commissioner of parks and recreation, recommended in his annual report that an 18-hole golf course be developed over the area in Forest Park that was used for part of the World’s Fair grounds. Today Forest Park golfers enjoy one of the finest public courses in the country. Each 9-hole course is named for a native Missouri tree—dogwood, redbud, or hawthorne. The Hale Irwin Signature designed facility, with zoysia fairways and a number of water features, is a 27-hole course that includes three 9-hole courses, each of which may be played as a 9-hole course or combined for an 18-hole round. All three courses are Par 35. Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program practices have been followed in the design of the course, which helps promote ecologically sound land management and conservation of natural resources. The clubhouse includes Ruthie’s Cafe and a golf supply shop. Greens fees are reasonable, and membership packages are available.
2. Dwight F. Davis Memorial Tennis Center
City: Forest Park, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (314) 361-0901
Address: 5620 Grand Drive
Description: The Dwight F. Davis Memorial Tennis Center is named for the donor of the Davis Cup international tennis trophy and the former St. Louis Parks Commissioner who brought active recreation and tennis to Forest Park in 1912. The center, which opened in 1966, offers 19 lighted championship courts and a stadium court. Lessons are available for four-year-olds through adults. The club also hosts the World Team Tennis (WTT) home games of the St. Louis Aces each summer, which bring some of the best professional players to St. Louis over a two-week period.