North Shore Golf Course rebrands as Cedar Irons

Published 11:30 am Sunday, June 14, 2026

Revamped greens, level tee boxes and wide open fairways welcome golfers with open arms.

North Shore golf course is now rebranded as Cedar Irons as a $7.5 million dollar renovation project is nearing completion and all 18-holes are now fully open and ready to play.

Back in 2016 the Puyallup Tribe purchased the golf course and slowly put together a renovation plan in place that finally took off in 2024. What began with a drainage system renovation turned into an entire irrigation overhaul but, most importantly, the feel of the course is wide open.

“They started off with a new fleet of carts and new equipment for the maintenance team. Then they got rid of buildings that were past their prime and then re-did the driving range. Then it became apparent that there was a need to replace the irrigation system,” Wetli said.

The biggest change is obviously going to be the name. Cedar Irons references the trees that stand along the fairways for the majority of the course, the big tall lush green trees sit like trees in a Bob Ross painting as golfers try to navigate their way through the course. The ‘irons’ part of the name comes as a reference that “rewards shotmaking and strategic play rather than brute distance,” according to the press release announcing the name change.

“For the Puyallup Tribe, Cedar Irons represents stewardship of this land and a commitment to creating a welcoming place for the community to gather,” said Kyle Eley, Chief Operating Officer of the Puyallup Tribe. “This renovation restores the beauty of the property while creating a golf experience that can be enjoyed by longtime Tacoma golfers and those discovering the game for the first time,” the press release stated.

Players will notice pretty much instantly on the front nine, significant changes especially with the trees. Over the whole entirety of the course over 300 trees were taken down as part of the renovation 220 on the front nine and around 80 on the back. Architect Dan Hixson redesigned the course in a way that adds a new flavor to the course.

Pulling off an overhaul this serious means closing the course. A project that started in 2024 forced golfers to play one set of nine holes twice for a round of 18 while the front or back nine were under construction.

Greens were rebuilt on holes 1,2,3 and 6. Hole 2, which was once a 347-yard par 4, is now more than 400 yards and hole 3 was shortened to a par 4. “It’s been a steady progression moving forward. It got to the point where they saw how dramatic the changes were and decided it was time to rebrand and refresh,” General Manager David Wetli said.

Another key was wanting all tee boxes to be level. So now, all 18 holes from the tips to the front tees are all level and have their own area. No more senior tees on the fairway. “We wanted it to be as nice of an experience for people from the shorter tees as it is from the back tees,” said Wetli.

The driving range has new targets, a revamped chipping green and an outdoor matted area as well. The changes are about making Cedar Irons a local icon and a destination that patrons want to keep returning to.

“We just want it to be a fun, enjoyable experience for public play. We want it to be a higher level of maintenance with nice greens, fairways and tees. We want to have a super friendly staff that is focused on hospitality,” said Wetli. “We want people to be able to enjoy a higher level of quality and really enjoy the piece of property.”

Out on the course the environment is incredible. The grass on the greens is incredibly maintained, there is a clear intent on keeping Cedar Irons facilities at a high level. The effort put in on and below the surface makes Cedar Irons a course that continues to impress as golfers go about their 18 holes.

Since the purchase of the course, working with the Puyallup Tribe has been a great experience for all parties involved, says Wetli. Whatever changes needed to be made, whether it was replacing every bunker or moving a tee box, the Tribe backed the staff on site.

“The Tribe has just been outstanding to work for and work with. They hired a management company, Columbia Hospitality and our motto day in and day out is ‘better never stops’. The Tribe has similar values so it is a good get together with the tribe and the management company,” Wetli said. “They have been fabulous.”

Cedar Irons also has been a staple in the youth game as well. Three high schools use the course as their home course during the high school season and the youth on course program is involved at Cedar Irons.

“Being open to the public is a big help, a lot of kids historically come out of the private clubs. We have always had a robust junior program out here,” Wetli said. “We do a lot of youth on course rounds every week and every month. As a golf course owner you want the kids to get out and play because they are tomorrow’s player.”

But the renovations aren’t done yet.

For fans of the North Shore restaurant, do not fret. Construction began in late May on the new restaurant on the course. A major part of creating the golf course community, the restaurant serves as a way to keep people coming back to the course.

The restaurant is set to be finished and open by the end of the year.