Foxboro Golf Course plans face scrutiny

The crowd in Oregon Village Hall was standing room only as people continued to voice their concerns about plans to bring housing to portions of the Foxboro Golf Course.

At its Tuesday, Sept. 8 meeting, the village board heard opposition from several residents against the proposal. No formal decision has yet been made about the proposal by the board, and the item was not on the agenda for discussion or action.

Developer Glenn Hofer of Ridgeview Development wants to develop portions of the golf course for the Autumn Ridge neighborhood and sell a nine-hole golf course to Mike Kerig, who runs the course. Kerig’s concept plan includes a practice facility and driving range to “provide Foxboro a more appealing and viable golf operation” according to the proposal.

Some residents do not want the course to downsize further after the village adopted a plan in 2023 to reduce the course from 18 holes to 12.

“Foxboro golf course has been a cornerstone in this community for over four decades,” said Brain McCravy, who has lived on the course for over two decades.

He rejected the idea that the course was not a profitable operation, and said with Madison’s busiest golf course Odana Hills closing for renovations next year, Foxboro could have drawn those golfers.

“Instead, it sits neglected and now we are being told it needs to be cut in half,” McCravy said.

Oregon High School boy’s Golf coach Brad Droste is concerned that downsizing Foxboro would disrupt the team’s ability to practice as the course is more accessible to youth than other courses in the area.

“If we were to lose Foxboro altogether or even go down to nine holes, it would definitely compromise our ability to find practice time,” he said.

A proposed driving range would be directly adjacent to Rick Featherston’s property, along with several other residents.

“Who ever heard of a driving range being placed directly adjacent to homes?” said Featherston, who wants the board to consider the interests of community members, not developers who have changed their plans.

“Plans can change, but commitments and promises don’t,” he said.

Hofer said the development was changed from a 12-hole course because of the cost to upgrade irrigation systems. The village’s consulting engineer had costs three times higher than previous estimates according to the proposal. Additionally, Hofer said the pond adjacent to hole 14 of the course filled with sediment and damaged a pump.

Concerns were also raised about potential environmental impacts, including flooding. Donna Metz brought a framed photograph of the flooded course to show how it floods even during smaller storms.

“I fear for the flood damage of my and my neighbors homes, as well as the proposed new homes on this land, which is flood-prone,” she said.

Foxboro Golf Course plans face scrutiny

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