SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On June 8, William Land Golf Course celebrated Sacramento’s oldest existing nine holes of golf. Operator Morton Golf hosted local players, dignitaries, and long-time friends to enjoy a day on the green.

Founder and CEO Ken Morton Sr. has managed Sacramento golf for sixty-six years. He began in 1958 at Haggin Oaks. Today, the family business handles all four of Sacramento’s public golf courses. His son Ken Morton Jr. told me he remembers running around Haggin Oaks at seven years old, giving change at the driving range and working in the pro shop. It’s all Morton Jr. has known, and he loves it. You could say, comparatively, William Land Golf Course is a recent acquisition. His dad took over management in July 2018. A good deal for the city budget since the company is “self-contained” and doesn’t rely on Sacramento tax dollars.

The first step for new management was to find a great general manager, and Curt David was the answer. Morton Jr. said, “We all tease that our work is our home, but it truly is for Curt. He lives down the street from the course, and his job is his passion. We adore having him as our GM. He infused this magical energy into the facility that hadn’t existed before.”

David has done much to make the golf course sparkle. He oversaw the Sutterville Road sign at the entryway, improved the menu at Mulligan’s Café, and upgraded concrete cart paths around tees and greens. David also developed a summer concert series called “Music on the Green.” He partnered with the Land Park Community Association, too. The collaboration provides free family events for Christmas and Easter. The course is currently advertising the 2nd annual Parktoberfest, an LPCA fundraiser which will happen on September 28.  

These are just a few modifications. David is working on a permanent shade structure above the patio, which will give folks a respite on hot days. He also plans to upgrade the concert stage and picnic areas at Swanson’s Grove. These improvements are good for customers, but also inviting to the rest of the community. And that’s been the vision of Morton Golf: to make golf available to everyone. 

In the 1980s, Morton Sr. founded Sacramento Area Youth Golf, or SAY. The national First Tee junior program modeled itself after SAY golf and currently serves youth between ages three and 18. Around 2,500 kids go through the summer golf program each season.

And for those with little financial means, that’s covered, too. Jane Siebers, executive director of the Morton Golf Foundation, said, “It was Ken’s vision to start the Foundation with a mission to turn no person away from golf. We believe the course is the best place to rehabilitate.”

The Morton Golf Foundation raises around a million dollars annually to support outreach and programs for special needs and underserved youth and adults. The annual June music festival and charity event Golf & Guitars, held at Haggin Oaks, contributes to the funding. The Foundation works with many organizations, including the American Heart Association, Special Olympics, and Veterans Golf Program.  

The Foundation also supports golf development on school campuses. Ken Morton Sr. proudly expressed that they helped build the Hiram Johnson High School Life & Golf Skills Facility which recently opened. He said, “Many underprivileged kids can’t get to a golf course, so we wanted to bring the course to them." 

Back at the William Land Golf Course, the annual Capitol Cup game is happening. It’s a friendly rivalry between city and county officials. 

They rib each other about their game and do some fundraising behind the scenes. The city won the cup this year, making this their fourth win in five years. 

After a lunch of burgers and salad everyone listened to presentations by the Morton Family and Curt David. They shared their goals for the golf course over the next hundred years. Architect Brett Hochstein of Hochstein Design unveiled a restoration plan to upgrade the course water system, greens, and amenities. Guests are impressed and huddle around the display to see what the course will evolve into. 

Morton Sr.’s eyes brightened as he said, “Land Park is a community-based golf course. It’s literally a walk in the park. There are few facilities like this anywhere in the world where the community can sit around and have a beer or coffee with friends. It's a very special place.”

To learn more about the Morton Golf Foundation, visit www.mortongolffoundation.org. People can visit the William Land Golf Course website for upcoming events and information at https://www.williamlandgc.com/. To review details for Golf & Guitars, click here: https://www.golfandguitars.com/. To find out about the Parktoberfest event, go to https://landpark.org/. H