In This Read…

THIS WEEK’S BIG STORY
White Clay Creek CC Reopens May 8th. Here's Everything We Know.

This is the story NCC golf has been waiting for. And it's more complicated than a simple reopening.

Here's the full timeline.

Last week the White Clay Creek website was quietly updated. No email, no public announcement, no social post. Just a single line: reopening May 8th.

No context. No explanation. Just a date.

But the tee sheet showed no available times.

A few days later the May 8th date disappeared entirely. Replaced with "Opening Soon — Stay Tuned For More Details." NCC Golf Report caught the website change the same night it happened and reported it immediately.

Then the tee sheet loaded with bookable times from May 8th onward.

As of this week White Clay Creek Country Club is open for public play.

The Pricing

Rates are on par with Rock Manor and Deerfield and slightly increased from last year. White Clay uses dynamic pricing meaning rates adjust in real-time based on demand, time of day, and availability.

Here's what the tee sheet is currently showing:

Weekend (Fri-Sun): $95 peak morning / $55 twilight. Weekday (Mon-Thu): $80 peak morning / $45 twilight.

What Past Members Are Saying

Since we broke the story NCC Golf Report has spoken with several former members. The response is a mixed bag of frustration, confusion, and cautious optimism.

One anonymous past member shared this directly with us:

"Most members and even staff knew something was not right. They stopped taking wedding, party, and golf outing reservations for 2026 and were demanding payment from those of us on payment plans for the remainder of 2025 — with the threat of not being able to renew membership for 2026 if payment was not made in full. We then found out renewal for 2026 was never an option. We were told for months 'We're updating member pricing packages and it will be ready in a few weeks' — starting around August of 2025. We were not given any notification or explanation before or after the closure letter went out. We were left in the dark."

Anonymous Former Member at White Clay Creek CC

Other past members echoed similar sentiments. The general feeling is that the handling of the closure was poor and trust with the membership was broken.

What the Public Is Saying

The public side of this story is more divided. Many NCC golfers are eager to play what is arguably one of the best layouts in the area. Others feel the value proposition doesn't hold up against Frog Hollow, Back Creek, and Odessa at cheaper price points. And some question whether the course can sustain itself after the recent closure.

What Management Is Saying

NCC Golf Report spoke directly with Ryan Kidwell, General Manager of White Clay Creek, by phone this week. He confirmed the course is opening and acknowledged he has seen commentary online about the reopening but declined to address specifics.

When asked about the new ownership situation, Kidwell stated that information is being kept confidential at this time.

He did agree to sit down with NCC Golf Report for a full interview in the coming weeks. When that conversation happens you'll read it here first.

Our Take

We want White Clay Creek CC, and Ryan, to succeed. Period. This course is a gem and NCC golf is better with it in the rotation.

But the questions around ownership, communication, and the handling of the membership closure are legitimate. Past members deserve answers. The public deserves transparency. And as the local golf outlet covering this county we are going to keep asking until we get them.

The story is not over. We'll keep you posted.

*NCC Golf Report is committed to fair and accurate local golf coverage. Our mission is to share the facts, speculate within reason, and create discussion.

Have insider news? Know something we don’t? If you hear something, send it our way! Reply directly to this email. I read every message.

— The NCC Golf Report

Even more golf content…
NCC Golf Report is now on YouTube!

We just launched our YouTube channel and 2 videos are already live.

This is where all of our long form content will live - interviews, lessons, course reviews, and exclusive NCC golf content you can't get anywhere else.

Now streaming:

📹 Local Lesson with Michael Tobiason Jr. — Head Pro at Deerfield Golf Club. I got a full lesson, and he broke down my swing faults better than anyone ever has.

📹 Greenside Chat with Mike Walladsen — Head Superintendent at Back Creek Golf Club. Mike pulls back the curtain on what actually goes into keeping a championship golf course in shape.

Go subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. ⛳

THIS WEEK’S COURSE INTEL
Course Updates

Image of White Clay Creek CC on NCC’s Zoning Map

This week’s NCC Golf Trivia Question:

White Clay Creek Country Club sits on how many acres?

Not including subdivided parcels and associated lots. Just the golf course.

Login or Subscribe to participate

Here's what’s happening in NCC this week:

🪨 Rock Manor

Big week for the Rock Manor staff.

🏌️ Head Golf Pro Nikita Romanov and Head Teaching Pro Tom Breslin took 1st place at the 2026 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship at Atlantic City Country Club. They shot an 8-under and edged out DuPont Country Club's Michael Caldwell and Matt Finger by 1 stroke.

A public golf course in Wilmington beat the country club boys. Congratulations Nikita and Tom. Rock Manor is proud. 🏆

🏰 Delcastle

Greens are recovering from last week's aeration and looking nice.

🌮 Cinco De Mayo 9 & Dine: Tonight, May 7th 2-person 9-hole scramble with a 4:30 PM shotgun start followed by a taco and margarita bar. $110 per team. If you're reading this in time, go.

🐷 Ed Oliver

🥞 Breakfast with Mom on May 10th Two seatings: 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM Adults $39 | Children 2-12 $20 | Under 2 Free

🌾 Back Creek

🥂 Cinco De Mayo specials end today. $5 drafts and margaritas at the Tavern.

🍽️ Mother's Day Brunch on May 10th. Carving stations, kids buffet, and dessert.

🚜 Sections have been freshly paved and it shows. Big improvement out there. Pictures will be shared on IG this week.

🐸 Frog Hollow

📅 Match Play Tournament on May 12th. Competitive golf at one of Delaware's best public courses.

⚜️ St. Anne's

Casa 19 Kitchen and Bar just dropped the first look at their menu. If you've been curious about what's coming to the most amenity-rich club in NCC go take a look.

🐮 Garrisons Lake

📅 StickX Club Buy-Back and XXIO/Never Compromise Fitting Day on May 15th, 11AM - 3PM!

If you've been thinking about new equipment this is a good opportunity. Bring your old clubs and walk out with something new.

🇺🇸 Patriots Glenn

🌮 Tacos, Tequila and Tanning - Tonight, May 7th

Spray tans by Airbrushed by Allison. Yes, really. NCC golf is a full lifestyle apparently. I love it.

Earn Exclusive Rewards
Referral Program

Refer 3 friends and get 25% off plus free shipping at Hugh McLean Golf.

Your referral link is below. ⬇️

Editor’s Notes

Hello, fellow New Castle County golf lovers.

Week 10. Wow.

10 weeks ago I was just a guy with a newsletter idea and I genuinely had no idea if anyone would read it.

You did. And here we are.

I just launched our YouTube channel and I want to build it the right way.

So tell me:

Which local coaches or instructors should I take a lesson with next?

What NCC course should I review on camera?

Who in the local golf community should I sit down and interview?

Reply directly to this email. I read every single one. Your answer might be the next video.

And again, none of this happens without you reading, sharing, and telling your golf buddies about this newsletter. Every open, every referral, every comment on Facebook is adding up to something real. Thank you.

I can't wait to meet more of you out on the courses this season.

Until next Tuesday. ⛳

I ❤️ New Castle County Golf!

Enjoy the read? Help us out and share it with your golf buddies! Let’s grow New Castle County golf!

Until next week,
The NCC Golf Report

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