The county acquired the property in 1996 following two failed attempts to develop a private-owned golf course. Private investors, including golf pro and co-course designer Peter Jacobsen, put up $5 million of the $6.5 million development cost. Jacobsen designed the course with business partner Jim Hardy.

Clackamas County invested $1.5 million and plans to buy out the private investors within three years by issuing revenue bonds. Otherwise, the investors will have the option to buy the county interest in the course. Assuming 43,000 rounds of golf in 2002, the county projects $900,000 in profits from gross revenues of $1.2 million. The private investors will get 80 percent of net income until the county can buy them out.