One of the most significant landmarks in African American golf history may soon enter a new chapter.
Hamilton-based US Home LLC, doing business as Lennar, has proposed redeveloping the former Freeway Golf Course in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, into a $292 million mixed-use residential community known as Freeway Pointe. If approved, the project would replace the once-celebrated golf course with a 743-unit housing development on the property’s 154 acres at 1858 Sicklerville Road in Camden County.
The proposal calls for a diverse mix of housing options, including 177 single-family homes, 222 traditional townhouses, 168 stacked townhouses, 113 affordable multifamily rental apartments, and 63 age-restricted single-family residences designed for older adults. Developers estimate the community would accommodate more than 2,000 residents while helping address regional housing demand.
Although the development represents one of the largest residential proposals in Gloucester Township in recent years, the site’s historical significance extends far beyond real estate.
Freeway Golf Course occupies a unique place in American golf history. In 1967, four Black businessmen purchased the course for approximately $250,000, making it the nation’s first African American-owned 18-hole golf course. During an era when racial discrimination continued to limit access to many private clubs and public facilities, Freeway became much more than a golf course—it became a welcoming destination where Black golfers could compete, socialize, and enjoy the game without barriers.
The course also hosted the inaugural Sammy Davis Jr. Open, attracting golfers from across the country and helping establish Freeway as one of the premier destinations for African American golf. Over the decades, it became a symbol of opportunity and inclusion, providing a place where golfers could feel they truly belonged.
Like many independently owned golf facilities, however, Freeway struggled with changing economic conditions. As golf participation shifted and integration opened opportunities at other clubs, the course experienced declining revenues. After nearly five decades of operation, Freeway Golf Course closed following its final round in November 2015, ending an important chapter in Black sports history.
Since its closure, several redevelopment concepts have been considered for the property. A warehouse proposal generated community opposition and ultimately did not move forward. Lennar’s Freeway Pointe proposal instead focuses entirely on residential development while incorporating neighborhood amenities, including recreational facilities, walking trails, open space, stormwater management improvements, and upgraded infrastructure. Plans also include a swimming pool, pickleball courts, soccer fields, playgrounds, dog parks, and community gathering areas intended to serve future residents.
The application requires several zoning variances because portions of the proposed housing—including townhouses and multifamily apartments—are not permitted under the property’s current residential zoning. Developers are also requesting approval for increased housing density beyond existing zoning limits.
The proposal was scheduled for review by the Gloucester Township Zoning Board in late June, but the hearing was canceled due to a lack of quorum. A new hearing date is expected to be announced following resubmission and public notice.
For many in the golf community, the future of the property represents more than a land-use decision. It reflects the continuing challenge of balancing growth with preservation of places that helped shape African American history.
While the fairways may one day give way to homes and neighborhoods, Freeway Golf Course’s legacy remains secure. Its story is one of perseverance, entrepreneurship, and opportunity during a period when such opportunities were often denied elsewhere. Whether preserved through historical recognition, commemorative markers, or public memory, the course’s contribution to American golf deserves to be remembered by future generations.
As Gloucester Township weighs the future of Freeway Pointe, the site stands at the intersection of progress and preservation—where a community’s housing needs meet the enduring legacy of one of the most important Black-owned golf courses in the nation’s history.
