Mount Adams Country Club (MACC) in Toppenish is poised to enter a new era when it changes ownership in early 2025.

The MACC Board of Directors approved an offer this fall for an undisclosed amount, and if there are no unforeseen delays, the century-old golf course will change hands once the purchase is completed Jan. 7.

Yakima businessman Pat Shields said he looks forward to making a series of improvements to the course and the clubhouse over the next year and a half.

“I’ve been curious about owning a golf course for a few years now, and this seemed like a good business opportunity,” Shields said. “I have been golfing since I was a kid, and I think this is going to be a win-win for the community and for myself.”

After experiencing a number of ups-and-downs since the pandemic — including a devastating storm in 2022 and a gradually aging membership — the MACC board decided to put the golf course up for sale last summer. 

The change from a nonprofit to a private owner means the “country club” portion of the golf course’s name will soon go away, but “Mt. Adams” is expected to remain. That doesn’t mean there won’t be some significant changes, however.

“We’re going to try to install a new irrigation system next year and have it ready for the 2026 season,” Shields said. “We need to thin out some of the trees and remove a few stumps so we can open things up a little. We are also thinking about adding a few more water hazards to give the course more character.”

In addition to upgrading the course itself, Shields plans to remodel the clubhouse in time for the upcoming season. Work is expected to get underway in January and should take between three and four months, he said.

“We’re going to paint it, put in new carpet and lighting, install some new windows and bring in some new tables,” Shields said, adding that he will also bring in all-new kitchen appliances. “We’re also going to update the bar so we can get more people to stick around after they are done golfing.”

Shields explained that “nothing is set in stone” and the upgrades are going to be a “work in progress.” But, at the same time, he wants to do whatever he can to help Mt. Adams step into the future and meet the needs of the 21st century golfing community. 

He expects the course to be under construction for about eight or nine months, and his team likely won’t be able to begin the project in earnest until March. Due to the disruptions, he plans to keep rates the same for the 2025 season.

“We want people to keep coming here even though there will be a lot of work going on next year,” Shields said, adding that he is planning to host a 100-year celebration in the summer. “We’ll see how things go, but we also want to have a grand reopening in the summer of 2026.”

MACC Board President Walt Wegener said he and his colleagues look forward to watching the golf course’s transformation over the next 18 months. 

“Pat has made clear that he wants to help take the course to the next level, and we are all really excited to see what he’s able to do,” he said. “He’s going to come in here with fresh eyes and fresh ideas, and that’s going to benefit the entire community.”

Wegener praised the work Superintendent Rick Cullen has done to keep the course in superb shape despite the weather-related challenges in recent years. But he also believes Cullen and his crew will benefit from some modern upgrades like an underground watering system and high-tech sensors that monitor moisture, temperature and fungal growth in the grass.

“Rick has performed a miracle out here, and it’s as good as any course around,” Wegener said. “He has proven that he can get grass to grow anywhere, but he still needs some help. Bringing in some new technology will really make a difference.”