NE North Dakota News

A planned railroad underpass project on 42nd Street in Grand Forks offers the University of North Dakota (UND) an opportunity to rethink the future of Ray Richards Golf Course. The North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) expects construction on the new underpass at 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue, near the golf course's northwest corner, to start next year.

UND will temporarily halt operations at Ray Richards Golf Course after the current 2025 season to accommodate the DOT project. The construction will significantly affect holes No. 4, 6, 7, and 8 due to traffic lanes that intersect the course's northwest corner. The course is anticipated to be offline through 2026 and 2027, with a return planned for the start of the 2028 season alongside completion of the underpass project.

During this downtime, UND crews will redesign Ray Richards' layout for better integration with changes from the DOT project while maintaining its grounds. Plans include reopening as a par-33 course in 2028 with nine holes remaining unchanged.

Separately, UND is considering a mixed-use residential/commercial development proposed by private developers for a southeast portion of the course previously used as a driving range. This multi-phased development may feature residential units and commercial space initially, potentially including facilities for UND’s golf programs. Later phases could add a year-round driving range and entertainment venue along with more residential areas. The proposal is currently undergoing city approval processes with groundbreaking expected either this fall or spring 2026.

The land south of UND's main campus was donated over six decades ago by Ray Richards, a petroleum engineer from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Former UND President George Starcher collaborated with Richards during his visits to Grand Forks in envisioning what became Ray Richards Golf Course.