By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (Oct 25, 2025)
The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is planning a golf-entertainment complex just south of its Red Hawk Resort + Casino that would include a short, all-par-3 course, a driving range with technology features and an 18-hole miniature golf attraction, according to the tribe’s Draft Tribal Environmental Impact Report and project announcements from the design team. The project site sits adjacent to U.S. Highway 50 and Red Hawk Parkway, on roughly 34 acres of land immediately south of the casino.
The tribe filed a Draft Tribal Environmental Impact Report (TEIR) for its Entertainment Center Project with the State Clearinghouse (SCH No. 2020030870). That public notice and the Draft TEIR were posted June 30, 2021, beginning a state review period that ran through Aug. 16, 2021, and listing potential issues including traffic, noise, water and biological resources. The TEIR identifies the Shingle Springs Band as lead agency and provides contact information for project outreach.
Design firm Richardson | Danner — a partnership between Forrest Richardson and Jeff Danner — was selected to create the short-course and golf-entertainment concept. Industry coverage reports the firm will design a par-three short course and oversee integration of a driving range with launch-monitor and gaming technology plus a miniature golf layout; planning work was expected to continue into late 2022 with ground-breaking originally targeted for 2023. “It’s an exciting site with great potential,” Jeff Danner told Golf Course Architecture, adding the complex aims to create “family fun and entertainment for the Shingle Springs tribal community” and visitors traveling between Sacramento and the Lake Tahoe region.
Project proponents describe the development as an amenity to complement the casino’s recent expansion — including the Apex entertainment center and new hotel — and as part of a broader effort to draw visitors and diversify year-round entertainment options at Red Hawk. The project’s technical documents emphasize sustainability measures, including water-saving irrigation and low-impact construction practices, though the Draft TEIR also identifies potential environmental impacts that may require mitigation measures.
Timeline and status
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March 2020: Notice of Preparation circulated signaling the tribe’s intent to prepare a TEIR for an entertainment center adjacent to the casino. shinglespringsrancheria.com
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June 30, 2021: Draft TEIR posted to the State Clearinghouse (SCH No. 2020030870); public/state review period ran through Aug. 16, 2021. CEQAnet
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July 2022: Richardson | Danner’s involvement announced publicly in industry press; planning milestones were targeted for late 2022 with construction discussions aimed at 2023. golfcoursearchitecture.net+1
At present, public records show the Draft TEIR and accompanying documents remain the central public filings for the Entertainment Center Project; subsequent approvals, a Final TEIR or related county or tribal actions that would clear the way for construction are not evident in the State Clearinghouse attachments. Local residents and stakeholders should monitor the CEQAnet project page and tribal outreach contacts for updates and any new filings. Nicholas Bryson is listed as the tribe’s project contact on the CEQAnet notice; the TEIR attachments are available through the clearinghouse.
Local reaction and concerns
Nearby residents and community groups often raise concerns about traffic, noise and changes to rural character when large entertainment or resort projects are proposed. The Draft TEIR flags transportation and noise among its “project issues,” signaling those will be focal points during review and that mitigation strategies may be required if the project proceeds. Community members should consult the TEIR’s circulation and noise sections for proposed mitigations and expected effects.
What the tribe and designers say
Jeff Danner, co-founder of the design team, described the project as an opportunity to
“create family fun and entertainment for the Shingle Springs tribal community,”
and said the design approach prioritizes accessible, technology-driven play rather than a traditional championship layout. The firm has characterized the facility as part golf course, part entertainment venue — reflecting a national trend toward shorter, social golf experiences.
What to watch next
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Check the State Clearinghouse project page (SCH No. 2020030870) for any Final TEIR filings, notices of certification, or new attachments.
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Review local tribal announcements and Red Hawk Resort updates for permit milestones, community meetings or construction notices.
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Look for county or state transport approvals if roadway or intersection upgrades are proposed to handle increased traffic. The Draft TEIR lists Caltrans and other state agencies among formal reviewers.
