12/03/2025
Remembering Art Costan
April 14, 1947 - November 27, 2025
We tend to believe that the good people in our lives—those we encounter regularly—will always be with us. This was certainly the feeling shared by many at Colonial Hills Golf Club when it came to Art Costan. His presence was such a familiar part of our everyday routine that it was difficult to imagine the course without him. We expected to see him always driving his green pickup truck up the #9 fairway towards the clubhouse, playing golf in his favorite rain pants and VT stocking cap, and faithfully mowing fairways around dark. But sadly, our dear friend passed away unexpectedly on November 27, 2025. In due time, his golf friends will gather to share stories about Art and his family plans to hold a memorial service after the holiday season. In the meantime, here are a few reflections about Art, a man who loved Colonial Hills Golf Course deeply and who enjoyed life to the fullest doing things his way.
Art Costan was a man whose influence touched everyone he encountered. His openness, spirited opinions, laughter and joyful spirit left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him. He valued empathy and compassion and understood their significance in building meaningful connections with others. He was a steadfast friend, always ready with a warm smile and a sense of humor that remained, even in difficult moments. He loved helping people and would give the shirt off his back to help ensure the success of the people or the cause for which he cared. Not only did Art unconditionally care for people, but his compassion also extended to animals, specifically rescue dogs, offering them love and patience even before they were ready to reciprocate. He served our country during challenging times and also served people in need through his church and community organizations of which he was a part.
Beyond his service and giving to others, Art was also a gifted artist who expressed himself with remarkable energy and creativity. When you walk into the clubhouse here at Colonial Hills, you’ll see several of his original paintings. He took great pleasure in painting each of the golf holes at Colonial, highlighting the natural beauty of the hills and mountains that surround the course. He truly loved this sacred place… a place that his father, George “Pappy” Costan, opened in 1964 and that Art poured his heart and soul into for more than 60 years.
Art was a passionate and skilled golfer. Just two days before his passing, he shot a 70—one under par here at Colonial Hills. He was absolutely thrilled that day, calling it one of his best played rounds in recent years. However, Art was not just a golfer; his impact on the Lynchburg area's golf community over the past 60 years has been significant. He owned Colonial Hills Golf Club until 2023. During his time, he made significant enhancements to the course, including expanding the clubhouse and redesigning some holes to ensure there would be reliable irrigation for the course for many years. He loved the game of golf and followed in his father’s footsteps by doing what he could to make golf accessible for all at Colonial. Even after retiring as owner, Art remained dedicated to the course—he mowed fairways, worked tirelessly to help keep the course watered, and generously shared his expertise with the staff. Art was a long-time active member of the Central Virginia Golf Association, which has coordinated the annual Central Virginia Invitational Tournament (“City Tournament”) and the Hall of Fame Tournament for many years. He took great pleasure in playing tournament golf and spent decades competing as part of the Colonial Hills team in the Hall of Fame.
Everyone here at Colonial Hills Golf Club expresses our deepest sympathy to his son, Marshall Costan, as well as to his entire family. Art will be greatly missed by those who routinely played golf with him, worked with him at the course and other members who knew him. Perhaps the ones who may miss him the most though, are his beloved dogs and everyone’s favorite golf course dogs, Birdie and Bogey. This pair of pups love roaming the course, greeting golfers and enjoying treats from all who will share with them. Almost every evening, Art, Birdie and Bogey could be seen out on the course… Art practicing his golf game with Birdie and Bogey watching and following every move he made. Art was a blessing to his beloved dogs, just as they were to him.
Art Costan, you are greatly missed at Colonial Hills Golf Club. It’s almost impossible to put into words just how much, as the reality of your absence still feels overwhelming and hard to accept. You will always have a cherished place in our hearts, and your memory will live on through the stories your friends at Colonial Hills share. Thank you, Art, for being a faithful friend, showing kindness to those around you, sharing your passion for game of golf, and especially for your lifetime of love and commitment to Colonial Hills Golf Club.
