Friends of Gus Wortham, Inc., is moving forward with efforts to gain conservancy status to protect the Houston, Texas golf course from redevelopment. The group has solicited donations for short-term improvements to the course and is planning an estimated $9.2 million makeover that would fix the grounds, create a new entrance to the facility, renovate the parking area, build a new clubhouse and add a new restroom and maintenance facility.
The organization seeking to preserve Gus Wortham Golf Course in Houston, the oldest 18-hole municipal golf course in the state, recently became a nonprofit corporation and is moving forward with its efforts to gain conservancy status, which would protect the course from redevelopment, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The Friends of Gus Wortham Inc., (FOGW) which is petitioning the city to prevent the Houston Botanic Garden from building a botanic garden on the property, now can accept donations and is in the process of achieving 501(c) status, the Chronicle reported.
“We want to make [Gus Wortham] a world-class golf course that tourists around the world will want to play and visit due to its rich history,” said Reni Miller, President of the FOGW.
FOGW has solicited donations for short-term improvements to the course and is talking with architect Baxter Spann about revamping the 106-year-old facility’s driving range. According to the group’s website, worthamparkfriends.org, a planned $9.2 million makeover would include fixing up the course; creating a new entrance to the facility and renovating and adding to the parking area; and building a new clubhouse, along with a new restroom and maintenance facility, the Chronicle reported.
Parks Director Joe Turner last week approved the idea. Eventually, the Friends of Gus Wortham would like to renovate the entire facility, the Chronicle reported.
Houston philanthropist Preston Moore Jr. has donated an undisclosed amount of money to the project and may donate more as the process continues, Miller said.
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