The Woodlands Township board members approved a ground lease agreement with Forest Capital Partners, LP for a new golf course during a July 23 meeting.
The board voted 5-0 to move forward on the agreement. The golf complex and amenities will be located in the South Gosling area.
In a nutshell
Golf was identified by the township as an unmet publicly available recreational use and need within the township, according to a presentation by Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes. The partnership with Forest Capital Partners will create a minimum capital investment of $12 million to design, construct, operate and maintain the facility, according to a township release.
The township will invest $2.5 million to support the infrastructure of the project and maintain ownership of the improvements after the lease is up.
During the presentation, Nunes outlined details of the project, including:
- 208 acres in Creekside
- Direct connection to Spring Creek Greenway for public access
- Will be surrounding Gosling, Spring Creek North/East and The Woodlands Township-South
The golf course will include access to:
- A lighted nine-hole short course
- 200-plus-yard driving range
- Pitching area, restaurant and bar
- Pickleball courts and space for games
Latest updateThe township must go through a request for proposal process, or RFP, to complete the project. The proposal was sent to two known interested parties with three submitted proposals for Early Bird Management, Park Golf and American Golf. The term is 15 years plus two 10-year renewal options. In February, Early Bird Management’s proposal was selected during the RFP process leading to the agreement with Forest Capital Partners, LP.
"Over the past four years, we have expanded parks, added new turf fields, pickleball courts, playgrounds and other community amenities without raising taxes. This public-private partnership allows us to bring a first-of-its-kind golf facility to our community, create a destination residents and visitors will enjoy for years to come and generate revenue that benefits The Woodlands,” The Woodlands Township Chairman Brad Bailey said.
What’s next
The construction of the improvements is estimated to be completed within 30 months and the facility has an anticipated opening date of early 2029.
