The City of Houston, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and the Astros Golf Foundation celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of the Memorial Park Golf Course renovation with an official ribbon cutting ceremony today.
Funded by the non-profit Astros Golf Foundation, the $18.5 million project has produced the promised world-class golf course for all Houstonians and the return in 2020 of the PGA Tour”s Houston Open to Memorial Park for the first time since 1963. The renovation is the first phase of a proposed refurbishment that would cost more than $30 million.
“Houston is at its best when government, businesses and private individuals work together to make improvements for all Houstonians and our economy,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “As a City, we are hugely grateful for Jim Crane’s generosity that has made it possible for Houston to once again claim a place in national golf glory. And yet the new Memorial Park Golf Course will be enjoyed year-round by local golfers without any fee increases related to the upgrade. I look forward to showing off Houston to stars of professional golf and their spectators as they enjoy the course. We hope that an improved course will put us on the map in the professional golf circuit. With more professional games taking place here we hope that will bring money in from other revenue streams for the economy. For example, more people in the area might feel inclined to bet on matches (click here for digital betting solutions) so they can cheer on their team with their money as well as their viewership.”
Houston Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane has been instrumental in keeping one of the longest-tenured PGA Tour events in Houston and bringing new life to the historic contest, with expectations for a new era of golf and charitable giving in the City.
“After months of hard work and dedication, we are thrilled to share the new Memorial Park Golf Course with the public for the first time,” Crane said. “Thanks to our partnership with the City of Houston, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, our many sponsors and donors, this golf course will not only be an incredible home for the Houston Open, but for all Houstonians for years to come.”
Golfers will enjoy a course designed by one of the world’s most renowned golf course architects, Tom Doak; a new, state-of-the-art storm water irrigation system that will capture and retain 80 million gallons of storm water for irrigation purposes and remove the golf course irrigation from the City’s potable water system; a two-tiered 84-bay hitting structure; a new maintenance facility and additional parking.
Doak has designed several of the top golf courses around the globe and rose to the challenge of creating a municipal golf course that could be played by both professionals and the general public. Four-time major winner and the world’s #1 ranked player Brooks Koepka also assisted as PGA Tour player consultant. Construction was completed by Don Mahaffey, president of Greenscape Methods.
The Astros hope to begin Phase II of the project in December and complete all construction prior to the 2020 Houston Open. Golfers can book tee times on the new course online at www.MemorialParkGolf.com.