Houston's Municipal Golf Courses Struggling to Make Ends Meet

Many cities around the country are facing the question about whether they should subsidize city-owned golf courses as the game's popularity declines. Supporters of "munis" say they provide an affordable location for outdoor recreation.

1 minute read

July 1, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A group of golfers are attempting to raise $15 million to renovate the historic Gus Wortham Golf Course, but Mayor Annise Parker and others believe the property would be better used as a botanic garden, according to an article by Mike Morris.

"That the city is contemplating giving up golf at Wortham…raises broader questions about whether Houston should be in the golf business at a time when the city is facing serious budget challenges and participation in golf is on the decline," explains Morris.

In fact, "only two of the city's eight golf courses - Memorial Park and Hermann Park - turn a profit."

Former city councilman Jim Greenwood is helping to raise funds for the renovation of Wortham. "If the city cannot properly manage its courses, Greenwood said, officials could consider hiring a nonprofit to take over operations rather than abandoning golf. The city of Baltimore has taken this approach." Municipal golf courses, according to Wortham's supporters, provide golfers with affordable, necessary alternatives to country clubs.

Jeff Ross, president of Houston Botanic Garden, however, "said a golf course is not the best use of Wortham's 151 acres. He pointed to data from the National Golf Foundation that show the game's decline in recent years, with golf participation now at its lowest level in 25 years."

Friday, June 27, 2014 in Houston Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

7 hours ago - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA