Residents rally to keep golf course in southeast Houston

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Miya Shay
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(2/20/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Many golfers hit the links at a city-owned golf course on the east side. Now, the city has other plans for part of it and that has some folks a little hot under the collar.

The city of Houston wants to make that park into a practice facility for the MLS champion Houston Dynamo soccer club. We're talking about Gus Wortham Park just east of downtown. Many folks turned out at city council Tuesday to sound off.

With a stack of signatures, Reni Millar has only one goal -- keep Gus Wortham golf course a golf course.

"It's a 100-year-old historical golf course that needs to be preserved as a historical place as opposed to being turned into a soccer field," she said.

And she's not alone. On the course and off, news that the city is considering turning the course into a youth soccer facility sent longtime supporters scrambling.

"Panic, absolute panic," said golf course supporter Walter A. Boyd. "Where am I going to play every Sunday? Why are they doing this? This is one of the most beautiful spots in the east end."

A healthy group showed up at city hall to try to convince city council and the mayor to find somewhere else to put a youth soccer complex. And the mayor's getting the message.

"We're not going to put soccer fields into a region of the city over strong community opposition and the opposition of elected officials," said Mayor White on Tuesday.

But the people responsible for studying the idea say the final decision won't be made for at least another month.

"Gus Wortham is one of several sites the city is considering putting in a youth sports complex," said Andy Icken, director of planning and development. "We're at the very early stages of looking at it."

For now, tee times remain unchanged and supporters hope it stays that way.

We contacted the Houston Dynamo. The soccer team isn't commenting right now because it's a city issue. Right now, they're just waiting to hear what's decided.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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