The Woodlands Edition | January 2026

Golf plans for Gosling From the cover

The big picture

South Gosling Park planning

Site boundary for future park

100-year floodplain extent

Outdoor recreation options in The Woodlands are slated to expand, with the township seeking partners for its rst public golf course in 2026. In February, the township will consider proposals submitted through Jan. 23 to form a public-private partnership at the South Gosling Tract—an undeveloped 208-acre parcel o Gosling Road on Spring Creek donated by Howard Hughes in 2023. The project envisioned is a short-course for golf consisting of nine holes and a variety of amenities, according to the request for proposals. Chris Nunes, chief operating ocer for The Woodlands Township, said the course would provide a unique experience in the area, as well as contribute more revenue to township coers through mixed-beverage taxes. “Much like the board of directors has done with Texas TreeVentures, Riva Row Boat House, we see this as a complementary aspect that ... can drive [sales and] hotel tax as well,” Nunes said. Most of the Gosling property was deemed not suitable for development because it is within the oodplain, Nunes said. However, portions are suitable for public recreation. Nunes said night golf would also be a possible option, with solar-powered lighting being the most cost-eective solution.

A golf course could be located in the northernmost 50 acres of the site.

Municipal Utility District No. 387 facilities will be located within the tract.

Additional acreage could be slated for other recreation and trails.

“I think the township taking this step forward will be a great addition to our already incredible community.”

BRAD BAILEY, CHAIR, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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N MAP NOT TO SCALE

NOTE: MAP DOES NOT INCLUDE FLOODWAY BOUNDARIES

SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIPCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The outlook

Another detail

Proposed amenities

Practice and putting environments

A public golf course would also increase accessibility to the sport’s health benets. The sport can contribute to social engagement, as well as promote physical activity, said Dr. Mark Gendi, an orthopedic surgeon at St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital. “Golf oers a compelling combination of advantages that extend far beyond the fairway,” Gendi said. He said in addition to allowing individuals to stay active, it can improve balance and mobility, as well as help alleviate stress. The American Stroke Association reports golfers have lower rates of death from strokes and heart attacks than nongolfers. An ASA study of 72-year-old male golfers showed a death rate of 15.1% among those who suered strokes or heart attacks com- pared to 24.6% of nongolfers in the same demographic.

The partnership would bring in an outside entity to develop and operate the facility, Nunes said. Financial contributions from the township, if any, would be determined at a future date, he said. Nunes said the private partner would also be responsible for maintenance of the facility, and it would need to t in with the aesthetic character of The Woodlands. He said ideally the course would attract users for about two hours per visit. “We’ve got to t a lot of things in that 50 acres, but also be very, very sensitive to the environmen- tal aspect and making sure that this looks like The Woodlands,” Nunes said. Nunes said the township could also potentially partner with professionals to provide instruction and training. The Southern Texas Professional Golf Association, for example, is also located nearby on Gosling Road. “It would be a great entry-level location for people to learn and get really addicted to the great game,” STPGA Executive Director Thomas Hutton

Food and beverage

Night golf options

Shaded outdoor seating

Events

Golf clinics

Other activities such as pickleball

SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIPCOMMUNITY IMPACT

said of the proposed course. Hutton said the course East River 9 in Houston is similar to the one proposed for The Woodlands, as it is a nine-hole course open to the public with concessions and night golf.

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