when is gus wortham golf course opening

by Nicola Koepp Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 9 min read

When did Gus Wortham Golf Course open?

October 12, 2018

Help Houston Golf Association (HGA) raise the final $500,000 to restore one of Houston's greatest treasures – the historic Gus Wortham Park Golf Course. Over 100,000 rounds have been played by the public since HGA finished Phase I and opened the newly restored golf course on October 12, 2018.

Who owns Gus Wortham Golf Course?

the Houston Municipal Golf Association

Situated along Brays Bayou, east of downtown, the Gus Wortham Park Golf Course has been an attraction for golfers since the early 1900's when it was the Houston Country Club. The course is now managed and maintained by the Houston Municipal Golf Association, an operation of the Houston Golf Association.

A different type of municipal model

Gus Wortham is running under a different model that most of the other municipal courses in Houston. As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, the HGA, along with other local groups, have raised money for the renovation and operation of the course. The idea is that the course will run independently and be self-sustained.

Gus Wortham's storied history

First, a little history on Gus Wortham Park Golf Course: Originally designed by Houston Country Club member A.W. Pollard, the course was once the site of a 1931 match between Howard Hughes and professional golfer Walter Hagen. Francis Ouimet, who won the 1913 U.S.

The layout

Though the course is just less than 6,400 yards from the tips, it really plays much longer. That's because there are several short par 4s (drivable for longer hitters), meaning there are a few monster par 4s. Spann said the course has a lot "half-par" holes.