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Residents and golfers urge preservation of Hermann Park golf course after presentation pulled
Summary
Public commenters at the Houston Quality of Life Committee meeting opposed proposed changes to Hermann Park golf course plans, saying conversion of nine holes to par-3s would harm recreational play and local leagues; the administration pulled the presentation, and an open house is scheduled at the golf clubhouse.
Julian Ramirez, chair of the Houston Quality of Life Committee, opened the meeting and allowed public comment on a Hermann Park Conservancy item that had been pulled from the committee agenda.
Several public speakers urged city officials to preserve Hermann Park’s 18‑hole golf course and to avoid converting nine holes to executive par‑3 holes. Bert Graham, who said he first played Hermann Park in 1958, told the committee the proposed change would remove “the main attraction” for many players because drivers would be used far less on an executive layout. “I just hate to see a historic course ruined by making it a novelty,” Graham said.
Grace Simpson, a member of the women’s league that plays at Hermann Park, said the course is the most accessible tournament venue for many local women golfers. “We have about 50 ladies that play there,” Simpson said. She told the committee league scores and handicaps could be affected if part of the course is converted to par‑3 holes and said staff at the park were given pink slips without advance public notice. “Nobody knew anything about it,” she said.
Don McNayser, speaking afterward, said Hermann Park’s signature attractions include the zoo, the train and the golf course, and suggested leaving Hermann Park alone while improving other municipal courses. He also raised equity concerns about investment patterns in other parks, saying improvements at Memorial and Hermann Park contrast with conditions at parks in lower‑income neighborhoods.
Ramirez noted the administration pulled the Conservancy presentation from the committee agenda and encouraged interested residents to attend a scheduled open house at the Hermann Park golf course clubhouse Wednesday evening. He said the committee may take up the matter at a later date; no formal action or vote occurred during the meeting.
The public comments occurred at the start of the committee meeting because speakers had come specifically to address the pulled item. Ramirez and staff identified the Conservancy item as withdrawn for the morning’s session and said the open house would provide additional opportunity for questions and feedback.
No formal motion, hearing or vote on the golf course plan was recorded at the meeting. The committee proceedings returned to the regular agenda after the public comments.
