Rowlett advisory board says Waterview Golf Course is recovering, council funds driving-range upgrade

Rowlett City Council members heard a largely upbeat report Monday evening from the Golf Advisory Board about improvements at the Waterview Golf Course and a planned driving-range renovation partly funded by the city.

The board, led by Chair Larry Glick, told the council that recent work by vendor American Golf and city staff has produced ‘‘dramatic’’ visual and playability gains: all course fountains are running, Tifigold greens and fairways have been upgraded and concrete hitting areas and turf mats have improved the driving range, the board said. ‘‘This golf course covers 220 acres,’’ Glick said, noting the property’s size and community value.

Why it matters: Board members framed the course as an economic engine for Rowlett — citing increased rounds, tournament activity and rising revenue — and warned that deferred maintenance could reverse gains. The council had earmarked $50,000 for an expanded driving-range project intended to boost players-club membership and range revenue; American Golf is expected to contribute toward the work, council members said.

Key improvements and numbers The board listed completed and ongoing projects, including tree cleanup, upgraded putting surfaces, repaired tee boxes, improved bunkers and a lake-treatment program. Officials reported about $2.55 million in course revenue this year and said a staff contact expects the course to exceed $3 million in 2025. Play volumes were described in the 40,000–45,000 rounds-per-year range.

Maintenance gaps and contractor responsibilities Board members and a consultant’s report flagged persistent infrastructure issues. The board noted roughly 2,200 sprinkler heads across the course and said the irrigation system is at or beyond typical useful life; one presenter estimated a full replacement could cost on the order of $2 million, though the board said repairs will likely be phased. The board also pressed American Golf to invest in cart-path repairs and ongoing irrigation upkeep as part of its management responsibilities.

Consultant Sandy Queen’s irrigation assessment (dated July 21, 2025) identified many red and orange zones requiring attention and recommended hiring a professional irrigation technician and an outside contractor to address critical areas, the board said.

Driving-range renovation and city funding Council discussion confirmed that the City Council put $50,000 toward a larger driving-range renovation. Council comments framed the allocation as an investment to increase membership (the players club) and nonresident use, and city and board leaders said the work will continue through winter with expected turf or sod establishment in spring.

Economic and neighborhood impacts The board quantified neighborhood links to the course: the Waterview area was described as having about 1,744 homes, roughly 522 backing up to the course; slides shown by the board cited aggregated neighborhood property values (presented as approx. $600 million) and an estimated $4.5 million in tax income tied to the Waterview area. Board members warned that when nearby municipal courses have become brown space, adjacent home values fell substantially, and they urged continued investment to protect tax base and property values.

What’s next Board members asked the council to keep oversight on American Golf’s contract compliance — specifically referencing ‘‘Exhibit F,’’ which the board described as the contract’s maintenance standards — and to prioritize irrigation and select cart-path repairs. No formal motions or votes were taken at the work session; the council moved on to consent-agenda preparations for its Nov. 4 meeting and adjourned.

Quotes "This golf course covers 220 acres," Larry Glick, chair of the Golf Advisory Board, said, arguing the site is a significant open-space and economic asset for Rowlett.

"We put up $50,000 specifically for the driving-range upgrades," a councilmember presiding at the meeting said, describing the city allocation and saying American Golf is expected to match funds.

"Sandy Queen's irrigation report showed critical failures in places; we recommended hiring an irrigation technician and an outside contractor to address red and orange zones," Brad Marshall, vice chair, said, summarizing the consultant's findings.

Ending The board closed by thanking staff and expressing cautious optimism about the course’s trajectory while urging vigilance to prevent backsliding. The council did not take formal action on the board’s recommendations at the work session; the driving-range funding will be reflected in agenda materials for the Nov. 4 council meeting.