Bolstered by a citizens group formed to study the issue, Missouri City Council is expected to make an offer to owners of Quail Valley Country Club to acquire the troubled operation.
The troubled country club, which includes roughly 400 acres and 36 holes plus an “executive” 9-hole course and a par-3 9-hole course, is owned by Renaissance Golf Group LLC of Dublin, Ohio.
In May, Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen said the club is essentially bankrupt. The council hired Richard Singer, director of consulting services for the National Golf Foundation, to conduct a feasibility study for acquisition of the club, or portions of the club.
Monday night, members of the citizens group reportedly were united in expressing belief that City Council should proceed with an acquisition offer.
“I do think the meeting was very positive and we are all encouraged that people are excited about this opportunity,” Mayor Owen said.
Renaissance President Mark Voltmann said in late May that all but 18 holes of the club’s golf courses likely faced immediate closure, however, the courses remained open. However, Mayor Owen has said he believes the courses could be closed within days.
If Renaissance were to reject an offer by the city to buy the country club, it appears the city is prepared to acquire the property through eminent domain.
Chances of an eminent domain acquisition were increased in June with the passage of Texas House Bill 3232. Among other things, provisions of the bill would require any suburban golf course in Fort Bend, Harris or Montgomery counties – including Quail Valley Country Club – to be re-platted prior to any attempt to develop the property for uses other than a golf course. And a new plat could not be approved “until each municipal authority reviewing the new plat conducts a public hearing.
Provisions of the bill say authorities such as a planning commission or city council may decide more than one public hearing is appropriate, and “may abate, continue, or reschedule, as the municipal authority considers appropriate, any public hearing in order to receive a full and complete record on which to make a decision.”
Also, if the owners of at least 20% of the land and lots adjacent to the country club submitted a petition during a public hearing, then the golf course owners would be required, by provisions in HB 3232, to win a three-fifths vote of the planning commission before a new plat could be approved.
The troubled country club, which includes roughly 400 acres and 36 holes plus an “executive” 9-hole course and a par-3 9-hole course, is owned by Renaissance Golf Group LLC of Dublin, Ohio.
In May, Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen said the club is essentially bankrupt. The council hired Richard Singer, director of consulting services for the National Golf Foundation, to conduct a feasibility study for acquisition of the club, or portions of the club.
