Homeowners near Conroe golf course fighting its closure

CONROE, TX (KTRK) -- People who buy homes on a golf course are likely attracted to that peaceful way of life. But for some homeowners who live near the Wedgewood Golf Club northwest of Conroe, their future is anything but peaceful. It's uncertain, at best.

That's because the golf course, located off of TX-105 is being sold and neighbors are concerned that new homes could pop up in its place.

"It's a very unique golf course," says Wayne I. Norman. "There's not anything like it."

Norman's back yard looks out over Wedgewood Golf Club. But the course closed last Friday. The bank that owns it, Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank, says it's trying to get rid of it.

Norman and his neighbors are worried the bank will sell to developers who will turn their peace and quiet into a new neighborhood.

"I think it would depend on what they built," says new Wedgewood resident Dawn Casebeer. "But if they built houses really close and tried to cram a lot of development in here, we'll be moving."

"It's a nice course. And who wants a bunch of apartments and complexes and houses behind you. That was the main reason for moving out here," adds Joan Villarreal.

"Our main concern is making sure the golf course stays a golf course," says Clint Johnson. "We're afraid that if somebody else comes in here, especially the homebuilders, that they will turn this into another subdivision and it will decrease our property values."

Norman has led the Save Wedgewood movement. Yard signs with that message fill the neighborhood. He says he's not just talking about saving the golf course, but he's put his money where his mouth is.

"I chose to put together a group of residents to make an offer to purchase the golf course," he added.

Norman says the bank rejected their offer. An attorney for the bank tells Eyewitness News the group submitted a letter of intent through an attorney to buy it, but that it never developed into a contract. That attorney for the bank says right now there are no plans for the property beyond finding a buyer.

"We're just requesting that the bank take our offer," Norman says.

"The best outcome would be for someone to come in and buy the golf course and try to make it competitive and profit making," says Richard Duren who bought his home on the golf course 21 years ago.

Norman tells us if the bank accepts the neighborhood group's offer, they plan to sell memberships to cover management and renovations they believe it needs to attract more golfers.

The City Administrator tells me if a developer bought it, any change to the use of the land would have to go through the planning commission.