Houston City Council members approved an ordinance Oct. 29 to utilize $1.52 million out of the Parks and Recreation Dedication Fund to make improvements to the Memorial Park Golf Course Driving Range, an amenity that opened in 1995.

About the project

According to the agenda item, the range needs repair due to a combination of factors, including prolonged heavy rainfall, severe ground sloping, and insufficient drainage and irrigation infrastructure, all of which has led to frequent closures of the facility.

To improve the heavily used park amenity, city officials intend to:
  • Soften severe slopes on the driving range floor
  • Improve surface water runoff
  • Install new drainage infrastructure
  • Replace irrigation system
The entire 12.5-acre range floor will also be drained, irrigated and sodded with the most intensive repairs concentrated within the central 8.5 acres. Improvement to the ball washing station are also planned.

Something to note


The Memorial Park Golf Course, according to the facilities website, opened in 1936. The 18-hole golf course sees approximately more than 50,000 patrons a year and includes a lighted driving range, putting and chipping greens, and a clubhouse.

The timeline

The Astros Golf Foundation will partner with Houston for improvements, which are anticipated to take approximately 10 weeks to complete. Per the agenda item, the range will be closed during renovations and will reopen once the new turf has properly been established.