Golf Course Transparency

In an effort to be more transparent, the City of Baytown is releasing details regarding the timeline of the golf course on Evergreen Drive. The City wants to make sure you have the full, complete story from a trusted source about a community amenity.

Contract Timeline

• In mid-March of this year, the Build Baytown I developers indicated they were behind on vendor payments. Around this same time Troon, the course operator, sent a notice of default to Build Baytown I and the City of Baytown.
• On April 2, Troon sent a termination notice of their contract with Build Baytown I to the City of Baytown and Build Baytown I developers.
• On the same day, the City of Baytown notified Build Baytown I that it had defaulted on its agreements with the City to develop the course.
• From April 10-April 12, a 30-day agreement with Troon was finalized for $49,900. This amount was within the administrative threshold of $50,000. On April 11, the agreement was discussed with City Council. From April 2-April 10, Troon operated at their own risk until the 30-day contract was finalized.
• From late April- early May, discussions with city council continued and City staff worked with Troon to draft an agreement through the end of FY24. The long-term direction of the course was to be decided at the end of this short-term contract. The short-term agreement authorized up to $1.9 million to cover costs identified for previous and current operations along with completion of the kitchen, restaurant, and bar.
• On May 2, the City of Baytown severed its ties with Build Baytown I and terminated all agreements related to the course.
• On the same day, city council discussed proposed short-term contract with Troon. The contract included Troon’s signature as it is standard for all City projects to be signed by the vendor before proceeding. The effective date of May 4 represented the “new term” after the 30-day contract. At that time, the contract failed to pass by council.
• On May 7, special meeting was called to reconsider the short-term contract and was approved.
• The agreement was executed by City management on May 8 and the final executed contract was sent to Troon on May 15.
• In late May and early June, vendors began receiving payments for past due invoices. This allowed for completion of the project, new operational agreements with needed vendors, and settlement of previously-owed management fees to Troon.
• On September 26, council discussed the proposed long-term agreement. The contract, that renews annually, was approved, but no new funds for FY 25 were included. At that time, about $1 million was left from the short-term agreement that could be used to cover costs for buildout, ongoing operations, and other previous expenses.
• Between September 26 and October 1, $618,745 was available to use on course costs.

*It is standard for all City projects to be signed by the vendor first before proceeding.

Course Expenditures

Below is a list of purchase orders for the golf course and what the money was used for. The good news is that several of these items were invoiced at a lower amount.

Total City Funding

For those wanting to know the overall funding and uses, below shows the invoice amounts paid by the City and estimates to be paid by the City.

Future of Tabbs Bay Golf Course

The amount of golf course rounds and driving range visits continue to increase and Troon expects those numbers to continue. In September alone, more than 800 rounds of golf were played at Tabbs Bay. This brings the total of rounds to more than 6,100 since the course opened in December 2023. If you include about 1,500 range visits, that is more than 7,700 paid visits.

The clubhouse, including the kitchen and bar, are almost complete. Furniture and kitchen equipment have been ordered. The restaurant menu is currently being developed. The restaurant is expected to open in December.

New Disc Golf Course

Disc golf is also coming back to the area in front of Evergreen Fairways. Designs are being discussed, but the construction is expected to begin early next year. The Tabbs Bay parking lot and clubhouse will be available for disc golfers. Cart rentals will also enhance the experience.

The City of Baytown will continue to provide updates on restaurant and disc golf course when those details are available.