In a nutshell, golfers like the course and don’t want it to change. However, periodically rumors start that the college is expanding and growth is going to take golf course property.
Not so, according to Dr. Glenda Barron, Temple College president.
The only future project that might encroach on the golf course would be expansion of the simulation center, and there are no funds available for that and no request has been made of the board about pursuing any additions to the sim center, Barron said. Those plans are several years down the road.
When the simulation center was built, the possibility of expansion was included in the plans and it doesn’t appear the addition would have much effect on the course, she said.
“Nobody is after the golf course,” Barron said. “Our board members, I think, would do just about anything not to have to do something to that golf course.”
With the purchase of the Villa Terrace Apartments on the west side of the campus, expansion for classrooms will likely take place on the Fifth Street property, she said.
Adding to the confusion is the lack of knowledge about the agreement between the college and the VA, original owners of the golf course. Ask two people what the arrangement is and you’re likely to get two different versions.
Dedicated in 1945, the golf course was built for U.S. Army McCloskey General Hospital, what is now the Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Center. World War II veterans - many amputees - treated at the hospital used the course for physical therapy.
German POWs built the course, using the specifications of John Bredemus, best known for designing Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.
“We have five of his original golf holes still in play today,” said Roland Guillen, TC golf course manager.
Wanting to expand, the college looked across the street at the VA’s surplus property, which included the golf course.
The VA deeded the land to the college, but the transfer required congressional authorization. In January 1967, Congress passed a resolution allowing the Temple VA to give the land to TC.
The VA gave the land to Temple College with the stipulation the land would be used for educational purposes and not interfere with the care and treatment of VA patients.
According to documents, the college can use the land as it sees fit, as long as the director of the local VA determines there is a need.
Loyal following
Neal Sox Johnson, 76, started playing golf when he was diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago.
“I started for purely health reasons, but I love it and play here six days a week,” Johnson said.
Four of those days Johnson walks the nine holes, the other two days he plays in the tournaments and uses a cart.
“I guess Sox would be classified as our men’s league tournament director,” Guillen said.
There’s a good group of people who play at the course, Johnson said, with 12 to 20 seniors, 70 years old and above, who play in the Tuesday tournament and more in the Saturday scramble. There’s really no age limitation, anyone who wants to play is invited.
The group that plays regularly together gets along and looks out for each other, he said. And the makeup of the golfers is varied - truck drivers, physicians, pharmacists and teachers.
Bob Watson, a retired TSTC teacher, has played golf at TC for 40 years.
“Being retired, this is my exercise, both physical and mental,” Watson said. “Instead of walking the mall, which is boring, you’re out in the fresh air.”
A little inclement weather - hot, cold, rain or wind - doesn’t slow down the hardiest of the group.
“This is a staple of the community and we want to keep it around as long as we can,” Watson said. “Plus, it’s affordable.”
Monday through Friday a round of golf at TC costs $7. On weekends the cost is $10.
Domiciliary residents at the Olin E Teague Veterans’ Center play at the course for free, with the government picking up the green fees, Guillen said.
In the spring, a number of area schools use the golf course.
“This is a good training course, but it still has its challenges,” Johnson said.
Watson, who plays nine holes early in the morning, will put out the flags if he arrives at the course before Guillen. For his second round, he’ll join Johnson and his group.
“There’s a lot of camaraderie,” Watson said. “It’s like a loose-knit family.”
All are cognizant of the cost of keeping up the golf course and will pitch in and do small projects, like trimming trees.
Johnson said when he first started coming out to the course he spent two months trimming the trees and shrubs along the fence line.
Pat McFarland and Jimanne Durkee have been playing golf at TC every Thursday since 1996.
“We combine our exercise with our fun,” McFarland said.
Heinz Tannreuther comes out about once a week, sometimes with his wife.
“It’s easy for us, it’s only nine holes and we’re not as young as we used to be,” Tannreuther said.
Jared Westmoreland has been coming out to the course consistently for about a month to get his golf game back.
The golf course is convenient and for the price, it’s a bargain, he said.
