A valiant effort to preserve golf course

As the real estate broker who represented the seller in the Glen Garden Golf Course transaction, I have had a front-row seat to a lot of the drama that’s unfolded over the last several months.

While I certainly understand and sympathize with the residents in the neighborhood who objected to the zoning change, I choose to believe that they will someday understand why the City Council approved the change — and why over the long term Fort Worth will benefit from the re-development of this site by the new ownership.

It has been interesting to read about and listen to the numerous contributions from concerned people who have offered their opinions as to who they think should be blamed or held accountable for allowing this significant piece of Fort Worth’s historic golfing landscape to be destroyed.

I understand the disappointment that a large part of Fort Worth’s golfing community will experience, but I hope that the majority of these golfers will appreciate the efforts of two individuals who worked tirelessly over the last nine years to prolong the life of this historic landmark.

With their unselfish contributions of time and financial resources through the years, Malcolm Tallmon and Clarence Dowdy, the former owners, rescued the property and made a valiant effort to keep it operating during a difficult period.

The owners’ decision to place the property on the market for sale was not easy, but it was done with the optimistic hope that another golf course operator would surface.

The sellers were approached by numerous prospects, but it soon became apparent that the demographics and financials that accompanied the property would not support the use that the sellers tried so hard to preserve.

Tallmon and Dowdy tried to sell their property as a golf course for more than 2 1/2 years. However, no one made an offer.

The sellers were even willing to reduce the selling price significantly to anyone who would continue the golf course tradition. Again, there were no offers.

Finally, the eventual buyers, Bourbon House, LLC, approached the owners with a proposal to purchase the site.

After struggling to make a decision for over a month, Tallmon and Dowdy accepted the offer.

There will continue to be those who are critical — who feel the need to blame — but I appreciate the effort that was made by these men.

Something tells me that golfing greats Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan, former players at Glen Garden, would as well.

Gary Vasseur is managing principal for Coldwell Banker Commercial, Searchy Vasseur Group in Fort Worth.

This story was originally published December 30, 2014 at 5:41 PM with the headline "A valiant effort to preserve golf course."