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Outdoor recreation options in The Woodlands are slated to expand, with the township seeking partners for its first public golf course in 2026.

In February, the township will consider proposals submitted through Jan. 23 to form a public-private partnership at the South Gosling Tract—an undeveloped 208-acre parcel off Gosling Road on Spring Creek donated by Howard Hughes in 2023.

The outlook: The project envisioned is a short-course for golf consisting of nine holes and a variety of amenities, according to the request for proposals.
Chris Nunes, chief operating officer for The Woodlands Township, said the course would provide a unique experience in the area, as well as contribute more revenue to township coffers through mixed-beverage taxes.

Quote of note: “Much like the board of directors has done with Texas TreeVentures, Riva Row Boat House, we see this as a complementary aspect that ... can drive [sales and] hotel tax as well,” Nunes said.

Lankford’s will officially open its third location in The Woodlands on Jan. 31 after holding a soft opening by reservation only throughout the week through Jan. 30.

What you need to know: The Woodlands location features a 12-tap self-serve beer wall, a dedicated milkshake bar with kid and adult options, and expanded beverage offerings like handcrafted cocktails and curated wine selections.

The backstory: Located in the former Baja Cantina space, Lankford’s The Woodlands is led by third-generation owner Jessica Prior and her husband, Paul Prior, as well as fourth-generation family member Nicolas van der Does. The first Lankford's opened in Houston in 1937.

• Opening Jan. 31
• 24 Waterway Ave., Ste. 160, The Woodlands

• Aldine ISD
• Alvin College
• Alvin ISD
• Clear Creek ISD
• College of the Mainland
• Conroe ISD
• Cy-Fair ISD
• Friendswood ISD
• Fort Bend ISD
• Harmony Public Schools
• Houston City College
• Houston ISD
• Humble ISD
• Katy ISD
• Klein ISD
• Lamar CISD
• Lone Star College
• Magnolia ISD
• Montgomery ISD
• New Caney ISD
• Pearland ISD
• San Jacinto College
• Splendora ISD
• Spring ISD
• Tomball ISD
• University of Houston
• Willis ISD

The project to improve the intersection at the Woodlands Parkway and Grogans Mill Road is nearing completion, and a separate project for a sculpture commemorating the “First Fifty” years of The Woodlands Township is completed, according to discussion at the Jan. 22 board of directors meeting.

What's happening: Landscape architecture firm LANDology provided updates on the projects at the meeting. LANDology is performing work landscaping, regrading and addressing erosion and aesthetics at the intersection, and it is projected to be complete in April, according to the presentation at the meeting.

The backstory: There are two elements to the project, the first of which is funded by The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1, mainly through commercial property taxes. This takes place on 8 acres, costs $4.5 million and includes:

• Erosion remediation
• Stone planter walls
• 423 additional trees
• New ornamental plantings
• Enhanced lighting

PBR Food Park and Sports Bar, a new sports bar and activities center, opened on Rayford Road in January.

What’s special about it?
According to its website, PBR “brings the best of a sports bar and an entertainment venue under one roof.” As a sports bar, it offers a variety of sports such as basketball, football, F1 racing and boxing. PBR also offers a wide variety of games and activities including:

• Roller skating
• Ax throwing
• Darts
• Arcade games
• Corn hole
• Shuffleboard

• 846 Rayford Road, Spring

In the upcoming March 3 primary, voters will select the Democratic candidate in the race for Texas governor. Nine Democrats are seeking the nomination.

The big picture: Patricia Abrego, Chris Bell, Bobby Cole, Carlton Hart, Gina Hinojosa, Jose Navarro Balbuena, Faizan Syed, Zach Vance and Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz will appear on the Democratic primary ballot for Texas governor.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Democratic primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November, and the winner of that race will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

In the upcoming March 3 primary, voters will select the Republican candidate in the race for Texas governor. Eleven Republicans are seeking the nomination.

The overview: Republican incumbent Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the governor's office. He is challenged by ten Republican candidates: R.F. "Bob" Achgill, Evelyn Brooks, Pete “Doc” Chambers, Charles Andrew Crouch, Arturo Espinosa, Mark V. Goloby, Kenneth Hyde, Stephen Samuelson, Ronnie Tullos and Nathaniel Welch.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Republican primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.