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The 117-acre course is situated near the university’s south campus and adjacent to the communities of Bel-Nor and Greendale. Residents have worried for years about the future of the golf course established in 1901 and considered the oldest public course west of the Mississippi River.

Officials from both communities would like the course to continue operating and be improved. Last year, after learning of the potential UMSL purchase, they worried the university had plans to develop the site.

But on Tuesday the university reiterated its pledge to maintain the land as a public golf course — at least for the next decade.

Officials said the university signed a 10-year agreement with Walters Golf Management to operate and market the course. Under the arrangement, UMSL will receive $1 a year in lease payments from the company.

Kevin Buchek, chairman of Bel-Nor’s Board of Trustees, said Tuesday the community still is not comfortable about the long-term future of the course and would like more details regarding the management contract.

He said the university’s news release offered only vague details about course improvements. The golf course has about 10 years of deferred maintenance issues, he said.

Buchek said local communities were considering partnering to create a municipal course with the use of park development grants, but UMSL refused to discuss the idea with them.

The university also did not do a request for proposals on the management contract, which locked out other potential firms with ideas or resources for improving the course, he said.

“I don’t understand why UMSL entered into an agreement with Walters without any public input or without any kind of public proposal process,� Buchek said.

UMSL Chancellor Thomas George said the purchase was made in the best interest of UMSL students and the surrounding communities.

The university made the purchase with private funds financed through the UMSL Chancellor’s Council, which learned in May the golf course was up for sale.

“We discussed what impact future development of the golf course would have on UMSL and the neighboring community,� said Mark Burkhart, chairman of the Chancellor’s Council building and grounds committee, in a news release.

“It quickly became apparent that the best possible option for everyone was an association involving UMSL.�

An official from Walters Golf Management pledged in the news release to enhance the clubhouse and playing conditions at the course and create a long-term plan for other potential improvements that would be “dictated largely by the support shown by area golfers.�

Special-rate programs will also be established for UMSL students, alumni, faculty and staff. The firm also will explore creating youth development programs and more league play.