It appears construction of the $24.5 million championship golf course at City Park could begin before the end of the year. City Park CEO Bob Becker said FEMA has green-lighted the project and the state is fairly confident it can be bid out at the end of August with construction starting possibly as early as November.

If the project begins then, the course would probably open in either the early part of 2015 or the latter part of the year, depending on when the grass can be planted for the growing season in 2014.

With the now-defunct Oaks at Sherwood golf course headed into the hands of a local lender and its fate unclear, other recent course closures point to a likely use involving some type of residential development.

As for the golf course’s last 175 members, at least one competitor, Livingston Parish’s Greystone Golf & Country Club, is actively targeting them for membership as owners there try to boost that course and its surrounding residential development.

The Oaks was shut down Wednesday, unable to overcome dwindling membership and competition from other courses. It closed owing about $2.7 million to American Gateway Bank. The bank’s CEO would not comment Wednesday on the fate of the property, but it is expected to be sold to developers.

Four other area courses have closed in recent years and set the pattern. Shenandoah Country Club Golf Course is now a residential development. A portion of Fairwood Country Club, off Millerville Road, was developed with houses and the rest is set to become an apartment and retail/office development. Briarwood Golf Club at Airline and Pecue is now the site of the new Woman’s Hospital. A residential development is planned for the former site of the Gonzales Country Club.