Shareholders at the Renner Park Golf Club at Oropi have voted in favour of selling the course to a building company but the decision has caused outrage from some past and present members.
The vote was pushed through under its constitution despite some opposition.
However, Renner Park Property secretary and treasurer Ian Heyes said nothing had been signed yet.
Current shareholders had voted to accept an offer, however, it was at the "bare bones" stage, he said.
"It was a very conditional offer and in any case it will remain a golf course for a while."
"We got the course very, very cheap but it does not mean it shouldn't be there," he said.
Stan Taylor, who voted against the sale, said it was a "travesty".
He had owned one of about 230 share parcels in the club for about 13 years and said the course was community-friendly, relaxed and allowed people from all walks of life to to enjoy golf.
"It's open to the public and you can wear your jandals and gumboots if you want to."
Mr Taylor said he could not believe it may end up being developed and looking like "Coronation Street".
Stan Taylor who voted against the sale of Renner Park Golf course says the decision is a travesty and he can't believe it. Photo / John Borren
Brian Brown could still remember digging up ditches and clearing swamps to help get the course up and running.
The former shareholder said "it's a damn shame", because the course had atmosphere.
"You can just roll up with a T-shirt on and a baseball cap with a beer in your hand and have a game. There are no queues and I think that is great and really good."
Oropi resident Fiona Kehley said a lot of people from Tauranga used the golf course and it would be a loss for players.
"I see a lot of people driving into Oropi that turn off into the golf course and for some of them that is the only little bit of the country that they get to see."
Bay of Plenty Golf chief executive Chris McAlpine said the course had filled a gap for casual golfers.
"It's been an ideal place where people can rock up without paying membership fees and enjoy the game. To lose it would leave a void for sure. However, a lot of the clubs are reviewing and reassessing how they operate and they are now more accessible to casual golfers than what they used to be when Renner Park first formed."
Tauranga Golf Club manager Michelle Towersey said clubs like Renner Park and Otumoetai were great entry level courses that were not so daunting.
"But in saying that we are blessed with a lot of golf clubs and if they disappeared people would still be able to play golf," she said.
