“We are biding our time to watch how this plays out,” Lotz said. “We’ve been surprised at the scope of community support.”

Many customers on their way to hit a bucket or play a round on a warm, sunny Thursday afternoon had already heard the news.

“It would be awful for the area because there isn’t another driving range around,” said Mike Sykora, 37, a south St. Louis resident who has been coming to Tower Tee for nearly 20 years. “It would be a shame if it goes away.”

Diane Jump and her friend Jan Cutter are a fixture on the 18-hole par-3 course, where they play at least twice a week. They heard the news on their way to play.

“That just ruined our game,” Cutter said. “Oh, that can’t happen.”

Cutter said she’s been coming to Tower Tee for some 40 years, and now “I bring my grandkids over to play putt-putt,” she said.

Jump said she wishes the potential buyers would build around some of the course, maybe save nine holes for a par-3 course that could be worked into the development. Jump says the course attracts wildlife, including deer, beavers and the occasional coyote.

“It’s a gem,” Jump said. “There’s nothing in the area like it.”