The Oshkosh City Council approved the sale of a popular public golf course to Oshkosh Corporation in a bid councilors say was hard to turn down.
The decision was announced to a packed council chamber Wednesday night.
Lakeshore Golf Course has been a landmark in the city for over 90 years.
"My dad worked up there, my brother worked up there, I worked up, and I know so many people that played there. I will miss it," said Rodger Schuhart.
Now the land will house Oshkosh Corporation's new headquarters. The Fortune 500 company is a landmark institution in the city.
City leaders said they had to focus on jobs and couldn't afford to potentially lose the city's marquee employer.
"It sends a signal that... we recognize the value of our leading employer," said Jason White, of the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Council. "They have a $150 million dollar supply chain in our community."
The city will get about $3.5 million in the deal, while Oshkosh Corporation will get about $6 million in tax breaks.
2017 is the final year of golfing at the course.
