KissingTree
Not your average
GOLF COURSE BY NICK CASTILLO
Staring down hole No. 18 at the Kissing Tree Golf Course, the risks are apparent. The reward is simple. The hole is an easy downhill drivable Par 4. But the green, however, is surrounded by water on both sides. The hole plays similar to No. 9, which features water on the left side of the green, and a deep bunker on the right. The course, which is set to open in July, is challenging, but also has novice golfers in mind. The back nine features spectacular views of San Marcos. The course takes full advantage of its place in the Hill Country with rolling fairways
and elevation changes throughout. Kissing Tree Golf Course general manager Josh Clay calls this “not your average” golf course. “We have two closing holes on No. 9 and No. 18 that are drivable par-4s but have water on each side, which lends to some excitement,” Clay said. “But if you’re somebody that’s going to come out and just wants to enjoy the landscape - the back nine has views that are just spectacular. You can see most of San Marcos from a few of the holes from the back nine as you close out. But that’s what’s going to be unique with this golf course.”
86 • 2018 San Marcos Chamber Welcome Guide
Gary Stevenson, a Texas native, developed and designed the course with the Hill Country in mind. “He’s kind of developed this land over the last six, eight years,” Clay said. “He’s very knowledgeable to work with current topography of the Hill Country and kind of designed an absolutely beautiful golf course with the intention that the golf game has gotten to a point where golf architects have had to shape the land based on golf technology and everything is getting longer and longer. “Courses are getting harder and harder. But we wanted a golf course that’s going to be fun and playable for