THE COLONY, TEXAS

Golf in The Colony

A boom on and off the course

By Art Stricklin, Contributing Writer

The annual host of the LPGA’s Volunteers of America Tournament for the last three years is the epicenter of the boom of golf in The Colony, which features both The Old American Golf Course and The Tribute courses now operating under the same golfing umbrella along with the 9-hole Stewart’s Peninsula.

“We are full speed ahead to make the course the best it’s ever been,” said Old American/Tribute General Manager Mike McCabe. “We know we will have a stellar field (for the LPGA) because it’s the Fourth of July weekend plus four days of national television coverage to showcase the course and community nationwide.”

This year, the boom will be literal as well. Last year there were no fans due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Now there will be all manner of activity, from a 5K run to junior clinic, a full pro-am and galleries, plus plenty of on-course fireworks from the best players in the world. The off-thecourse variety will be lighting up the skies over Lake Lewisville for the holiday.

“We’re really looking forward to having the fans back and looking forward to showcasing the great courses,” McCabe said.

Other than a slight alteration making the former first hole the 18th hole and pushing all the holes up one position at the Tripp Davis/Justin Leonard designed course, McCabe said the biggest change will be the fans and true measure of the holes in summer conditions. “We had never done that before, but we think it will come out fantastic,” he said of the new time for the unique par-72 layout which pays homage to the classic courses in America of the 1920s and ‘30s and is annually ranked as as one of the top public course in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area. “It’s disappointing there were no fans last year, but it’s a great spotlight for the new Golf Clubs at The Tribute. All we are waiting on is what we get on the weather from Mother Nature. The snow and ice hurt us and now we’ve had a lot of

Home of the only LPGA Event in Texas, the Volunteers of America Classic

Golf Clubs at The Tribute Clubhouse

Old American Golf Club

rain, but it should be really good, so we’re hoping for the best,” McCabe added. Aledo’s Cheyenne Knight won the 2019 tournament with Fort Worth’s Angela Stanford taking home the 2020 title. McCabe said a local three-peat would be Texas Tough for sure.

“It would be great to have another local winner this year, we’ll have to wait and see if we can pull it off,” said McCabe.

Along the boats and lapping waves clearly visible on Lake Lewisville from the front nine at Old American, golfers can clearly see the nine-hole Stewart’s Peninsula course in The Colony on the other side of the lake. It was actually Tripp Davis’ first golf design in the 1990s, but has clearly stood the test of time and been a local favorite to walk and test the rolling fairways with water visible on almost every hole.

“Golfers often love a change of pace and Tripp’s first design certainly provides that,” said McCabe. “It’s really fun.”

The iconic manufactured lighthouse/clubhouse signals golfers are in for another treat in this Denton County golf destination.

The first 18-hole course in The Colony came from Davis, a native Oklahoman himself, when he built The Tribute Golf Course, which sits adjacent to Old American. The Davis designed course was built as a tribute to the great courses in Scotland and Ireland, many Davis had played with co-designer Justin Leonard. Amateur golfers who have never traveled across the ocean or have any desire to, can play some of the greatest holes in golf from Royal Troon and the Postage Stamp along with Murfield, St. Andrews Old Course and many others. The area has grown tremendously, not only in golf, but in population around the golf course, many of them The Colony’s most avid golfers. Today, there are more than 2,000 homes in The Colony community around the two golf courses and in sight of the third. In January 2020, The Tribute and Old American combined together as a 36-hole facility with its large multi-story clubhouse which includes overnight lodging. “The combination has been fantastic,” said McCabe. “We are able to cater to the members, but also allow the public to play both courses. We have had tremendous acceptance to the two golf courses. “Golf in The Colony is as great as it’s ever been and only getting better.” A boom on and off the course.

The Tribute Golf Links

ARLINGTON:

Lake Arlington Golf Course Semi-Private (817) 451-6101 Texas Rangers Golf Club Semi-Private (817) 275-5941 Tierra Verde Golf Club Semi-Private (817) 478-8500

AZLE:

Cross Timbers Golf Course Public (817) 444-4940

BROWNWOOD:

The Hideout Golf Club Semi-Private (325) 784-4653

BURLESON:

Hidden Creek Golf Course Public (817) 447-4444 Southern Oaks Golf Club Public (817) 426-2400

CARROLTON:

Maridoe Golf Club Private (972) 416-2131 Indian Creek Golf Course Public (800) 369-4137

DALLAS:

Bear Creak Golf Club Semi-Private (972) 456-3200 Buffalo Creek GC Public (972) 771-4003 Cedar Crest Golf Course Public (214) 670-7615 Keeton Park Golf Course Public (214) 670-8784 Luna Vista Golf Course Public (214) 670-6322 Preston Trail Golf Club Private (972) 248-8448 Steven Parks Golf Course Public (214) 670-7506 Tension Glen Golf Club Semi-Private (214) 670-1402 The Golf Club of Dallas Semi-Private (214) 333-3595 Trinity Forest Golf Club Private (214) 646-3570

DENTON:

Wilderson GC at Robson Ranch Semi-Private (940) 246-1001

DESOTO:

Thorntree Country Club Public (972) 296-2146

EULESS:

Texas Star Golf Course Semi-Private (817) 685-7888

FAIRVIEW:

Heritage Ranch Golf Course Public (800) 579-3089

FERRIS:

Old Brickyard Golf Course Public (972) 355-4800

FLOWER MOUND:

Bridlewood Golf Club Public (972) 355-4800 Tour 18 Public (817) 430-2000

FORT WORTH:

Hawks Creek Golf Course Public (817) 738-8402 Meadowbrook Golf Course Municipal (817) 457-4616 Pecan Valley Golf Course Municipal (817) 249-1845 Rockwood Golf Course Municipal (817) 624-1771 The Golf Club at Champion Circle Semi-Private (817) 497-2582 The Golf Club at the Resort Public (817) 750-2178 Whitestone Golf Club Semi-Private (817) 249-9996

FRANKSTON:

Pine Dunes Resort and Golf Club Public (903) 876-4336

FRISCO:

Frisco Lakes Golf Club Public (972) 292-3089 Trails of Frisco Golf Club Public (972) 668-4653

GARLAND:

Duck Creek Golf Course Public Firewheel Golf Park Public (214) 440-2229 (972) 205-2765

GLEN ROSE:

Squaw Valley Golf Club Public (800) 831-8259

GORDONVILLE:

Rock Creek Resort Golf Club Private (903) 523-5357

GUNTER:

The Bridges Semi-Private (903) 696-0022

GRAND PRAIRIE:

Grand Oaks Golf Club Semi-Private (972) 264-6161 Prairie Lakes Golf Club Public (972) 237-4156 Riverside Golf Club Semi-Private (817) 640-7800 Tangle Ridge Golf Club Public (972) 299-6837

HASLET:

Willow Springs Golf Course Semi-Private (817) 439-4653

IRVING:

Cottonwood Valley Golf Course Public

(972) 717-2525 TPC Las Conlinas Course Public (972) 717-2525 Twin Wells Golf Course Municipal (972) 438-4340

KELLER:

Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club Public

LANCASTER:

Country View Golf Course Public (817) 498-1414

(972) 227-0995

LIPAN:

Sugar Tree Golf Course Semi-Private (817) 341-1111

MUENSTER:

Turtle Hill Golf Club Public (940) 759-4896

PLANO:

Pecan Hollow Golf Course Public Ridgeview Ranch GC Public The Course at Watters Creek Public (972) 941-7600 (972) 390-1036 (214) 509-4653

POTTSBORO:

Tanglewood Resort GC Semi-Private (903) 786-4638

RICHARDSON:

Sherrill Park #1 Public (972) 234-1416

ROCKWALL:

Buffalo Creek Golf Club Semi-Private (972) 771-4003

RUNAWAY BAY:

Runaway Bay Golf Club Semi-Private (940) 575-2225

WACO:

Bear Ridge Golf Club Public

WAXAHACHIE:

Country View Golf Course Public Waxahachie Country Club Public (254) 848-7800

(972) 227-0995 (972) 937-3521

WEATHERFORD:

Canyon West Golf Course Public Oeste Ranch Golf Course Public

WYLIE:

Woodbridge Golf Course Public (817) 596-4653 (817) 441-1044

(972) 429-5100

Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6 become PGA REACH Southern Texas Patron Partner

The Southern Texas PGA announced today that Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6 will become a Patron Partner of PGA REACH Southern Texas. Both dealerships are owned by local husband and wife team: Jeff and Tiffany Sebastian. Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6 have been serving the community for more than a decade with unbelievable customer service and high-quality vehicles.

“We are so excited to become a Patron Partner of PGA REACH Southern Texas,” said Jeff and Tiffany. “Golf is a game that teaches so many valuable life lessons, and the work that the STPGA does each year is truly remarkable.”

As the newest Patron Partner, all three STPGA Junior Golf Series’ will be rebranded as the Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6 Spring, Summer, and Fall Series ending with the Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6 Spring Series Championship, STPGA Junior Championship, and Fall Series Championship.

“With this partnership, PGA REACH Southern Texas will not only be able to continue to provide high quality junior golf events, but it will allow us to continue to grow,” said Thomas Hutton, PGA Executive Director for the Southern Texas PGA. “We are fortunate to have people like Jeff and Tiffany that believe in our mission to impact lives through golf. We appreciate their support.”

Due to the generosity of Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6, this partnership will help provide financial assistance to families that are new to the game. This will include free memberships as well as free tournaments for qualified individuals. “Communities thrive when its members work together,” said Tiffany. “This is a perfect example.” “We want to get as many juniors involved in the sport as possible,” said Jeff. “Our dealership has a long-standing history of supporting the community and we believe that golf is a great avenue for the next generation.”

The Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6 Summer Series is under way and will run through August with over 200 events in all seven metro areas within Southern Texas. It will conclude with the largest junior golf event in the state with the Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6 STPGA Junior

Championship August 3-5 at The Woodlands Country Club. The STPGA Junior Golf program is open to juniors ages 6-18 looking to play in tournaments that range from 5-hole to 36-holes. The STPGA Junior Golf program prides itself on being local, affordable, and extremely well run by our 800 PGA Members within Southern Texas.

The STPGA looks forward to working with Classic Chevy Sugar Land and Classic Chevy HWY 6 throughout this partnership and appreciates their support.

The Southern Texas PGA hosted this year’s National Car Rental Southern Texas Assistant PGA Professional Championship and the Southern Texas Senior PGA Professional Championship at High Meadow Ranch Golf Club on Monday, May 17 - Tuesday, May 18. Carlos Sainz Jr, Director of Instruction at the Clubs at Houston Oaks claimed the National Car Rental Southern Texas Assistant PGA Professional Championship title for the third straight year, earning him a spot in the 45th National Car Rental Assistant PGA The STPGA Junior Golf Program’s mission is to create Professional Championship.lifelong golfers by fostering programs and tournaments for juniors of all skill levels. Justin Engel, PGA Assistant Professional at Shadow Hawk Golf Club finished one stroke behind Sainz Jr. and KC Lim, Teaching Professional at The Bandit Golf Club at 136 (-8), securing the third qualifying spot to the national Championship.

Eleven PGA Professionals to Represent the STPGA in National Championships

Carlos Sainz Jr. Winner of the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship

The Clubs of Kingwood, Deerwood Course

The National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship brings together a field of contestants representing the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections and all rounds will be played on the Wanamaker Course. A cut after 36-holes of play to the low 70 scorers and ties will be made. The national Championship, supported by Srixon, Cleveland Golf, XXIO, Asics and John Deere will be held at PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, Fla on November 11-14, 2021.

In the Southern Texas Senior PGA Professional Championship, Jeff Strong, PGA Teaching Professional at The Deerwood Club of Kingwood claimed the championship title after a three-hole playoff against Tim Thelen, PGA Assistant Professional at Texas A&M Golf Club. Strong, along with Thelen and Robert Thompson, PGA Teaching Professional at Whispering Pines Golf Club, who previously earned their exemptions into the 33rd Senior PGA Professional Championship, will lead five additional Section PGA Professionals to compete in the national Championship on October 21-24.

Billy Sitton, PGA Golf Executive at Triumph Golf LLC, Steve Parker, PGA Life Member and Carl Cooper, PGA Teaching Professional at Stonebridge at Newport finished three strokes behind Strong and Thelen at 141 (-3). Thelen, Sitton, Parker, Cooper, Strong and Thompson are joined by John Gibson, PGA Assistant Professional at Memorial Park Golf Course and John Martin, PGA Head Professional at Golfcrest Country Club for the qualifying spots into the Senior PGA Professional Championship.

The Senior PGA Professional Championship brings together a field of contestants representing the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections. The first two rounds will be conducted on the Ryder and Wanamaker Courses. The first cut will be made after 36 holes of play to the low 90 scorers and ties. The second cut will be made after 54 holes of play to the low 70 scorers and ties. The final two rounds will be played on the Wanamaker Course.

Jeff Strong STPGA Senior Professional Champion

2800 Ted Dudley Dr Texas City, Texas 77592 www.bayougc.com Call Today! 409-739-9622