For puttermaker Doug DeBerry, the journey began at an antique store some 10 years ago. The 60-year-old industrial gas specialist saw his first “Basakwerd” putter that was on sale for $6.
“I was intrigued so I bought it and started putting with it,” DeBerry said. “It was a blade but toe shafted and it worked. I started making some putts with it and later a spark hit me that maybe we can sell this. Why should I be the only one using this magic wand?”
Inspired, DeBerry began working on a mold for the putter head in his spare time and finally came up with his prototype that is now available in a beautiful brass head or stainless steel. It is similar to many putters available that have “gimme retriever” on the back side of the face and with a black shaft and grip, it is one pretty putter that is sure to “spook” your opponents on the links.
DeBerry has two sons who have joined him in this family endeavor that has an interesting name and website – Reaper Golf and reapergolf.com. The putters are American made in Frisco and are priced at $255, very reasonable in today’s club marketplace and DeBerry sweetens the deal with a “no questions asked, 30-day return policy.”
“We will even pay for the shipping if you don’t like it and want to send it back,” DeBerry said. “And we can ship our orders the next day because our putters are already shafted. We offer lots of combinations including two different grips – solid black and black/white harlequin.”
Starting the company in 2023, DeBerry exhibited at this year’s DFW Golf Show in Plano and had a lot of traffic at his exhibit.
“People stopped by and were intrigued with it,” DeBerry said. “Most folks set it down incorrectly before getting their bearings. But when they stroked a few, their interest level spiked.”
That was my experience. I remembered, vaguely, the old Basakwerd putters from the 1980s. DeBerry reminded me that great players like Gene Littler and Johnny Miller once used the Basackwerd. The older putters were offset but not so with DeBerry’s Reaper, named such because the sleek model resembles a sickle or scythe used by the “Grim Reaper.”
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Letter From The Publisher
Texas GOLF INSIDER
P.O. Box 310652
New Braunfels, TX 78130 830-964-2152 thetexasgolfinsider.com
I’m excited to introduce our upcoming Summer Edition, a celebration of golf, gaming, travel, and the unforgettable experiences that connect them. This issue is packed with stories that invite readers to explore a little bit and venture out to a place to play or stay.
Our front cover story takes you to Landa Park Golf Course, where recent improvements have elevated the game for locals and visitors alike. From enhanced greens to upgraded facilities, every change was made with one goal in mind — to heighten the golfing experience and make every round memorable, and I certainly can vouch for that.
We then journey to the Caribbean to spotlight The Tryall Club in Jamaica, the number one escape for golfers seeking luxury, challenge, and breathtaking scenery. It’s a destination where the fairways meet the ocean, and every swing feels like paradise.
Back in the States, we feature Coushatta Casino Resort and its stunning new addition, The Towers — a bold statement that bigger truly is better. I was there for the grand opening recently and it’s amazing. I can assure you it is worth the travel Texans. For those who love pairing their tee times with a little extra excitement, we also explore Rediscovering Mississippi, where golf and gaming come together in a way that’s uniquely Southern.
And for a touch of history and prestige, we proudly share the announcement from The Texas Golf Hall of Fame, revealing the distinguished Class of 2026 — a lineup that honors the game’s legacy and inspires its future.
Contributing Photographers: Connie Black, Mark Lindsay, Clicked by Lara Photography
When you page through this edition, I hope you discover new destinations and be inspired to plan your next round of golf — or a great getaway.
Happy Golfing, Mike Ratchman
Improvements Heighten Your Golf Experience at Landa Park Golf Course
By
There is never a dull moment at Landa Park Golf Course, and that’s by design. Days are busy with a constantly full tee sheet and nights are for irrigation and recovery on the greens, fairways and native areas.
Early mornings are when the heavy lifting is done, with the course’s braintrust namely director of golf Quintin Alexander and superintendent Brody Dillard and his crew identifying and addressing how to make the experience at Landa Park GC even better.
Landa Park Golf Course remains one of the most popular and well-reviewed facilities in Central Texas. There were more than 61,000 rounds of golf played at the course last year, and Alexander said the early numbers for this year indicate another slight uptick in play, even after an uberchallenging winter and spring because of the weather.
When you play at Landa Park GC, you understand the overall appeal and the reason why the facility gets so much return play. The course, which rests hard
Steve Habel, Contributing Writer
Hole # 2
Photos courtesy of Clicked By Lara
by the cool Comal River in the heart of New Braunfels, is infinitely playable, carded at just 6,205 yards from its back tees and to a par of 71. It costs less than $60 to play, even with a cart, and there are discounts for seniors, juniors and military members and veterans as well as twilight rates.
The course, which plays to a 37-34 configuration with back-to-back par 5s and just one par 3 on the front side, will not beat up golfers who are just learning the game but there’s more than enough length and challenge to keep even the best players’ attention. On the back nine, golfers can watch tubers riding the
rapids and hear plenty of whooping and hollering at nearby Schlitterbahn.
Part of the experience at Landa Park Golf Course is the fauna (ducks, egrets, and more) and all of the deer grazing in the rough and lying in the shade.
The course at Landa Park originally opened as a nine-hole facility in 1938 with a second nine designed by architects Dave Bennett and Leon Howard added in 1969.
That configuration was in place for more than 45 years and was worse for the wear before a renovation and full master plan for the site was fashioned by the noted Houston-based golf architecture firm Finger Dye Spann.
The $7 million project was bankrolled by the City of New Braunfels. Houstonbased contractor Heritage Links instituted the architects’ plan, which rerouted some of the holes, built new tees and putting surfaces, re-contoured the fairways, added bunkers and improved or replaced cart paths and installed a new irrigation system.
Fully Stocked Pro Shop
Hole # 12, Par 3
The design also employed the judicious use of native grasses in “out of play” areas as a nod to ecology and the sensitivity of the course in proximity to the river. There are a handful of bio swell areas that act to clean the waters that can run off the course before they end up in the Comal.
The fabulous new Landa Park Golf Course was reopened in October 2014 and has been on consistent footing ever since.
Given the task at keeping the machine rolling, it can be hard to track down Alexander and Dillard. But we did on June 1 — the only scheduled day of closure for the month at Landa Park GC.
Alexander instills pride, and ownership in his staff. He was affable and positive
as always and was more than pleased to explain to us why Landa Park GC has been and continues to be a fun place to play golf.
“We take great pride in making the course an overall experience at our facility, a place where golfers can get away for a few hours, have fun with their friends and enjoy the game,” Alexander said. “We understand that there is a competition for the people’s disposable income and we make sure that they are getting the most bang for their buck.”
“The City of New Braunfels had the foresight to invest in the renovation of the course in 2014 and has done all it can to make sure we have all we need to provide the best golf experience for our players. We take ownership in what we do here and consider the popularity of Landa Park Golf Course a labor of love for all of us.”
Alexander said the staff’s attention to detail and its “let’smake-everyone-feel-at-home” customer service policy helps enhance the experience.
“One of the things we have seen an increase over the past few years is in the number of people who stay around the facility after
Left is Hole # 4, Par 5
Right is Hole # 2, Par 4
Banquet Room and Patio
their rounds,” Alexander added. “Folks love to hang around on our patio and have a burger or a brat and a beer and rehash their day on the course. To me, that means they had a great time, and that’s what we love to see.”
Regular players at Landa Park GC will be happy that the facility just opened an additional parking lot adjacent to the course that has room for 17 more vehicles. That addition eliminated the need to shuttle players from an overflow parking lot next to the park’s Aquatic Center, and took away a major inconvenience for golfers and a real staffing and logistics headache for Alexander and his staff.
“Having that lot now is a real gamechanger,” said Alexander, who’s been Landa Park Golf Course’s golf manager since 2022. “That allows me to utilize a staff person in a better manner than shuttling folks back and forth from down the road.”
Dillard keeps the course green and so much more
One of the often taken-for-granted constants at Landa Park Golf Course is the track’s peerless conditioning. From tee to green the playing surfaces
are manicured where required, left native when desired and reflect the best of golf at a course on the edge of the Texas Hill Country. The upkeep of the course is overseen by Dillard and his crew.
Usually Dillard is an early morning man, rising before the sun to begin his 4 a.m. shift and beginning the daily battle to keep Landa Park GC in consistently great condition.With the course closed on June 1, Dillard got to sleep in a little bit that day but he still ended up at the course to help supervise the filming of a drone video shoot that will help promote a course that seemingly needs little help in that regard.
Dillard won’t stay at the course for long on this first Monday of the month; he has to finish packing for a long awaited cruise out of Miami to the Caribbean with his wife.
“Man, it’s been a while since we’ve been able to get away just the two of us,” Dillard said. “Once I get this drone stuff done and finish up on a checklist of stuff for the staff to handle while I’m gone, I’m out of here.”
Dillard was named the South Texas Golf Course Superintendent’s Association Superintendent of theYear in 2020 and is highly recognized for his ability to keep Landa Park GC in prime condition despite
Top Hole # 11, Par 4
Bottom Hole # 12, Par 3
Hafbräu on The Green
the challenges of the South Texas weather and the constant wear and tear taken on the course by upwards of 200 players each day.
Asked what his biggest challenges are at Landa Park GC, Dillard took a long time to answer.
“I look at our work on the golf course like making a schedule to pay bills,” Dillard explained. “You have to pay those bills by a certain date or there will be consequences. We have times scheduled and windows available and adhered to for everything we do on the course.”
It’s that consistency and matterof-fact course management that allows Dillard to adapt when he and his staff are presented with variables — and those are a constant in the golf course maintenance world.
“One of the real advantages I have at Landa Park is that I have a knowledgeable and experienced crew,” Dillard said. “Our crew knows the schedule and understands what things need to be done and when they need to be tackled. That certainly makes my job a lot easier. The crew actually deserves all the credit. The work that our crew does day in and day out directly relates to the golf experience.”
Dillard said the City has approved the budget and plans to renovate and renew all the bunkers at Landa Park GC, with that project set to begin sometime this fall.
With the game of golf riding an all-time high in popularity, Landa Park Golf Course is a vibrant and pertinent course that’s both an asset to the New Braunfels golf community and the City as a whole. If you’ve played Landa Park Golf Course, you know. If you haven’t, what are you waiting for?
Hole # 3, Par 5
Hole # 8, Par 4
Top 10 Golf Course to play in Texas
“Dallas Morning News” 2025
Southern Texas PGA Builds on Its Past, Strengthens Its Present and Invests in the Future
The Southern Texas PGA’s impact throughout 2026 can be seen across every corner of the game: in the history it continues to honor, the championships it continues to stage and the future it continues to build through junior golf, education and opportunity. Across Southern Texas, the Section’s work reflects a larger story of past, present and future coming together through PGA Professionals, young players, partners, facilities and supporters who continue to move the game forward.
That story begins with the past. In 2026, the Southern Texas PGA will be represented in the Texas Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2026 by Dale Morgan, PGA, and River Oaks Country Club. The full class will be honored during the formal induction ceremony on Sunday, October 19, 2026, at San Antonio Country Club, presented by Huntington Bank. Morgan
Builds on Its Past Strengthens Its Present, and Invests in the Future
will be inducted in the Golf Professional / Teacher category, while River Oaks Country Club will be recognized as the Historic Course honoree.
Morgan’s induction recognizes more than four decades of leadership, mentorship and service to the game. Best known for his nearly 30-year tenure at Austin Country Club, Morgan helped uphold one of Texas golf’s most storied traditions while shaping the careers of countless PGA Professionals and players. A respected leader within the game, Morgan served as President of the Southern Texas PGA and currently serves on the PGA of America Board of Directors. His legacy is rooted in professionalism, mentorship and the values that continue to guide the game.
River Oaks Country Club’s recognition further reflects the Section’s connection to Texas golf history. Established in 1923 and originally designed by Donald Ross, River
Dale Morgan, PGA
River Oaks Country Club
Oaks has long stood as one of the state’s most storied venues. Later renovated by Tom Fazio, the course blends classic architecture with modern championship standards and has hosted premier amateur and professional events for generations. Its legacy is tied to names such as Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Babe Zaharias, along with the lasting influence of the Burke and Harmon families.
While the Section continues to honor the past, its present remains defined by championship competition and the success of Southern Texas PGA Professionals. The first Southern Texas PGA Major Championship of the year, the Huntington Bank Spring Classic, was contested at Golfcrest Country Club and featured strong fields in both the Open and Senior Divisions. Jesse Droemer, PGA, Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club, captured the Open Division title after a dramatic playoff, while Steve Jurgensen, PGA, Teaching Professional at Westwood Golf Club, claimed the Senior Division title.
The Major season continued in May at Big Easy Ranch with the Omega Transactions Memorial Championship. Challenging weather tested the field throughout the
two-day event, but Carlos Sainz Jr. rose to the occasion to win the Open Division at 7-under-par. In the Senior Division, Omar Uresti, PGA, matched that total to earn another Southern Texas PGA championship victory. Both performances reflected the competitive depth, patience and resilience that continue to define the Section’s membership.
That success has also extended beyond Section championships through the First Community STPGA Team. Built to support and celebrate Southern Texas PGA Professionals competing at the highest levels of PGA of America competition, the team represents the strength of the Section on the national stage. Through the support of First Community, STPGA Professionals continue to showcase their talent while
representing their facilities, communities and fellow PGA Members with pride.
The national spotlight grew even brighter in 2026 when Jesse Droemer, PGA, followed his Huntington Bank Spring Classic victory by capturing the 2026 PGA Professional Championship.With the win,
Jesse Droemer, PGA - Open Division Title at the Huntington Bank Spring Classic
Steve Jurgensen, PGA - Senior Division Title at the Huntington Bank Spring Classic
participation grows, STPGA Junior Golf remains a national model for player development and youth engagement.
The Section’s investment in the future also extends beyond the course through PGA REACH Southern Texas and its scholarship program. For the 2026-2027 academic year, PGA REACH Southern Texas awarded $386,000 across 71 scholarships to 62 deserving student-athletes. These scholarships provide meaningful support to students pursuing higher education while recognizing academic achievement, leadership and a lasting connection to the game.
Droemer became the fifth Southern Texas PGA Member to claim the prestigious national title, bringing recognition to the Section and adding another chapter to its proud competitive tradition.
The future of the game is equally strong through Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf, one of the Section’s most significant areas of impact.With more than 4,700 active members, the program currently stands as the largest junior golf membership program among all 41 PGA of America Sections. Through its structured four-tour pathway, STPGA Junior Golf provides opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels, allowing juniors to progress from introductory competition to elite-level events.
The demand for junior golf opportunities continues to rise across Southern Texas.
Through the first half of 2026, STPGA Junior Golf has already hosted more than 9,100 rounds of competitive golf. Each round represents more than a number on a participation report. It is a chance for young players to learn sportsmanship, integrity, perseverance and respect while building confidence through the game. As
Since the scholarship program was established in 1999, more than 700 scholarships totaling over $3 million have been awarded throughout Southern Texas. A major contributor to this year’s efforts was the Hannon-Fields Champions Society, which provided $137,500 toward 26 scholarships. Additional support came
through the Charlie Epps Scholarship, J.L. Lewis Scholarship, Insperity Invitational Scholarship and numerous other funds, all helping students pursue opportunities that will benefit them long after their competitive golf careers have ended.
Carlos Sainz Jr.- Open Division Champion
The Omega Transactions Memorial Championship
Omar Uresti, PGA - Senior Division Champion The Omega Transactions Memorial Championship
Together, these efforts show how the Southern Texas PGA’s work reaches across generations. The Section honors those who helped shape the game, celebrates the PGA Professionals competing and leading today, and creates pathways for the young players and students who will carry golf into the future.Whether through Hall of Fame recognition, championship performance, junior golf participation or educational support, the Section’s impact continues to extend far beyond any single tournament or program.
The accomplishments of 2026 serve as a reminder that the game’s greatest influence is not measured only in trophies, rounds played or scholarships awarded, but in the people whose lives are shaped through golf. Through the combined efforts of PGA Professionals, volunteers, partners and supporters, the Southern Texas PGA remains dedicated to growing the game, preserving its legacy and building a stronger future for golf throughout the region.
STPGA Junior Scholarship Recipients - Ben Cronwell and Jordyn Herridge
The First Community STPGA Team on the first tee of Brandon Dunes
Texas to Jamaica: Discover Summer at Tryall Club
For Texans looking to trade the summer heat for sea breezes, championship golf and effortless Caribbean luxury, Jamaica’s iconic Tryall Club offers an easy and rewarding escape. Located just 20 minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, the legendary private club and resort community combines world-class golf, expansive private villas and curated island experiences designed for families, couples, groups and corporate retreats alike.
Traveling from Texas has never been more convenient, with direct flights from both Houston and Dallas to Montego Bay via United Airlines and American Airlines (service subject to seasonal schedule changes). Guests arriving by private aircraft can enjoy seamless service through the IAM Jet Centre Montego Bay, offering VIP arrival experiences and expedited customs and immigration services.
At the heart of the property is the renowned Tryall Club Golf Course, one of
The Trinity LuxuryVilla
the Caribbean’s most celebrated championship courses. Set along the coastline with rolling fairways, ocean views and historic aqueduct ruins woven throughout the landscape, the 18-hole course has long attracted golfers from around the world. Home to the former Johnnie Walker
World Championship and numerous international tournaments, the course delivers a challenging yet approachable experience for players of all skill levels.
For groups traveling together, Tryall Club offers exceptional golf programming, including custom tournaments,
Lodge Interior
LuxuryVillas from one to ten bedooms
The 1st and 3rd Hole
group outings and tailored itineraries ideal for friends’ trips, member events and incentive travel. The property’s Golf Academy provides private instruction, clinics and junior programming, making it easy for beginners and seasoned players alike to sharpen their game while enjoying a relaxed island atmosphere.
Accommodations at Tryall Club center around its collection of beautifully staffed
private villas, ranging from intimate oceanfront hideaways to expansive estates designed for multigenerational travel and large gatherings. Each villa includes a dedicated staff and personalized service, allowing guests to experience Jamaica with the privacy and comfort of a private home alongside the amenities of a luxury resort.
Beyond golf, guests can enjoy a wide variety of activities across the 2,200-acre
Tryall Club
Tryall Club
property. Days can be spent relaxing at the private beach club, playing tennis or pickleball, exploring nature trails, enjoying water sports or indulging in spa treatments and wellness experiences. Families traveling together will find endless opportunities for connection, while children’s programming and spacious villa accommodations make Tryall Club especially well suited for multigenerational vacations.
The destination has also become a sought-after setting for weddings, celebrations and private events, thanks to its breathtaking oceanfront venues, expansive lawns and highly personalized planning services. Whether hosting an intimate beachfront ceremony or a large-scale corporate retreat, the property offers a distinctly Jamaican sense of warmth and hospitality.
For meetings and incentive groups, Tryall Club offers a compelling alternative to traditional resort settings. Private villas, customizable experiences, championship golf and easy accessibility from major Texas markets combine to create a highly personalized destination for executive retreats, incentive programs and corporate gatherings.
Equally important to the club’s identity is The Tryall Fund, the resort’s longstanding charitable organization dedicated to supporting education, healthcare and community development initiatives throughout Hanover Parish. Guests have the opportunity to engage with meaningful community programs that create lasting impact across western Jamaica.
With effortless access from Houston and Dallas, exceptional golf, private villa living and authentic Jamaican hospitality, Tryall Club continues to stand apart as one of the Caribbean’s most iconic luxury destinations – and an ideal summer escape for Texas travelers.
Livity Spa
80th Charles Schwab Challenge
Showcases Colonial’s Charm
By Pat Wheeler, Contributing Writer
When 37-year-old Russell Henley birdied his last four holes to “steal” a win from 37-year-old Eric Cole, the 80th playing of the Charles Schwab Challenge showed more than ever that the apple of Marvin Leonard’s eye, the Colonial Country Club set on a beautiful tract of land along the Trinity River, is still a relevant challenge for modern golfers.
Yes, Henley did birdie four holes in a row. And yes, Cole shot a sparkling 63 the day before. However to tie at 12 under par after the 30-under-par winning score of Wyndham Clark the week before at TPC Craig Ranch in Dallas only enhanced the image of Colonial and the Charles Schwab Challenge as a top tier PGA Tour event, even without an enlarged purse and tag. Two Southern guys, one from Georgia and one from Florida, both 37 but from extremely different pedigree, put on a great show for the large crowd on a hot and muggy Sunday mitigated only slightly by some 10 to 15 mph winds that made the course play even tougher than the days before when the green was soft from recent rains.
It was an exhilarating win for Henley, a University of Georgia star who won on the Web.com Tour while still an amateur before winning two more times his rookie year on the feeder tour to the PGA Tour now known as the Kornferry Tour. His win at the Schwab Challenge, replete with the big check and the renovated 1982 Jeep Scrambler, puts Henley back on track in the Fed Ex Cup race and surely a spot later on the Presidents Cup team. It was Henley’s 6th win on tour and first since he won the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. It was his 2nd win on Texas soil, having won the
Shell Houston Open in Houston in 2017.
An accomplished guitar player and married to a successful artist, Tiel Duncan, with three children and another on the way, Henley couldn’t be happier leaving Cowtown for The Memorial Tournament by Workday hosted by Jack Nicklaus near Columbus, Ohio. Henley did what Henley does best – putt! With his flat stick whiskey hot, Henley putted lights out down the stretch and that translated into a win.
Conversely, Cole played super on Saturday with the 63 that gave him a two-shot cushion over his closest pursuers and a 3-shot lead over Henley. After sleeping on the lead, Cole played well on Sunday during the first nine, but for a hiccup on the devilish 9th hole that makes any approach from the thick Bermuda grass rough a dicey proposition. Cole gambled and paid the price with a watery double bogey but rebounded to steady himself on the inward nine with a lone birdie at the par 5 11th hole and the remainder a string of pars that often necessitated a tidy short game around the impeccable Colonial greens.
But Cole, who labored for years just to get on the PGA Tour, becoming rookie of
the year in 2023 at age 34, got an unexpected bad bounce on the 18th hole that was playing short with a driver and short iron into the final green. Cole’s 9-iron hit the middle of the green short of the hole but bounced funny to the left and ended up barely into the fringe from where he chipped to a tap-in and a tie rather than perhaps making a 10-foot birdie putt for his first win on tour. He now has lost twice in playoffs with the first disappointment coming against another University of Georgia golfer, Chris Kirk, at the 2024 Honda Classic in North Palm Beach, Florida.
But Cole walked away with a consolation $1 million check for runner-up and a buoyed confidence heading into the heart of the 2026 season on the PGA Tour. He handled the disappointment with grace and that portends well for his future.
Finishing in a tie for third was Mac Meissner of San Antonio and SMU who is making his new home in Fort Worth near Colonial. He was low Texan with Pierceson Coody of Plano and the University of Texas also having a good tournament with a tie for 22nd.
As for the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial, the 81st edition bodes well for 2027.
Mac Meissner
Eric Cole
Legacy Rising: Inside the Grand Opening of Coushatta Casino Resort’s New Luxury Tower — and the Future It Signals for Louisiana’s Largest Casino Destination
When you pull into Kinder, Louisiana, you don’t expect to be greeted by a skyline. But that’s exactly what Legacy Tower creates, a bold, gleaming vertical statement rising above the pines, announcing that Coushatta Casino Resort has entered a new era.
On May 15, 2026, Tribal leaders, executives, partners, and guests gathered inside the brand new lobby of Legacy Tower to celebrate a milestone decades in the making. The grand opening wasn’t just the reveal of a new hotel. It was the
unveiling of a vision, one that blends modern luxury with deep cultural roots, and one that positions Coushatta Casino Resort as a premier destination for travelers across the South.
With 204 new rooms, including 100 luxury suites, Legacy Tower pushes the resort’s total room count past 1,000, a scale unmatched anywhere else in Louisiana. But numbers alone don’t tell the story. The experience does. And from the moment you step inside, you feel it.
The celebration began with a Tribal blessing, a moment of reverence that grounded the event in the Coushatta Tribe’s heritage. Tribal Princesses stood proudly in traditional regalia, their presence symbolizing both legacy and future. The air carried the rhythm of drums and the energy of a community honoring its past while stepping boldly forward.
Tribal Chairman David Sickey captured the emotion of the day when he spoke about the tower as more than a building. It was, he said, “a commitment to future generations,” a way to honor those who came before while creating opportunity for those yet to come. His words echoed through the lobby, where modern architecture meets cultural storytelling in every line, texture, and pattern.
Nearby, General Manager Nate Tanner emphasized how Legacy Tower transforms the guest experience. The new arrival sequence, from the dramatic exterior to the unified lobby, creates a seamless, elevated welcome that ties the entire resort
together. “This expansion brings the resort together in a more seamless and elevated way,” he said, and standing there, you could feel exactly what he meant. Legacy Tower is impossible to miss. Its exterior is sleek and modern, punctuated by a seven story LED display that lights up the night sky. It’s the kind of architectural feature you expect in Vegas or Dallas, not tucked away in the quiet charm of Kinder. And that’s exactly the point. Coushatta Casino Resort is redefining what a regional destination can be.
Step inside, and the tone shifts from bold to beautifully intentional. The lobby
The New Coushatta Lobby Entrance
David Sickey, Chairman of Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
is warm, inviting, and infused with design elements inspired by the Coushatta Tribe’s traditional basketry. Patterns, textures, and materials subtly echo the Tribe’s artistry, creating a space that feels both luxurious and meaningful.
The rooms continue this blend of comfort and culture. Spacious layouts, modern finishes, and elevated amenities make Legacy Tower feel like a true getaway whether you’re here for gaming,
golf, entertainment, or a weekend escape. The luxury suites take it even further, offering expanded living areas, upgraded features, and views that stretch across the resort and surrounding landscape.
This isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a place to experience. Legacy Tower doesn’t stand alone, it enhances everything around it. Coushatta Casino Resort has long been known as Louisiana’s largest casino resort, and the addition of Legacy Tower amplifies that reputation.
With thousands of slot machines, table games, live poker, bingo, off track betting, and a full sports book, the casino floor is a world of energy and possibility. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a casual visitor, the atmosphere is electric and now, with more rooms than ever, more guests can join the excitement. Dining options range from quick bites to full service restaurants, each offering something different for every taste. Entertainment fills the calendar with concerts, events, and nightlife. Families enjoy pools, the lazy river, and kid friendly attractions. And golfers? They get Koasati Pines, one of the top golf courses in the region, known for its pristine fairways and championship level design.
Coushatta Legacy,Tribal Painting by live artist “Frenchy”
New Luxury Hotel, Legacy Tower
Legacy Tower ties all of this together. It’s the new front door to a resort that already had everything and now has even more.
The opening of Legacy Tower is part of the Tribe’s multiyear “Bigger, Better Coushatta” initiative, a strategic investment designed to elevate the guest experience while strengthening the region’s economy.
is building. It’s a place where luxury meets tradition, where excitement meets comfort, and where every guest becomes part of the story.
The expansion supports job creation, boosts tourism, and reinforces Coushatta Casino Resort’s role as a major economic driver for Southwest Louisiana and East Texas. With more rooms, more amenities, and a more unified resort layout, Coushatta is positioned to attract both regional travelers and destination visitors.
For the Tribe, this project is deeply personal. It reflects a commitment to growth, opportunity, and cultural preservation. It’s a way to share their heritage with guests while building a sustainable future for their community.
Legacy Tower stands tall not just as a building, but as a symbol — of growth, of pride, of cultural heritage, and of the future the Coushatta Tribe
The grand opening was a celebration. But the real experience begins when you check in, drop your bags, and step into a resort that’s bigger, better, and more breathtaking than ever. Legacy Tower is open. The lights are on. The rooms are ready.
Your getaway starts now. My experience was amazing and yours will be too. To book your room: Call (800) 584-7263 or go to: www.coushattacasinoresort.com
For Business or Family Stay
Luxury King Size Rooms
AUSTIN:
Avery Ranch Golf Club Semi-Private (512) 248-2442 www.averyranchgolf.com
Falconhead Golf Club Semi-Private (512) 402-1558 www.falconheadaustin.com
Grey Rock Golf Club Semi-Private (512) 288-4297 www.greyrockgolfandtennis.com
Hancock Park GC Public (512) 978-2330 www.austintexas.gov/department/hancock-course
Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer GC Public (512) 974-4653 www.austintexas.gov/department/jimmy-clay-course
Lions Municipal GC Public (512) 477-6963 www.austintexas.gov/department/lions-municipal-course
Morris Williams GC Public (512) 974-8333 www.austintexas.gov/department/morris-williams-course
Riverside Golf Club Public (512) 223-6677 www.riverside-gc.com
BANDERA:
Flying L Ranch Golf Course Resort (830) 796-7745 www.flyingl.com
BASTROP:
Colovista Golf Club Semi-Private (512) 629-4585 www.colovistagolf.com
Hyatt, Lost Pines Resort Resort (512) 308-4770 www.lostpinesresortandspa.com/golf Pine Forest Golf Club Public (512) 321-1181 www.pineforestgolfclub.com
BLANCO:
Vaaler Creek Golf Club Semi-Private (830) 833-0706 www.vaalercreekgolfclub.com
Hidden Falls Golf Club Semi-Private (830) 693-3300 www.hiddenfallsgolfcourse.com
NEW BRAUNFELS:
The Bandit Golf Club Public (830) 609-4665 www.banditgolfclub.com
Landa Park Golf Course Public (830) 221-4340 www.landaparkgolfcourse.com
PLEASANTON:
Pleasanton Country Club Semi-Private (830) 281-3486 www.southtxgolf.com
PFLUGERVILLE:
Blackhawk Golf Club Public (512) 251-9000 www.blackhawkgolf.com
ROUND ROCK:
Forest Creek Golf Club Public (512) 388-2874 www.forestcreek.com
The Golf Club of Star Ranch Semi-Private (512) 252-GOLF www.starranchgolf.com
TeraVista Golf Club Semi-Private (512) 651-9850 www.teravistagolf.com
SALADO:
Mill Creek Inn & Country Club Semi-Private (254) 947-5698 www.millcreekgolf27.com
SAN MARCOS:
Kissing Tree Golf Club Semi-Private (512) 749-1031 www.kissingtreegolfclub.com
SAN SABA:
San Saba River GC Public (325) 372-3212 www.golfsansaba.com
SEGUIN:
Starcke Park Golf Course Public (830) 401-2490 www.seguintexas.gov
SPICEWOOD:
Pedernales Golf Course Public (512) 264-1489 www.cutnputt.com
SPRING BRANCH
The Club at Rebecca CreekSemi-Private (830) 885-5168 www.rebeccacreek.com
SAN ANTONIO:
Brackenridge Park Golf CoursePublic (210) 226-5612 www.alamocitygolftrail.com
Canyon Springs Golf Course Public (210) 497-1770 www.canyonspringsgc.com
Cedar Creek Golf Course Public (210) 695-5050 www.alamocitygolftrail.com/cedar-creek-golf-course/
Gateway Hills Golf Course Public (210) 671-3466 www.jbsagolf.com/gateway-hills
Golf Club of Texas Public (210) 504-2550 www.golfclubtexas.com
Hyatt Hill Country Resort Resort (210) 647-1234 www.hyatthills.com
La Cantera Golf Club Public (210) 558-4653 www.lacanteragolfclub.com
La Loma Grande GC Public (210) 222-9386 www.jbsatoday.com/golf/
Mission Del Lago Golf Course Public (210) 627-2522 www.alamocitygolftrail.com/mission-del-lago-golf-course/
Northern Hills Golf Club Public (210) 655-4148 www.alamocitygolftrail.com/northern-hills-golf-course
Olmos Basin Golf Course Public (210) 826-4041 www.alamocitygolftrail.com/olmos-basin-golf-course/
Randolf Oaks Golf Course Public (210) 652-4570 www.jbsatoday.com/golf/
Riverside Golf Course Public (210) 533-8371 www.alamocitygolftrail.com/riverside-golf-course/ Salado Del Rio GC Public (210) 222-9386 www.jbsatoday.com/golf/
San Pedro Range & Par 3 Public (210) 349-5113 www.golfsanpedro.com
Silverhorn Golf CLub Public (210) 545-5300 www.silverhorngolfclub.com
The Quarry Golf Club Semi-private (210) 824-4500 www.quarrygolf.com
TPC San Antonio Resort (210) 491-5800 www.tpc.com/sanantonio/ Windcrest Golf Course Semi-private (210) 655-1421 www.windcrestgolfclub.net
Willow Springs Golf Course Public (210) 226-6721 www.alamocitygolftrail.com/willow-springs-golf-course/
UNIVERSAL CITY:
Olympia Hills Golf & Conf. Ctr Public (210) 945-4653 www.olympiahillsgolf.com
UTOPIA:
Utopia Golf Course Public (830) 966-5577 www.utopiagolf.com/www.utopiagolf.com/
VICTORIA:
Riverside Golf Course Municipal (361) 573-4521 www.playriversidegc.com
WIMBERLEY:
Double J Ranch Golf Club Public (512) 847-9700 www.quicksandatwoodcreekwimberley.com
Brownsville Golf Center Public (956) 541-2582 www.brownsvilletx.gov/431/Golf-Center
Bay Forest Golf Public (361) 790-7513 www.bayforestgolf.com
Champion Lakes GC Public (956) 681-3444 www.championlakesgolf.com
Colony Creek Country Club Semi-Private (361) 576-0018 www.theclubatcolonycreek.com
Ebony Hills Municipal Golf Course Public (956) 292-2144 www.facebook.com/EbonyHillsGolfClub/
El Campo County Club Private (409) 543-6592 www.elcampocountryclub.com
Edna Country Club Public (361) 782-3010 www.ednacountryclub.com
Goliad Golf Club Public (361) 645-8322 www.facebook.com/GoliadGolf/
Harlingen Country Club Private (956) 412-4110 www.harlingencc.com
L.E. Ramey Golf Course Public (361) 592-1101 www.l-e-ramey-golf-course.business.site
Los Lagos Municipal Golf Course Public (956) 316-0444 www.facebook.com/LosLagosTX/
Lozano Golf Center Public (361) 826-8016 www.lozanogolfcenter.com
Oso Beach Municipal GC Public (361) 826-8010 www.osobeachgolf.com
Northshore Golf Course Public (361) 643-2798 www.northshoretx.com/welcome
Padre Isles Country Club Private (361) 949-8056 www.spigolf.com
Palmilla Beach Golf Club Semi-Private (361) 749-4653 www.palmillabeach.com
Rio Colorado Golf Course Public (979) 244-2955 www.riocoloradogolfcourse.com
The Victoria Country Club Semi-Private (361) 573-3712 www.victoriacc.com
Tierra Del Sol Golf Club Public (956) 402-4545 www.golf.pharr-tx.gov
Tierra Santa Golf Club Public (956) 973-1811 www.terrasantaweslaco.com
Treasure Hills Country Club Semi-Private (956) 365-3100 www.facebook.com/TreasureHillsGolfCourse/ Valley International Country Club Semi-Private (956) 546-5331 www.valleyinternationalgolf.com
Harlingen Country Club Private (956) 412-4110 www.harlingencc.com
Llano Grande Golf Course Public (956) 565-3351 www.llanogranderesort.com
Los Lagos Golf Club Public (956) 316-0444 www.facebook.com/LosLagosTX/
McAllen Country Club Private (956) 928-0440 www.mcallencountryclub.com
Palm View Golf Course Public (956) 687-9591 www.palmviewgolf.com/contact/
Rancho Viejo Country Club Semi-Private (956) 350- 4000 www.rvrcc.com
Raymondville Municipal Course Public (956) 689-9904 www.facebook.com/raymondvillegolfcourse/ River Bend Resort Semi-Private (956) 548-0191 www.riverbendresort.us/
Shary Municipal Golf Course Public (956) 580-8770 www.missiontexas.us/Departments/Golf
South Padre Island Golf Club Public (956) 943-5678 www.spigolf.com
The MAX Golf Course Public (956) 726-2000 www.themaxlaredo.com
Tony Butler Municipal GC Public (956) 216-5970 www.tonybutlergc.com
Northern Texas PGA Introduces the Randy Smith Tour
New Introductory Level to Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour
In October of 2025, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation, in partnership with Scottie and Meredith Scheffler, proudly announced the creation of the Randy Smith Tour, a new, no-cost level of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour designed to introduce children ages 6-12 to tournament golf. The tour and its name honor Randy Smith, PGA. Smith is a legendary PGA of America Golf Professional, mentor and coach whose impact has shaped generations of players, including Scheffler, through his lifelong commitment to developing both great golfers and great people.
Junior Tour events the Foundation already runs each year for kids ages 6-19. The Randy Smith Tour is not about competition at this entry level of our Junior Tour; it is about fun, family and mentorship. Modeled after the values that defined the Scheffler family’s own journey in junior golf, the mission of this tour is to offer a joyful step into the game, where every child feels welcomed, supported and celebrated. It aims to deliver mentorship and shared experiences.
In 2026, the NTPGA Foundation scheduled 10 events from April through September, and the first few events have been a huge success! Events are scheduled in East Texas, North Texas and West Texas, with hopes to grow to 20-25 events annually starting in 2027. These add to the nearly 500 Ewing Automotive NTPGA
Young boy runs through an inflatable tunnel on his way to the first tee to begin his round
“This tour is about giving kids the same gift Randy gave me,” said Scottie Scheffler, three-time Ryder Cup team member, four-time major championship winner and former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour member. “He taught me that golf is about more than just scores. It’s about character, respect and the people who help you along the way. That’s the legacy that Meredith and I are excited to pass on. We are proud to help start the Randy Smith Tour.”
Tour highlights include:
• No charge to play
• Ages 6-12, divided into age groups (6-9 and 10-12 for boys and girls)
• Par-3 courses utilizing 6 or 9-hole formats
• 4-player teams (play your own ball)
• Trained high school golfers to guide each group teaching
etiquette, safety, introductory rules and sportsmanship
• Events emphasize fun, learning, and the basics of tournament golf
• Parents are invited and encouraged to spectate, but they are not permitted to caddie
• Non-competitive “stamp scoring” system celebrating effort and teamwork
NTPGA staff chats with junior golfer on how to approach her next shot
Participants dip their hands in paint to create a memento canvas to give to Randy Smith after the inaugural event
Through the generosity of the Scheffler family and others who believe in the tour’s mission, the Randy Smith Tour will remove financial barriers that at times prevent families from getting involved in the game. Events on the Randy Smith Tour will be free of charge to ensure that every child, regardless of background, can experience the joy of golf in a positive and welcoming environment.
“This is about where it all began,” said Randy Smith, PGA Head Professional
Emeritus at Royal Oaks Country Club. “Scottie and his family are proof that
when kids are surrounded by support, great things can happen. I’m humbled and grateful that they want to pay that forward, and I am beyond excited about the countless kids that will be introduced to the game through this new addition to the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour.”
Randy Smith speaks with a young boy before beginning his round
Junior golfer high-fives NTPGA staff member after completing his round
Young female golfer listens to words of wisdom from Randy Smith before beginning her round
“Randy’s fingerprints are all over our Foundation and have been for more than four decades. He’s been the connective tissue behind so many relationships and milestones that help define who we are today,” said Mark Harrison, CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “In 1983, he started a yearly fundraiser that has raised more than $2.3M for our growth of the game initiatives. Nearly 30 years ago, Randy introduced us to Justin Leonard, our first Junior Tour spokesperson, and to Fin Ewing III, whose partnership through Ewing Automotive has powered both the Ewing Charity Classic and our Junior
Tour for 20 years. About a decade ago, Randy also connected us with Dr. Bill Blair, whose impact on our Foundation has been extraordinary. The Growth of the Game Pavilion on our campus is the Randy Smith & Dr. Bill Blair Who’s Next Pavilion. Along with Scottie and Meredith, Dr. Blair was instrumental in helping us endow this new level of our Junior Tour. When I think of Randy, I think of junior golf. It is only fitting that our new tour bears his name.”
About the Northern Texas PGA Foundation
The Northern Texas PGA Foundation’s mission is to positively impact lives and communities through golf. From junior golf and scholarships to internships, inclusion, and military programs, the Foundation serves more than 10,000 kids and veterans each year through its broad-based community outreach.
The Randy Smith Tour will be first step on the Foundation’s Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour player pathway that also includes:
The Prep Tour (9-hole individual events)
The Medalist Tour (18-hole individual events)
The All American Tour (36-hole individual events)
A Legacy That Lasts
The creation of the Randy Smith Tour establishes a lasting endowment that will ensure future generations of young players begin their golf journey with joy, mentorship, and purpose. It’s a tribute to Smith’s great legacy, and a reminder that golf’s greatest impact comes not from trophies, but from the lives it touches.
Randy Smith poses with two young girls before they tee off
Young female golfer hits a tee shot during a Randy Smith Tour event
TAMAHKA TRAILS
A HIDDEN GEM IN LOUISIANA’S GOLFING LANDSCAPE
Nestled on the scenic property of Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana, Tamahka Trails Golf Club stands as one of the top golfing destinations in the region.
Named after the Tunica-Biloxi tribal word for “alligator,” this 230-acre, 18hole, par-71 course offers an unforgettable experience for golfers of all skill levels with a landscape unique to Central Louisiana. World-renowned architect Steve Smyers designed the 18-hole championship course to harmoniously incorporate with the natural landscape around it.
The course features strategic challenges such as doglegs, water hazards and well-placed bunkers. Tamahka Trails also offers five sets of tees ranging from 4,370 to 7,019 yards – an exciting test for every skill level.
Each green fee includes unlimited daily golf and complimentary use of the impressive practice facility. Every electric cart is fully-loaded with features including ball and club washer, towels, bottled water, daily pin sheets, and USB plugs for your digital devices.
If you forgot any gear or want to invest in new merchandise, the Pro Shop,
stocked with top-tier gear, has you covered. After your round of golf, head over to Tamahka Grill, the course’s full-service bar and restaurant, to refuel and relax.
Paragon Casino Resort’s impressive offerings and amenities make it an ideal weekend getaway for a quick and fun escape. For those seeking a thrill, the expansive 64,000-square-foot gaming floor offers more than 900 Bingo and Vegas-style (class II and III) slot machines, your favorite table games, and dealerless digital poker tables, delivering nonstop action for players of every level.
The gaming floor is complemented by several dining options – including Lucky Wok and the local-favorite Leg-
Tamahka Trails Clubhouse
LuckyWok
Pro Shop
Cyber Quest Arcade
ends Steakhouse – plus 500+ renovated rooms/suites, a three-screen movie theater, spa, 3 pools, child care, arcade, convention space, live alligator habitat, RV park, Night Club and more!
Paragon Casino Resort offers more than just golf. With more amenities than any other casino in the state, Paragon can provide everything you need for the perfect getaway. Be sure to ask about twilight rates and our stay and play packages. Call 318-240-6300 to book your tee time, 800-946-1946 for a hotel reservation, or go to: www.ParagonCasinoResort.com
Indoor Pool
Spa LaVie
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Meadowbrook This Summer
By Pat Wheeler, Contributing
Positive comments continue to pour in for the new Meadowbrook Golf Course after its first springtime play with summer next up. Many golfers have cited good course conditions that are enhanced by a property sporting a beautiful array of wild flowers.
“We have been pleased with the response to our renovations,” Meadowbrook golf pro Raymond Briggs said. “People like the new layout and we had a good spring with the course looking good.”
Dating back to the 1920s, Meadowbrook has a long history as a top Fort Worth course, hosting the 1969
NAIA Championship won by Texas Wesleyan. With such a history, it has been a popular golfing site for both local and visiting golfers for many years. The original course was challenging and enjoyable but underwent a significant renovation in 2024, using the John Colligan and Trey Kemp firm out of Arlington that received good reviews with its previous work at Rockwood Golf Course.
“Our course is unusual for this area because it has some dramatic elevation changes,” Briggs said. “And the new layout really accentuates that feature.”
Indicative of the hilly terrain is the picturesque 8th hole, a 150-yard par 3 that has a drop of some 50 to 100 feet in elevation to a wide and contoured green below.
While the 8th is dramatic, Briggs offered other holes as his personal favorites.
“I like the 7th hole because you have to pay attention to that green which slopes
Writer
Meadowbrook Hole 8
Black Bellied Whistling Ducks
to the left,” Briggs said. “And speaking of pretty holes, everyone seems to like the 13th with the pond and the famous Meadowbrook ducks.”
Another hole often cited by golfers playing the new Meadowbrook is the 3rd hole, a par 4 with the green at the end of the property closest to the freeway.
“That’s kind of where the old Meadowbrook meets the new Meadowbrook,” Briggs said. “It is a cool hole with that backdrop behind the green.”
Most of all, Meadowbrook is enjoyable at all levels of golf, from the college players and top amateurs to those with higher handicaps or golfers who do not hit the ball very far. The course offers numerous tee locations to accommodate each level.
In personal terms, a local pro described his recent round at Meadowbrook.
“My dad was in town visiting and we drove over and played Meadowbrook,” Dallas pro Clayton Wonnell said. “We liked the setting with the pretty flowers and my dad loved the pretty and firm fairways that allowed him some roll on his tee shots.”
Wonnell said the ambiance at Meadowbrook was the thing that impressed him most.
“We just relaxed and took note of its beauty with plenty of wild flowers dotting the hills and valleys and will definitely try to get back again.”
Meadowbrook’s long and colorful history has a new chapter. Be sure to check it out this summer and fall.
Native Area Landscaping beside Meadowbrook Hole 1
Meadowbrook Hole 13
Meadowbrook Hole 18
MISSISSIPPI Rediscovered
By Pat Wheeler, Contributing Writer
Gazing at the massive expanse of the Mississippi River after a post-round lunch, one thought popped into my golf-crazed mind.
“Could Bryson DeChambeau boom a drive over this thing?”
Absurd, you say. Perhaps, or delusional, but I say what the heck. And so I posed the question to my new friend and companion standing closest to me, Gregory Brooking.
“Don’t know,” Brooking said, “but he would surely give it a go!”
Exactly, that’s the spirit! My little conversation with the head golf pro at The Natchez Golf Club was indicative of the fun and fellowship I had on this tour
of golf in the genteel and most hospitable Magnolia State. The courses we discovered were beautiful, open to the public and affordable.
Our merry band of golf writers from Florida and the Midwest, led by tour guide Pam Shaneen, whose tagline is appropriately “Let’s Golf”, embarked on a week-long odyssey that began on the Gulf Coast and traveled north to Natchez and then on to the Pearl River Resort near Philadelphia.
With its ornate mansions and churches preserved from the 19th century and perched on a bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi River, Natchez was a delightful place to stop for an evening and enjoy a hearty dinner before playing the Natchez Golf Club at Duncan Park the next morning. Dating back to 1916, the Natchez course is open to the public and bordered on several holes by a railroad line that adds to its “old school” charm. It has been played in the past by such legends as Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Babe Zaharis and Sam Snead. Brooking greeted us as we made our way around the compact course that is tree lined and sporty with doglegs and ponds
Natchez Golf Club
to create variety and challenge. It is walker friendly as I noticed a solitary figure gaining on us from behind, pushing a cart and wearing a Hogan style lid.
As he played through, I learned that this 77-year-old retired financial expert walks at least nine holes every day and in line with our zany experiences during the trip, he requested anonymity since “all his exes live in Texas!”
The older I get, the more I enjoy such old school layouts because it seems a little easier on the body. To sum up Natchez Golf Club, it is pretty and it is fun and allows an opportunity for a good score. And even better, this summer of 2026, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Houston into Natchez!
Before arriving at Natchez, we found the golf was top notch and varied in the Gulfport area along the coast. The first course was the Cardinal Course at the Club at Diamondback. Only having time for nine holes, we had to bypass 27 more championship holes because of time limitations.
On the next day, our first full day, we did the Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus “twostep” with a morning nine at
The Bridges at Hollywood Casino, a classic course designed by Palmer and then on to Grand Bear in Saucier, a Golden Bear beauty that winds through towering pines, cypress wetlands and rolling terrain.
The 27 holes of golf worked up a hearty appetite that was more than satisfied with a wonderful meal at the White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge, that was a nice complement to our meal the night before at the Carter Green Steakhouse.
Tuesday morning, we traveled to our final gulf coast destination course, The Windance Country Club owned by Island View Casino Resort. It is another jewel designed by Mark McCumber. After lunch at the club, we headed north for Natchez. Having already discussed its golf, let me delve into the overall vibe of Natchez. It is, in a word, delightful. Our lodging at The Guest House, a 19th century mansion that has been renovated and modernized without forfeiting its elegance, was ideal. Once settled into the Guest House, our group made a short walk to our evening meal at Biscuit and Blues, which featured generous portions of southern comfort food and an atmosphere that
The Guest House
The Cardinal Course # 15
reminded us we were close to the famous “Blues Highway 61” that attracts visitors from all over the world. Before departing Natchez, we enjoyed another excellent meal, again downtown and this time on the banks of the Mississippi, this one appropriately named The Camp.
The drive from Natchez to Choctaw and the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino, was highlighted by beautiful springtime scenery, especially on a short stint along the Natchez Trace that is pristine without billboards and a welcomed reduced speed limit of 40, that is fudged to an average of 55 miles an hour. This is the trail the merchants of old walked once they had unloaded their cargo in Natchez. Such interesting history at every turn in Mississippi.
After a few hours, in the heart of rural Mississippi, we suddenly approached a giant hotel with a large golden moon attached to its roof – welcome to the Pearl River Resort and the 36-hole Dancing Rabbit Golf Club.
Bright and early on a Thursday morning, our group was off The Oaks course with The Azaleas scheduled for the afternoon. Just looking down the first fairway of The Oaks, you sense a special treat is at hand because the fairway corridors, carved from forests and imbued with lush green grass, are ample and inviting for big tee shots. Not that I am long off the tee anymore, but looking down those sight lines just makes you want to rip it high and straight.
Hole after hole at Dancing Rabbit produced stunning scenery and we even missed the peak Azalea season by only a week or so. The collection of par 3 holes on both courses is unmatched in my memory with perhaps Shoal Creek in Alabama a possible rival. The 3 par holes are all from elevated tees to well shaped and contoured greens below and framed by dense wooded areas. I did notice that the green complexes seemed a bit larger on The Oaks than on The Azaleas.
My best shot was at the short, par 3 17th on the Oaks when my gap wedge bisected the flag but came up about 15 feet short. My best try for a birdie was left teetering on the lip but there was satisfaction, nevertheless. The 18th at The
Windance Country Club # 7
Oaks is bordered by water on the left and I hit the green in regulation with a decent 6-iron shot, only to three putt – again.
That disappointment was quickly absolved by a pleasant lunch at the club with the hospitality being the best, as exhibited by longtime Dancing Rabbit server Dorothy Burrage, who has taken care of golfers for more than 20 years. The courses, both collaborations of George Fazio and Jerry Pate, opened in 1997 (Azalea) and 1999 (Oaks).
Greeting us at the lunch to make our visit complete was Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben, a friendly leader who has been democratically elected in 2019 and 2023. He is the leader of some 1,100 people and they have a showcase golf facility at Dancing Rabbit.
Before my trek back to Texas, I was advised to get a pink golf shirt as a souvenir and that was not a problem in the
well stocked golf shop. The next morning, I was back on the road with another delightful look at beautiful Mississippi from the Natchez Trace before connecting to Interstate 20.
Soon I would cross the Mississippi River again, this time at Vicksburg, with a whole new perspective on the state of Mississippi and its abundance of good golf courses.
I did think of DeChambeau again with this piece of advice. Hit the gym and bring your A game because this is one big river!
Dancing Rabbit No. 13
ARLINGTON:
Lake Arlington Golf CourseSemi-Private (817) 451-6101 www.lakearlingtongolfcourse.com
Tierra Verde Golf Club Semi-Private (817) 478-8500 www.tierraverdegolfclub.com
Texas Rangers Golf Club (817) 275-5941 www.texasrangersgolfclub.com
AZLE:
Cross Timbers Golf Course Public (817) 444-4940 www.crosstimbersgc.com
BROWNWOOD:
The Hideout Golf Club Semi-Private (325) 784-4653 www.thehideouttexas.com
BULLARD:
Eagles Bluff Country Club Private (903) 825-2999 www.eaglesbluffcc.com
Emerald Bay Country Club Private (903) 825-3388 www.emeraldbayclub.org
BURLESON:
Hidden Creek Golf Course Public (817) 447-4444 www.hiddencreekgc.com
Southern Oaks Golf Club Public (817) 426-2400 www.southernoaksgolf.com
CARROLTON:
Maridoe Golf Club Private (972) 416-2131 www.maridoe.com
Highlands Performance G Public (972) 733-4111 www.highlandspgc.com
Indian Creek Golf Course Public (800) 369-4137 www.indiancreekgolfclub.com
DALLAS:
Bear Creak Golf Club Semi-Private (972) 456-3200 www.bearcreek-golf.com
Buffalo Creek GC Public (972) 771-4003 www.buffalocreekgc.com
Cedar Crest Golf Course Public (214) 670-7615 www.golfcedarcrest.com
Cowboys Golf Club Public (817) 481-7277 www.arcisgolf.com/clubs/cowboys_golf_club/home
Keeton Park Golf Course Public (214) 670-8784 www.keetonpark.com
Luna Vista Golf Course Public (214) 670-6322 www.lunavistagolf.com
Preston Trail Golf Club Private (972) 248-8448
Stevens Park Golf Course Public (214) 670-7506 www.stevensparkgolf.com
Tenison Glen Golf Club Public (214) 670-1402 www.tenisonpark.com
The Golf Club of Dallas Semi-Private (214) 333-3595 www.golfclubdallas.com
Trinity Forest Golf Club Private (214) 646-3570 www.trinityforestgc.com
DENTON:
Denton Country Club Private (940) 464-0077 www.dentoncc.org
Wildhorse GC at Robson RanchSemi-Private (940) 246-1001 www.robsonranchgolfclub.com
DESOTO:
Thorntree Country Club Public (972) 296-2146 www.thorntreecc.com
EULESS:
Texas Star Golf Course Semi-Private (817) 685-7888 www.texasstargolf.com
FAIRVIEW:
Heritage Ranch Golf Course Public (800) 579-3089 www.heritageranchgolf.com
FERRIS:
Old Brickyard Golf Course Public (972) 355-4800 www.oldbrickyardgolf.com
FLOWER MOUND:
Bridlewood Golf Club Public (972) 355-4800 www.bridlewoodgolf.com
Tour 18 Public (817) 430-2000 www.tour18golf.com
FORT WORTH:
Hawks Creek Golf Course Public (817) 738-8402 www.hawkscreek.com
Meadowbrook GC Municipal (817) 457-4616 www.fortworthgolf.org/golf/meadowbrook
Pecan Valley GC Municipal (817) 249-1845 www.fortworthgolf.org/golf/pecan-valley
Rockwood Golf Course Municipal (817) 624-1771 www.fortworthgolf.org
The Golf Club-Champion Cir. Semi-Private (817) 497-2582 www.championscirclegolf.com
The Golf Club at the Resort Public (817) 750-2178 www.resortgolfclub.com Whitestone Golf Club Semi-Private (817) 249-9996 www.whitestonegolf.com
FRANKSTON: Pine Dunes Resort/Golf Club Public (903) 876-4336 www.pinedunes.com
FRISCO: Frisco Lakes Golf Club Public (972) 292-3089 www.friscolakesgc.com Trails of Frisco Golf Club Public (972) 668-4653 www.thetrailsoffriscogc.com
GARLAND: Duck Creek Golf Course Public (214) 440-2229 www.duckcreekgc.com/ Firewheel Golf Park Public (972) 205-2765 www.golffirewheel.com/
GLEN ROSE:
Squaw Valley Golf Club Public (800) 831-8259 www.squawvalleygc.com
GORDONVILLE: Rock Creek Resort Golf ClubPrivate (903) 523-5357 www.ddresorts.com/rock-creek/
GUNTER:
The Bridges Semi-Private (903) 696-0022 www.bridgestexasgolf.com
GRAND PRAIRIE:
Grand Oaks Golf Club Semi-Private (972) 264-6161 www.grandoaksgc.com
Prairie Lakes Golf Club Public (972) 237-4156 www.prairielakesgolf.com
Riverside Golf Club Semi-Private (817) 640-7800 www.playriversidetx.com
Tangle Ridge Golf Club Public (972) 299-6837 www.tangleridge.com
IRVING:
Cottonwood Valley GC Private (972) 717-2525 www.cottonwoodvalley.com
Irving Golf Club Municipal (972) 438-4340 www.irvinggolfclub.org
TPC Las Conlinas Course Private (972) 717-2525 www.ritzcarlton.com
KELLER:
Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club Public (817) 498-1414 www.skycreekranch.com
LANCASTER:
Country View Golf Course Public (972) 227-0995 www.countryviewgolfcourse.com
Country View Golf Course Public (972) 227-0995 www.countryviewgolfcourse.com
LINDALE:
Hideaway Country Club Private (903) 882-6151 www.hideawaytexas.net
LIPAN:
Sugar Tree Golf Course Semi-Private (817) 341-1111 www.sugartreegolf.com
Country View Golf Course Public (972) 227-0995 www.countryviewgolfcourse.com
LUFKIN:
Crown Colony CC Private (903) 882-6151 www.crown-colony.site
Country View Golf Course Public (972) 227-0995 www.countryviewgolfcourse.com
MESQUITE:
Mesquite Golf Course Public (972) 270-7457 www.mesquitegc.com
MUENSTER:
Turtle Hill Golf Club Public (940) 759-4896 www.playtheturtle.com
PLANO:
Pecan Hollow Golf Course Public (972) 941-7600 www.pecanhollowgc.com
Ridgeview Ranch GC Public (972) 390-1036 www.ridgeviewgc.com
The Course at Watters CreekPublic (214) 509-4653 www.watterscreekgolf.com
Golf After Hours | Ad Pg 25 Facebook Live, Wednesdays 7-8pm
Reaper Golf | Ad Pg. 3 www.reapergolf.com |
The Texas Golf Hall of Fame | Ad Page 62-65 2315 Avenue B, San Antonio, TX www.texasgolfhof.org/ | 713-382-8723
The Art of Golf Travel | Ad Page 68 www.theartofgolftravel.com | 972-989-2310
GOLF SHOWS/INSTRUCTION
Charles Schwab Challenge | Ad Pg. 28-29 Birdies for Charity www.fwcolonialcharities.com | www.colonialfwf.com
A TRIP BACK IN TIME
From the moment you drive onto the property at Falconhead Resort and Country Club, there is a feeling of peace and relaxation.
The natural beauty of the area is immediately evident with the turn off of I-35 onto State Highway 32 at Marietta. The short 12-mile drive culminates with the entrance and a friendly welcome from within a brownstone gatehouse that harkens to a simpler time in America.
What awaits you is a championship golf course and lodge built by oil tycoon Waco Turner and his wife Opie in the 1950s that is both elegant and laid back, a nice combination. Such nostalgic touches as a small church on the right side of the main road as you enter and a sign stating 140 different species of birds occupy the giant trees give the property an ambiance not to be rushed.
Proceeding up a large hill to the lodge and clubhouse, there is also anticipation of a good dose of golf history provided at the expertly organized and appointed golf museum under the watchful eye of golf writer Barbara Sessions.
“Telling the Turner story is a labor of love,” Sessions said. “They built this course in the smallest community ever to be visited by the pros, with the intention of hosting professional golf. They succeeded, underwriting the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, eight of the richest South-Central Section Championships of the era, and an Oklahoma Open. This is the rare Pro Tour course that is open to the public, and the original lodge is now a hotel with restaurant and lounge.”
The LPGA Tour formally opened the course in 1958 with the Opie Turner Open won by the greatest female golfer of all time, Mickey Wright. Betsy Rawls starred in the 1959 Opie, joined by Oklahoma’s Susie Maxwell (Berning) who was playing her first pro event as a 19-year-old amateur. All three of those players won multiple U.S. Women’s Opens and are honored in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The PGA Tour tournaments in 1961 through 1964 featured winners Butch Baird, Johnny Pott, Gay Brewer, and Pete Brown. Jack Nicklaus finished third in 1962, his rookie year, about a month before winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont near Pittsburgh, PA. Oklahoma’s Labron Harris, Jr., took amateur honors in 1962, about a month before winning the U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst #2. Bruce Devlin, recently honored at Falconhead, credits his top 10 finish in the 1963 Waco Turner Open with kick-starting his professional career.
From the Turner’s Lodge Pro Golf Museum inside the golf shop, a look out the back window shows the 18th green perched atop a hill that provides a challenging uphill shot to a long par 3. It was on that green that PGA Tour history was made in 1964 when Pete Brown of Mississippi became the first black golfer to win a tour event. He won again in San Diego in 1970. Charlie Sifford and Lee Elder were his contemporaries.
The course is beckoning with its hills, trees, water and beautiful bent grass greens. And the price is right to both play and stay at Falconhead. It is a treat not to be missed so book a time and take a trip back in time. You will thank yourself later.
Texas Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2026 About the Inductees
The Texas Golf Hall of Fame is proud to announce its Class of 2026. This distinguished group of inductees will be honored during the formal induction ceremony on Sunday, October 19, 2026, at San Antonio Country Club, presented by Huntington Bank.
This year’s class represents an exceptional collection of individuals and a historic course whose impact has shaped the legacy and future of golf in Texas.
2026 Texas Golf Hall of Fame Inductees:
• Professional Player: Stacy Lewis
• Amateur: Colt Knost
• Golf Professional / Teacher: Dale Morgan, PGA
• Professional Service: Mark Harrison
• Lifetime Achievement: Dave Pelz (Posthumously)
• Historic Course: River Oaks Country Club (Houston)
Each inductee will be commemorated with a granite marker on the Texas Golf Walk of Fame at Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio, as well as at the Hall of Fame’s anchor sites at The Ronny Golf Park at PGA Frisco and Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston.
“This class represents the very best of Texas golf across generations,” said Chairman Mike Booker. “From global champions to transformative leaders and historic venues, each honoree has left a lasting imprint on the game.We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the legacy they continue to build.”
Alli Jarrett, Executive Director of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, added, “The Class of 2026 reflects excellence not only in playing performance, but in leadership, innovation, and service. These inductees have elevated the game in meaningful and lasting ways, and we look forward to honoring their stories and contributions.”
The Class of 2026 Digital Museum exhibits are being made possible through a generous grant from the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation, ensuring these legacies are preserved and shared for future generations.
The induction ceremony is open to the public, and tickets and partnership opportunities are available. https://www.texasgolfhof.org/2026-gathering-of-eagles-celebration. The Texas Golf Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to honoring the past, celebrating the present and inspiring future generations of Texas golfers.
Texas Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Professional Player – Stacy Lewis
Stacy Lewis, raised in The Woodlands, Texas, is one of the most accomplished American golfers of her generation. After overcoming significant health challenges early in life, Lewis became the 2007 NCAA Individual National Champion at the University of Arkansas before launching a remarkable professional career. Over the course of her career, she amassed 13 LPGA victories, including two major championships, more than 100 top 10 finishes, and reached World No. 1 while earning multiple Player of theYear honors. Lewis represented Team USA in four Solheim Cups as a player and later served as Assistant Captain in 2021 and Captain in 2023 and 2024. She also represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing T4. Through resilience, determination, and competitive excellence, Lewis secured her place as one of the most accomplished players in LPGA history. (photo credit LPGA)
Amateur – Colt Knost
Colt Knost, a Dallas native, stands among the most accomplished amateur golfers of his era. In 2007, he achieved a rare double by winning both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links Championships, while also earning the McCormick Medal as the world’s top-ranked amateur and representing the United States on the victorious Walker Cup team. A standout collegiate player at SMU with seven wins, Knost has remained a prominent voice in the game as a CBS Sports broadcaster, continuing to influence golf well beyond his competitive career. (photo credit USGA)
Texas Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Golf Professional / Teacher – Dale Morgan, PGA
Dale Morgan, PGA, has dedicated more than four decades to advancing the game through leadership, mentorship, and excellence in club operations. Best known for his nearly 30-year tenure at Austin Country Club, Morgan upheld and extended one of Texas’s most storied golf traditions while shaping the careers of countless golf professionals and players. A respected leader within the game, Morgan served as President of the Southern Texas PGA and currently serves on the PGA of America Board of Directors. His influence is defined by his commitment to mentorship, professionalism, and the enduring values of the game. (photo credit STPGA)
Professional Service – Mark Harrison
Mark Harrison has been a transformative leader in Texas golf through nearly three decades with the Northern Texas PGA, becoming the organization’s third Executive Director in 2011 and its first CEO in 2016. Harrison played a central role in the creation of PGA Frisco, developing the vision and business plan behind the landmark partnership between the PGA of America, the City of Frisco, and TRT Holdings. Under his leadership, the NTPGA has grown into one of the most influential PGA Sections in the country, while his impact on junior golf, philanthropy, and growing the game continues to shape golf across Texas and beyond (photo credit NTPGA).
Texas Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Lifetime Achievement – Dave Pelz (Posthumously)
Dave Pelz’s legacy is defined by innovation, intellect, and a lifelong passion for understanding the game. A former NASA scientist turned golf pioneer, Pelz revolutionized short-game instruction through research, teaching, and technology, influencing generations of players, from amateurs to major champions. Pelz was among the first to scientifically study golf performance and identify the short game as the primary factor in scoring success. His research revealed that nearly 80% of shots lost to par occur within 100 yards of the hole. This groundbreaking insight became the foundation for his teachings, shifting the focus of golf instruction toward more wedge play and putting. Founder of the renowned Scoring Game School and author of multiple best-selling books, his work made golf more accessible, measurable, and enjoyable for millions worldwide. (photo credit Pelz family)
Historic Course – River Oaks Country Club (Houston)
Established in 1923, River Oaks Country Club is one of the most storied golf courses in Texas. Originally designed by Donald Ross and later renovated by Tom Fazio, the course blends classic architecture with modern championship standards. River Oaks has hosted premier amateur and professional events and has long been associated with some of the game’s greatest figures, including Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Babe Zaharias. The club also played an important role in the legacies of the Burke and Harmon families, whose influence on the game helped shape generations of champions and teachers.With a century-long tradition of excellence in competition, instruction, and stewardship of the game, River Oaks continues to hold a significant place in Texas golf history. (photo credit ROCC)
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Brenham CC SP Brenham 979-836-1733 www.brenhamcc.com
“The most important shot in golf is the next one.” — Ben Hogan
When links golf is on your mind, you do not have to cross the Atlantic to find it. Fly nonstop from Houston to TVC, Traverse City, Michigan, and play The Tradition at Treetops Resort, inspired by the great courses of Britain.
Rolling fairways. Strategic bunkering. Firm turf. Creative shot-making. Summer golf that feels a world away, without the long-haul flight. Play The Tradition, along with our four other spectacular courses, each designed to challenge your game, reward your best shots, and deliver an unforgettable golf experience.
