DOUBLE SCHOTTS, NEW BRAUNFELS

Once Texas Gov. Greg Abbott allowed for restaurant reopening with restrictions, Double Schotts was one of the first to come back on line and welcome customers.

“It’s not just a bar and restaurant that people are coming to – it’s an establishment that our local friends and family come to,” Hanna said of Double Schotts. “They come in to forget about their personal problems, hang out with their buddies and enjoy life versus not having that. Our guests were excited to come back, and we were so happy to have them back.”

Double Schotts also offers catering, and welcomes parties and events. There’s always daily drink and food specials, and you’ll be hard pressed to try everything on the menu. Check out those options at doubleschotts.com.

Hanna and his partners look to expand on their success. They just acquired a bar across the street from Double Schotts known as “The Pale Horse” and are currently remodeling for a new concept. The Pale Horse is billed as a “rooftop, kitchen, bar” and terrace, and is expected to reopen sometime during the holiday season.

Ready to get out of town for some International Golf? San Miguel De Allende has some great options

Malanquin Golf Course is an 18 hole course with a clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant/bar, and locker rooms. Open to non-members, it is full service with carts, driving ranges and caddies who speak English and who can give you tips about the course.

The par 72 course has some hills and water features and sand traps which will give even experienced golfers a challenge. The first nine has wide fairways with trees and hills. The back nine has tighter fairways, more water to avoid and fast greens to challenge you. The tee box choice yardage is 7206; 6410; 5591 and the women’s tee box yardage is 4962.

The club facilities include tennis courts, fitness center and an olympic size pool.

Las Ventanas Golf Club is San Miguel’s newest and most expensive golf course, breaking the $150 barrier per person on weekends with the required caddie.

All 18 holes are playable on the Nick Faldo designed course. It boasts some nice views in the distance, including the church towers of the historic center just five minutes away by car. In other directions you can see mountains, a lake and many water features.

This par 70 course is more challenging than it looks due to tricky slopes, difficult water and sand obstacles plus inconsistent greens that are not always easy to read. You’ll appreciate the caddy’s help on this one. The tees range from 5267 to 7141.

You can find one of the better pro shops here and the Mon Bistro, a full bar and indoor/outdoor restaurant, lives up to its reputation for fine food.

If you are looking to work on your short game, head to Zirandaro Campo de Golf on the outskirts of town which has impressive mountain views. Prices to play golf here are a la carte.

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

Welcome to the Rock

Fort Worth, TX

Great spaces in great places

Six Texas properties of Valencia Hotel Group immerse guests in the culture of the cities they call home

By Steve Habel, Contributing Writer

Finding a great place to stay when you’re travelling for fun or business can make a huge difference to the overall level of success of a trip, simultaneously providing a sense of comfort and style and elegance to stimulate the senses while satisfying the call of wanderlust.

If you were to carry a list of all the things that can be great about a hotel, the properties of the Valencia Hotel Group would check all the boxes and more. These hotels are known for immersing guests in the culture and lifestyles of the cities they call home and were created for travelers who prize personalized service and distinctive style in a central location.

“Lifestyle luxury hotels and urban retreats make up our collection of hotels,” said Amy Trench, the Valencia Hotel Group’s corporate director for brand marketing. “Our hotels are gathering places with activated spaces, including our well-known restaurants and bars.”

The Valencia’s six-property Texas collection is spread across the Lone Star State, with unforgettable hotels in San Antonio, Irving, Austin, Lubbock and two in College Station. All of them are “great spaces in great places,” consistently achieve customer satisfaction ratings above the 90th percentile, and are must-stays for those that publish and contribute to this magazine.

Here’s a look at the Valencia Hotel Group’s Texas properties and some golf courses to play near the hotels:

COLLEGE STATION

Cavalry Court blends relaxed luxury and modern amenities with “timeless hospitality.” Located on four acres of beautifully landscaped courtyards in the heart of Aggieland, guests can explore the authentic feel of “Americana” of the property, be “at ease” with lawn games, ride bicycles, lounge in poolside cabanas and enjoy fire pits throughout the property. On most weekends, live music is part of the plan – guests can even listen to the tunes from the comfort of their rocking chairs just outside their room. The George is a luxurious four-star hotel steeped in an atmosphere of authentic Texas charm and brings a sophisticated flair all its own

to the Brazos Valley. This 162-room luxury boutique hotel is located in the area’s most vibrant community, Century Square, a walkable 60acre mixed-use destination offering the city’s best in retail, dining and entertainment venues. The hotel offers an unparalleled level of comfort that harkens back to College Station’s days as a rail stop before it was synonymous with Texas A&M University, which is right across the street.. A stay here is one of a kind and is the reason guests keep coming back.

Golf: The top public course in College Station is The Golf Club at Texas A&M. The 7,008-yard par-71 track is set on the A&M campus and underwent a complete renovation in 2013 at a cost of more than $5 million by Texas A&M’s own Jeff Blume. The facility includes a driving range and a short game practice area.

LUBBOCK

Cotton Court

offers a city-inspired boutique inn experience in the heart of hub of the South Plains. The 165-room hotel sits just a mile from Texas Tech University and minutes from the Depot District with its shops, restaurants, bars and nightlife. Offering ample space for meetings and events, Cotton Court is a refuge for the modern traveler and features a relaxing courtyard and guest rooms that open to sweeping porches with Acapulco rocking chairs. Its design is influenced by Lubbock’s history in the cotton industry. Guests can savor the taste of Texas at the hotel’s Midnight Shift Restaurant & Bar. While relaxed and locally-inspired, Cotton Court has quickly become the “place to be” in Lubbock.

Golf: Lubbock’s best public golf is at The Rawls Course at Texas Tech, which opened in 2003 and was designed by renowned architect Tom Doak. The course was fashioned by taking a flat cotton field and creating an entire landscape to mimic the terrain east and south of Lubbock,

The Whiskey Bar at the George

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk

where the Great Plains suddenly starts falling into the valleys and canyons that lead to the Caprock region.

SAN ANTONIO

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk is a 213-room luxury boutique hotel located on the San Antonio River Walk, perfectly situated near fine dining, shopping and entertainment. It’s replete with contemporary and stylish rooms and suites, superior amenities and the utmost comfort. In 2017, internationally acclaimed architect and designer Lauren Rottet completely reimagined the property, fully immersing it into the charm and heritage of San Antonio and its serene River Walk location while blending Spanish Colonial and Modern Mediterranean styles. The design is a nod to the Alamo City’s history, dating back to the time the missions were built, while the modern strokes reflects the building’s Tuscan-style architecture and the hotel’s namesake, Valencia, Spain. The hotel also is home to San Antonio’s only Argentinean-influenced restaurant, Dorrego’s.

Golf: Brackenridge Park Golf Course is just a stone’s throw from the Hotel Valencia and is perhaps the Alamo City’s most revered and historical course. Opened in 1916 and restored in 2008 by John Colligan as close as possible to the layout designed by Golden Age architect A.W. Tillinghast, the property is also the site of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, with its “Walk of Fame”, the “Wall of Frames”, and the Texas Tournament Trophy Room.

AUSTIN

Lone Star Court is set in the city’s hottest district, The Domain, and showcases an ambiance that embodies the Texas capitol and the surrounding Hill Country. With 123 vibrant guest rooms and a relaxing outdoor courtyard, Lone Star Court provides a modern-day take on the classic, yet nostalgic, retro-inspired court concept.

Its colorful rooms and spacious suites offer guests a unique blend of the past and present as each room takes a step back in time with amenities such as knotted wood pine armoires, deer-horned lamps, barnstyle sliding doors and cow-hide fitted desk chairs. The boutique hotel offers outdoor fire pits, live music, a guest-exclusive fitness center and pool reminiscent of a local Texas swimming hole, all tied together by the hotel’s “retro-ranch” theme. Additionally, Lone Star Court houses its own Southern sit-down eatery and bar, The Water Trough.

Golf: One of the top public courses in the area is Avery Ranch Golf Club, which is about three miles west of The Domain. The course, designed by former Jack Texan Court’s Retro-inspired Rooms Nicklaus protégé Andy Raugust, blends panoramic vistas and gentle rolling hills with oak-lined fairways and a routing along a 60-acre lake.

IRVING

Texican Court makes for an exceptional travel and hospitality experience, conveniently located across from the Irving Convention Center and thriving Toyota Music Factory, Irving’s popular all-inone concert venue, entertainment and dining destination. The hotel’s design features Spanish mission-style architecture with a subtle layer of Texas, making it a unique blend of Mexican and the Lone Star State cultures. It has retroinspired rooms, 3,500-square feet of indoor meeting and event space, three distinct courtyards, a circular-styled pool, large woodburning fire pits, rocking chairs, live music, the Two Mules Cantina restaurant, -and more. A throwback to a time when travel was an adventure, Texican Court provides a home away from home for even the most discerning traveler, and sports a carefully curated blend of colors, fabrics, textures, sights, and sounds.

Golf: Just north of Irving in Grapevine is Cowboys Golf Club, a Jeff Brauerdesigned track where America’s Team is celebrated in every way possible. The spectacular championship golf course blends seamlessly with its pristine natural setting on 159 acres, with thick stands of mature trees framing gently rolling fairways, immaculately-maintained greens, and dramatic elevation changes, all in a stunning natural backdrop for golf.

These shoes are made for walking

The impact of Covid on walking the course in golf combined with the trend towards lighter, more comfortable walking golf shoes resulted in even more shoe choices in 2021. It simply accelerated the number of spike-less options due to more rounds walked. We tested some current models to see how they performed side by side, and if there was a difference between spiked and spike-less.

What has changed in two years is the gap for the average golfer between the two traction options has narrowed.

Simply put, if you are going to walk the course, and conditions are wet once in a while, a spike less golf shoe is a better choice. They are lighter, easier on the feet and can be worn to get to the course, and even in the 19th hole. If the conditions are dry, you will notice tour players using spike less versions because they are simply easier on the feet without the protruding spikes. If water is in your golf forecast, then a spiked version is going to provide more traction.

The following shoes were evaluated in separate categories for fit, styling, grip, walking and looks. Each shoe went through the paces for actual rounds, and the scores were averaged for a single score noting high and low points. Very important to note, golf shoes can fit very differently from other shoes. Sizes do not always translate well from brand to brand and even within a brand. So, best to take your current golf shoes to a retailer and compare with newer models/versions for fit based upon length, width and toe room.

FootJoy ProSL Spike-less A super lightweight spike less shoe with excellent walking and swing performance.

FootJoy Hyperflex-BOA Spiked The Hyperflex is a super-charged lightweight golf shoe that will cross between walking and cart golf.

FootJoy ProSL Spike-less Overall Score: 9.2/10

The FJ ProSL spike less shoe is actually used by tour players, so its a good indication it provides significant grip and is comfortable walking. In terms of fit, this is true to size and has multiple width options. The optional BOA fastening option will push back the heel into the shoe, which may cause the best fit to be a 1/2 size shorter because the heel does not move forward.

Performance is very good for a spike less shoe as the grip system boasts 30% more traction points. It works effectively in everything except the wettest conditions. The chassis of the shoe has a dual foam system with the bottom piece providing stability, while the layer under the foot minimizes shock. It offers multiple color options and a 2-year waterproof promise.