Texas Golf Insider Spring 2020 Star Ranch

Golf Insider TEXAS

SPRING 2020

The Official Guide to Golf in Texas

The Golf Club at Star Ranch Home of the All-Inclusive

Inside: Glen Rose, Texas

The Perfect Little Getaway

Eagle Pointe Recreation & Golf Club Making Great Even Better

Southrn Texas PGA

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Cover Stories 6 WELCOME

HOW TO CONTACT US WITH GOLF NEWS AND STORIES

8 STAR RANCH GOLF CLUB

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR GOLFERS

16 EAGLE POINTE GOLF CLUB REMAINS ONE OF THE BEST

50 SQUAW VALLEY GOLF COURSE GLEN ROSE OFFERS MORE THAN GOLF

Star Ranch Golf Club 16

CONTENTS 28 FORESIGHT GOLF PHILOSOPHY PROVIDES WORLD CLASS GOLF

39 MILITARY COURSES SALUTE TO GREAT GOLF IN SAN ANTONIO

54 PGA TEXAS TOURNAMENTS - 2020 SEVEN TOURNAMENTS BRING BEST GOLFERS

58 MAGNOLIA STATE

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SquawValley GC in GlenRose 54

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FROM THE FROM THEPUBLISHER EDITOR

Letter From The Publisher Texas

GOLF INSIDER P.O. Box 310652 New Braunfels, TX 78130 830-964-2152 FAX 830-964-2153 thetexasgolfinsider.com Mike Ratchman Texas Publisher Office: 830-964-2152 mike@thetexasgolfinsider.com Director of Marketing: Joe Valentino, DFW Office: 940-735-1265 Editor: Ava Ratchman Contributing Writers: Steve Habel,Tom Bedell Gord Motgomery, Art Sticklin, Kevin Duke Contributing Photographers: Mark Lindsay, Steve Giles, Justin Becker, Connie Black Golden Nugget- Lake Charles Office Manager/Social Media: Marcede Pullen Production: Pat Gondert 3 ANNUAL EDITIONS Copyright ©2020 Texas Golf Insider. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Golf course rates are subject to change at any time. Texas Golf Insider and its affiliates are not responsible or liable for any errors, omissions or changes in rates or information.

Happy 2020! It is finally here, another season of golf is upon us and I hope you are ready to hit the links.

You know, for over 20 years now I have opened up my publisher’s letter talking about where to play golf inTexas. Or maybe what golf academy to take a lesson at, or maybe send you to a place to find the next best club to put in your hand that will help shave strokes off your game. I will continue to do that and will do that by the time you get to the end of this letter. But looking back on 20-years in the golf industry, I remember how hard it was to get in the business with basically very little knowledge. I wanted to be around the game, talk about it, report on it and after graduating from the school of hard knocks I have become part of it. How cool it is to be part ofTexas Golf and be doing all the things I set out to do. Don’t get me wrong, after all these years it still is not easy, but still very much fun to do what I do.Which leads me to ask you this, and I may have asked you before. Have you ever dreamed about making a living in the golf industry?Think about it... wake up every morning and “have” to go to the golf course.

Well, IncarnateWord University has partnered with Foresight Golf Management Group to create a cutting edge curriculum while working at local golf facilities. The curriculum covers understanding the many facets of the business of golf, including outside services, pro-shop operations, event management, merchandising and more. Dreams do come true at the University of IncarnateWord. Start your career in golf today.

Like I said earlier, I’m all about talking about places to play.

Another feature story in this issue is the Golf Club at Star Ranch in HuttoTexas. Home of the All-Inclusive, this beautiful course with a rustic ranch theme offers superb golf, a restaurant and meeting facilities.The club offers state-of-the-art practice facility and a staff of golf professionals. I give you my word; the drive to Hutto to playThe Golf Club at Star Ranch is worth every nickel you put in the gas tank.

Eagle Pointe Golf Club and Recreation Complex, another cover feature, seems to get better with age. Just a short drive east of Houston, this golf course is one of the most beautiful tracks in the area, and very affordable too. Playing Eagle Pointe gives you the feel of playing in the Carolina’s. It’s an exceptional place to hold any golf event, family reunion and more. Check out the story and see for yourself See you on the links, Texas Publisher Mike Ratchman

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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JoeValentino

A forty year veteran of the construction industry, he has marketed products all over the world.

Golf is his passion and he has been fortunate enough to play top courses in seven countries.

Currently living in Denton and loves calling on North Texas courses for TGI.

Top 100 Clubfitters in the Country Huge selection of new and used clubs 8,000 sq ft facility, with hitting bays and custom Club Fitting

Steve Habel

Contributing golf writer and correspondent for TGI, managing editor for Texas CEO Magazine, contributing editor for Horns Illustrated Magazine, a publication focusing on University of Texas sports and staff writer for the San Antonio Spurs.

Art Stricklin

One of the foremost experts on golf history and travel in Texas, Stricklin has written a total of seven books and has personally played at a majority of the state’s 800 golf courses.

TEXAS

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The Official Guide to Golf in Texas

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8

COVER STORY

Getting better and better every year

By Art Stricklin, Contributing Writer

When the Golf Club at Star Ranch, a public Hill Country golf course designed

by Austin Architect Roy Bechtol, Carter Morrish and others in the north Austin area community of Hutto, opened in 2001, it was greeted by immediate acclaim by those who played there, but uncertain roads and perceived long distances kept many away.

Fast forward nearly two decades to today, the growth of the Austin area plus more convenient roads have brought more residents, more visitors and more golfers every year to the par 71 challenging and scenic layout, many leaving with the same common golfing thought.

The best of Austin area daily fee golf is getting even better.

“We have a lot of new people coming to this area every day and they say they can’t believe this isn’t a private country club, but a public course they can play every day,” said Director of Golf Rob Fulford The individually owned public golf outlet pioneered the all-inclusive golf package, which includes food and drinks, practice balls and replay rate all for one price, continues to improve its overall golfing product.

A 12-acre practice facility designed

by Bechtol was opened after the course

COVER STORY

had been in operation for several years and in late 2018, all the bunkers were replaced with new sand and the innovative Billy Bunker drainage and construction system. New heads are continually going on the course sprinklers, all with the goal of allowing local golfers the best non-private experience they can enjoy anywhere.

“We want to help the course conditions, we always want to keep the course clean and make a difference golfers can see when they come out here,” Fulford said.

“The goal is to improve every year and to just get better and better.”

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Indeed the word is out among newcomers and longtime players alike as rounds have continued to go up, but Fulford said the facility and staff continue to work hard on what made Star Ranch so special to start with.

The course features very rolling terrain with several ridge, valley and scenic views on the North Austin area territory. A huge stone clubhouse, where the original early 1900’s farmhouse sat, overlooks the entire facility.

While water is not a huge factor on the course, almost every hole has some mounds, swales and hills involved with

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COVER STORY

natural rocks, trees and native stone on many of the holes. The front nine is more open with a bit more rolling terrain.

The back nine is a bit tighter, with more trees and doglegs to confuse, confound and occasionally comfort your tee balls and approach shots. Plus there is a creek which crosses the fairway at times While the concept of signature holes are a tad overrated in the golf design business, if there were a couple at Star Ranch it would likely be holes 14 and 15.

On the par 4 14th hole, you’ll really need to manage your tee shot or you could certainly end up wet in a creek that crosses in front of an elevated green

guarded by a rock wall in the front and trees in the back. It’s trouble everywhere you look or hit, but a good shot is rewarded with ultimate satisfaction.

The 15th is a beautiful and challenging 170 yard par 3 with a creek, a waterfall and a pond along the right that continues along the back side of a green, plus a rock wall along the right front and side of the outing surface.

The par 5 closing hole leads you back to the clubhouse happy to have enjoyed an 18 hole journey on fine conditions and great greens.

“I think the playability of the course is still what has made this fun and popular through the years,” Fulford said. “We also take pride in our pace of play. No golfer wants a five-hour round and we do our best to avoid it and that’s something golfers appreciate as well.”

During the week, local residents in Hutto, Pflugerville and most of the other fast growing communities around

COVER STORY

Star Ranch are the main players at the course, but on the weekends golfers come from downtown Austin, Georgetown, Buda and Hays and all around the Austin area, using the many new roads for easy access to the course.

With the all-inclusive package of breakfast and lunch along with the extensive practice facility and replay rounds on space available basis, you can make a full day of golfing fun at Star Ranch. Annual golf and practice range memberships are also available at the club.

While excellent conditioned pubic golf will always be the main attraction at the course, there are plenty of other amenities as well.

There is a large banquet room next to the clubhouse which can host weddings, indoor or outdoor, for groups as large as 225.

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There is also room for private parties, company gatherings, charity tournaments plus get-togethers among any size group of friends.

The secret is out on the attractive golf nature of Star Ranch, the all-inclusive public golf mecca of the Austin area and the reason golfers come for the first time or the first of many remains as strong as ever.

For more information go to, www.starranchgolf.com or call (512) 252-4653 to book your tee time.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

All Inclusive Golf Package Green Fee, Cart, Range Balls and Complimentary Hot Breakfast & Lunch Buffets

For Reservations:

(512) 252-Golf (4653) Book Online at :

www.Starranchgolf.com Located just north of Austin off the 130 Toll Road. – 2500 FM 685 Hutto, TX 78634 Now Booking 2020 Golf Outings Call 252-4653 ext. 2 for details.

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Vaaler Creek Golf Club Escape to the Hill Country

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For more information call 830-833-0706

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COVER STORY

Rockin’ J Ranch – A combination of the best things of Texas Hill Country living

By Steve Habel, ContributingWriter

There’s no better place to find the combination of affordable Texas Hill Country property within a gated community, amenities aplenty, affordable property taxes and location, location, location than at Rockin’ J Ranch.

Here, in an expansive private neighborhood five miles south of Blanco, you’re just far enough away from the city to be remote and close enough to be convenient.

Rockin’ J Ranch offers a little something of everything and is made special by the serenity and isolation that’s becoming just a bit too scarce these days.The appeal is illustrated more every day by the influx of new residents from around the region – there are 25 homes under construction now in the community and could be as many as 240 rooftops by this time next year.

Rockin’ J Ranch, a 1,064-acre neighborhood of luxury homesites, is less than an hour north of San Antonio and just a short drive further from Austin.The community is set amongst rolling fields of flowers and stands of oak and other native trees, all surrounded by sprawling family ranches that provide a sense of one-ness with the land.

“Here, we offer the chance to get away from it all in a community that has amenities like those found in city communities,” said Ryan Brubaker, Rockin’ J Ranch’s long-time sales manager.

Those amenities include a central water and sewer system – no septic tanks or wells here – and community perks that include a clubhouse and a pool, ponds for canoeing and fishing, and – perhaps most notably, one of the region’s most enjoyable golf courses – Vaaler Creek Golf Club.

The development that’s become Rockin’ J Ranch is the brainchild of Colonel Lee Roper, an El Paso businessman and 24-year Army veteran. Roper was entranced by the land here from the minute he set eyes on the sprawling tract more than 30 years ago.

The Colonel still offers in-house financing for his lots (he’d do business on a handshake if he could) and still lives on the same ranch he originally developed.

Rockin’ J Ranch has become a melting pot of residents from across Texas and from coast to coast. “They are coming because of the beauty of the Hill Country,” Roper said. “Everyone wants a little piece of the heaven we have here, and we try to help them.”

Take A Tour Today & Receive 2 FREE Rounds of Golf at Vaaler Creek Golf Club

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FEATURE STORY

Eagle Pointe G.C. remains one of the top tracks and best values in Houston’s Bay Area

By Steve Habel, Contributing Writer

Every day at Eagle Pointe Golf Club is a good one, thanks to the challenge and overall experience golfers enjoy at one of the unique and fun public golf courses in the Bay Area east of Houston.

Houston-based golf course architect Rick Forester was given a premier site on which to build his 7,132-yard layout. It’s a golf course that demands the player’s conviction on every shot and a healthy dose of respect for course management and attention to the hole locations on the large and demanding greens.

“We have a great golf course here and have been able to keep our conditions

and playability top-notch through the years despite the challenges posed by our site and the impact of Mother Nature,” said Jeff Strong, Eagle Pointe’s PGA Professional.

“We understand that the attention to detail and the way we maintain the course make golfers want to play it and come back again” Strong said. “We pride ourselves on the customer experience – it’s been one of the keys to our success through the years”.

The course is perhaps the best bargain in the area because of its combination of price and an outstanding layout that’s always in excellent condition and – unlike most other coastal layouts in the region – sports plenty of elevation change, with a rise and fall of about 40 feet throughout the routing.

Many who play Eagle Pointe G.C. say the course reminds them of tracks you would find in South Carolina, in places like Myrtle Beach.

FEATURE STORY

That unique terrain, along with treelined fairways, unique water areas, and undulating very smooth speedy greens, have gained Eagle Pointe G.C. high marks among area golfers and make the course

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Point Gully weaves its way through the course.The Old River, which ultimately leads to Galveston Bay, is the boundary on several holes and a waterfall and several ponds are scattered along the fairways.

Unique Terrain,Tree-lined Fairways and Undulating Greens earn high marks with Golfers of all skill levels enjoyable and challenging for players of all skill levels.

Water is a consideration on nearly every hole at Eagle Pointe G.C., as Cherry

This is a golf course that demands a player’s best execution on every shot.

Eagle Pointe carries a rating of 73.2 and a slope of 128 but actually plays more

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

difficult than those numbers because of its elevation changes and some forced carries.

“Eagle Pointe has survived and thrived because it has always been a great course and we have stayed true to a great plan and stood the test of time and the challenges we’ve faced over the years,” Strong said. “There is a very natural, open feeling here, both because of the mature pines that line our fairways and because you are not closed in by a dense housing development.”

There is the triple challenge of length, positioning and elevation change at the 450-yard par 4 sixth hole, which is ranked as the No. 1 handicap hole at Eagle Pointe G.C. The hole turns hard right to left and then plays uphill to a perched green that’s one of the smallest and least receptive on the course.

Eagle Pointe’s four finishing holes are considered by many the best closing stretch in the area.

No. 15 is a long, difficult par-3, playing at 213 from the back tees because of

FEATURE STORY

the large bunkers that protect a twotiered green.

The 469-yard par 4 16th makes for the biggest test on the back nine. If you happen to find the fairway, you must avoid hitting your second shot into the waterfall protecting the green on the left. The green is very fast and slopes left to right, so avoiding a three putt from anywhere on this putting surface is difficult.

The 540-yard, dogleg-left par 5 17th gives a player a legitimate chance at birdie. Long hitters can go for the green in two but beware, the putting surface is protected by several large bunkers.

Then the closing hole could be one of the best in the Houston area. Carded at 429 yards, this par 4 has a narrow fairway that keeps players honest off the tee and is protected by ponds on each side that create an obstacle to overcome in order to attack the green.

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Since 2014, Eagle Pointe has been a proud host of the Texas Senior Open and the Southern Texas Professional Golfers Association Foundation fundraiser benefitting local PGA Tour player Shawn Stefani’s Scholarship Fund.

Membership at Eagle Pointe also offers one of the region’s best recreational facilities, featuring a 60,000-square foot state-of-the-art complex with the most modern fitness equipment and a plethora of sports amenities that any active person would enjoy.

There are two full basketball courts, a pair of racquetball courts, four outdoor

lighted tennis courts, a heated indoor lap pool, child watch and outdoor play area and a half-mile nature and jogging trail.

The facility also sports a real wave pool, indoor banquet and reception areas, The Pointe Grill and Eagle Pointe Golf Club and more than 8,000-square-feet of climate-controlled space for virtually every kind of event, including corporate outings, before and after tournament gathering, weddings and receptions.

Eagle Pointe G.C. and its surrounding community is located about than 35 minutes east of downtown Houston off I-10.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

Mont Belvieu, TX

(281) 385-6666 www.EaglePointeOnline.com RATES

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Twilight

Mon-Thur $49 $36* Friday $49 $41 Weekend $63 $41 Holiday $63 $41 *Twilight begins at 2 pm - Mar13-Nov 6 All rates include cart fee Range balls included on weekends & holidays untill 10:59 am

STATISTICS Par: 71 Black Blue White Red

Yards Rating 7077 73.2 6502 70.9 5927 68.0 5213 67.4

Slope 128 121 116 113

PERSONNEL

Architect......................... Rick Forester General Manager.............. Jeff Strong Course Record.........Justin McKay, 62

AMENITIES

• Online Tee Times • Meeting/Banquet Rooms • New Enclosed Pavilion • Two Restaurants • Recreation Complex & Wave Pool • Fully Stocked Pro Shop • Memberships Available

A

vid golfers in the Houston area yearning for a pure golf experience set apart from the city and brimming with secluded, natural surroundings can find that true, undisturbed feeling at Eagle Pointe Golf Club.

The par-71 Rick Forester design located less than 35 minutes from downtown Houston off I-10 in Mont Belvieu, is equal parts peaceful, eye-catching and playable. The course’s distinguishable characteristics are its

Exceptional location to host your event

rolling fairways, stunningly tall pines, dramatic elevation changes and an abundance of water.

With no homes on 17 of the 18 holes, golf is what you get at Eagle Pointe.

The trademark of Eagle Pointe is its steeply tilted, undulating greens that will challenge even the most expert players. Strategically speaking, it’s important to place your approach shots below the hole at Eagle Pointe because of the quickness of the putting surfaces.

The facility also offers a state-of-the art fitness center and an 8,000-square-foot tournament pavilion that would be the perfect place for corporate outings, weddings or charity events.

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FEATURE STORY

Wanna Bet? Golf Side Games

By Adam Grosch

If you’re like me and golfing means gambling, you should absolutely have an established handicap so that everyone is giving and receiving the proper amount of strokes. Even if you don’t gamble, you should have an established handicap to track your progress. The best option is to use GHIN, which is a part of the USGA. You can sign up for a handicap online at www.txga.org or you can sign up at your local golf course. This year has brought about a few changes to the system that I’ll highlight in this article.

It is now called World Handicap System (WHS) because of the inclusion of the R&A. In the GHIN Mobile app you can post all your scores, see your current handicap index and even track the indexes of the people that you play with right on your phone. In the app there is a Course Handicap Calculator, which will populate with your current index and those of the people you track. Then you can select which tees each person is playing from and it will give the course handicap for each player. One of the great changes made this year is that you can enter hole-by-hole “advanced stats” for each round and track your fairways in regulation, greens in regulation and putts per round.

A big change this year is that it now uses the 8 best scores of your most recent 20 rounds rather than using the 10 best. This effectively brought everyone’s handicap down by about a stroke. For instance, on December 31st I was a +0.1 and with the new system I became a +1.0. With the new course handicap calculations, if I play the Gold tees at Vaaler Creek I’m a 0 handicap; however if I play the Blue tees I’m a +3 handicap.

So, it’s important to know everyone’s proper course handicap from whichever tee they play.

The new “equitable stroke control” is much easier now because you can only post a score on a hole as high as Net Double Bogey. So, if you’re getting a stroke on a hole you can post up to triple bogey. Don’t pick up at that point though if you’re in a tournament or playing for money. If you enter your hole-by-hole scores in the app, it will automatically make those adjustments.

Another great improvement this year is that your handicap revisions happen nightly rather than only twice a month.

One change this year that I don’t particularly agree with is that the system will adjust the score differentials for Playing Conditions. So, if the weather or course setup is difficult and the scores posted are higher than normal it will take that into account. Which means, if you tend to play better in poor conditions than most people it would make your handicap slightly lower by comparison.

Call 337-433-2255 for tee times and information.

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Hole 6

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FEATURE STORY

The Foresight Golf Philosophy At Foresight Golf, our goal is simple: To build, own and manage exceptional golf properties that provide a world-class golf experience at competitive rates, making the game enjoyable and attainable for all players.

Foresight Golf believes that even the most discerning players are looking for a great value with their recreational investment.We strive to deliver the very best golf experience in whatever market we compete.There are several cornerstones that we build upon to accomplish our goal:

The Foresight Golf Management way of doing business The best way to teach a golf swing is to break it down and to keep things simple.We at Foresight Golf Management have found that the best way to embark on a golf course operation’s management plan is also to keep it simple. Don’t confuse simplicity with ease.

The ability to break down golf course operations to the point of being simple to execute, isn’t easy. If it were, every company promising better golf course management would be successful!

Our brand: Exceptional Golf & Remarkable Value Branding is a term that has history right here in Texas! Yes, in fact, the marketing term dates back to the practice of branding cattle. For years, we’ve effectively “branded” our golf courses with exactly what you should expect from us each and every time you choose Foresight Golf. Exceptional golf and Remarkable value.

Foresight Design Philosophy Foresight Golf seeks to create golf courses that are interesting and fun to play, pleasing to look at and separate from the busyness of the world. Our courses start with property that is great for golf.We then take a traditional approach to design and create naturally flowing, aesthetically pleasing features and comfortable corridors. Real estate impacts are minimized and are not even present on the majority of our golf courses.What the player experiences, is comparable to the great private clubs of 1900’s. Pure golf, pure enjoyment, a place to get away and immerse yourself in the great game of golf!!

FEATURE STORY

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Foresight Family Customer Service We know that you have a lot of choices as to where you can play and we truly appreciate your business. Our dedicated staff will make you feel as though you are part of the family.We are ready to share our love for and commitment to the game of golf with all of our customers.The atmosphere is friendly, serviceoriented, and professional at all times.

Providing Outstanding Course Conditions Our dedicated team of agronomists strive to maintain the finest playing surfaces on all of our courses.We’ve had the privilege of maintaining some of the best golf facilities in the world and we bring the same focus, agronomic philosophy and best management practices to every Foresight Golf course. Day in and day out, the condition of our courses will improve your game, not interfere with it!

Foresight Golf ’s Play Better Golf program Golf is one of those enjoyments in life that requires lessons; and the price of learning can sometimes be a detriment to becoming as good as possible.

At Foresight Golf, we realized the industry was lacking affordable instruction from qualified teachers, so we’ve developed the Play Better Golf program to focus on four core subsets: Learn to Play, Game Improvement, Junior Academy and our Veterans program.

FORESIGHT GOLF MANAGEMENT • 512 E. BLANCO ROAD, SUITE 100 • BOERNE,TX 78006 (830) 249-7528 TheTexasGolfInsider.com

COURSES

30

Public Course

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

MAP #65

COURSE FACTS

Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Keith Foster General Mgr: Bill Durbin Dir of Better Golf: JC Casarez Superintendent: Michael Thomas Course Record: Mike Carnes, 62

TEE INFORMATION

Yardage/Rating/Slope: Gold: 6909 / 73.7 / 134 Forest: 6368 / 70.9 / 128 Blue: 5847 / 68.6 / 124 Stone: Mens: 5204 / 65.4 / 110 Ladies: 5204 / 70.2 / 121 Copper: Mens: 4408 / 62.7 / 105 Ladies: 4408 / 66.0 / 113

N e w B r aunfel s

The Bandit Golf Club

S

culpted into the rolling terrain along Long Creek and the shores of Lake McQueeney, The Bandit Golf Club is an award-winning, championship golf course, open to public play. Just 5 minutes from downtown New Braunfels and 30 minutes from downtown San Antonio, freeway access to Austin or Houston make the Bandit a must play destination course for Texans.

Recent improvements for warming up prior to your round include our new 12 thousand square foot practice green, which is part of The Bandit’s expansive practice facility. And if you’re from out of town or just need a long weekend away, ask about our stay and play packages at The Bandit Lodges, a relaxing way to complete your perfect golf vacation.

COURSE AMENITIES

• • • • • •

Banquet Hall Email Specials Reward Program Beverage Cart Service Full Bar & Grill Practice Facilities

6019 FM 725 New Braunfels, TX 78130

830-609-4665

www.banditgolfclub.com

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

Public Course

MAP #98

COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Roy Bechtol General Mgr: Ken Holubec, PGA Dir of Better Golf: Brian Marini Superintendent: Cortney Brown Course Record: Brian Marini, 63

Alistar Jones, 63

TEE INFORMATION

Yardage/Rating/Slope: Gold: 6913 / 73.0 / 136 Forest: 6387 /70.3 / 126 Blue: 6101 /69.3 / 123 Stone: 5447 /66.7 / 113 Copper: 4274 /65.2 / 101

COURSE AMENITIES • Email Specials • Reward Program • Banquet Hall • Full Bar & Grill • Practice Facilities • Beverage Cart Service

COURSES

31

Kyle

Plum Creek Golf Course

I

A Texas Course Like No Other

f it weren’t for the great golf and spectacular views, Plum Creek Golf Course would be loved for its wildflowers, natural beauty of live oaks, rolling hills and gorgeous area lakes. But with the great golf, Plum Creek is 18 holes of championship golf just south of Austin in the heart of Kyle Texas.

Designed so that no two fairways touch, Plum Creek creates a unique sense of playing your own private golf course. With 5 sets of tees, you’ll find the perfect course yardage to challenge your game. At Plum Creek, you will enjoy unrivaled greens, a tranquil setting, and superb turf conditions.

Come try us out and after your round, we invite you to stay for a cold drink and bite to eat in our recently remodeled Glenn’s Bar & Grill.

4301 Benner Kyle, TX 78640

512-262-5555

www.plumcreekgolf.com

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

COURSES

32

Public Course

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

MAP #66

Comfor t COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Art Schaupeter, ASGCA General Mgr: John Westly Superintendent: Ismael Toca Course Record: Tim Hobby, 61 Cooper New, 61

TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Forest: 6648 / 72.0 / 126 Blue: 6155 / 69.8 / 124 Stone: 5561 / 67.1 / 114 Copper: 4616 / 67.5 / 113

COURSE AMENITIES • • • • • •

Beverage Cart Service Beer & Wine, Snack Bar Email Specials Reward Program Banquet Hall Practice Facilities

The Buckhorn Golf Course

N

estled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, The Buckhorn is one of Foresight’s most loved and lauded golf courses. Well known as a really fun golf course that is always in exceptional condition, The Buckhorn exceeds every golfer’s expectation.

Just north of San Antonio, The Buckhorn is also an easy drive from Fredericksburg, Kerrville and Boerne with plenty of activities to enjoy after a great round. The championship layout utilizes a natural 100 foot elevation change, pristine creeks and valleys make for great vistas and drama for golf!

The generous fairways and large smooth greens make for a friendly bogey or par, but to make a birdie or better you will need to land your ball on the correct section of the green.

Friendly and fun, yet not easy, The Buckhorn may be the most memorable course you’ll play.

36 FM 473 Comfort, TX 78013

830-995-5351

www.buckhorngolfcourse.com

FEATURE STORY

Public Course

MAP # 38

COURSE FACTS

Number of Holes: 36 Par: 72 General Mgr: Jonathan Roberson PGA Dir of Agronomy Collins Bean Dir of Better Golf: Tirrel Baymon PGA

TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Tradition Course Black: 7220 / 74.7 / 136 Blue: 6638 / 71.8 / 130 White: Mens: 6162 / 69.4 / 118 Ladies: 6162 / 75.5 / 134 Silver: Mens: 5441 / 66.1 / 116 Ladies: 5441 / 71.7 / 125 Cypress Course Blue: 6908 / 73.0 / 134 Forest: 6168 / 69.8 / 122 Silver: 5624 / 67.6 / 111

33

Spring

Cypresswood Golf Club

I

Two Unique Golf Experiences

magine not hearing the hum of a highway, imagine not having a single home flanking the fairways, imagine just you and a golf course that designer Keith Foster calls the best piece of ground in the piney woods of East Texas.

Sculpted into the rolling terrain along the Spring Creek, Cypresswood Golf Club is 36 holes of award-winning, championship golf, open to public play. The Tradition course and the Cypress course are consistently rated as the top public play courses in the Houston area. Boasting an expansive practice facility and conveniently located just minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, you will enjoy unrivaled greens, a tranquil setting, and superb turf conditions.You will enjoy perfect golf.

Each hole is a masterpiece.You can play it again and again, never tiring of the identity that is delivered on every hole.

Imagine a course Avid Golfer ranks top in its category. Welcome to Cypresswood Golf Club.

COURSE AMENITIES • • • •

Golf Academy Fully Stocked Pro Shop Online Specials Tournaments Welcome

21602 Cypresswood Drive Spring, TX 78222

281-821-6300

www.cypresswood.com

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

COURSES

34

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

Public Course

RATES

18

MAP #20

9

Twilight

Weekday $ 37 $27 $27 Weekend $43 $27 $33

Twilight rates apply after 2pm

COURSE FACTS

Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Architect: Leon Howard General Manager: Chris Godwin Superintendent: Diego Navarro Course Record: Chris Shive, 62

TEE INFORMATION

Yardage/Rating/Slope: Gold: 6544 / 72.6 / 134 Blue: 6170 / 70.8 / 129 White: 5807 / 69.0 / 124 Red: 5187 / 69.8 / 117 Silver: 5187 / 65.7 / 119

COURSE AMENITIES

• • • • •

Practice Facilities Golf Instructions Fully Stocked Pro Shop Online Specials Full Service Bar & Grill

Junior golfers play for free with paying adult (7 days a week, anytime)

Lago Vista

Lago Vista Golf Course Located in the Beautiful Texas Hill Country Lago Vista Golf Course was built in the early 1970’s

by Leon Howard. It originally opened as a 9 hole facility and expanded to 18 holes shortly thereafter. Lago Vista Golf Course operated as a private county club until the mid 1990’s before opening to the public. The course experienced several ownership changes up until 2008 when it was purchased by the city of Lago Vista. To this day Lago Vista Golf Course is owned and operated by the city of Lago Vista. The course serves not only as a community amenity but as a tourist destination to golfers of all skill levels who wish to experience her hill country beauty and serenity.

Today, all golfers are welcome to enjoy the undulating fairways, epic lake views, and abundant wildlife at Lago Vista Golf Course.

The course features four sets of tees to provide a fun challenge for all ability levels and a practice facility with a spectacular view of Lake Travis.

4616 Rimrock Drive Lago Vista, TX 78645

512-267-1170

www.lagovistagc.com

36

FEATURE STORY

The Southern Texas PGA Gears Up For 2020 The Southern Texas PGA Section is continuing its mission in 2020 by serving its Members, growing the game of golf through STPGA programs, and elevating the Association. Many of the Section’s PGA Professionals are busy assisting with the PGA of America Professional Championship which will be held at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Barton Creek,Texas next month in addition to gearing up for a full set of Section events in 2020.

The Section’s calendar this year includes the Southern Texas PGA Professional Championship which has been moved from August back to September for 2020.The Championship will be played at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg,Texas from Monday, September 21 – Wednesday, September 23.This will be the second time that Boot Ranch will host the Section’s most prestigious tournament. Jared Jones, PGA, Director of Instruction at River Oaks Country Club, is the defending champion of the event.

In addition to its Professional Championship, the STPGA will face the

2019 STPGA Professional Champion, Jared Jones

Northern Texas PGA Section in two Ryder Cup style team events in 2020.The first being the 4th Annual Levy Cup Matches which the STPGA will host at Pine Forest Country Club in Houston,Texas from Monday, November 2 – Tuesday, November 3.The STPGA will be looking to reclaim the Cup from Northern Texas and currently stands with an overall record of 2-1-0.

2019 Levy Cup Team

FEATURE STORY

37

2019 Joe Black Cup Team

The second Ryder Cup style tournament, the 40th Annual Texas Joe Black Cup Matches, will be hosted by the NTPGA the following week from Monday, November 9 – Tuesday, November 10 at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.The STPGA is looking to retain the Joe Black Cup following last year’s second tie in the event’s 39-year history.The Southern Texas Section holds the lead in this annual tournament with an overall record of 1918-2.

On the Foundation side, the Southern Texas PGA is in full swing of rebranding the Foundation to its new name, PGA Reach Southern Texas.This rebranding is complete with a new logo, a distinction of four separate pillars, and a new website launching soon.

The four pillars of PGA Reach Southern Texas include the Junior Golf

All our juniors are Super Stars!

Program helping Texas Junior Golfers experience the game at the highest level possible, the Scholarship Program supporting high school seniors as they achieve higher education, PGA HOPE introducing golf to Veterans to support their physical and mental well-being, and Employment Opportunities showcasing to young professionals how golf can become a career.

The most recognizable of the four pillars, the Section’s Junior Golf Program, is staying focused on its mission of impacting lives through golf and creating lifelong golfers this year following the program’s website redesign and the unveiling of new logos in 2019.

The Junior Golf Program will continue to encourage junior golfers in southern Texas to compete at the highest level through its numerous partnerships with national and regional organizations like Drive, Chip and Putt, PGA Junior League, the Texas Junior Golf Alliance, the Legends Junior Tour, the Junior PGA Championship, and most recently, the Volunteers of America Classic.

As the Southern Texas PGA Section wraps up the first quarter of 2020, it looks forward to the remainder of the year and what is sure to be its most successful year ever.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

FEATURE STORY

39

It’s time to stand up and salute the great golf at San Antonio’s three military base courses

By Steve Habel, Contributing Writer

There’s so much to like about the golf at the four courses at three military bases set around the Alamo City, that when players stand on their respective opening tee boxes they fight the urge to stand up and salute.

Randolph Oaks Golf Course

And, with Spring upon us, course conditioning at a premium and temperate weather on tap over the next four months, you owe it to yourself to tee it up and enjoy the grand game on a grand scale at the two tracks at Fort San Houston Golf Club, at Gateway Hills Golf Course at Lackland Air Force Base, and at Randolph Oaks Golf Course at Randolph Air Force Base.

The three bases in San Antonio offer courses as good and as varied as you’ll find anywhere. And with a little advanced planning anyone can play and enjoy these four courses on the three facilities.

“We offer a little bit of something for everyone,” said Steven Griffith, head golf professional of Gateway Hills in southwest San Antonio. “Yes, golf is the main draw, but we also have horseshoe pits and places to play cornhole. Our facility is all about fun and recreation.”

Each of the facilities offers a whole lot more than just golf and welcome individual outside play as well as non-military tournaments.

“We generate our own play – we are not subsidized by the military – so we are always looking to get people out here,” Griffith said. “Once they play the course, they understand just how good it is.”

All three of the base facilities have a pro shop stocked with the most up-to-date golf equipment and apparel. Each has a restaurant with outstanding food options at breakfast and dinner, (call ahead to reserve a spot for the steak dinner feast on

Gateway Hills Golf Couse at Lackland AFB

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

40

FEATURE STORY

Fort Sam Houston Clubhouse and Event Center

Thursday at Gateway Hills) and all have amenities that cater to recreation besides golf, including banquet and meeting spaces.

Gateway Hills is set on rolling terrain, with a narrow and challenging routing and surprising elevation changes.The golf course meanders 6,900 yards from the back tees with many strategically located bunkers and a host of oak and mesquite trees.

Fort Sam Houston is home to two 18-hole courses, Salado Del Rio and La

Hole 6 Salado Del Rio Golf Course

Loma, with both courses using some of the holes from famed golf course architect A.W. Tillnghast’s original routing.

Both Fort Sam Houston golf courses feature tight, tree-lined fairways and greens that are medium in both size and speed.

“Our courses have never been better,” said Kenneth Boyce, head golf professional at both Randolph Oaks GC and Fort Sam Houston GC. “We pay attention to the little things, the details like course conditioning. We continue to renovate and improvements that we’ve undertaken make our courses varied, challenging and a great value.”

A foursome of America’s most renown golf course architects – Perry Maxwell, Press Maxwell, Joe Finger, and Ralph Plumber – had a hand in the design of Randolph Oaks, set in northeast San Antonio. It’s a long, almost dead-flat course that feature wide fairways and large, elevated putting surfaces.

Randolph Oaks GC also has one of the region’s best practice facilities, with a lighted driving range that’s open to 10 each night, and a flip-the-switchto-light-anytime putting green. Oh, and don’t forget to have the barbecue, which is smoked on site for lunch each Monday.

Hole 12

Hole 3

42

It’s not that Pharr….

Play one of the Rio Grande Valley’s Finest Municipal Tracks….

Located in the Pharr, McAllen, Edinburg, Mission metro area Year round warm weather, economical green fees

www.golf.pharr-tx.gov golf@pharr-tx.gov 956.402.4545 Download our new app for special offer: TDS GOLF

44

DIRECTORY SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

COURSE TYPE PHONE COURSE TYPE PHONE AUSTIN: Avery Ranch Semi-Private Falconhead Semi-Private Grey Rock Golf Club Semi-Private Hancock Park Golf Course Public Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer GC Public Lions Municipal Golf Course Public Morris Williams Golf Course Public Riverside Golf Club Public BANDERA: Flying L Ranch Golf Course Resort BASTROP: Colovista Golf Club Semi-Private Hyatt, Wolfdancer Resort Pine Forest Golf Club Public BLANCO: Vaaler Creek Golf Club Semi-Private BOERNE: Tapatio Springs Resort BURNET: Delaware Springs Golf Course Public CANYON LAKE: Lakeside Golf Club Public CASTROVILLE: Alsatian Golf Course Public CIBOLO: Northcliffe Golf Club Semi-Private COMFORT: Buckhorn Golf Course Public CONCAN: Club at ConCan Resort DEVINE: Devine Golf Course Public FLORESVILLE: River Bend Golf Club Public FREDERICKSBURG: Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course Public HORSESHOE BAY: Horseshoe Bay Resort Resort Apple Rock Resort Ram Rock Resort Slick Rock Resort HUTTO: Golf Club at Star Ranch Semi-Private KERRVILLE: Scott Schreiner Municipal GC Public KINGSLAND: Legends Golf Course Public KYLE: Plum Creek Golf Course Public LAGO VISTA: Lago Vista Semi-Private LAMPASAS: Hancock Park Golf Course Public LEANDER: The Golf Club at Crystal Falls Public LLANO: Llano Golf Club Public MANOR: Shadow Glen Semi-Private

(512) 248-2442 (512) 402-1558 (512) 288-4297 (512) 978-2330 (512) 974-4653 (512) 477-6963 (512) 974-8333 (512) 223-6677 (800) 646-5407 (512) 629-4585 (512) 308-9653 (512) 321-1181 (830) 833-0706 (830) 537-4197 (512) 756-8471 (830) 899-3301 (830) 931-3100 (830) 606-7351 (830) 995-5351 (830) 232-4471 (830) 665-9943 (830) 216-2800 (830) 997-4010 (830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600 (512) 252-4653 (830) 257-4982 (325) 388-8888 (512) 262-5555 (512) 267-1170 (512) 556-3202 (512) 259-5855 (325) 247-5100 (512) 278-1304

MARBLE FALLS: Hidden Falls Golf Club Semi-Private NEW BRAUNFELS: The Bandit Golf Club Public Landa Park Golf Course Public PLEASANTON: Pleasanton Country Club Semi-Private PFLUGERVILLE: Blackhawk Golf Club Public ROUND ROCK: Forest Creek Golf Club Public The Golf Club of Star Ranch Semi-Private TeraVista Golf Club Semi-Private SALADO: Mill Creek Inn & Country Club Semi-Private SAN MARCOS: Kissing Tree Semi-Private SAN SABA: San Saba River GC Public SEGUIN: Starcke Park Golf Course Public SPICEWOOD: Pedernales Golf Course Public SPRING BRANCH: River Crossing Club Private The Club at Rebecca Creek Semi-Private SAN ANTONIO: Alamo Golf Club Public Brackenridge Park Golf Course Public Canyon Springs Golf Course Public Cedar Creek Golf Course Public Gateway Hills Golf Course Public Golf Club of Texas Public Hyatt Hill Country Resort Resort La Cantera Golf Club Public La Loma Grande Public Mission Del Lago Golf Course Public Northern Hills Public Olmos Basin Golf Course Public Randolf Oaks Golf Course Public Riverside Golf Course Public Salado Del Rio Public San Pedro Range & Par 3 Public Silverhorn Public The Palmer Course Public The Quarry Golf Club Semi-private The Republic Golf Course Public TPC San Antonio Resort Windcrest Golf Course Semi-private Willow Springs Golf Course Public UNIVERSAL CITY: Olympia Hills Golf & Conference Ctr Public UTOPIA: Utopia Golf Course Public WIMBERLEY: Quicksand at Woodcreek Public

(830) 693-3300 (830) 609-4665 (830) 221-4340 (830) 281-3486 (512) 251-9000 (512) 388-2874 (512) 252-GOLF (512) 651-9850 (254) 947-5698 (512) 749-1031 (325) 372-3212 (830) 401-2490 (512) 264-1489 (830) 904-4653 (830) 885-5168 (210) 696-4000 (210) 226-5612 (210) 497-1770 (210) 695-5050 (210) 671-3466 (210) 504-2550 (210) 647-1234 (210) 558-4653 (210) 222-9386 (210) 627-2522 (210) 655-4148 (210) 826-4041 (210) 652-4570 (210) 533-8371 (210) 222-9386 (210) 349-5113 (210) 545-5300 (210) 558-2365 (210) 824-4500 (210) 359-0000 (210) 491-5800 (210) 655-1421 (210) 226-6721 (210) 945-4653 (830) 966-5577 (512) 847-9700

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN DIRECTORY

THE COAST COURSE TYPE PHONE Alice Municipal Golf Course Public Brownsville Golf Center Public Buccaneer Bay Public GC Public Colony Creek Country Club Semi-Private Cottonwood Creek Golf Course Public Ebony Hills Municipal Golf Course Public El Campo County Club Private Ganado Golf and Country Club Public Goliad Golf Club Public Harlingen Country Club Private L.E. Ramey Golf Course Public Los Lagos Municipal Golf Course Public Lozano Golf Center Public Oso Beach Municipal GC Public Northshore Golf Course Public Padre Isles Country Club Private Palm View Golf Course Public Palmilla Beach Golf Club Semi-Private Rio Colorado Golf Course Public South Padre Island Golf Club Public The Victoria Country Club Semi-Private Tierra Del Sol Golf Club Public Tierra Santa Golf Club Public Treasure Hills Country Club Semi-Private Village Executive Golf Course Public Valley International Country Club Semi-Private

(361) 664-7033 (956) 541-2582 (361) 790-7513 (361) 576-0018 (956) 428-7758 (956) 292-2144 (409) 543-6592 (361) 771-2424 (361) 645-8322 (956) 412-4110 (361) 592-1101 (956) 316-0444 (361) 826-8016 (361) 826-8010 (361) 643-2798 (361) 949-8056 (956) 687-9591 (361) 749-4653 (979) 244-2955 (956) 943-5678 (361) 573-3712 (956) 702-2320 (956) 973-1811 (956) 365-3100 (956) 968-5616 (956) 546-5331

PLAY THEM ALL • LIONS • HANCOCK • MORRIS WILLIAMS • JIMMY CLAY • ROY KIZER • GREY ROCK

RIO GRANDE VALLEY COURSE TYPE PHONE Adobe Wells Country Club Alamo Country Club Brownsville Municipal GC Cimarron Cottonwood 21 Ebony Hills Golf Course Fair Winds G.C & Practice Range Fort Brown Memorial GC Harlingen Country Club Jim Paul Golf Course Llano Grande Golf Course Los Lagos Golf Club Martin Valley Ranches Golf Course McAllen Country Club Meadow Creek Golf Club Palacio Real Golf Course Palm View Golf Course Rancho Viejo Country Club Raymondville Municipal Course River Bend Resort Shary Municipal Golf Course South Padre Island Golf Club The MAX Golf Course Tony Butler Municipal GC

Private Private Public Private Semi-Private Public Public Public Private Public Public Public Public Private Public Semi-Private Public Semi-Private Public Semi-Private Public Public Public Public

(956) 686-8801 (956) 787-0910 (956) 541-2582 (956) 581-7408 (956) 428-0766 (956) 381-1244 (956) 423-2010 (956) 541-0394 (956) 412-4110 (956) 943-7520 (956) 565-3351 (956) 316-0444 (956) 585-6330 (956) 928-0440 (956) 581-6267 (956) 381-0964 (956) 687-9591 (956) 350-4000 (956) 689-9904 (956) 548-0191 (956) 580-8770 (956) 943-5678 (956) 726-2000 (956) 216-5970

Golf ATX offers challenging courses at affordable prices, right in the middle of Austin.

Play a round for yourself.

Book a tee time on-line today.

45

16

Laredo

127

ConCan

Harper

5

Utopia

10

44

Castroville

1604

37

Comfort

66

Kingsland

44

9 12 3

46

58

20

1431

46 1604

75

725 65 65

73

51

98

84

3

130

55 53 50

52 54

Kyle

620

Marble Falls Leander

Spring Brand

6 13 10 85 26 46 11

473

87 87

2

2342

1825

99

Pharr

35

83

46

Practice Fac. Restaurant Banquet Fac. Pro Shop Instructions Ad on Page

Par

Yardage /Rating /Slope

47

Type Hole

Map Number

SAN ANTONIO |HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN COURSES

(210) 226-5612

P 18

72

6234/70.3/126 • • • • 25

(210) 695-5050

P 18

72

7150/74.1/131

• •

• • 25

Gateway Hills Golf Course (210) 671-3466

26 1800 Dimsted Pl., Lackland AFB, TX 78236

P 18

72

6917/73.1/125

•

• • 41

(512) 288-4297 M 18

72

6909/74.6/141 • • • • • 45

(512) 978-2330 M 9

2633/32.6/112 •

• • 45

(512) 974-4653 M 18

72

6914/73.8/124 • •

• • 45

LaLoma Grande Golf Club (210) 222-9386 P 18 85 1050 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209

72

6774/72.5/124 • • • • • 41

Lago Vista Golf Course (512) 267-1170 M 18 20 4616 Rimrock Dr., Lago Vista, TX 78645

72

6579/70.0/118 • • • • • 34

Landa Park Golf Course (830) 221-4340 M 18 73 180 Golf Course Rd., New Braunfels, TX 78130

71

6205/68.9/112 • • • • • 27

(512) 477-6963 M 18

71

6001/69.2/124 • • • • • 45

(210) 627-2522 P 18

72

7044/73.4/132 • •

• • 25

(512) 974-8333 M 18

72

7023/73.0/124 • •

• • 45

Northern Hills Golf Course (210) 655-4148 P 18 9 13202 Scarsdale, San Antonio, TX 78217

72

6602/71.9/123 • • • • • 25

Olmos Basin Golf Course 10 7022 McCullough, San Antonio, TX 78216

(210) 826-4041 P 18

72

6847/71.8/131 • •

Plum Creek Golf Course (512) 262-5555 SP 18 98 4301 Benner Road, Kyle, TX 78640

71

Randolph Oaks Golf Course (210) 652-4653 P 18

75 Bldg. 1300 Golf Course Rd, Randolph AFB, TX 78150

72

Type: M=Municipal, PR=Private, P=Public, SP= Semi-Private.

Brackenridge Park Golf Course 6 2315 Avenue B, San Antonio, TX 78215 www.alamocitygolftrail.com

Cedar Creek Golf Course

37 8250 Vista Colina, San Antonio, TX 78255 www.alamocitygolftrail.com

www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.co

Grey Rock Golf Course

51 7401 TX-45, Austin, TX 78739 www.austintexas.gov

Hancock Golf Course

54 811 E 41st St. , Austin, TX 78751 www.austintexas.gov

Jimmy Clay Golf Course

53 5400 Jimmy Clay Dr., Austin, TX 78744 www.austintexas.gov

www.ftsammwr.com /recreation/golf.html

www.lagovistagc.com

www.landaparkgolfcourse.com

Lions Municipal Golf Course

52 2901 Enfield Road, Austin, TX 78703 www.austintexas.gov

Mission Del Lago Golf Course

58 1250 Mission Grande, San Antonio, TX 78221 www.alamocitygolftrail.com

Morris Williams Golf Course

55 3851 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78723 www.austintexas.gov

www.alamocitygolftrail.com

www.alamocitygolftrail.com

6210/71

• • 25

• • • • • 31

www.plumcreekgolf.com

7172/74.5/125 •

• • 41

www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.com

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

Riverside Golf Course 11 203 McDonald, San Antonio, TX 78210

Practice Fac. Restaurant Banquet Fac. Pro Shop Instructions Ad on Page

Yardage /Rating /Slope

Type: M=Municipal, PR=Private, P=Public, SP= Semi-Private.

Par

COURSES SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

Type Hole

Map Number

48

(210) 533-8371 P 18

72 6694/71.2/114

50 5400 Jimmy Clay Dr., Austin, TX 78744

(512) 974-4653 M 18

71

6819/72.2/125

San Pedro Range & Par 3 12 6102 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78216

(210) 349-5113 P

www.alamocitygolftrail.com

Roy Kizer Golf Course www.austintexas.gov

www.alamocitygolftrail.com

9

Salado Del Rio Golf Course (210) 222-9386 P 18 72

85 1050 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209

• • 25

• • • • • 45 •

• • 25

6819/70.8/124 • • • • • 41

www.ftsammwr.com/recreation/golf.html

Star Ranch Golf Club (512) 252-4653 P 18 3 2500 FM 685, Hutto, TX 78634

71

7030/71.0/117

• • • • 8

The Bandit Golf Club 65 6019 FM 725, New Braunfels, TX 78130

(830) 609-4665 SP 18

71

5905/67.6/

• • • • • 30

The Buckhorn Golf Course (830) 995-5351 P 18 66 36 FM 473, Comfort, TX 78013

71

6155/71

• • • • • 32

(866) 575-0259 P 18

72

6211/72.1/137

• • • • • 83

The Max (956) 726-2000 P 18 99 27700 FM 1472, Laredo, TX 78045

72

6211/72/125

• • • • • 38

Tierra Del Sol Golf Club 35 700 E. Hall Acres, Pharr, TX 78577

(956) 402-4545 P 18

72

6266/69.9/128

• •

Vaaler Creek Golf Club (830) 833-0706 P 18 87 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78155

72

6864/73.0/140

• • • • 13

Willow Springs Golf Club (210) 226-6721 P 18 13 202 AT&T Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78219

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7221/74.6/130 • • • • 25

www.starranchgolf.com

www.banditgolfclub.com

www.buckhorngolfcourse.com

The Hideout

44 185 Hideout Lane, Brownwood, TX 76801 www.thehideouttexas.com

www.themaxlaredo.com

www.golf.pharr-tx.gov

• • 43

www.vcgc.golf

www.alamocitygolftrail.com

Find it all in the Texas Golf Insider

Golf

Dining

Accommodations

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN DIRECTORY

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SHOPPING/SERVICES | ACCOMMODATIONS/DINING | TOURNAMENTS/INSTRUCTION ACCOMODATIONS/ DINING Alabama Road Trip | Ad Page 2 www.alabama.travel/golf | Coushatta Casino | Ad Page 84 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder, LA | www.CoushattaCasinoResort.com | 800-584-7263 Golf Louisiana Style | Ad Page 82 www.AudubonGolf.com Laredo CVB | Map #99 | Ad Page 38 501 San Agustin | Laredo, TX 78040 www.visitlaredo.com | 800-361-3360 Rockin J Ranch | Map# 87 | Ad Page 14 288 John Price, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.RoncoTX.com | 830-833-2266 The Hideout Golf Club | Map# 44 | Ad Page 83 185 Hideout Lane, Brownwood, TX 76801 www.thehideouttexas.com | 325-208-1937

INSTRUCTION/TOURNAMENTS PLAY BETTER GOLF | Map #98 | Ad page 72 4301 Benner Road, Kyle, TX 78640 www.plumcreekgolf.com | 512-262-5555 UIW-Professional Golf Mangement Program | Ad Pg 66 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX | Map #46 email: graybeal@uiwtx.edu | 210-805-5839 Vaaler Creek Golf Club | Map #87 | Ad Page 13 Golf Lessons with Adam Grosch & Edwin Dickens | 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 www.vcgc.golf | 830-833-0706

REAL ESTATE Rockin J Ranch | Map# 2 | Ad Page 14 288 John Price, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.RincoTX.com | 830-833-2266

The National Golf Club of Louisiana | Ad Page 26 1400 National Dr, Westlake, LA 70669 www.nationalgcla.com | 337-433-2255 Vaaler Creek Golf Club | Map# 87 | Ad Page 13 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.vcgc.golf | 830-833-0706

SHOPPING/SERVICES Bash in the Box | Ad Page 49 www.bashinthebox.com Edwin Watts | Map # 3 | Ad Page 3 1050 N,.E. Loop 410, San Antonio, TX www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 210-822-4060 Edwin Watts | Map # 83 | Ad Page 3 4526 South Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi, TX www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 361-852-0358 Edwin Watts | Map # 10| Ad Page 3 410 West SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 903-561-8851

Bash in the Box Boutique style Party Supplies

www.bashinthebox.com

Edwin Watts | Map # 5 | Ad Page 3 5805 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 817-731-4441 EpoxyMaster | Ad Page 71 www.epoxymaster.com | 888-376-9954 ESPN ‘Texas Golf Insider’ | 1250 AM | Ad Page 22 Saturdays 8-9 am | www.espnsa.com G A media | Ad Page 42 115 East Travis St. Ste 625, San Antonio,TX | www.GAmediaPro.com | 210-393-8092 K & I Associates | Ad Page 5 Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 200 Concord Plaza Dr. Ste 100, San Antonio,TX | www.fa.ml.com/ki.associates | 210-805-2977 The Golf Ranch | Map #84 | Ad Page 7 610 N Austin Ave., Georgetown, TX | 35 & Williams Drive at exit 262 www.golfranchshop.com | 512-863-4573

www.bashinthebox.com

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FEATURE STORY

Charming town of Glen Rose

features more than just two great golf courses

By Steve Habel, Contributing Writer

When I consider the charming town of Glen Rose, my first thoughts always go back to its duo of fabulous and highly regarded golf courses at Squaw Valley Golf Course, one of area’s true economic engines.

But after spending a weekend in Glen Rose and Somervell County in the Fall, I found there’s a whole lot more to like about this quaint berg of about 3,000 folks, set about an hour southwest of Fort Worth.

Again, the initial attraction for me was Squaw Valley GC, 36 holes of golf designed by noted Texas-based architects and former partners Jeffrey D. Brauer and John Colligan.

Starting as an 18-hole championship course designed by Brauer in 1992, Squaw Valley GC was, in 2001, expanded to 36 holes with the addition of a new course fashioned by Colligan. Now the club and its two tracks are consistently rated among the top public-access courses in the Lone Star State.The two courses have their own personalities, and each is really fun to play.

Squaw Valley offers golfers a serene and satisfying golfing experience.The club and its two tracks feature beautiful vistas of century-old oak trees that define rolling plains, while Squaw Creek meanders through both courses, creating carries over water on numerous holes.

SquawValley Golf Course and its two courses are a study in contrast.The eastern portion of the property is virtually flat and treeless, while the western half contains large native live oak, pecan and bur oak trees.

The routing allowed the site’s existing ranch house and barn to be converted into the clubhouse and cart storage, saving the county hundreds of thousands of dollars while adding character to the project.

“We believe our two courses are fun and challenging for all levels of golfers.

SVGC now has a new event center called the ‘Rooster’ as well as a bar and grill.

There are constant improvements going on and we hope people will continue to share how great things are here,” said Duff Cunningham, Squaw Valley GC’s head golf

FEATURE STORY

professional. “There’s a little bit of everything in the courses – from drivable par 4s, reachable-in-two par 5s and long and short par 3s.”

In addition, Squaw Creek moves through the western half of the site, cascading over several small waterfalls and making for some challenging carries off the tee.

There’s plenty to do off the courses, including Barnard’s Mill & Art Museum, the building that started this area, was established by Charles Barnard in 1849; the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, ranked No. 3 in the nation as the “Best Wildlife Safari Park;” and Dinosaur Valley State Park, one of Texas’

top State Parks, and a place where children of all ages can walk in the fossilized footprints of dinosaurs.

“I fell in love with Glen Rose almost 20 years ago as a visitor because of its

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quaint charm and hospitality,” said Kelly Harris, Somervell County’s Tourism, Promotions, and EDC director. “After moving here 10 years ago Somervell County has become my forever home.”

“I love the history that makes up the county, the heart that its locals have and the warm hospitality that you will find at all of the attractions, shops and restaurants.”

Other favored attractions are: the Eagle Eye Ranch and Carriage Company (for horseback riding in Dinosaur Valley State Park, hayrides, and carriage rides);

Dinosaur World, where 150 life-size dinosaurs are displayed in a unique setting; and the Creation Evidence Museum, with its 25-foot replica of Noah’s Ark, a biosphere, and artifacts and scrolls.

The county, which has more than 30 unique bed and breakfasts, cabins and vacation rentals as well as six hotels and at least as many RV Parks, is beloved for its scores of Mom-and-Pop restaurants and shops.

Then there’s tubing, canoeing and fishing and on select weekends there are music festivals as well as the well-received Somervell County Expo, with its equestrian events in a climate controlled arena.

There’s never a bad day in Glen Rose, so it’s time for you to saddle up and head to Somervell County.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

Squawvalleygc.com

254-897-7956

History * Heart * Hospitality

Hole 12

Hole 3

Glenroseexpo.org 254-897-4509

Somervell.co 254-897-3750

DALLAS | FORT WORTH DIRECTORY ARLINGTON: Lake Arlington Golf Course Texas Rangers Golf Club Tierra Verde Golf Club

Semi-Private Semi-Private Semi-Private

AZLE: Cross Timbers Golf Course

Public

BROWNWOOD: The Hideout Golf Club

Semi-Private

GARLAND: (817) 451-6101 Duck Creek Golf Course (817) 275-5941 Firewheel Golf Park (817) 478-8500 GLEN ROSE: Squaw Valley Golf Club (817) 444-4940 GORDONVILLE: (325) 784-4653 Rock Creek Resort Golf Club

BURLESON: Hidden Creek Golf Course Southern Oaks Golf Club

Public Public

(817) 447-4444 (817) 426-2400

CARROLTON: Maridoe Golf Club Indian Creek Golf Course

Public Public

(972) 416-2131 (800) 369-4137

DALLAS: Bear Creak Golf Club Buffalo Creek GC Cedar Crest Golf Course Keeton Park Golf Course Luna Vista Golf Course Preston Trail Golf Club Steven Parks Golf Course Tension Glen Golf Club The Golf Club of Dallas Trinity Forest Golf Club

Semi-Private Public Public Public Public Semi-Private Public Semi-Private Semi-Private Public

(972) 456-3200 (972) 771-4003 (214) 670-7615 (214) 670-8784 (214) 670-6322 (972) 248-8448 (214) 670-7506 (214) 670-1402 (214) 333-3595 (214) 646-3570

DESOTO: Thorntree Country Club

Public

EULESS: Texas Star Golf Course

Semi-Private

FAIRVIEW: Heritage Ranch Golf Course

Public

FERRIS: Old Brickyard Golf Course Tour 18

Public Public

FLOWER MOUND: Bridlewood Golf Club

Public

Public Public

(214) 440-2229 (972) 205-2765

Public

(800) 831-8259

Private

(903) 523-5357

GRAND PRAIRIE: Grand Oaks Golf Club Prairie Lakes Golf Club Riverside Golf Club Sunset Golf Course Tangle Ridge Golf Club

Semi-Private Public Semi-Private Pubic Public

(972) 264-6161 (972) 237-4156 (817) 640-7800 (214) 331-8057 (972) 299-6837

HASLET: Willow Springs Golf Course

Semi-Private

(817) 439-4653

IRVING: Cottonwood Valley Golf Course Public TPC Las Conlinas Course Public Twin Wells Golf Course Municipal

(972) 717-2525 (972) 717-2525 (972) 438-4340

KELLER: Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club

Public

(817) 498-1414

Public

(972) 227-0995

LANCASTER: (972) 296-2146 Country View Golf Course LIPAN: (817) 685-7888 Sugar Tree Golf Course

Semi-Private

(817) 341-1111

MUENSTER: (800) 579-3089 Turtle Hill Golf Club

Public

(940) 759-4896

PLANO: (972) 355-4800 Pecan Hollow Golf Course (817) 430-2000 Ridgeview Ranch GC The Club at Los Rios (972) 355-4800 The Course at Watters Creek

Public Public Public Public

(972) 941-7600 (972) 390-1036 (972) 422-8068 (214) 509-4653

RICHARDSON: Sherrill Park #1

Public

(972) 234-1416

WAXAHACHIE: Country View Golf Course Waxahachie Country Club

Public Public

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

Public Public

(817) 596-4653 (817) 441-1044

Public

(972) 429-5100

FORT WORTH: Hawks Creek Golf Course Public Meadowbrook Golf Course Municipal Pecan Valley Golf Course Municipal Rockwood Golf Course Municipal Saddle Hills Park Public The Golf Club at Champion Circle Semi-Private The Golf Club at the Resort Public Whitestone Golf Club Semi-Private

(817) 738-8402 (817) 457-4616 (817) 249-1845 (817) 624-1771 (817) 246-5012 (817) 497-2582 (817) 750-2178 (817) 249-9996

FRANKSTON: Pine Dunes Resort and Golf Club Public

(903) 876-4336

FRISCO: Frisco Lakes Golf Club The Bridges Trails of Frisco Golf Club

WYLIE: (972) 292-3089 Woodbridge Golf Course (903) 696-0022 (972) 668-4653

Public Semi-Private Public

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WEATHERFORD: Canyon West Golf Course Oeste Ranch Golf Course

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

2020 Brings the Best Golfers in the World to Texas

By Kevin Duke

Opportunities abound for professional golf fans in Texas to see the best golfers on the planet in 2020.

Five regular PGA Tour stops, the U.S Women’s Open and a new Korn Ferry Tour tournament gives fans seven different chances to take in professional golf in the Lone Star state this year.

Beginning in March, the World Golf Championships-Dell Technology Match Play kicks off the professional golf season in Texas at Austin Country Club.

The tournament features 64 of the top golfers in the world golf rankings in the unique head-to-head, match play format.

World No. 1 Brooks Koepka has committed to play in the event, looking to unseat last year’s champion, Kevin Kisner.

The course at Austin Country Club sits on Lake Austin and offers golf fans awesome views of the Texas Hill Country in the middle of Texas’ capital city.

The tournament runs March 25-29, with group stage matches on the open-

ing day of pool competition, leading up to the final match that Sunday.

Following the match play tournament, the Valero Texas Open returns to TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course in early April.

The tournament begins on April 2 and runs through April 5, but of course fans can come out earlier in the week for practice rounds.

The Texas Open began in 1922 and is the third oldest tournament on the PGA Tour. It has always been played in the San Antonio area, making it the longest running tournament in the same city.

It has made several stops at courses all over San Antonio, including Bracken-

TPC San Antonio

FEATURE STORY

ridge Park, Oak Hills Country Club and Pecan Valley Golf Club, among others.

Most recently the tournament was held at La Cantera Golf Club (19952009), before the move to TPC in 2010.

Some of the biggest names in golf have won the Texas Open, including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer, who won three years in a row.

Texan Justin Leonard has won three times, the last in 2007, and Zach Johnson won twice in a row the next two years at La Cantera. The tournament record and the all-time PGA Tour record of 254 (26-under-par) was set by Tommy Armour III in 2003.

Adam Scott won the first tournament at TPC in 2010 with a total of 14-underpar, while tour journeyman Corey Conners won last year’s event with the best score since the event moved to TPC of 268, 20-under-par.

Big names expected to play this year include 2015 winner Jimmy Walker, twotime champion Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Charley Hoffman.

The tournament has become the top charitable fundraiser on the PGA Tour since Valero took over sponsorship in 2003. In 2015, the tournament became just the fourth on tour to raise more than $100 million for charity.

Two weeks later, fans can see some of the future stars of the PGA Tour at a new event for 2020 on the Korn Ferry Tour, formerly the Web.com Tour, the Veritex Bank Championship.

Many current stars on the PGA Tour got their start on the developmental tour.

The new tournament will be held at the Texas Rangers Golf Club in Arlington, April 16-19.

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Also in the Metroplex in May, fans will be familiar with two of the stalwart tournaments on tour, the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic and the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Cub in Fort Worth, otherwise known as Hogan’s Alley.

Golf fans will remember the Nelson’s namesake, Byron Nelson, greeting winners after they would come off the 18th green at the TPC at Las Colinas, where the tournament was held since 1986.

The tournament was the stepping stone to the PGA Tour for now threetime major winner and 2015 FedEx Cup champion Jordan Spieth.

Spieth was just the fourth amateur to get an exemption to play in the event when he was invited to play as a high school golfer in 2010. He made the cut that year and again as an amateur in 2011.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

Nelson was the first tournament winner in 1944 at Lakewood Country Club, and the tournament moved to several different courses in the Dallas area.

It was first called the Byron Nelson Golf Classic in his honor in 1968, and has kept that name through several different sponsors over the last 52 years.

The list of winners of the Nelson is long and illustrious, including two-time winner Sergio Garcia (2004 and ’16), Phil Mickelson in 1996 and Tiger Woods in 1997, among many others.

The tournament was moved to Trinity Forest Golf Club southeast of Dallas in 2018, and will be staged there again in 2020, May 7-10. Players have not yet committed to this year’s event.

Famous for the red plaid jacket winners receive at the tournament’s end, the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth will be contested May 21-24.

The course is unofficially called Hogan’s Alley because the all-time great won there five times, the most of any player in the tournament’s history.

His name, along with all the winners since 1946, adorns the Wall of Champions on the first tee. The tournament has

Cypress Creek at Champions Golf Club

Kevin Na

always been played at Colonial Country Club.

The tournament is one of just five invitationals on the PGA Tour. Invitational tournaments have smaller fields of between 120 and 132 players, compared to 156 for regular tournaments, and the criteria for an invitation is different from regular tour events.

A unique aspect of the field is that former champions select two promising golfers for Champion’s Choice invitations.

Spieth won at Colonial in 2016 and nearly went back-to-back, finishing

FEATURE STORY

tied for second in 2017. Zach Johnson has won it twice, the tight fairways and relative shortness of the course fitting his game well.

The women of the LPGA make an appearance in Texas in June at Champions Golf Club in Houston for their biggest tournament of the year, the U.S. Women’s Open.

It’s just the second time the event has been held in Texas, the last in 1991 at the aforementioned Colonial.

The Cypress Creek course at Champions underwent renovations in preparation for the event, but Champions has a history of major championship golf dating back to the 1960’s, hosting a U.S. Open, the Ryder Cup and the Tour Championship, to name a few.The 75th U.S.Women’s Open will be held June 4-7.

Finally, the Houston Open makes a move from the Golf Club of Houston to Memorial Park Golf Course for the tournament Nov. 12-15 this year.

The tournament was moved to the fall last year, after the Tour Championship, so last season’s event was one of the first of the 2020 season.

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The Houston Open was held the week before the Masters from 2007-18 and was the last chance for players to qualify for the Masters on the PGA Tour schedule.

Ian Poulter won the tournament in 2018 to qualify for the field at Augusta, and in the fall last year, Lanto Griffin got his first tour victory, a springboard for his 2020 season.

Memorial Park’s renovation was a plan for the course to host the Houston Open for many years, and the initial $13.5 million investment came from the Astros Foundation and Astros owner, Jim Crane, an avid golfer.

The renovation was expected to be completed by November of last year to give the course time to mature before hosting this year’s event.

The Houston Open completes what looks to be a great professional golf season in Texas. If you love the pros, visit any of the tournament’s websites for tickets to some great professional golf in the Lone Star state in 2020.

Memorial Park Golf Course TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

The Magnolia State offers Easy Livin’ with

Great Golf, Soulful Sounds and Gourmet Delights

By Tom Peters

It came as no great surprise to me that the golf and the weather in mid-October would be very good, the blues music would be a big hit and when you threw in some Southern barbeque it kind of rounded out my great expectations of Mississippi.

It was a travel itinerary built around five golf courses, more in the northern part of the state and the Mississippi Delta region: Cherokee Valley in Olive Branch; North Creek Golf Club in Southaven;The Ole Miss Golf Club in Oxford; River Bend Links and Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club, both in Tunica.

Red’s Juke Joint

Tunica National Golf Club

Interspersed with the golf was a minieducation in the history of the blues and a brief glimpse of where literary giant and Nobel Prize winning author,William Faulkner lived.

This is the ‘Magnolia State,’ the land of cotton and where the soulful sounds of blues music originated. Mississippi oozes a personality of ‘easy livin’ where hush puppies are round balls of deep fried cornmeal batter and not quiet dogs; where grits, a dish of boiled cornmeal, are a food staple; where blackened catfish is a gourmet’s delight and where every Mississippian has his or her own secret recipe for barbeque sauce.

The folks in this southern state are proud of the fact blues music is so ingrained in their history and culture and they love to show it off. So sandwiched between visits to golf courses were side trips to places where blues music got its start and to touch on its history in places such as the Blues Archive and Living Blues publication office at the University of Mississippi or Ole Miss, as the local folks call it; to Dockery Farm, just east of Cleve-

FEATURE STORY

land, where African Americans came to cultivate cotton and in doing so also cultivated a musical culture that became the blues; to Ground Zero, a local bar in Clarksdale with its colorful proprietor, Red and his bar or juke joint, known for the many blues performers who stop by this iconic watering hole; and to Tunica’s Gateway to the Blues Museum on Highway 61, referred to as the Blues Highway. Aside from the blues stops there was a visit to the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, where all Grammy winners and great artists of Mississippi are highlighted and memorabilia abounds.

On the literary side, there was a peak at the home of Nobel prize winning author William Faulkner in the university town of Oxford.The famous writer had purchased the property in 1930 and named it Rowan Oak. Faulkner also won a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award.

The home, nestled on a large, park-like, property is a definite trip through time.

As interesting and enjoyable as the side trips were, the golf certainly grabbed my attention. Cherokee Valley in Olive Branch (www.olivebranchgolf.com), opened in 1996 and was designed by Don Cottle Jr. There is a lot character in this course with

59

each hole named in the Cherokee (Native American tribe) language.

The Par 72 layout, approximately 15 minutes from Memphis International Airport, where visitors flying into northern Mississippi arrive, played 6,761 yards from the tips. It was a very playable course with a good variety of holes.There were ponds to deal with and the water came even more into play on the back nine.

North Creek Golf Course, in Southaven, again only a short distance from the Memphis airport, is not a long course at

North Creek Golf Course

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

Ole Miss Golf Course

6,433 from the tips but what it may lack As you might expect on a university in distance for the big hitters it more than team course, the greens were large, slick makes up for in the strategy required to and lots of breaks. Also, as one might play this course well. expect, great practice facilities (www.

Designed by Tracy May and opened in theolemissgolfcourse.com).

1998, North Creek has a links flavor and In Tunica, which has six gambling lots of water.You definitely have to pick casinos in the area making it a destination your targets on every shot.The greens, region if you like to play both the slots and which were in great condition, were quick golf, offered River Bend Links and Tunica with lots of break. Pick your line and National Golf and Tennis Club, which were stroke with soft hands on the putter (www. both treats to play. wwncgolf.com).

River Bend, built in 1998 on a former The Ole Miss Course in Oxford, is cotton field and designed by Clyde B. owned by the University of Mississippi and Johnson, was very much a links-style is home to the school’s golf team. course - wide open, flat terrain sprinkled Opened in 1973 and designed by with a generous amount of mounding.The former PGA great, Cary Middlecoff, the greens were on the small side but putted Ole Miss course, being in the hill region very true. of the state, is full of elevation changes and tree-lined fairways.

It has a parkland feeling and lots of length playing just over 7,000 yards from the back tees.You can also play this course from 4,849 yards with other distances in between. However, hole yardages can be a bit deceiving because with a lot of uphill and downhill terrain, the holes could actually River Bend Links play longer or shorter.

FEATURE STORY

The the course played nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees but, like all the other courses, there were multiple tee decks to pick a yardage that suits an individual’s game.

The course was in excellent condition and the layout had no tricks, everything was in front of you.(www.riverbendlinks. com).

Tunica National was a trip highlight. Groomed to perfection, this Mark McCumber design was an absolute delight. Every hole had six tee areas so lots of choice on picking yardages.

The back tees played at 7,204 yards so long hitters had plenty of room to bang away on this relatively flat design.

There is lots of water lining fairways so there was a premium on shot placement.

In addition to the course,Tunica National, a public facility opened in 2004, has a six-hole, Par 3 practice course, a very large clubhouse, a driving range, golf academy and four indoor clay tennis courts.

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Tunica National Golf Club

(www.tunicanational.com) It is important to note that golf rates at any of these five courses were extremely affordable ranging from approximately $33 (US) to the highest,Tunica National, at $65 (US) on weekends and holidays.These were the high rates so playing at various times of the day or various days of the week could be at lower rates. So you could save yourself a few bucks on green fees and roll the dice in the casino or treat yourself to the three Bs - blues, booze and some savory southern barbeque.Yum!

CherokeeValley Golf Club

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

To Be There or Not To Be There

Takeaways and TopPicks from the PGA SHOW

By Matt Saternus Co-Founder, Editor In Chief at PluggedInGolf.com

After a whirlwind 48 hours in Orlando, I’m back in Chicago at my computer to let you know what went down at the golf industry’s biggest gathering. I’ll start with a few trends and industry notes, and then I’ll give you a list of my eight most exciting products of 2020.

Opting Out of the Show One of the biggest trends was brands opting out of the show. TaylorMade had no presence at all and several other brands chose to do events away from the convention center rather than having a booth or a room. Also, I know a number of smaller brands that chose to roam the floor and show their product on the DL. As someone who loves going to the show, this free rider problem worries me.

At some point, so many companies may opt out that there is no show. I’m hopeful that steps can be taken to make the cost of presenting more reasonable and thus encourage everyone to get on the floor.

Big OEMs Subdued On a similar note, the big OEMs that did attend were a bit more subdued than in the past. Callaway had a really good

booth full of excellent product, but there wasn’t a three-story driver in it. Cobra-

Puma had a stylish booth, but the loud music and manic energy were absent.

As someone who might very well have “subdued” etched on his tombstone, I’m certainly not throwing shade, just noting a trend. I’d be curious to know if this was an attempt to keep costs down or if, as Elder Millenials like me approach 40, brands are just marketing differently.

Bridgestone’s New Tour B Steals the Show If there was one major winner at the show, it was Bridgestone. Everyone was talking about the new Tour B golf ball.

That might have a little something to do with the fact that it’s Tiger Woods’s ball of choice and he’s said to have played a major role in developing it.

What got less notoriety, but is equally intriguing to me, is Bridgestone’s new VFit system. The leader in golf ball fitting has taken their knowledge and

FEATURE STORY

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out of recycled materials. Two of my favorites are the Sun Mountain Eco-Lite and the TRUE Linkswear EcoKnit, both made from recycled plastic bottles.

combined it with your smartphone to bring ball fitting to every golfer. We’ll be bringing you much more on this in the coming weeks.

Sustainability Grows The green movement in golf seems to finally be getting its legs. We saw a lot of really positive signs of smart, environmentally conscious changes happening at the show.

One of the leaders in sustainability is Evolve Golf. We’re going to have them on the podcast soon to discuss all their work in depth, but I wanted to highlight how impressed I was with them. This is a company that’s extremely thoughtful about the products they’re putting out and their affect on the planet.

Additionally, we saw everything from golf bags to shoes to apparel being made

New Shoes It didn’t feel like the shoe category had a singular, massively hyped product, but Meeker and I saw a ton of great new options for 2020. TRUE Linkswear is releasing more shoes in 2020 than they ever have, and each one looks amazing. FootJoy has redesigned their industry-leading ProSL, and the results are very exciting. Adidas and Puma each have a signature shoe for 2020 that will get their fans excited.

And we can’t forget Skechers, a company that continues to gobble up market share by making shoes that are just plain comfortable.

CBD Everywhere I lost count of how many companies were selling CBD oils and gums. If you combine them with the number of booths selling Theragun knockoffs, I think you’d have an entire show onto itself.

Most Exciting New Products This list is scientifically based on my opinion and listed in no particular order.

Also, there are at least two items I saw that would be at the very top of the list if they weren’t under embargo. #teaser TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

FlightScope Mevo+ This was single most asked-about product on our social media channels.

It’s going to cost $2,000 which makes it a direct competitor to SkyTrak. I watched a couple demos, and it looks like it’s going to spit out every number you could ever want. If it’s accurate and easy to use, this device could be a game changer.

TRUE Linkswear Eco Knit I could have picked any of the new TRUE offerings, but I’ll stick with the one you can get the soonest. The Eco Knit is dropping in February, will be the first TRUE to retail for under $100, and it’s made out of recycled water bottles.

And it’s a TRUE, so I don’t need to tell you that it’s insanely light and comfortable and will render all your other shoes obsolete.

Full review coming soon.

Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch Though I doubt I’ll ever fully quit my laser rangefinders, I’ve come to love the speed of playing with a golf GPS watch.

This new watch from Garmin replaces the current best-seller, and it is loaded with features.

Loaded. Really loaded. As in, my review may have to be written in multiple parts to cover them all.

I’m eager to see if that makes for a better on-course experience or if it’s just more for the sake of more.

Bushnell Wingman Speaker Audio GPS has been around for years in the form of little hat or belt clips.

Bushnell is taking a new approach with the Wingman, a full sized music speaker that will also pair with the Bushnell app to deliver distances on the course. If this works as promised, it should be awesome.

Bridgestone Tour B Golf Balls I love a specific performance promise, and Bridgestone has delivered that with the Tour B golf balls. Across the four models and across all types of golfers, they’re claiming +1.5 MPH ball speed

FEATURE STORY

off the driver and +350 RPM of spin in the short game. I can’t wait to get some to see if that’s true, because there is nothing I want more than more ball speed.

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went in. I’m hopeful that this product makes it to market this spring so I can give them a full test.

MNML Golf Bag I’m not sure if it’s fair to call a bag minimal when it’s loaded with a solar panel, phone charger, and speaker, but we can call it cool. This slim walking bag is packed with smart design, and they’re already selling well purely on Instagrambuilt buzz.

Golf Pride MCC Teams Fun fact: if Golf Pride made MCC its own brand, it would be one of the biggest grip companies in existence. And that’s only going to get bigger thanks to MCC Teams. With 13 new colorways, you can get the perfect combination to support your Florida Gators, FSU Seminoles, Iowa State Cyclones, Purdue Boilermakers, Boston Celtics…you get the picture.

SensuSports SensuGlasses This is my one wildcard pick for this year. These sunglasses black out your vision at impact to make you more in tunes with your other senses. I hit a few putts with them, and I loved how they kept me from jerking my head up to see if the ball TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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COURSES

Public Course

GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

MAP #17

RATES Monday-Thursday $33 Seniors (65+) M-Th $28 Friday-Sunday and $39 Holidays Seniors (62+) Wknd $36 (Green Fee, Cart & Tax Included)

9-Hole Par 3 Course -Walking- $10

COURSE FACTS

Number of Holes: 18 Architect: Joe Finger; Mike Nuzzo

COURSE AMENITIES • Snack Bar • Driving Range • Family Pitch & Putt Course • New 13,000 sq. ft. Putting Green • Fully Stocked Pro Shop • Online Specials

Texas City

Bayou Golf Club A Little Piece of Heaven Near Houston Golfers can now experience the newly renovated Bayou Golf Course in Texas City. It features a new 13,000 sq. foot putting green and just recently opened the new 9-Hole Par 3 Course for walking, a great way to spend quality time with friends and family. The golf course redesign architect, Mike Nuzzo, increased the average size per green to 5,000 sq. ft., rebuilt sand traps and added new tee complexes. The 200-acre site on the bank of Moses Bayou boasts a championship layout with elevated greens and tee boxes. Amidst the blue skies and palm trees, with a tropic-like climate, Bayou Golf Course offers golfers year round play. Only 15 miles from Galveston, the convenient location, and spacious clubhouse makes Bayou Golf Course an ideal choice to host your next golf tournament.

To Book a Tournament call 409-739-9622 Golf Gift Certificates are now available

Azalea Course at Lakewood Club

GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

DIRECTORY

COURSE TYPE

LOCATON

PHONE

COURSE

Alvin Golf & CC

PUB

Alvin

281-331-4541

Memorial Park GC

M

Houston

866-256-6688

Augusta Pines

SP

Spring

832-381-1000

Moody Gardens GC

PUB

Galveston

409-683-4653

Babe Zaharias GC

PUB

Port Arthur

409-796-1327

Newport GC & Conf.Ctr

PUB

Crosby

281-328-3576

Bay Forest GC

PUB

La Porte

281-471-4653

North Shore CC

Semi Portland

361-643-6057

Bayou Din GC

PUB

Beaumont

409-796-1327

Oakhurst GC

PUB

Porter

281-354-4653

M

Texas City

409-739-9622

Pasadena Municipal GC M

Houston

281-481-0834

Beacon Lakes GC

PUB

League City

281-337-1459

Pearland Golf Club

PUB

Pearland

713-773-9603

Bellville GC

PUB

Bellville

979-865-9058

Pecan Lakes GC

PUB

Navasota

936-870-3889

Brenham CC

SP

Brenham

979-836-1733

Quail Valley GC

M

Missouri City

281-403-5910

Briarcrest Golf Course

SP

Bryan

979-776-1490

Raven Nest GC

PUB

Huntsville

936-438-8588

Cape Royale GC

PUB

Coldspring

936-653-2388

Rayburn Country

R

Brookeland

409-698-2444

M

Anahuac

409-267-8235

Red Wolf GC

PUB

Huffman

281-324-1841

PUB

Houston

713-738-8000

River Point GC

PUB

Richmond

281-343-9995

Columbus GC

M

Columbus

979-732-5575

River Terrace GC

PUB

Channelview

281-452-2183

Country Club of Texas

SP

Beaumont

409-840-9440

Sharpstown GC

M

Cypress Lakes

PUB

Cypress

281-304-8515

Sienna Plantation

Cypresswood GC

PUB

Spring

281-821-6300

Eagle Pointe GC

PUB

Mont Belvieu

281-385-6666

Freeport

Bayou GC

Chambers County GC Clear Creek GC

Freeport GC

M

TYPE LOCATON

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PHONE

Houston

713-988-2099

PUB

Missouri City

281-778-GOLF

Southwyck GC

PUB

Pearland

713-436-9999

Swanson Golf Center

Pub

Houston

281-440-1308

979-233-8311

Texaco GC

PUB

Houston

713-453-7501 979-845-1723

Gleannloch Pines

PUB

Spring

281-225-1200

The Course at Texas A&M PUB

College Station

Greatwood GC

PUB

Deer Park

Sugar Land

281-343-9999

The Battleground at Deer Park PUB

M

Houston

713-928-4260

The Golf Club of Houston PUB/PV Humble

Henry Homberg GC

M

Beaumont

409-842-3220

The Village GC

PUB

Panorama Village

936-856-5531

Hermann Park GC

PUB

Houston

713-526-0077

The Wilderness

PUB

Lake Jackson

979-297-4653

Heron Lakes GC

PUB

Gus Wortham GC

281-478-4653 281-459-7800

Houston

281-807-0207

Timber Creek GC

PUB

Friendswood

281-993-1140

High Meadow Ranch GC PUB

Magnolia

281-356-7700

Tour 18 Houston

PUB

Humble

281-540-1818

Houston National GC

PUB

Houston

281-304-1400

Waller CC

PUB

Waller

936-931-3335

Idylwild GC

PUB

Sour Lake

409-753-2521

Wedgewood GC

PUB

Conroe

936-441-4653

Country Club of Texas East SP

Beaumont

409-866-9191

West Brazos Golf Center PUB

Brazoria

979-798-4653

Jersey Meadow GC

M

Jersey Village

713-896-0900

West Fork Golf and CC

Conroe

936-760-1776

Kingwood Cove GC

PUB

Kingwood

281-358-1155

Westwood Shores GC PUB

Trinity

936-594-3805

La Torretta

PUB

R

Montgomery

936-448-3022

Wildcat GC

PUB

Houston

713-413-3400

Legendary Oaks GC

PUB

Hempstead

979-826-4001

WindRose GC

PUB

Spring

281-370-8900

Longwood GC

PUB

Cypress

281-373-4100

PUB-Public, M-Municipal, SP-Semi-Private, R-Resort, PV-Private

Melrose GC

PUB

Houston

281-847-1214

Find it all in the Texas Golf Insider

Golf

Dining

Accommodations

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

109

New Ulm

Industry

109

25 25 25

1458

28

29

Magnolia

53

Montgomery

29

66

3

38 38

53

Pasadena

41

Deer Park

38

17

2

17

5 5

5

5 Mont Belvieu

2

88

70

72

6496/71.7/117

• • • • • 68

Cypresswood Golf Club 38 21602 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX 77373

(281) 821-6300 P 36

72

6908/73.0/134 • • • • • 33

Eagle Pointe Golf Club & Recreation Complex (281)385-6666 P 18 5 12440 Eagle Pointe Dr., Mont Belvieu, TX 77580

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7077/72.2/128 • • • • • 16

Type: M=Municipal, PR=Private, P=Public, SP= Semi-Private.

Type Hole

Bayou Golf Course (409) 739-9622 M 18 17 2800 Dudley Dr., Texas City, TX 77590

Map Number

Practice Fac. Restaurant Banquet Fac. Pro Shop Instructions Ad on Page

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Yardage /Rating /Slope

COURSES

Par

GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

www.bayougc.com

www.cypresswood.com

www.eaglepointeonline.com

68

ACCOMMODATIONS/DINING | SHOPPING/SERVICES | ACADEMY/INSTRUCTION

ACCOMODATIONS / DINING Bayou Golf Course | Map #17 | Ad Pg 68

Fire of Ring Brew & Que 2800 Dudley Dr., Texas City, TX 77590 www.bayougc.com | 409-739-9622 | 409-643-5852

The Pointe Grille | Map #5 | Ad Pg 16

12450 Eagle Pointe Dr., Mont Belvieu, TX 77523 www.eaglepointeonline.com | 281-385-6668

SHOPPING / SERVICES Edwin Watts | Map # 3 | Ad Page 3 5395 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77056 www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 713-627-2411 EpoxyMaster | Ad Page 71 www.epoxymaster.com | 888-376-9954 ESPN ‘Texas Golf Insider’ | Ad Page 22 1250 AM | Saturdays 8-9 am | www.espnsa.com

The Art of Golf Travel Services

TRIPS INCLUDE: Premium Golf Riding/Walking with Caddies On-Site Transportation Hotel and Food Final Evening Celebration Dinner Course History and Stories Plus Trip Surprises!

About Art

Go With Someone Who Has Been There ...

ART STRICKLIN! Art's connections in the golf world will make your trip not only fun but will put you on a course you may never be able to play on your own!

GOLF ACADEMY/INSTRUCTION Eagle Pointe Player Development | Map # 5 | Ad Pg 16 Jeff Strong, PGA www.eaglepointeonline.com | 281-385-6666

Play Better Golf | Map # 38 | Ad Pg 33

21602 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX | 281-821-6300

STPGA Junior Golf | www.stpgajuniorgolf.com |Ad Pg 36 UIW-Professional Golf Mangement Program | Ad Pg 66 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX | email: graybeal@uiwtx.edu | 210-805-5839

Call: 972-989-2310 or Email: art@theartofgolftravel.com

For more information go to:

www.theartofgolftravel.com

72

FEATURE STORY

Golf For Beginners

By Brian Marini, Director of Instruction, Plum Creek Golf Course

Before I begin I would like to give you a little background on me.

I have been playing golf since I was about 10 years old. That is 33 years I have been playing and constantly learnBrian Marini ing about every Director of Better Golf Plum Creek Golf Course aspect of this game and what it not only means to people but what it teaches us too.

I played golf all through high school and then for two years at a junior college.

I was always competitive but it was always fun for me and I didn’t take it seriously until my second year in college. My second place finish in our national tournament opened my eyes to how good I could be, especially since I didn’t practice much compared to my competitors. After college I worked at golf courses and spent my time and money playing in golf tournaments and I turned professional in 1998.

This doesn’t mean I started making tons of money, it meant that I could collect when I did place high enough. I still had a full time job. After some time at Barton Creek in Austin I found a little

FEATURE STORY

sponsor money and took my game on the road. I won a couple of small events and made some money but two years later after I was playing through some injuries I ran completely out of money. I had to find a job.

This is when I landed at Plum Creek, which is where I still work and teach. I have been teaching this game for 15 years now and I have taught all skill levels of golfers. What I know and what I have learned in all of my experiences can’t be learned in a book or taught by someone else.

My expertise comes from experience, the experience you get from spending thousands of hours on a driving range trying to find the right way to hit a golf ball. The knowledge I have comes from taking all of that practice to the course in tournaments and learning what works consistently and what doesn’t. That word right there, consistency, this is what we all are searching for. This is the most common request that I get, “I want to be more consistent”.

This is what I am going to teach you, how to be more consistent when you strike the ball. You will find that golf is much easier than you ever thought it could be. We think of a golf swing as a complicated move for the body to make but it can actually be very simple and you can train yourself by doing a couple simple things. I have taught hundreds, if not over a thousand, true beginners, people who have never swung a club or even set foot on a golf course in their lives. I have seen how rewarding it can be to learn this game and make strides in improvement.

There is nothing like watching someone break 100, or 90 for the first time. The sense of achievement and excitement they feel is amazing! Enough about me and what I can teach you, it is time to open your eyes to how easy it can be to hit a golf ball solid and straight!

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Step 1. Grip

The grip is the most important aspect of your swing, it has to be, and your grip is the only thing that connects you to the club. It is very hard to describe a good grip but I will give you my best interpretation. Start with your top hand, this is your left hand for right handed golfers and right hand for left handed golfers. Put the grip at the top of your fingers and wrap them around it, then wrap your hand over the grip. Your thumb should sit in the 2:00 position, straight down is 12:00. The “V” that you generate between your thumb and your hand should be pointed at your right shoulder (opposite shoulder for lefties).

Next, put your bottom hand on, you should hold the club in your fingers. The bottom hand should never be tight and it should never have the ability to fully control the club, this is the most common mistake for beginner golfers. We always try to use our dominant hand, this is only a hindrance. The “V” in your TheTexasGolfInsider.com

74

FEATURE STORY

bottom hand should also point at the same shoulder and the thumb on your top hand should fit in the crease of the bottom hand below your thumb muscle.

Always keep your hands close together while holding the club, if you want you can interlock the index finger on your top hand and the pinky finger on your bottom hand. This allows your hands to work together better. For folks with larger hands you can simply overlap the index finger over the pinky finger. Now you have a good grip, if it is uncomfortable that is probably good. A good golf grip takes time to get used to and it is not very natural, this is why I teach a good grip to almost all of my students. The grip is overlooked way too often, it needs to be in the right place and it needs to be there consistently!

Step 2. Swinging without excess movement The first thing I have beginners do is swing the club with their feet together.

This is something I actually do with all levels of golfers, it both teaches us the proper way to move and exposes flaws for me to see. Now I don’t mean to narrow your stance, I mean I want your feet touching! This eliminates any excess movement both back and through. It is too often I see and hear about “proper weight transfer”.

Weight transfer is over rated and makes the game harder. When I see a player with all of their weight on their back foot at the top of the swing, they have no chance! Power in a golf swing comes through rotation, not lateral movement.

FEATURE STORY

Step 3. Relaxing your arms and hands

The last thing you need to do in a golf swing after the grip and putting your feet together is RELAX! Relax your hands and arms as you turn your body back and through. Your body will want to move properly with your feet together so allow it to. Do not fight the things that will happen to you. When you relax you will allow the club to swing around your body in the correct manner and the club will rotate around your body properly. Don’t fight the clubface wanting to open up and rotate around your body, this is supposed to happen. I like to tell people to swing with the strength of a 5 year old. The more we try to manipulate the club and make it hit the ball the harder it becomes. One thing about hitting a golf ball, it is easy until we start

75

trying too hard. Relax and let it happen and it will, this I promise you!

There you go, come out to the golf course and give it a try. If you don’t have clubs, who cares, I can almost guarantee you if you ask for range balls and a 7 iron to borrow you won’t be turned away at any public course. Do these things you have learned and you will be off to the races. Golf is a ridiculously fun game and you will enjoy the heck out of it. It is crazy how much fun it is to hit a golf ball and watch it fly through the air. Thanks for reading and GOOD LUCK! Brian teaches both private and group lessons, you can call him at 512-262-5555 or email Brianm@foresightgolf.net

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

The Southern Texas PGA Honored 2019 Award Winners at the 52nd Annual President’s Dinner & Awards Ceremony The Southern Texas PGA honored 27 individuals and their contributions to the game of golf at its 52nd Annual President’s Dinner and Award Ceremony on February 10th, 2020, at The Woodlands Country Club.

The evening began by recognizing the Section’s 10 Chapter Award winners who had previously spoken at their respective Chapter Meetings which took place in December of 2019.

The bulk of the evening was an exciting combination of winner Q&A panels, highlight videos, and individual speeches, all led by Master of Ceremony Paul Earnest, PGA General Manager of The Woodlands Country Club – Palmer Course.

Highlight videos were made for the 4 Major Award winners. Recipients of the Horton Smith Award, Bill Strausbaugh Award, Harvey Penick Teach of the Year, and Golf Professional of the Year were recognized with videos showcasing the

important impact each of them has made on the Section throughout their careers.

The biggest award of the evening, Golf Professional of the Year was presented to Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA. Ballinger is currently the Director of the PGA Golf Management Program at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville,Texas.The sentiment in Ballinger’s highlight video

Dr.Rich Ballinger,PGA - Golf Professional of theYear

was consistent across all who spoke: Dr. Ballinger is a man with a great passion for the PGA Professional and is the perfect example of “practice what you preach”.

Player of the year panel. Left to right: Paul Earnest, Ben Willman, Stephen Mondshine,Tim Hobby

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Media Award. Left to right: Paul Earnest, Jason Alexander, Cale Reneau(Producer of “The Pros Show”)

Dr. Ballinger is the model PGA Professional, and although he is not a typical green grass golf Professional, Ballinger focuses on mentoring and raising the next generation of PGA Professionals. As he works to educate his students, Ballinger has challenged himself to continue his own education and increase his involvement with the PGA both at a Section and National level. Ballinger has completed his MBA and Doctorate in Education as well as achieved PGA Master Professional status. He has stayed involved with the PGA by assisting with the development of the PGA 2.0 and 3.0 education programs, running dozens of Section education programs, sitting as the Section’s Member Services Chair, serving on the PGA National Education Committee, and mentoring others looking to pursue the PGA Master Professional status.

Ballinger took his opportunity to speak on stage to share the honor with his mentors, family, co-workers, and students. He spoke on the importance of building relationships and getting involved with the PGA at both the Section and National level and expressed his gratitude for receiving the award as a non-traditional PGA Professional.

The second Major Award honored 2019 Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year, Alan Hodde, PGA Director of

Instruction and Club Fitting at Axis Golf Academy. Hodde’s contributions to the game of golf have included coaching PGA and LPGA TOUR players including Katie Futcher, Christel Boeljon, Craig Kanada, Jhonattan Vegas, and Bobby Gates.

Unfortunately, Hodde was ill with the flu, so Lead Instructor at Axis Golf Academy, EJ Kim, PGA accepted the award on Hodde’s behalf. Kim shared a speech on stage that Hodde had written prior to the evening.

The Bill Strausbaugh Award was the third Major Award of the evening.

Recipient Chad Donegan, PGA Director of Golf at Landa Park Golf Course is an active Section Member who is always willing to volunteer his time and service to the Section and his fellow Section Members. Chad spoke about his dedication to the Section, his facility, and his fellow PGA Members at the event.

Chad Donegan,PGA – Bill Strausbaugh Award

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

The last Major Award of the evening, the Horton Smith Award, was presented to Cary Collins, PGA General Manager at Oak Hills Country Club. Collins has made significant contributions to PGA Education and the Rules of Golf as he has served as the Education Chairman for the Section and a National Rules Committee member. After his highlight video was played, Collins shared the importance golf has had on him and his family throughout his life.

Dale Morgan,PGA Dick Forester Quarter CenturyAward

Dick Forester Quarter Century Award honoring Dale Morgan, PGA Head Professional at Austin Country Club for his non-stop commitment to the Section over the past 25 years; the Patriot Award honoring Marine Corps Veteran David Ramirez, PGA

Cary Collins,PGA – Horton Smith Award

The evening also featured three Q&A panels. The first panel was comprised of the three Players of the Year, the second made up of the two Junior Golfers of the Year, and the final panel featured the three Merchandisers of the Year.

Other awards presented throughout the evening included the Media Award honoring Jason Alexander, PGA Head Professional at Carlton Woods and the unique work he has done with his online series “The Pros Show”;The

Jason Alexander,PGA – Media Award

David Ramirez,PGA – Patriot Award

Teaching Professional at NorthShore Country Club and his involvement with PGA HOPE and our Veterans; and The Youth Player Development and

Jim Nittoli,PGA –Youth Player Development Award

FEATURE STORY

Derek Hooper,PGA – Player Development Award

Player Development Awards given to Jim Nittoli, PGA Director of Golf at San Antonio Country Club and Derek Hooper, PGA Director of Instruction at Royal Oaks Country Club respectively.

The Cleveland-Srixon-XXIO Assistant Professional of the Year award was presented with excitement as it was announced that recipient Ryan Briggs, PGA Assistant Professional at

Ryan Briggs,PGA – Assistant Professional of theYear

Whispering Pines Golf Club had recently accepted his first Head Professional position with Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas.

It is this kind of eagerness for growth that the Section looks for when awarding the Assistant Professional Award each year.

A non-PGA Member is also honored each year as the Section recognizes an important patron with The Special Service Award. The 2019 winner, Brad Widener, has helped revive the Texas Senior Open with his company Lone Star NGL’s title sponsorship and is also an active supporter of the STPGA Schol-

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Junior Golfers of theYear: Ty Roberts &Valerie Routzong

arship Program. STPGA Member Jeff Strong, PGA General Manager at Eagle Pointe Golf Club accepted the award on Widener’s behalf.

The 2019 Sales Representative of the Year award was presented with a heavy heart. In 2019, Southern Texas lost one of its best with the passing of Cobra-Puma representative Brett Dolat.

Dolat had over 20 years of experience in the golf industry and fostered relationships with his clients at an unparalleled level. Brett’s wife Charlotte Dolat along with their daughter accepted the award on Brett’s behalf.

Overall the 52nd Annual STPGA President’s Dinner and Award Ceremony was a night to remember, honoring an outstanding group of individuals who are supporting the Section’s mission of growing the game of golf day in and day out.

Charlotte Dolat along with her daughter accept the Sales Representative of theYear Award on behalf of the late Brett Dolat

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

Merchandisers of theYear: University of Texas Golf Club (Private), Blackhorse Golf Club (Public),TPC San Antonio (Resort)

2019 SouthernTexas PGA SectionAwards Golf Professional of theYear Rich Ballinger (Sam Houston State University) Harvey Penick Teacher of theYear Alan Hodde (Axis Golf Academy) Bill Strausbaugh Award Chad Donegan (Landa Park Golf Course) Horton Smith Award Cary Collins (Oak Hills Country Club) Dick Forester Quarter Century Award Dale Morgan (Austin Country Club) Special Service Award Brad Widener (Lonestar NGL) Assistant Professional of theYear Ryan Briggs (Whispering Pines Golf Club) Player Development Award Derek Hooper (Royal Oaks Country Club) Youth Player Development Award Jim Nittoli (San Antonio Country Club)

BenWillman,PGA – Omega Player of theYear

Merchandiser of theYear (Private) University of Texas Golf Club (Austin) Merchandiser of theYear (Public/Semi) Blackhorse Golf Club (Cypress) Merchandiser of theYear (Resort) TPC San Antonio (San Antonio) Patriot Award David L. Ramirez (NorthShore Country Club) Golf Sales Representative of theYear Brett Dolat (Cobra-Puma) Media Award Jason Alexander (The Club at CarltonWoods) Junior Golfer of theYear (Boy) Ty Roberts (Schertz) Junior Golfer of theYear (Girl) Valerie Routzong (Richmond) Amateur of theYear Parker Louis Holekamp (Kingwood) Omega Player of theYear Ben Willman (Axis Golf Academy) Omega Senior Player of theYear Tim Hobby (The Club at Sonterra) STPGA Senior Series Player of theYear Stephen Mondshine (Sugar Land)

FEATURE STORY

Tim Hobby,PGA Omega Senior Division Player of theYear

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Stephen Mondshine STPGA Senior Series Player of theYear

2019 SouthernTexas PGA ChapterAwards Golf Professional of theYear Eastern Chapter Rich Ballinger (Sam Houston State University) Western Chapter Dale Morgan (Austin Country Club) Harvey Penick Teacher of theYear Eastern Chapter Jim Murphy (Sugar Creek Country Club) Western Chapter Bryan Gathright (Clubs of Cordillera Ranch) Youth Player Development Award Eastern Chapter Ben Willman (Axis Golf Academy) Western Chapter Jennifer MacCurrach (First Tee of Greater Austin) Southern Chapter Rodolfo Gonzalez (Laredo Country Club) Merchandiser of theYear Eastern Chapter The Club at Carlton Woods (The Woodlands) Western Chapter University of Texas Golf Club (Austin) Southern Chapter Laredo Country Club (Laredo)

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