Texas Golf Insider (Valeer)

Golf Insider TEXAS

Fall/Winter 2018

The Official Guide to Golf in Texas

A Masterpiece Golf Course Community

Inside: Lago Vista Golf Club

Back on Track and Getting Better Everyday

Kissing Tree in San Marcos

55 + Golf Course Community, Now Open!

Bayou Golf Club

A Little Piece of Heaven in Texas City

Watch our new Facebook Live Golf & Travel TV Show!

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950 Bonita St., Bayou Vista, Texas. Large home on double lot, with boat house and party deck. Palapas and extra living area down. Great home ready for move in.

ROAD TRIP No. 44

M�e golf �an you can shake a 9-iron at.

2414 Ave P, San Leon,Texas. This home sits up high and dry and includes this 300 ft. fishing pier. Water views from every room. Close to Houston and Galveston.

When it comes to championship golf, there’s no better destination than Alabama. Come play where the PGA TOUR professionals compete and see why Golf Digest editors picked two of Alabama’s golf resorts among their favorites. For starters there are the 468 holes along the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Stretching from the mountains in the north to the Gulf Coast in the south, America’s original golf trail opened 25 years ago and recently completed a massive renovation of its 26 courses. Then there are the many other impressive courses scattered across the state, designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate. Each with its own set of challenges, each with its own rewards. Plan an epic road trip to great golf courses across the state of Alabama.

4711 Ursuline, Galveston, Texas. This 1928 traditional home sits in mid town and is close to the beach, shopping, UTMB and more.

Original hardwood flooring and molding Download Alabama Road Trips from your app store

50159 2017 TX Golf Insider.indd 2

9/20/17 4:21 PM

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Contents 8

Cover Stories 6 WELCOME

HOW TO CONTACT US WITH GOLF NEWS AND STORIES

8 THE BAYOU GOLF CLUB A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN

GREATER HOUSTON & TEXAS COAST The Bayou Golf Club 20 VAALER CREEK GC AND ROCKIN’ J RANCH

T G I

16 GENERAL DIRECTORY 18 MAPS 19 ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY

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A WINNING COMBINATION

28 LAGO VISTA GOLF CLUB READY TO ROCK AND ROLL

34 FORESIGHT GOLF

MAKING THE GAME AFFORDABLE AND ENJOYABLE

DALLAS / FORT WORTH 52 TPC FOUR SEASONS

PURE TEXAS LUXURY 55 GENERAL DIRECTORY

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Vaaler Creek GC at RockinJ Ranch CENTRAL TEXAS MAP & DIRECTORIES 46 KISSING TREE GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 56 GENERAL DIRECTORY 58 MAP 59 ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY

Follow Us TEXAS

Golf Insider Kissing Tree GC Community TheTexasGolfInsider.com

The Official Guide to Golf in Texas

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 2019 Golf Outings Call 252-4653 ext. 2 for details.

Call About Our 2019 Group Specials

6

FROMTHE THE EDITOR EDITOR FROM

Letter From The Publisher Mike Ratchman - 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 Mark Harris DFW /Houston Regional Publisher Office: 512-296-4076 mark@thetexasgolfinsider.com Editor: Ava Ratchman Contributing Writers: Art Stricklin, Steve Habel Tom Bedell Contributing Photographers: Mark Lindsay, Steve Giles, Justin Becker, Connie Black Office Manager/Social Media: Marcede Pullen Production: Pat Gondert 3 ANNUAL EDITIONS Copyright ©2015 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.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

Greetings Golfers and welcome Snowbirds! If you are one of our traveling friends from the cold country’ you arrived just in time to enjoy the beautiful weather.With all the rain we’ve had, the golf courses are in terrific shape. I’m going to highlight a few you need to put on your list to play.

The Bayou Golf Course in Texas City was built for golfers to have fun. Located just north of Galveston you will experience the ocean winds, and water and palm trees that surround the course.The Bayou won’t beat you up but there are several knee knocker water shots going in and out of the wind that will make you think. A lot of you northern visitors are going to hit the coast, so make sure you ink in The Bayou to play a round before you make your way to the Bay. Vaaler Creek Golf Course at Rockin J Ranch in Blanco keeps getting better every year. If you do not put this course on your list to play this year you will be passing up one of the most unique golf experiences.You will have to drive through Rockin J Ranch Community to get there, and if you’re looking to make a move to the Hill Country or interested in a second home, stop and take the tour and you’ll get 2-free rounds of golf to play Vaaler Creek. It’s a win win!

“If hindsight is 20/20, imagine what you could do with Foresight”. A priceless saying from one of the most well-oiled owners and management groups in South Texas.You can just play golf, or enjoy a golf experience. Foresight offers the latter. Foresight gets it, offer a phenomenal product at an affordable price and they will come, and come back. I could name off the entire list of courses they own and manage, but it’s much easier to go through the pages inside. I say play them all, and they are worth the drive.

Lago Vista Golf Course is back on their feet again, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on their course and club house.The trip alone is a beautiful sight, so pack your clubs and take the drive.

Kissing Tree golf course community in San Marcos opened its course to the public October 1st.This place is really something special. It’s a golf experience you will brag to your friends about.

This is our last publication of the year, but get your golf news every Thursday night on our Facebook Live Golf & Travel TV Show from 7-8pm. Please like our page “The Texas Golf Insider”. Or listen in every Saturday morning from 8-9am on ESPNSA.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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Mark Harris

Regional Publisher for the Texas Golf Insider – Dallas-Ft Worth, with over 25 years experience in marketing and customer relations and over 40 years experience as a mediocre golfer with a passion for the game.

Steve Habel

A national correspondent for Cybergolf, 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.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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FEATURE STORY

Bayou Golf Course

offers a little bit of everything for every level of golfer

By Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Writer

There’s magic in the air and on the greens at Texas City’s iconic Bayou Golf Course, one of the Gulf Coast’s friendliest and most playable places for the grand game.

A big part of the appeal and longevity of quality play at the Bayou is in the folks that work there as well as the course itself, a 6,596-yard par-72 track that’s got a little bit of everything for every level of golfer.

The links-style course was originally designed by legendary Texan Joe Finger back in 1974, and was restored in 2014

by Houstonian Mike Nuzzo, who’s charge was to create consistency on the

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putting surfaces in order to increase hole placement options and open up those greens for the superintendent to be able to really challenge the golfer when he so desires.

“The city of Texas City understands that our course is an asset to the community and its citizens and spent nearly $870,000 several years ago to make sure it stays that way,” said Michael Skiba, the head professional and director of golf at Bayou Golf Course.

“When things are right with this course, we can get the greens rolling to 13 on the Stimpmeter and create as challenging a round of golf as you would ever want. But for the most part, Bayou Golf Course is a place where you can have fun playing golf with friends – and that, to me, is what golf is all about.”

Bayou Golf Course was carved out of 200 acres along Moses Bayou on its way to Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and is situated just a short 14 milesWhiskey outsideRanch of Galveston Still House

FEATURE STORY

but still in the county on the outskirts of Texas City.The routing has water on 12 of the holes and 18 sand bunkers scattered about to form a formidable team with its elevated tees and greens.

Winds off the bay constantly affect this open course, making it play longer than the yardage on the scorecard and more difficult than its 71.1 rating and 123 slope. From the tips, every par 5 plays at more than 500 yards and four of the par 4s are carded at over 400 yards.

With the renovation, the size of the putting surfaces – most notably on Bayou’s first eight holes – was increased to an average of 5,000-square feet.The greens were turfed with Mini-Verde Bermuda, chosen for its hardiness and overall quality.

A handful of sand bunkers were eliminated and all those remaining were reworked and reshaped for better drainage before new sand was added.

The renovation did not add any length to Finger’s original course, none was needed thanks to the winds, but it was returned to the playability level originally envisioned by Finger.

“We were not trying to make the course harder,” Nuzzo said. “We just wanted to create a consistent experience from hole to hole.”

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Bayou Golf Course’s scorecard features a great mix of holes, including the ending stretches to both the front and back-nines that help determine a successful round here.

After two relatively benign holes to start the round, the 414-yard par 4 third hits you like a cold slap in the face. It plays into the prevailing Easterly wind, with water all along the left on the approach and trees along the right aside the optimum landing area.The bayou also skirts behind the smalish and undulating putting surface at the backleft. Par here is like having a prayer answered.

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FEATURE STORY

The 414-yard par 4 No. 6 is tough because the drive must be short of the bayou some 225 yards off the tee and the approach askes for another windaffected long iron to another tiny green.

The postage stamp par 3 seventh – playing at just 134 yards from the back set of tees – was one of the holes most affected by the renovation. It’s followed by the 502-yard par 5 eighth, which can be reached in two under the correct execution from the golfer and the perfect wind conditions, and the 423-yard ninth, which is the longest two-shotter on the outward nine.

No. 10 involves a lake off the tee and on the approach and out of bounds on the left, but, as a 481-yard par 5, birdie

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or better is within the grasp of the daring and talented golfer.

The back-nine concludes with a demanding four-hole test.The 573yard par 5 15th is the longest hole at the Bayou that features a double dogleg, and is followed by the deadly and long 191-yard par 3 16th.

The 17th, at 457 yards, is a doglegleft with a stout carry across the turn to the fairway and the longest par 4 on the course.Trees also guard the left side, which if taken on well, can shorten the approach, but if not achieved can lead to bogey or worse.

Master that hole with its challenges and elevated green and you’ve really done something, pal.

FEATURE STORY

The round wraps up with a 393-yard par-4 that’s considered one of the best finishing holes in the area and features water along the left side and a deep bunker that guards the tournament hole placement back-left.

Bayou Golf Course also sports a 13,000-square foot putting green adjacent to the clubhouse. One of the best parts of the facility is its five-and-ahalf acre walking family pitch-and-putt course that helps grow the game by benefitting both the skilled golfer looking to hone his or her short-game skills (and who isn’t) as well as the beginners just learning about how great golf can be.

The course booked about 25,000 rounds last year and offers annual membership, with special pricing for seniors.The membership includes green fees, unlimited range balls, and pitch-and-putt fees.

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Some of the Bayou’s best features might be the area’s blue skies and the course’s radiant palm trees that seem to light up and highlight each hole along the links.

“I’ve worked at every level of golf course and truly love what we are able to do here, from the course itself, to the family pitch-and-putt, to our efforts with our First Tee program which helps our younger players and is run entirely by volunteers,” Skiba said.

For parts of five decades, this course has welcomed golfers of all skill types and has never been better; its still the best option for budget-conscious golfers or those looking to escape the intensity of other competitive courses.

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COURSES

Public Course

GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

MAP #17

RATES Monday-Thursday Seniors (65+) M-Th Friday-Sunday and Holidays Seniors (62+) Wknd

$33 $28 $39 $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

2800 Ted Dudley Drive Texas City, TX 77590

409-739-9622 bayougc.com

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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

Mont Belvieu, TX

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

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Twilight Twilight

Mon-Thur $45 $30* Friday $48 $40 Weekend $62 $40 Holiday $62 $40 *Twilight begins at 3 pm 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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DIRECTORY

COURSE

TYPE

GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST LOCATON

PHONE

COURSE

TYPE LOCATON

PHONE

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 281-481-0834

M

Texas City

409-739-9622

Pasadena Municipal GC M

Houston

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

Bayou GC

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

R

Coldspring

936-653-2388

Rayburn Country

Brookeland

409-698-2444

M

Anahuac

409-267-8235

Red Wolf GC

PUB

Huffman

281-324-1841

Clear Creek GC

PUB

Houston

713-738-8000

River Point GC

PUB

Richmond

281-343-9995

Columbia Lakes

PUB

West Columbia

979-345-PUTT

River Terrace GC

PUB

Channelview

281-452-2183

M

Columbus

979-732-5575

Sharpstown GC

M

Houston

713-988-2099

Country Club of Texas

SP

Beaumont

409-840-9440

Sienna Plantation

PUB

Missouri City

281-778-GOLF

Cypress Lakes

PUB

Cypress

281-304-8515

Southwyck GC

PUB

Pearland

713-436-9999

Cypresswood GC

PUB

Spring

281-821-6300

Stephen F. Austin GC

SP

San Felipe

979-627-9212

Eagle Pointe GC

PUB

Mont Belvieu

281-385-6666

Swanson Golf Center

Pub

Houston

281-440-1308

Freeport

979-233-8311

Texaco GC

PUB

Houston

713-453-7501

Chambers County GC

Columbus GC

Freeport GC

M

Gleannloch Pines

PUB

Spring

281-225-1200

The Course at Texas A&M PUB

College Station

979-845-1723

Greatwood GC

PUB

Sugar Land

281-343-9999

The Battleground at Deer Park PUB

Deer Park

281-478-4653

Gus Wortham GC

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

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

PUB

Conroe

936-760-1776

Kingwood Cove GC

PUB

936-594-3805

Kingwood

281-358-1155

Westwood Shores GC

PUB

Trinity

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

La Torretta

Find it all in the Texas Golf Insider

Golf

Dining

Accommodations

GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

RETAIL LOCATION GOLF RETAILERS

17

PHONE

Big O’s Golf

League City

281-557-3300

D & J Golf

Bryan

979-776-4653

Edwin Watts Golf

Houston

713-627-2411

Games People Play

Beaumont

409-866 -3883

Golf Etc.

Pearland

713-436-5001

Golf Galaxy

Houston

832-203-1518

Golf Galaxy

Houston

832-478-1365

Golf Galaxy

Sugar Land

281-491-1888

Golf Galaxy

The Woodlands

832-585-0505

Golf USA

Houston

281-392-4653

Golf Warehouse

Houston

281-443-2828

Golfsmith

Katy

281-398-4669

Golfsmith

Spring

281-292-2288

GolfSmith

Galleria Houston

713-993-9993

Golfsmith

Westheimer Houston

713-334-3334

Golfsmith

Woodlands

281-292-2288

Katy

281-741-6778

GolfTec

DIRECTORY

GolfTec

Houston-Upper Kirby

832-426-5650

GolfTec

Westheimer Houston

713-339-2470

GolfTec

Webster

281-557-0015

GolfTec

Galleria Houston

713-850-7555

Mulligan’s Golf

Houston

281-890-6026

Sport Shoppe

Houston

281-879-0929

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

109

New Ulm

Industry

109

1458

Magnolia

38

3

Pasadena

13 Deer Park

17

17

88

5 5

Mont Belvieu

5

18

Yardage /Rating /Slope

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

19

Par

COURSES

Type Hole

Map Number

GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

(409) 739-9622 M 18

72

6496/71.7/117

• • • • • 8

P 36

72

Eagle Pointe Golf Club & Recreation Complex (281)385-6666 P 18

71

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

Bayou Golf Course 17 2800 Dudley Dr., Texas City, TX 77590 www.bayougc.com

Cypresswood Golf Club

38 21602 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX 77373

(281) 821-6300

6908/73.0/134 • • • • • 39

www.cypresswood.com

5 12440 Eagle Pointe Dr., Mont Belvieu, TX 77580

7077/73.1

• • • • • 14

www.eaglepointeonline.com

Tradition Golf Course 38 21602 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX 77373

(281) 821-6300

P 36

72

7220/74.7/136 • • • • • 39

www.cypresswood.com

ACCOMMODATIONS/DINING | SHOPPING/SERVICES | ACADEMY/INSTRUCTION

ACCOMODATIONS / DINING Bayou Golf Course | Map #17 | Ad Pg 8

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

Magnolia | Map #13 | Ad Pg 66 1100 Texas Ave. | Houston, TX 77447 www.magnoliahotels.com | 713-221-0011 The Pointe Grille | Map #5 | Ad Pg 14

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

Bash in the Box Boutique style Party Supplies

www.bashinthebox.com

SHOPPING / SERVICES Edwin Watts | Map # 3 | Ad Page 3 5395 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77056 www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 713-627-2411 ESPN ‘Texas Golf Insider’ | Ad Page 51 1250 AM | Saturdays 8-9 am | www.espnsa.com Lee DeForke Jr., Real Estate Services | Map # 88 | Ad Pg 67 4310 Caduceus Pl., Galveston, TX 77550| www.leedeforkejr.com | 409-739-1299

GOLF ACADEMY/INSTRUCTION Eagle Pointe Player Development | Map # 5 | Ad Pg 14 Jeff Strong, PGA www.eaglepointeonline.com | 281-385-6666

UIW-Professional Golf Mangement Program | Ad Pg 44-45 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX | email: graybeal@uiwtx.edu | 210-805-5839

www.bashinthebox.com

20

COVER STORY

Rockin’ J Ranch and Vaaler Creek Golf Club are an unbeatable combo

By Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Writer

There’s no mistaking the appeal of Rockin’ J Ranch, a burgeoning private community five miles south of the berg of Blanco that 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 1,064-acre luxury neighborhood is the site of spectacular Hill Country homesites set amongst rolling fields of flowers and stands of oak and cedar trees. Here, less than an hour TheTexasGolfInsider.com

north of San Antonio and just a conversation furthers drive from Austin, is a development that stands apart from others in the area, surrounded by sprawling family ranches that provide a sense of one-ness with the land.

At its centerpiece is one of the region’s most enjoyable golf courses – Vaaler Creek Golf Club.

Let’s take a little closer look at Rockin’ J Ranch at Vaaler Creek GC.

COVER STORY

Roper’s vision turns into reality Colonel Lee Roper, an El Paso businessman and 24-year Army veteran, was entranced by the land that has become Rockin’ J Ranch and Vaaler Creek Golf Club from the minute he set eyes on the sprawling tract more than 15 years ago.

Roper has helped bring families to the Texas Hill Country via dozens of successful projects through his company, Rinco of Texas, a firm that has been

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ultimately responsible for developing more than 30 properties across the Hill Country.

“We’ve developed and sold more than 8,000 tracts of land over the past 30-plus years,” Roper said. “I don’t think anybody else has done that.”

One of the earmarks of Roper’s communities – including Rockin’ J Ranch – is its use of a centralized water and sewer system rather than the well water and septic fields used in the TheTexasGolfInsider.com

22

COVER STORY

majority of other Hill Country developments.That matters because water is a precious resource and so scarce in the region – even more so now than when Rockin’ J Ranch first came on line.

Roper’s ultimate vision for the future and Rockin’ J Ranch and Vaaler Creek Golf Club is a balance of the delicate Hill Country lifestyle with amenities that families desire for comfort and convenience.

The Colonel still offers in-house financing for his lots, still lives on the same ranch he originally developed, which is Rancho Del Lago and he still comes into the office every week.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

Vaaler Creek GC matures into a ‘destination’ golf course The original marketing push for Vaaler Creek Golf Club employed a Texas football legend – none other than former Dallas Cowboys’ Hall of Famer Bob Lilly – to turn drivers’ heads toward billboards across the state.

But now that the course is grown up and grown in, there’s really no need for such a Lone Star State celebrity to draw golfers – word of mouth and a bushelful of great reviews are enough to entice them to the property.

COVER STORY

Vaaler Creek GC is now a place for great golf and a solid option that integrates challenge and fun in an isolated setting. It was voted the nation’s No. 19 Best New Course for 2010-11 by Golf Digest, and the word is continuing to spread about its playability and excellent conditioning.

“We were lucky that our owners had a solid plan to bring along the course and its amenities bit by bit; it’s a strategy that allowed us to develop a following of golfers as we added to the things they would experience,” noted Adam Grosch,Vaaler Creek’s director of golf.

Opening the back nine in 2007, Vaaler Creek expanded to a full 18 two years later.The course was the first signature design by Michael Lowry, who fashioned a much-tougher-than-its-carded 6,874-yard, par-72 track among live oak and cactus.

Lowry routed the layout along the rolling, scrub brush-filled prairies and worked in all sorts of cool features: ponds, sand hazards of sundry sizes, elevated tee shots and wavy, treelined fairways.

Both nines offer far-reaching views of the famed surrounding region and the generous homesite setbacks mean that the houses near the course are

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mostly out of sight and unobtrusive, adding to the course’s isolated feel.

Given its length, golfers might think they can overpower Vaaler Creek, but finding success here is not that simple.The course has a rich variety of long and short holes, with shots involving strategically-placed bunkers and an occasional carry over water.

The course’s true last line of defense is its lightning-quick, mounded and sectioned putting surfaces, which can make even the most aggressive players timid and prone to secondguessing.

The 435-yard par-4 third is Vaaler Creek’s No. 1 handicap hole. It heads

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FEATURE STORY

downhill to a tapering landing area before rising to the green.The fourth, a dogleg-right, 587-yard par-5, is played across a narrow creek that enters play on the second-shot lay-up or for big hitters who take a go at its back-tofront-sloping green.

You’ll be tempted to swing for the pin at the 355-yard par-4 seventh, but beware of trees on the right of the green and a newly constructed pond in front. If you get a little momentum from No. 7, take a chance at glory on the 520-yard eighth, which can be shortened by cutting the dogleg; just don’t cut off too much.

No. 9, a 163-yard par-3, has a huge back-to-front tilted green that demands precision. Its back-left flag may be one of the course’s least

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accessible as a shot five yards too long will bounce off the green into a deep collection area that almost assures a bogey or worse.

The back-nine at Vaaler Creek is a bit more mature and not as severe as the newer outward half.

No. 10 is a manageable par-5 with a split fairway off the tee and a huge green protected left by one of the course’s biggest bunkers.The 195-yard 12th is Vaaler Creek’s longest oneshotter and involves a massive lake, especially when the hole is cut on the left side of the green.

It’s hard to find a better three-hole finish than at Vaaler Creek.The 515yard, par-5 16th races downhill past a pond along the right before ascending to a green guarded front-left by a cavernous bunker.The green slopes back toward you from the fairway and, if the pin is at the right-front, there’s a backstop that might redirect your shot toward the hole.

The par-4 17th rolls downhill and plays much shorter than its 425 yards.

The second is over a babbling stream to an undulating and elevated green lined laterally by trees.

Though the first 17 holes provide their share of thrills and chills, nothing prepares you for the 405-yard, par-4 closer.

Vaaler Creek Golf Club Escape to the Hill Country

228 Jeff Vaughn Blanco, TX 78606 www.vaalercreekgolfclub.com

For more information call 830-833-0706

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COVER STORY

The drive here is best played long and downhill along the left side, but too far to the starboard side brings a lake into play.The approach is all carry and downhill over the water hazard, finishing at a putting surface in the shadow of the golf shop.

Vaaler Creek has become a real favorite for Hill Country golfers and continually draws players from the region’s bigger cities.

Rockin’ J Ranch feels like home Due to the unique ability of the community’s push to help residents get away from it all while sacrificing nothing as far as amenities and

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conveniences, 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,” Col. Roper said. “Everyone wants a little piece of the heaven we have here, and we try to help them.”

The original ranch presence was preserved with a handful of 150-year old homes and landmarks being incorporated into the golf course clubhouse as well as the track’s design. All the street names in the community are named after Texas Rangers.

Outside of the golf course, Rockin’ J Ranch has enhanced its off-course amenities, first with condos for purchase or rental off the 10th tee, then with a gleaming pool, a nature park with hike and bike trails, ponds for fishing, and a pavilion near the community pool for after-golf dining, entertaining and special events.

Rockin’ J Ranch and Vaaler Creek Golf Club Community is indeed Texas Hill Country living at its finest.

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FEATURE STORY

Lago Vista Golf Course

Great Texas Golf in a neat and friendly package

By Steve Habel, Senior ContributingWriter

For five decades, the bedroom community of Lago Vista on the north shore of Lake Travis northwest of Austin has been a bit of a secret, separated by tall hills and a winding road from the urban sprawl of Central Texas that has enveloped other small towns in the region.

But Lago Vista is growing – a third stoplight in the city went online in August – and community leaders are being proactive about their municipality and its assets, with a keen eye toward the quality of life for residents and the desire to drive tourism, on a limited scale, to the town.

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Part of that plan is beginning to take shape at Lago Vista Golf Course, which is enjoying renewed interest from golfers in the region because of upgraded maintenance and conditioning and an attention to detail.

Under the direction of general manager Chris Godwin and his staff, Lago Vista Golf Course – long a hidden jewel that might have been lost in the shuffle of other area tracks – is spreading its wings. And that’s a good thing.

“We take a lot of pride in our golf course and the benefit it provides to our citizens and visitors,” Godwin said. “Our main focus is for our course to be an asset to the city of Lago Vista and to be a course that our members and golfers from the city and the surrounding areas enjoy playing.”

Lago Vista Golf Course sits peacefully on a peninsula of Lake Travis in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Its 18-hole layout provides both challenge and plenty of fun – all amid rolling topography with so-close-you-

FEATURE STORY

can-almost-reachout-and-touch-it views of the lake.

“We feel like this course has been one of Texas’ best kept secrets over the years,” Godwin said. “We’re committed to providing a golf experience for our members and guests that is casual, memorable, and most importantly, fun.”

Lago Vista Golf Course plays to a par of 72 and at 6,544 yards from its back set of four tee boxes, which carry a rating of 72.6 and a slope of 134, plenty testing for any level of golfer.

The course was designed by legendary Texan Leon Howard and originally opened as a nine-hole facility in 1971 to help promote lot sales in the young, unincorporated neighborhoods that make up the city of Lago Vista today.

Shortly thereafter the course was renovated and expanded to 18 holes, and operated as a private country club until the mid 1990s.Today, all golfers are welcome to enjoy the undulating fairways, epic lake views, and abundant wildlife at Lago Vista Golf Course.

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Two separate nines,two differing tests Lago Vista Golf Course has a bit of a split personality, with a front-nine that’s basically wide open and relatively flat (at least until you get to the ninth hole) and a back-nine that’s more narrow and, from this view, more difficult.

All four of the par 3s at Lago Vista are carded at 199 yards or more, so a good long-iron or hybrid game will be required here to succeed.

The best holes on the outward nine allow you to grip it and rip it. After a relatively easy opener, the 562-yard par 5 second, which plays to a wide landing area over native grass to a slope and then back up to an elevated putting surface, requires three good shots to put yourself into position for a birdie.

At 204 yards and playing downhill, the par 3 third might need one less

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FEATURE STORY

club than you would normally take off the tee, as does the 202-yard par 3 sixth, which has trees on either side to snag an errant shot and a green that slopes hard right to left.

I really liked the 339-yard par 4 seventh, a dogleg-left that starts atop a valley and bottoms out at the beginning of the fairway. On the right a rocky hillside and a fairway bunker help keep balls from going out of bounds.The hole ends on a putting surface that generally slopes right to left but can still be a very tricky read.

The 529-yard par 5 eighth can be tricky, but is ultimately playable with three good shots, the second of which is blind over a hill. Par is a good score, but birdie is well within reach with proper execution.

None of what you saw on the first eight holes prepare you for the 377-yard ninth.After you favor the right side off the tee, you’ll have to walk up the

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fairway a bit to see the green, which is at the bottom of a three-tiered hill and is hard against the access street, with the clubhouse and the 18th green in the neardistance and LakeTravis plainly in view.

You’ll notice a change in the course immediately on the 10th hole, a 495yard par 5 with a short dogleg to the right.The fairway slopes left to right and large trees and a stream run down the right side.Three bunkers guard the green well.

Godwin said the 372-yard par 4 11th is his favorite hole because of its need for course management, two precise shots to reach the putting surface and a back-to-front undulating sloping green that can easily turn a birdie putt into bogey.

Large trees and a concrete ditch running across the fairway can make navigating the hole, which is the No. 1 handicap at Lago Vista GC, a real challenge.

FEATURE STORY

“I will usually take a 4- or 5-iron off the tee to stay away from the trouble and take my best swing at the correct tier of the green on my approach,” Godwin said. “It’s a hole that demands that you hit two really good shots to score and, with all the trouble, a big number can easily come into play.”

The par 4 14th is short but demanding, asking for a tee shot that carries across a pond onto a small fairway with plenty of trees and a well-placed bunker. Large trees and two more bunkers guard the putting surface, which is elevated.

The round here ends with the 407yard par 4 17th, with its elevated tee and a wide fairway that crosses a shallow valley and slopes left to right, and the 204-yard par 3 18th, which plays over a stream and a residential street to an elevated green guarded by two large bunkers, all in the shadow of the clubhouse.

Improvements galore As much as the attention to conditioning have made Lago Vista Golf Course a desired place to play, the apres golf amenities make the facility even better.The city has spent more than $250,000 to expand and completely renovate the clubhouse, with the stated

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goal of making the building and its surrounds into a true community meeting place.

There’s an expansive restaurant and bar area here that rivals those of private clubs, with plenty of big screen TVs to watch the big game after your round and a menu that will bring residents back to the course for an evening meal even if they didn’t play golf that day.

The practice facility at Lago Vista provides a relaxing atmosphere for honing your game with its beautiful view of the lake.Three tiers of natural grass teeing surface and a practice putting green are available.

All-in-all, Lago Vista Golf Course fits the bill for a great round of the grand game, a nice meal and cold beer afterward, and a totally friendly Texasstyle vibe.

It’s basically all that’s good about golf wrapped up in one neat package – and just a short trip from the hustle and bustle of Austin and its suburbs.

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COURSES

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SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

Public Course

RATES

18

MAP #20

9

Twilight

Weekday $35 $24 $25 Weekend $40 $24 $30

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

• • • •

Lago Vista

Lago Vista Golf Course Located in the Beautiful Texas Hill Country Lago Vista Golf Course is a par 72 18-hole championship golf course that offers over 6,500 yards of fun and challenging play. The course originally opened as a 9-hole facility in 1971 to help promote lot sales in the unincorporated neighborhoods that make up the city of Lago Vista today. Shortly thereafter, under the guidance of course designer Leon Howard, the course was renovated and expanded to 18 holes, and operated as a private country club until the mid-1990s.

Today, all the 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

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COURSES

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SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

Public Course

MAP #66

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 • • • • • •

Comfor t

The Buckhorn Golf Course

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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

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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 • • • • • •

mail Specials Reward Program Banquet all Full Bar & Grill Practice Facilities Beverage Cart Service

COURSES

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Kyle

Plum Creek Golf Course

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A TEXAS COURSE LIKE NO OTHER

lum Creek is conveniently located just one mile off of I-35, ten minutes north of San Marcos and fifteen minutes south of downtown Austin.

Under the management of Foresight Golf, over a million dollars was invested to create a truly state-of-the-art practice facility, expanded irrigation throughout the entire golf course to increase fairway corridors, and built 18 new tees for a total of five sets of tees per hole.

All of this has drastically improved the playability of the golf course and has resulted in a much more enjoyable experience for golfers of every skill level.

The course stays in great shape and is now the home of Texas State University’s golf teams. Plum Creek is a very different and much more fun golf course than it was just a short time ago.

4301 Benner Kyle, TX 78640

512-262-5555

www.plumcreekgolf.com

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COURSES

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SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN Corpus Christi

Open to The Public

MAP #96

Lozano Golf Center

TEE INFORMATION

Yardage/Rating/Slope: Black: 7027 / 74.3 / 123 Forest: 6612 / 72.5 / 119 Blue: 6085 / 69.8 / 114 Stone: 5388 / 71.0 / 117 Gold: 4524 / 66.2 / 107

COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Architect: Finger, Dye, Spann Gen. Manager: Lawrence Vera Superintendent: Javier Martinez Head Pro: Jay Monte Dir of Better Golf: Tiana Jones PGA

COURSE AMENITIES

•

•

• Executive 9 hole course •

range, putting and chipping green • •

Lozano Golf Center has been transformed by a recent renovation, turf expansion and rebuilding of every bunker on the 18 hole championship course. The fairways have nice, large landing areas allowing the golfer to choose the angle of attack for each green. Negotiate water, towering palm trees and plenty of bunkers on your way to a great score. The friendly staff is ready to book your tee time now!

4401 Old Brownsville Rd. Corpus Christi, TX 78405 361-826-8016 www.lozanogolfcenter.com

Corpus Christi

Open to The Public

MAP #97

Oso Beach Municipal GC

TEE INFORMATION

Yardage/Rating/Slope: Blue: 6223 / 69.9 / 119 White: 5728 / 67.1 / 112 Copper:4967 / 68.3 / 114

COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 70 Architect:

Gen. Manager: Lawrence Vera Superintendent: Lewis Fry Head Pro: Jay Monte Course Record: Terry Yarbarough 62

COURSE AMENITIES

Play where Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Jimmy Demaret played the “World Championship Four-Ball Match.” Oso Beach is a player friendly course known for a fun layout, exceptional golf course conditions and ease to walk.The friendly staff will offer a warm welcome and make you feel at home.Voted Winter Texan Favorite, test your nerve on the signature 13th hole tee shot over water.

• • • • •

5601 S Alameda Corpus Christi, TX 78412

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361-826-8010 www.osobeachgolf.com

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

Public Course

MAP #64

COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Art Schaupeter, ASGCA General Mgr: Shane Pearson Head Pro: Ryan Munas Superintendent: Danny Holt Dir of Better Golf: KC Lim

TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Gold: 7007 / 74.3 / 128 Forest: 6622 / 72.3 / 126 Blue: 6147 / 71.4 / 123 Stone: 5540 / 65.5 / 109 Copper:4683 / 67.2 / 114

COURSE AMENITIES • • • • • •

COURSES

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San Antonio

The Republic Golf Club VOTED # 1 COURSE IN TOWN BY EXPRESS NEWS

W

elcome to the #1 course in San Antonio!

The golf course design is fantastic, fun to play, and is home to the best collection of par-5’s for risk/reward in the city. Located less than ten minutes South of San Antonio’s world famous Riverwalk, The Republic Golf Club offers exceptional golf conditions on all tees, fairways, and greens.

Amenities include a full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner plus your choice of draft or craft beer or your favorite mixed drink from the fully stocked bar.

And our beautiful banquet facility can host any celebration up to 200 guests.

Additionally, The Republic Golf Club is home to the University of Incarnate Word’s Men’s and Women’s Cardinal Golf Teams and UIW’s HEB School of Business Professional Golf Management Program.

4226 S. E. Military Drive San Antonio, TX 78222

210-359-0000

www.republicgolfclub.com

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COURSES

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Public Course

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

MAP #65

The Bandit Golf Club

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

COURSE AMENITIES

• • • • • •

N E W B R AUNFEL S

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L

ocated in charming New Braunfels, The Bandit Golf Club provides spectacular golf in the Texas Hill Country.

In addition to the numerous entertainment venues awaiting you in New Braunfels, convenient driving access to Austin, San Antonio and Houston make The Bandit the ideal place to meet with friends to enjoy a great game of golf away from the big city.

Elevated tee boxes and hilly terrain offer incredible views of challenging golf holes, as well as Long Creek and Lake McQueeny, and is always in great shape all through the mild winter in Texas.

Come experience a unique stay-and-play at The Lodges condominiums, which are fully furnished and can sleep up to eight of your family and friends. After finishing the signature 18th hole, you’ll know why The Bandit was awarded 2015 Best of Texas Golf Getaway.

6019 FM 725 New Braunfels, TX 78130

830-609-4665

www.banditgolfclub.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

COURSE AMENITIES • Golf Academy •

•

•

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Spring

Cypresswood Golf Club TWO UNIQUE GOLF EXPERIENCES

W

ith the original Cypress Course (designed by Rick Forrester) and the ballyhooed Keith Fosterfashioned Tradition Course, Cypresswood sports two unique golf experiences and the finest of playing conditions.

Towering trees, no nearby homes, and no out-of-bounds, are just a few of the features of this Pinehurst-like experience at The Tradition, Foster’s tribute to the work of Donald Ross.

Added to the challenge are enormous bunkers, ravines, creeks and ponds, making this big-shouldered course a challenge for the golfer to be accurate or suffer the consequences.

The Cypress course opened in 1988 as the original course and set the bar with a track that caters to shotmakers.The routing possesses a handful of doglegs and rolling fairways that force players to work off uneven lies and has more water to deal with – in fact, water comes into play on 16 holes. Golfers will face decisions plenty at the Cypress course because of the abundance of elevation changes and holes that end in raised greens surrounded by difficult swales and bunkers.

21602 Cypresswood Drive Spring, TX 78222

281-821-6300

www.cypresswood.com

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SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

COURSES

43

Sequin

Open to The Public

MAP #96

Starcke Park Golf Course

TEE INFORMATION

Yardage/Rating/Slope: Blue: 6676 / 72.0 / 124 Gold: 6416 / 70.8 / 122 White: 5645 / 67.3 / 113 Red: 5115 / 69.7 / 117

COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Bredemus, Mayfield Gen. Manager: Bruce Allen Head Pro: Aaron Krause Assistant Pro: Gabby Rangel

COURSE AMENITIES • • Snack Bar •

•

Step back in time and play one of the last “Parks” style courses in Central Texas. Our open layout rarely penalizes wayward swings and our generous fairways offer easy approach shots. Elevated greens and strategically placed bunkers offer just enough challenge to keep things interesting. And whether you’re walking or riding there is always a towering pecan tree around to offer some refreshing shade.

Rates: 18 9 Twilight* M-F: $35 $22 $27 M-F (60+) $31 $22 $27 Wknd: $38 $22 $27 * Twilight after 2 pm

650 River Dr W. Sequin, TX 78155 830-401-2490 www.golfseguintexas.gov

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FEATURE STORY

Kissing Tree Golf Club

sets higher bar for golf in Austin-San Antonio corridor

By Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Editor

There’s a true Texas Hill Country feel and playability at the new Kissing Tree Golf Club here in San Marcos from the minute you drive onto the property to the final putt on the 18th hole of the 6,572-yard Gary Stephenson-designed course – and that’s a very good thing.

A combination of long-reaching vistas on rolling topography with creeks and ponds and rough-rock walls give Kissing Tree Golf Club a truly unique – but also familiar – countenance.

In the process, Kissing Tree Golf Club has raised the bar for golf in the burgeoning Austin-San Antonio corridor. Will its competitors take notice?

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Stephenson has taken a splendid piece of land and enhanced it with gentle nudging, assuring that this course, which was built to be the centerpiece of the age-restricted Kissing Tree community just south of town and west of Interstate 35, can stand on its own right as a destination and must-play track.

“The Hill Country offers unique colors and textures with the limestone, oaks and scrub brush,” said Stephenson, a native Texan who lives in the Dallas suburb of McKinney.

“It’s a great wildlife habitat, and the routing was done to try and preserve as many prominent natural features as possible, and to use them as strategy

FEATURE STORY

and aesthetics for the golf course.”

Kissing Tree Golf Club is the first new, semi-private 18-hole golf course to be built in Texas in the past six years. Each hole provides an avenue of play with varied angles that demand execution of shots and finding the right tier of the mostly large putting surfaces to find success.

The course and community is a tribute to Sam Houston’s gubernatorial speech in 1857 in front of a mighty oak tree in San Marcos, where he famously kissed several of the female attendees, creating a stir and a bit of a local legend.

And while the Kissing Tree community was developed for the baby-boomer generation, this is not just your grandfather’s golf course. While your grandfather or father may be playing here, a trip to the back set of four tee boxes will be plenty of golf course to keep even the scratch golfer challenged.

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“Our goal with this course was to make it fun and playable for all golfers, to bring those to the game who want to learn and understand that golf can be played for a lifetime, not just for guys that hit the ball like Tiger Woods or Dustin Johnson,” said Josh Clay, Kissing Tree GC’s general manager for Troon, the golf course management company that is overseeing course operations and agronomy.

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FEATURE STORY

“From driveable par 4s that incorporate risk-reward water hazards around the green to reachable par 5s, golfers will have plenty of chances to make birdies and eagles at Kissing Tree.”

A great mix of holes Kissing Tree Golf Club is part of the Audubon International program which preserves and highlights the native environment.Tifway 419 Bermuda grass has been used on the tee boxes, fairways and rough, while greens are TifEagle Bermuda.

Kissing Tree has a nice variety of holes, with a scorecard that sports both long and short par 4s, a mix of par 3s

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ranging from the 207-yard third to the 131-yard sixth and a pair of reachable par 5 at the 500-yard eighth and 538yard 12th hole.

A course doesn’t need super-long fairways and punitive hazards to be a challenge, and Stephenson designed Kissing Tree Golf Club to be a straightforward but challenging course golfers will want to play over and over again and, hopefully, call home.

For sure, there are a share of dramatic shots and a handful of scoring choices on this course. The shortest hole on the course, the 131-yard sixth, plays over a dry creek bed to a putting surface guarded by a wrap-around sand bunker.

The second shot on par-5 14th brings a walled-off (likely wet) native area into play short and right of the green complex and is both beguiling and dangerous, especially if the player chooses to try to get home in two shots.

“When golfers play Kissing Tree, with the exception of the forced carry

FEATURE STORY

at No. 6, they will have angles of play to get to the green on the ground,” Stephenson said. “The green complexes are surrounded by closely mown runoff areas that allow golfers to play lob wedge, sand wedge, pitching wedge, 9-iron, 7-iron or putter to the putting surface. This shot variety allows golfers to use their imagination and play to their strengths.”

Kissing Tree Golf Club also has its share of get-out-your-phone-to-take-apicture-of-this moments, as spectacular views abound, most notably on holes four and five, which are higher in the mountain, on the 12th tee overlooking the 11th green and to the north from the 14th fairway.

Clay said the closing holes on each side, drivable par 4s at 289 yards and 321 yards, respectively, are two of his favorites at Kissing Tree. Both holes have large greens but are each protected by a pond that can quickly turn delight into disaster.

49

“I can tell you that I’ve played the 18th hole twice, with completely opposite results,” Clay explained. “I made a putt for eagle the first time I played and on the second time I emptied my bag of golf balls and never made it to the green. That’s what we mean by riskreward at Kissing Tree.”

The golf is just part of the appeal at Kissing Tree In addition to 18 holes, the Kissing Tree Golf Course offers a long- and short-game practice facility, along with an 18-hole putting course. The state-of-theart clubhouse and restaurant, Tarbox and Brown, are expected to open in 2019.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

50

FEATURE STORY

calendar of activities for its residents, including regular groups for bicycling, writing, Bible study, birdwatching, Zumba, hiking, billiards, yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, arts and crafts, mahjongg, horseshoes,Texas Hold’Em, and tennis.Then there are the occasional presentation and fun stuff, like a Piano bar, cooking demos, golf simulator contests, and tours to local wineries.

Kissing Tree has been developed by Brookfield Residential Properties, a land developer and homebuilder with operations in 12 North American markets. It’s a distinctly Texas community built for those 55 and better and will eventually have up to 3,200 homes.

Custom-built with a Lone Star State attitude, the unique collection of indoor and outdoor amenities include

eight pickle-ball courts, six bocce ball courts, putting greens, a social building, hiking trails and more.

The community also has a full TheTexasGolfInsider.com

For our purposes, Kissing Tree is about the golf – and in that aspect, it’s really, really good.

1250 AM / 94.5 FM

TEXAS

Golf Insider Radio on TV Golf with an Attitude

Make sure to follow us @texasgolfinsider on

Watch us LIVE Every Thursday 7-8 PM on Facebook.com/texasgolfinsider or LISTEN in Every Saturday 8-9 am on ESPNSA.com 1250 AM / 94.5 FM

Gateway Hills Golf 210-671-3466

Fort Sam Houston 210-222-9386

Randolph Oaks 210-652-4653

52

FEATURE STORY

TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas, Pure Luxury

By Art Stricklin, ContributingWriter

For a state as large as Texas, which has produced decades of top golfers ranging from amateur to professional to legends, there are lots and lots of places to practice your golfing craft.

There are old courses, new courses, historic courses, humble courses, oil dressed greens and new high tech grass greens. But when Texas golfers and visitors want to play a fun and scenic course, on a layout which has challenged the best players in the world, then retreat to North Texas luxury, that will work as well.

That’s why the Four Seasons Resort and the TPC Las Colinas has remained popular for decades as the longtime home of the PGA Tour, and now the preferred luxury destination for visitors in the state or out.

FOUR SEASONS RESORT & CLUB While the PGA tour officially decamped from this plush Irving location, choosing to move south of downtown Dallas after its 2017 tournament, that just means more open weeks, villas and tower rooms for families looking to make a relaxing trip.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

With a huge resort pool, an award winning spa, kid’s activities, indoor sand table shuffleboard and billiards in a sports bar setting, there is all manner of family activities, but the real star is still the Tournament Players Course (TPC) that the world’s best professionals used to attack with varying degrees of success.

One interesting and increasingly popular sidelight at the golf course is the use of the four-wheeled GolfBoard.

The Four Seasons was one of the first local courses to offer the use of the GolfBoards, which look like a skateboard with a wider base, four wheels, and a place for the clubs, and powered with a simple electrical switch. Thankfully, it lives up to its promotional pledge of being nearly impossible to turn over.

FEATURE STORY

While the traditional four-wheeled golf carts still make up the majority of golf rounds here, the GolfBoard continues to increase in use, especially among the younger golf demographic. It can also produce an impressive breeze, always an important aspect on a summer staycation tip.

Once you’ve exhausted the golf and the pool options, the Four Seasons spa, with a wide variety of treatments, is certainly a highlight for any segment of the family.

The hotel is home to a 176,000 square foot sports facility that includes 12 indoor/ outdoor tennis courts, indoor/outdoor jogging tracks, racquetball and squash courts, functional training studio, fitness center and group exercise studio featuring over 50 classes weekly.

It was home to some legendary tennis, basketball and racquetball from

53

Matt Kuchar, Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson, among many others during their Byron Nelson tournament stays.

It also has a healthy living space with nutrition counseling and coaching, diagnostics with the In-Body 570, acupuncture, acupressure, cupping and athletic recovery massage.

There are five different dining options at the hotel and some other outstanding food options within walking or easy driving distance.

For more information go to fourseasons.com/dallas. You won’t be disappointed.

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

54

FEATURE STORY

Wanna Bet? Golf Side Games

By Adam Grosch

In the last issue I talked about a couple of side games for 2 or 3-somes. In this issue I’ll cover a couple options for groups of 4 or 5 players Wolf: This is a very popular game made for 4-somes or 5-somes (if you can find a place that allows 5-somes). There are variations of this game, but I’ll explain the way I play it. Spin a tee to determine the batting order throughout the round.

When it’s your turn to pick, you tee off first. You have the option to “blind wolf ” before you tee off which makes all the points on that hole multiply by 3, you have the option to Wolf after you’ve hit but before anyone else has teed off which doubles the points, you can Wolf it after everyone has hit for normal point value, or you must pick your partner for that hole after that player has teed off and before the next player hits the ball. In my Wolf game a point is awarded to each person on the team with the lowest net score, a point is awarded for every natural birdie, 2 points for a natural eagle, a point for the team with the “greenie” on par 3’s and a point for a “sandy” (up and down from a bunker for par or better).

Vegas: This game is made for 4-somes. Batting order doesn’t matter in this game so the pace of play is usually TheTexasGolfInsider.com

slightly faster and there are no carryovers. On each hole the two players that are furthest right are on a team and the players furthest left are on a team. (I use the fairway-to-rough mow lines to settle discrepancies on dog-legs) The net score from each player is part of the team score which is then compared to the other team. So, if the left team has a net 4 and net 5 and the right team has a net 5 and a net 6 the two team scores are 45 and 56 which makes a difference of 11 points for that hole. However, a natural birdie on one team will flip the other team’s scores.

So, if that hole had been a par 5, the team scores would instead be 45 vs. 65 which makes for 20 points difference. This game can get very pricey so we usually play each point worth half (or less) the amount that we play in Wolf.

The Longest Yard: This game can be played in groups of 3, 4 or 5. I’ve even played this game with large groups and it’s like an expensive version of a skins game.

Batting order doesn’t matter in this game and there are no carry-overs. The player with the lowest net score on each hole is awarded points that equal the total length of that hole. So, obviously a long par 5 is worth more than a short par 3. A tie between two players for low net score on a hole awards no points to anyone in the group. Depending upon what tees you play and which course you’re at, there are possibly over 7,000 points up for grabs.

So, choose your point value wisely.

I have a particular group that gets together a couple times each year and we will play Wolf,Vegas, Nassaus and Dumb Games at the same time. It takes a lot of accounting afterward which gives plenty of time for a few beers and lots of whining, but it’s something that we always anxiously await. (I’ll cover Dumb Games in the next issue)

DALLAS | FORT WORTH DIRECTORY ARLINGTON: Chester W. Ditto Golf Course Semi-Private Lake Arlington Golf Course Semi-Private Tierra Verde Golf Club Semi-Private AZLE: Cross Timbers Golf Course BROWNWOOD: The Hideout Golf Club

Public Semi-Private

BURLESON: Hidden Creek Golf Course Southern Oaks Golf Club

Public Public

CARROLTON: Maridoe Golf Club Indian Creek Golf Course

Public Public

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

DESOTO: Thorntree Country Club

Public

EULESS: Texas Star Golf Course

Semi-Private

FAIRVIEW: Heritage Ranch Golf Course

Public

FERRIS: Old Brickyard Golf Course

Public

FORT WORTH: Hawks Creek Golf Course Jm Mclean Golf Center Meadowbrook Golf Course Pecan Valley Golf Course Rockwood Golf Course Saddle Hills Park Sycamore Creek Golf Course The Golf Club at Champion Circle Whitestone Golf Club

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

FRISCO: (817) 275-5941 Frisco Lakes Golf Club (817) 451-6101 Trails of Frisco Golf Club (817) 478-8500 GARLAND: Duck Creek Golf Course (817) 444-4940 Firewheel Golf Park

55

Public Public

(972) 292-3089 (972) 668-4653

Public Public

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

GRAND PRAIRIE: (325) 784-4653 Grand Oaks Golf Club Prairie Lakes Golf Club (817) 447-4444 Riverside Golf Club (817) 426-2400 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

(972) 416-2131 HASLET: (800) 369-4137 Willow Springs Golf Course

Semi-Private

(817) 439-4653

IRVING: (972) 456-3200 Cottonwood Valley Golf Course Public (972) 771-4003 TPC Las Conlinas Course Public (214) 670-7615 Twin Wells Golf Course Municipal (214) 670-8784 (214) 670-6322 LANCASTER: Public (972) 248-8448 Country View Golf Course (214) 670-7506 LIPAN: (214) 670-1402 Sugar Tree Golf Course Semi-Private (214) 333-3595 MUENSTER: (214) 646-3570 Turtle Hill Golf Club Public (972) 296-2146 PLANO: Pecan Hollow Golf Course Ridgeview Ranch GC (817) 685-7888 The Club at Los Rios The Course at Watters Creek (800) 579-3089 RICHARDSON: Sherrill Park #1 (972) 842-8700 WAXAHACHIE: Country View Golf Course (817) 738-8402 Waxahachie Country Club (800) 723-6725 (817) 457-4616 WEATHERFORD: (817) 249-1845 Canyon West Golf Course (817) 624-1771 Oeste Ranch Golf Course (817) 246-5012 (817) 535-7241 WYLIE: (817) 497-2582 Woodbridge Golf Course (817) 249-9996

(972) 717-2525 (972) 717-2525 (972) 438-4340 (972) 227-0995 (817) 341-1111 (940) 759-4896

Public Public Public Public

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

Public

(972) 234-1416

Public Public

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

Public Public

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

Public

(972) 429-5100

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

56

DIRECTORY SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

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

TYPE

PHONE COURSE

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

(512) 248-2442 (512) 402-1558 (512) 288-4297 (512) 453-0276 (512) 444-0999 (512) 477-6963 (512) 974-8333 (512) 223-6677

Resort

(800) 646-5407

Semi-Private Resort Public

(512) 629-4585 (512) 308-9653 (512) 321-1181

Semi-Private

(830) 833-0706

Resort

(830) 537-4197

Public

(512) 756-8471

Public

(830) 899-3301

Public

(830) 931-3100

Semi-Private

(830) 606-7351

Public

(830) 995-5351

Resort

(830) 232-4471

Public

(830) 665-9943

Public

(830) 216-2800

Public

(830) 997-4010

Semi-Private Semi-Private Semi-Private

(512) 948-7580 (512) 948-7560 (512) 948-7570

Resort Resort Resort Resort

(830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600

Semi-Private

(512) 252-4653

Public

(830) 257-4982

Public

(325) 388-8888

Public

(512) 262-5555

Semi-Private

(512) 267-1170

Public

(512) 556-3202

Public

(512) 259-5855

TYPE

LLANO: Llano Golf Club Public MANOR: Shadow Glen Semi-Private 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: Quail Creek Country Club 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

PHONE (325) 247-5100 (512) 278-1304 (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) 353-1665 (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

Alice Municipal Golf Course Brownsville Golf Center Buccaneer Bay Public GC Colony Creek Country Club Corpus Christi Country Club Cottonwood Creek Golf Course Edinburg Municipal Golf Course El Campo County Club Fort Brown Municipal Golf Course Ganado Golf and Country Club Goliad Country Recreation Assoc.

Grande Caribbean at Dune Crest Harlingen Country Club L.E. Ramey Golf Course Lozano Golf Center Oso Beach Municipal GC Northshore Golf Course Padre Isles Country Club Palm View Golf Course Palmilla Beach Golf Club Rio Colorado Golf Course South Padre Island Golf Club The Victoria Country Club Tierra Del Sol Golf Club Tierra Santa Golf Club Treasure Hills Country Club Village Executive Golf Course Valley International Country Club

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

PHONE (361) 664-7033 (956) 541-2582 (361) 790-7513 (361) 576-0018 (361) 991-2811 (956) 428-7758 (956) 381-1244 (409) 543-6592 (956) 542-9861 (361) 771-2424 (361) 645-2144 (361) 749-1974 (956) 412-4110 (361) 592-1101 (361) 826-8017 (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) 968-5331 (956) 546-5331

RIO GRANDE VALLEY COURSE 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 Municiapal GC

TYPE 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

PHONE (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

GOLFATX...

EXPERIENCE A ROUND FOR YOURSELF

• LIONS • HANCOCK • MORRIS WILLIAMS • JIMMY CLAY • ROY KIZER • GREY ROCK

57

Laredo

127

Utopia

66

Castroville

1604

Comfort 46

20

1431

1604

75

29 725

73

52 54

84

65 65 6

98 Kyle 45 45 45

51

620

Marble Falls Leander

Spring Brand

3 64 46 26 8 85

473

2 87 87

2342

Kingsland

55 53 50

3

130 1825

37

Robstown

io

99

16

ConCan

Harper

10

n

Refugio

96 97Portland 44 286

83 358

Corpus Christi

77

Sinton

sto ou To H

5

n to

Port Aransas

lf

An

Gu

an

ico ex

S To

of M

2

58

Par

Yardage /Rating /Slope

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

59

Type Hole

Map Number

SAN ANTONIO |HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN COURSES

(210) 671-3466

P 18

72

6917/73.1/125

•

• • 28

(512) 288-4297

M 18

72

6909/74.6/141

• • •

• • 57

Hancock Golf Course 54 811 E 41st St. , Austin, TX 78751

(512) 978-2330

M 9

2633/32.6/112

•

• • 57

Jimmy Clay Golf Course 53 5400 Jimmy Clay Dr., Austin, TX 78744

(512) 974-4653

M 18

72

6914/73.8/124

• •

• • 57

(512) 749-1250

SP 18

72

6572/71.8/131

• • •

• • 34

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

P 18

72

6774/72.5/124

• • •

• • 28

(512) 267-1170

M 18

72

6579/70.0/118

• • •

• • 16

(830) 420-0417

M 18

71

5665/71

• • •

• • 30

(512) 477-6963

M 18

71

6001/69.2/124

• • •

• • 57

(361) 826-8016 Lozano Golf Center 96 4401 Old Brownsville, Corpus Christi, TX 78405

P 18

72

7027/73.9

• •

• • 24

(512) 974-8333

M 18

72

7023/73.0/124

• •

• • 57

(830) 606-7351

SP 36

72

6550/72/125

• • •

• • 49

Oso Beach Municipal Golf Course (361) 826-8010 97 5601 S. Alameda St., Corpus Christi, TX 78412

M 18

70

6223/70

• • •

• • 24

Plum Creek Golf Course 98 4301 Benner Road, Kyle, TX 78640

(512) 262-5555

SP 18

71

6210/71

• • •

• • 23

(210) 652-4653

P 18

72

7172/74.5/125

•

• • 28

(512) 974-4653

M 18

71

6819/72.2/125

• • •

• • 57

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

Gateway Hills Golf Course 26 1800 Dimsted Pl., Lackland AFB, TX 78236 www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.com

Grey Rock Golf Course

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

www.austintexas.gov

www.austintexas.gov

Kissing Tree Golf Club

45 201 Kissing Tree Lane, San Marcos, TX 78666 www.kissingtreegolfclub.com

www.ftsammwr.com /recreation/golf.html

Lago Vista Golf Course

2 0 4616 Rimrock Dr., Lago Vista, TX 78645 www.lagovistagc.com

Landa Park Golf Course

73 180 Golf Course Rd., New Braunfels, TX 78130 www.landaparkgolfcourse.com

Lions Municipal Golf Course 52 2901 Enfield Road, Austin, TX 78703 www.austintexas.gov

www.lozanogolfcenter.com

Morris Williams Golf Course

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

Northcliffe Golf Club

29 5301 Country Club Blvd., Cibolo, TX 77546 www.northcliffegolfcourse.com

www.osobeachgolf.com

www.plumcreekgolf.com

Randolph Oaks Golf Course

75 Bldg. 1300 Golf Course Rd, Randolph AFB, TX 78150 www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.com

Roy Kizer Golf Course

50 5400 Jimmy Clay Dr., Austin, TX 78744 www.austintexas.gov

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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

60

(210) 222-9386 Salado Del Rio Golf Course 8 5 1050 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209

P 18 72 6819/70.8/124

• • • • • 28

Star Ranch Golf Club 3 2500 FM 685, Hutto, TX 78634

(512) 252-4653

P 18

71 7030/71.0/117

• • • •

Starcke Park Golf Course 6 650 River Dr. W, Sequin, TX 78155

(830) 401-2490

P 18

72 6670/72.0/124 •

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

(830) 609-4665

SP 18

71

90 /67.6/

• • • • • 26

The Buckhorn Golf Course 66 36 FM 473, Comfort, TX 78013

(830) 995-5351

P 18

71

61 /71

• • • • • 22

(956) 726-2000

P 18

72

(210) 359-0000

P 18

71 7007/74.3/128

(830) 833-0706

SP 18

72

www.ftsammwr.com/recreation/golf.html

www.starranchgolf.com

• • 31

www.starranchgolf.com

www.banditgolfclub.com

www.buckhorngolfcourse.com

The Max

99 27700 FM 1472, Laredo, TX 78045

6211/72/12

• • • • •

www.themaxlaredo.com

The Republic Golf Club

64 4226 S.E. Military Dr., San Antonio, TX 78222

• • • • • 2

www.republicgolfclub.com

Vaaler Creek Golf Club

87 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78155

6864/73.0/140 • • • • 8

www.vcgc.golf

SHOPPING/SERVICES | ACCOMMODATIONS/DINING | TOURNAMENTS/INSTRUCTION NORTH TEXAS GOLF ACCOMODATIONS/ DINING Alabama Road Trip | Ad Page 2 www.alabama.travel/golf | Coushatta Casino | Ad Page 68 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder, LA | www.CoushattaCasinoResort.com | 800-584-7263

TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas | Ad Pg 52 4150 N MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75038 www.fourseasons.com/dallas/ | 972-717-0700

INSTRUCTION/TOURNAMENTS

Kissing Tree Golf Club Community | Map #45 |Ad Page 46 201 Kissing Tree Lane, San Marcos, TX 78666 | www.kissingtreegolfclub.com | 512-749-1250

UIW-Professional Golf Mangement Program | Ad Pg 44-45 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX | Map #46 email: graybeal@uiwtx.edu | 210-805-5839

Laredo CVB | Map #99 | Ad Page 13 501 San Agustin | Laredo, TX 78040 www.visitlaredo.com | 800-361-3360

Vaaler Creek Golf Club | Map #87 | Ad Page 25 Golf Lessons with Adam Grosch & Edwin Dickens | 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 www.vcgc.golf | 830-833-0706

Rockin’ J Ranch | Map# 2 | Ad Page 27 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.RoncoTX.com | 830-833-0706

REAL ESTATE

The Bandit Golf Club | | Map #65 |Ad Page 38 6019 FM 725, New Braunfels, TX 78130 www.banditgolfclub.com | 830-6094665

Kissing Tree Golf Club Community | Map #45 |Ad Page 46 201 Kissing Tree Lane, San Marcos, TX 78666 | www.kissingtreegolfclub.com | 512-749-1250

Vaaler Creek Golf Club | Map# 87 | Ad Page 25 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.vcgc.golf | 830-833-0706

Lee DeForke Jr., Real Estate Services | Ad Pg 67 4310 Caduceus Pl., Galveston, TX 77550| www.leedeforkejr.com | 409-739-1299 Rockin’ J Ranch | Map# 2 | Ad Page 27 288 John Price, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.RincoTX.com | 830-833-2266

TheTexasGolfInsider.com

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN DIRECTORY

SHOPPING/SERVICES 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 Edwin Watts | Map # 5 | Ad Page 3 5805 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 817-731-4441

Northcliffe Golf Club

ESPN ‘Texas Golf Insider’ | Ad Page 51 1250 AM | Saturdays 8-9 am | www.espnsa.com G A media | Map # 8 | Ad Pages 33 115 East Travis St. Ste 625, San Antonio,TX | www.GAmediaPro.com | 210-393-8092 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

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

Come see the Improvements!

$25.00 Coupon

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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!

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

For more information go to:

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5301 Country Club Dr. Cibolo, TX 78108 (830)606-7351

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FEATURE STORY

By Randy O. Williams When to comes to golf, about the closest thing that comes to a universal uniform for the sport would be the polo shirt.

In the early half of the 20th century, as standard clothing in golf became more casual, the polo shirt was adopted nearly universally as standard golf attire.

Although the trends changed a bit, the “gentleman’s game” attire still rang true. In essence, golf etiquette still demands the “neat and tidy” look at most clubs. The conservative collared polo shirt became the standard, along with tidy pants or shorts, keeping the “gentleman” trend within the game and making it much easier for the player to make a swing and walk.

Many golf courses and country clubs require players to wear golf shirts as a part of their dress code.

The polo typically is a form of shirt with a collar, a small opening at the neckline, a placket with two or three buttons, and an optional pocket.

Criquet’s performance player shirt is made from a pima cotton blend with a touch of stretch added that offers greater range of motion on the course.

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Some historians actually trace its roots as far back as the 1800’s/1900’s when golfers wore full suits when playing. They wore morning coats, collared shirts with ties, and long trousers (knickerbockers or the shorter “plusfours”, etc).

These wicking knit shirts from Donald Ross are characteristic of their entire product line - timeless styling, long-lasting, with reliable performance components you can count on round after round.

The polo’s popularity really took off during The Roaring Twenties as French tennis star and fashion designer Rene Lacoste helped demonstrate how the style aided yachtsmen, golfers and tennis players worldwide to perform with comfort and ease of movement.

With its exceptional versatility, the iconic style has certainly endured.

Clearly it has been particularly embraced by golfers on and off the course as a garment that effortlessly conveys classic style with immaculate performance.

FEATURE STORY

Just like golf clubs, what has really been improved upon concerning the polo shirt are technical features. One of those key refinements revolves around fabric.

“We use 100% polyester fiber,” states Rob Stein, President and CEO of Donald Ross Apparel. “It is engineered and shaped for moisture management.

Everyone is always looking for the next trend and some (manufacturers) are trying to break out of the mold of

This new Opti-dry Blocked Birdseye polo from Callaway is stylish with horizontal stripes that layer downward in a blocked pattern. It is light and comfortable and features built-in sun block protection.

synthetic fabrics. But from a pure pragmatic standpoint, you play golf in warm weather so a shirt that wicks moisture and dries fast is simply a big advantage for the golfer.”

Fabrics also come into play in aiming to maximize the golfer’s range of motion throughout the swing. To that end, manufacturers are always looking for ways to use materials that stretch, and while spandex is good for that it also has its downside, especially in the heat.

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Named after the legendary Texas golfer Byron Nelson, this Nelson Stripe players shirt is a classic design that moves well with your swing motion.

“People enjoy all the stretch it provides. On the flip side, spandex is a little heavier and a lot warmer than the polyester yarn that we use,” explained Stein. “What our research has shown us is that yes polyspandex has more stretch, unfortunately it is warm and when it is against your skin, especially on a hot day, spandex can get sticky and clingy. Not one of my favorite feelings, especially out there on the golf course.

(However), we do use it use it a lot on second layers. Garments you wear over shirts.”

Speaking of warm, another development in the polo is offering advanced protection from the sun with From the L.O.F.T. Golf Windsor Collection is a polo shirt with conquality trasting vertical stripes available garments in a range of colors, all treated featuring with antistatic, antimicrobial and carry a UPF 50+ UPF 50+. processing sun protection rating.

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FEATURE STORY

On and off the golf course, players are also concerned about fashion and what is popular in terms of designs, colors and patterns.

Renowned designer Bert LaMar, creator of the handcrafted Iliac line, worn by such PGA stars as Retief Goosen, Jimmie Walker and Zach Johnson, is seeing a return to something he helped create a few years back and that is “a lower profile button v-neck that plays with the height of the collar.”

The Fairway men’s polo from L.O.F.T. Golf features a “stripe” design that runs vertically from each shoulder. Made from comfortable 100% moisture wicking polyester, it is a classic and clean look that will always keep you looking sharp, whether you are out on the course or sipping your favorite beverage at the clubhouse bar.

LOFT Golf apparel owner John Halvorsen notes that “yellow, purple, and a distinctive black/pink combination are really hot sellers right now”.

Using fabrics that have been proven over the years as the most desirable weight, feel and performance by over 73 PGA Tour Winners and Major winners, shirts

by Iliac are favored by those steeped in the game and with an understanding of quality apparel.

While Iliac has done quite well with black and white, when it comes to color, the polo shirt is offered in an almost infinite range of hues and tones as well as patterns.

“There is a lot of movement of design in terms of patterns and printed fabric which is huge right now. Instead of the stripe going from point to point, you have print designs of golf balls and tees and paisleys,” says Stein, the Donald Ross Apparel chief executive.

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With its soft lightweight air-spun Tactel yarns, whether it’s on the golf course or in the office, you’ll always look stylish and feel comfortable in this Callaway Raglan Textured Space Dye Print Polo.

FEATURE STORY

There will always be the classic colors usually found in most golfers’ wardrobes including white and varying shades of blue, but the veteran clothing executives are constantly on the lookout for what is going to flourish next.

“What is making a splash is burnt orange and creams, but what’s really trending is light gray. Why? Because it goes with everything,” voiced Stein.

That is not unlike the polo itself, as it is the type of shirt that not only flexes with changing market trends, you can find it being worn in just about an endless variety of social occasions.

As more women and girls become attracted to the game, golf fashion

L.O.F.T.’s polo golf shirt for women features a stylish stand up collar and no sleeves. The moisture wicking polo features an amazingly comfortable 100% moisture wicking polyester. Also treated with antistatic, antimicrobial processing and carry a UPF 50++ sun protection rating.

must address their need for style and comfort. Spending up to five hours in any outfit means you have to love what you wear and feel great wearing it too.

In the past, women’s garments were

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The Nancy Lopez Prism Short Sleeve Polo adds an abundance of flare to your golf game. It features a mandarin collar, zip placket and a breathable design for comfort on the course.

Made of 92% Polyester/8% Spandex.

just scaled down versions of menswear.

Gone are the days of the square fit polo shirt. Today women’s polo shirts are flatteringly designed to be more fitted, creating a streamlined silhouette.

Women’s gravitation to athletic styles has been constant, along with their demand for clothing that can be easily transitioned from work, to play, to the 19th hole. With that in mind, many manufacturers offer complimentary pieces to the line of golf polos. Trendy garments with stretch fabric that don’t overlook the need for carefully placed pockets win with savvy golfers.

Along with the classic stripes and geometric patterns, women also have the choice of animal prints, florals, space prints, paisley and many more.

Bright pops of color mixed in with neutrals also widen the choices and help bring out individual style.

There is no longer the image of boring golf clothing to contend with.

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950 Bonita St., Bayou Vista, Texas. Large home on double lot, with boat house and party deck. Palapas and extra living area down. Great home ready for move in.

ROAD TRIP No. 44

M�e golf �an you can shake a 9-iron at.

2414 Ave P, San Leon,Texas. This home sits up high and dry and includes this 300 ft. fishing pier. Water views from every room. Close to Houston and Galveston.

When it comes to championship golf, there’s no better destination than Alabama. Come play where the PGA TOUR professionals compete and see why Golf Digest editors picked two of Alabama’s golf resorts among their favorites. For starters there are the 468 holes along the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Stretching from the mountains in the north to the Gulf Coast in the south, America’s original golf trail opened 25 years ago and recently completed a massive renovation of its 26 courses. Then there are the many other impressive courses scattered across the state, designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate. Each with its own set of challenges, each with its own rewards. Plan an epic road trip to great golf courses across the state of Alabama.

4711 Ursuline, Galveston, Texas. This 1928 traditional home sits in mid town and is close to the beach, shopping, UTMB and more.

Original hardwood flooring and molding Download Alabama Road Trips from your app store

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