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4
Contents 8
Cover Story Vaaler Creek Golf Club at Rockin’ J Ranch. A great place to play and
a great value 6 WELCOME
How to contact us with Golf News and stories.
16 FE ATURE COVER STORY
Vaaler Creek Golf Club
After millions of dollars in renovations The Golf Club of Texas is now open for play.
24 FORESIGHT GOLF
Cover: Vaaler Creek at Rockin’ J Ranch has come of age
Exceptional conditions and service you can count on.
31 LANDA PARK GC Brings new life to 18-hole Gem.
38 LIGHTHOUSE COUNTRY CLUB
Cover Feature: The Golf Club of Texas provides a golfing experience at it’s best Follow Us
Fine Hill Country Golf, Condominiums and RV Park available for Stay & Play.
MAP & DIRECTORIES 56 GENERAL DIRECTORY 58 MAP 59 ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY
16
The Golf Club of Texas
REGIONS GREATER HOUSTON & TEXAS COAST 66 78 80 81
BAYOU GOLF COURSE AND MORE GENERAL DIRECTORY MAPS ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY
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FROM THE FROM THEPUBLISHER EDITOR
Welcome to The Texas Golf Insider Magazine 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 Editor: Ava Ratchman Contributing Writers: Art Stricklin, Steve Habel Contributing Photographers: Gary Perkins, Mark Lindsay, Carlton Wade Office Manager: Marcede Pullen Production: Pat Gondert CIRCULATION 300,000 per year reaching 700,000 readers. 3 ANNUAL EDITIONS DISTRIBUTION Throughout Central Texas, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Greater Houston at Golf Courses, Welcome Centers, Golf Shows, Golf Retail Stores and more.
Welcome to the Texas Golf Insider. Fall is finally here and giving way to cooler temperatures. It is my favorite time of the year, though the days are a little shorter. Golf in Texas is at its best at this time and we’re ready to entertain our winter friends and golfing travelers. One of our cover feature stories isVaaler Creek Golf Club in Blanco Texas. There is a very good chance you have heard of Vaaler Creek and an even better chance you’ve played it. But if you haven’t played you should, and if you did you keep going back.Vaaler Creek offers every golfer a day of fun and a challenging Hill Country golf course.Vaaler Creek is a perfect place to host your golf tournament and a great place to spend the entire weekend. Huge news in Texas, and you heard it first from the Texas Golf Insider. After a multi-million dollar face lift, The Golf Club of Texas is now open for play! It is another cover feature in this issue you are going to want to read. The Golf Club of Texas is the only golf course in the United States that has zoysia grass from tee box to green and golfers have been wowed by the course layout and conditions. Check the story out on page16. Bayou Golf Course, one of our Houston cover stories, is one of Southeast Texas’ finest economical golf courses. It’s located in Texas City near Galveston’s coastal attractions. With their recent golf course renovations, Bayou Golf Course is now adding a new nine hole family pitch-and-putt short course. Bayou Golf Course is the ideal place for regular golfers and those who are just starting to play golf. Remember,The Texas Golf Insider is your comprehensive source for golf information in Texas. Please visit our website at www.thetexasgolfinsider.com when planning your next golf tournament, banquet or making your Texas travel plans. I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New GolfingYear.
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.
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
7
Melanie Grafe
Regional Publisher for the Texas Golf Insider – Houston, with over 15 years experience in marketing and advertising, and owner of e-Graphics Marketing and Advertising providing marketing and graphic design services.
JoeValentino
Regional Publisher for the Texas Golf Insider – Dallas/Fort Worth, with over 40 years of Marketing experience and extensive knowledge of destinations, golf courses and resorts and is well respected by his peers.
Art Stricklin
One of the foremost experts on golf history and travel in Texas, Stricklin has written a total of seven books and has personally played at a majority of the state’s 800 golf courses.
Steve Habel
A national correspondent for Cybergolf, managing editor for Texas CEO Magazine and works as a contributing editor for Horns Illustrated Magazine, a publication focusing on University of Texas sports.
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8
COVER STORY
The Secret is out..... Vaaler Creek Golf Club and Rockin’ J Ranch have come of age
By Steve Habel/Senior Contributing Writer
There was a time, not that long ago it seems, when Vaaler Creek Golf Club was in construction with just nine holes open. It piqued some folks’ attention now and then, especially when they ventured here to the Texas Hill Country to explore owning a piece of the American dream via a land purchase in the fledgling Rockin’ J Ranch community. Now, both the sprawling neighborhood about three miles south of Blanco and its centerpiece golf course, which finished construction on the full-bore and challenging 18 holes in 2009, are a not-so-distant homestead and top recreational location for folks from San Antonio’s northern confines. Vaaler Creek GC continues to reign in players from around the region thanks to its superb combination of challenge, great conditioning, the course’s splendid isolation, the club’s growing list of amenities and the staff’s excellent customer service.The facility’s TheTexasGolfInsider.com
attention to detail and overall friendliness help make it a tremendous value and a memorable golf experience. Lately more homes have been built in the community, adding more faces to the neighborhood, more rounds to the course and money to the facility’s coffers.The original plan for Rockin J Ranch was to build the golf course first, to entice land buyers and sustain the course.This would allow it to thrive via property owners’ assessments that went straight to Vaaler Creek GC’s operating budget and maintenance bottom line. “We had a plan to make this course the best in the area and we’ve stuck to it,” said Adam Grosch,Vaaler Creek GC’s Director of Golf. “The course itself is a solid routing and provides different challenges while also being fun.That’s what golf is supposed to be all about, right?” The course was voted the nation’s No. 19 best new course for 2010-11 by Golf Digest
COVER STORY
and the word continues to spread about Vaaler Creek GC’s playability and “fun” factor. In the past few years, the facility has added a community pool and a pavilion for large parties and weddings.Vaaler Creek GC’s stay-and-play packages, which include lodging in large, onsite, fully furnished and plush condominiums, are a hot ticket for folks looking to get away (but not too far away) and play a little golf. Vaaler Creek GC was designed by Michael Lowry and features well-placed bunkers and a handful of water features to provide a challenging yet relaxing round of golf. Several elevated tee boxes provide panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country. The course plays up and down the gently rolling hills with tree-lined fairways. Until homes
9
are built on the adjacent golf course lots, a round at Vaaler Creek GC is all about golf and nature. The fairways are ample on most holes, even as the par-72, 6,864-yard routing sports a rating of 73.0 and slope of 140 from its back set of four tees.The fairways are edged with a very playable first cut of rough, but if the golfer’s shots are too off-line trees, creeks, ponds and natural areas all come into play. Grosch, who can really move the ball, helped Lowry design the course by hitting shots from areas that became the back tees. The architect then built some bunkers based on where Grosch’s shots landed. Shorter hitters probably can’t reach the trouble as easily as PGA-level pros, and usually find their shots in the course’s wider landing zones. Lowry routed his course along the rolling scrub brush-filled prairies and worked in all
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
10
COVER STORY
kinds of cool features: ponds, sand hazards of all sizes, elevated tee shots and undulating, tree-lined fairways. Given its length, golfers might think they can overpower Lowry’s course, but finding success at Vaaler Creek is a much more subtle endeavor.The course has a wonderful variety of long and short holes and creates shot values with strategic bunkering and the occasional carry over water. TheTexasGolfInsider.com
The course’s true last-line of defense is its lightning-quick, mounded and segmented putting surfaces, which can turn even the most aggressive player timid and to second-guessing. “The average golfer enjoys the course because it looks more difficult than it is,” Grosch said. The round at Vaaler Creek begins with two short par-4s, neither of which is as easy as they seem on the scorecard. No. 1, a 343-yarder, has a broad fairway and a wide-open front to
COVER STORY
its green, but a pinpoint approach is crucial because of its sloping putting surface.The 350-yard second is played over a huge pond to a slightly elevated green – its front- right hole placement is one of the toughest you’ll find anywhere. The 435-yard par-4 third hole is Vaaler Creek’s No. 1 handicap, moving downhill to a narrowing landing area and then slightly uphill to the green.The fourth, a dogleg-right, 587-yard par-5, is played across a narrow creek on either the second-shot layup or (for big hitters) the approach to a back-to-front sloping putting surface. You’ll be tempted to
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swing for the green on the 355-yard par-4 seventh, but beware of the grouping of trees near the right of the putting surface and the bunker that protects the front-left. If you get a little momentum from No. 7, take a chance for glory on the 520-yard par-5 eighth, which is made shorter by cutting the corner at the right bend of the fairway – just don’t cut off too much. No. 9, a 163-yard par-3, has a huge back-to-front sloping putting surface that demands accuracy. Its back-left hole placement may be one of the course’s least accessible, as a shot five yards too long will bound off the TheTexasGolfInsider.com
12
COVER STORY
green to a deep, collection area that almost assures a bogey or worse. The back-nine at Vaaler Creek is a little more mature – it was the course’s original nine holes and has had a few more seasons of growth – and not as severe as the newer front-nine. It’s hard to find a better three-hole finish anywhere than at Vaaler Creek GC.The 515-yard par-5 16th is played downhill and past a pond on the right to an uphill green guarded at front-left by a huge and deep bunker.The green slopes back toward you when you are in the fairway, and – if the pin is at the right front – there’s a backstop that will cause your approach to roll back toward the hole. The par-4 17th rolls downhill from the tee and plays much shorter than its length (425 yards).The approach is over a babbling stream to an undulating and elevated green, lined on both sides by trees. Even though the course’s first 17 holes provide is share of thrills and challenge, nothing really prepares you for the 405-yard par-4 18th. The tee shot is best played long and downhill along the left side, but too far to the portside brings a lake into play.The second shot is all carry over the huge lake, finishing at a putting surface in the shadow of the golf shop.
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
Expert golf instruction is available at Vaaler Creek GC with a practice facility that includes a two-acre driving range with 20 hitting bays and six target greens. After the round, find the time to enjoy a beverage and a little fellowship on the 5,500-square foot, tree-shaded deck.The pavilion adds even more reasons to hang around Vaaler Creek GC and expands the course’s food-service options thanks to an enclosed kitchen and snack bar. “With the pavilion, we offer a couple of breakfast options for before the round and multiple choices for food at the turn or after the round,” Grosch said. “We have tables and chairs to seat up to 150 people in the pavilion for events.” “The pavilion has allowed us to hold bigger tournaments, weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners,” Grosch added. “There’s a small stage for bands or tournament scoring, and a TV in there for our players to be able to watch after playing while enjoying a little food and a few drinks and to settle their bets.” Those who seek a pleasant escape from the big city will enjoy a day at the course thanks to its satisfying blend of hole variety and playability. And because the accompanying residential component is still in its infancy, few courses are more peaceful.
830.833.0706
for special weekday and weekend rates go to
www.vaalercreekgolfclub.com
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INSTRUCTION
CREATE MORE CLUBHEAD SPEED
ball. Being too still over the ball at address creates tension. Move! 2) STAY CENTERED OVER Dustin - long, flowing swing and aggressive THE BALL Staying centered over the ball during What would you guess is the question our the swing is very important to creating golf school students ask us the most during more clubhead speed because you the year? If your answer is “How do I hit the can always swing an object faster in a circle ball farther?”, your answer is correct. Most of than you can in a line. For example, if the time, the question they should be asking you tie a ball onto the end of a string, you us is, “How do I hit the ball straighter?” But can swing it around in a circle faster than for many golfers, hitting the ball farther is as if you move it back and forth in straight much of an obsession as learning how to make line. Golfers who try to transfer their grandma’s biscuits. We are going to show you weight during the swing tend to lose several ways to create more clubhead speed distance compared to someone who stays centered and lets their weight transfer while not giving up accuracy. We’ll also give automatically with their turn. This also you some very effective practice drills to help helps your body swing your arms during the you achieve this. swing, not the other way around. DRILL: Hit shots with your feet close 1) RELAX YOUR ARMS AND together. By doing this, your body senses SHOULDERS a lack of stability and forces you to stay Relaxing your arms and shoulders at centered. This in turn will help you create address is the first step to creating more more clubhead speed when you take your clubhead speed. Tension is the biggest normal width stance. killer of speed and it is almost always the one common characteristic in the loss of distance. Look at other athletic motions 3) BE AGGRESSIVE (IN THE RIGHT as an example. Throwing a ball: You can PLACE) throw a ball much further/faster if you are Being aggressive in your swing is good. relaxed before and during the motion. You Let me say that again. Being aggressive in your swing is good...as long as you keep can run faster if you’re relaxed while you’re doing it. Swinging a golf club is no different. your balance. But where you are aggressive is the key. Many golfers make the mistake DRILL: Make a conscious effort to move your arms, feet and legs while addressing the of being aggressive from the top of their TheTexasGolfInsider.com
INSTRUCTION
15
after your round. Stretching away from the golf course will only help. Just look at 5 of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour as an example. Bubba Watson, Charlie Beljan, Robert Garrigus, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy are all very flexible. The tip of a bull whip creates a “crack” because the tip is breaking the speed of sound. A stiffer object cannot do this because there is no “whip” to create speed.
Rory - staying centered over the ball
Remember, good swing fundamentals help you hit the ball more solidly. Hitting the ball solid is the first step to hitting it further and straighter. After that, practice these four fundamentals and you’ll be able to increase your clubhead speed.
swing starting down. To create maximum clubhead speed, be aggressive through the hitting area. Trying to hit the ball hard when starting your downswing creates two problems: power leak and balance problems. The fastest part of a good player’s swing is just past the ball. Jack Nicklaus said he tried to swing slower when he wanted to hit it further. What he accomplished by doing this was a smooth transition from the backswing to the downswing while his clubhead speed increased through the hitting area. DRILL: Hit shots on the range making different speed swings. Hit some shots swinging at 30% of your normal effort, some at 60% and some at 90%. Practicing this way not only helps you keep your transition smoother, but it lets you know what speed is working for you that day. 4) STRETCH Being flexible is just as important as anything you can do in your swing to increase your clubhead speed. You should always stretch, at the very least, before and TheTexasGolfInsider.com
16
FEATURE STORY
Renovated Golf Club of Texas wows players with conditions and playability
By Steve Habel/Senior Contributing Writer Golfers have been wowed and reviews of the links-like experience at the renovated and totally new Golf Club of Texas have been offthe-charts positive in the two months since the course in the southwest corner of San Antonio reopened on Aug. 28. The course’s owners have labeled the debut as a “soft opening” as the track continues to mature and its edges and aesthetics are being refined. More than 4,000 rounds of golf have already been played on the Roy Bechtoldesigned course and memberships in the Golf Club of Texas’ various playing categories have more than tripled as additional players experience the course and its core golf experience. The Golf Club of Texas is the first course in the United States to have Zoysia turf utilized on every square foot of its prime playing surfaces – even the greens. TheTexasGolfInsider.com
“Virtually every golfer who’s played the course has told us how much they enjoyed their round and that they were going to come back and bring their golf partners and friends the next time,” said Ruffin Moore, the director of club operations for the Outlaw Golf Group, owners and operators of the Golf Club of Texas. “San Antonio players are thrilled the course is back and still very affordable. It is just the icing on the cake that they also get to play o zoysia. Historically that would mean they would have to join an exclusive private club.” The facility’s grand reopening was held in mid-October, with media members and VIPs enjoying golf, fellowship and food while experiencing the course and several of the signature dishes from the Golf Club of Texas’ expansive restaurant. The Golf Club of Texas was originally designed by Bechtol, the
FEATURE STORY
Austin-based golf course architect and master planner, as a Lee Trevino signature course and has always been a favorite haunt for golfers looking for a combination of playability and challenge. It opened in 1999, but closed in 2013 after the ongoing Texas drought negatively affected course conditions. In 2014, the facility was purchased by the Outlaw Golf Group and Bechtol was retained to return the course to its original glory and make key changes where needed. “The changes we have made only enhance what was there in the past and addressed maintenance and conditioning issues that affected the course in the past few years,”
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Bechtol said. “I love the way the course plays and the feeling that you are constantly surrounded by golf and nature. I couldn’t be happier about the way the renovation has come out.” The Golf Club of Texas is located on 1,900 acres at the steps of the Hill Country and incorporates the rugged South Texas landscape where it meets a lush, sprawling flood plain. Four-holes wide and following a meandering creek, the Golf Club of Texas provides a core-golfing experience at its best. Indigenous plants are juxtaposed against flawless fairways and greens. “You stand on the deck of the clubhouse here and see nothing but golf across the wide
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
18
FEATURE STORY
plain to the south,” Bechtol said. “There’s the feeling here that golf was the most important aspect of the site.” The Golf Club of Texas’ renovation, which stripped the course down to the dirt, cost more than $7 million as Bechtol reworked the course’s putting surfaces, bunkers and tee boxes. He added movement and more bunkers to its fairways, making a track that was always good even better. The front- and back-nines have been flipped to create a more dynamic finish and new water
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
features have been constructed. Irrigation has also been updated, even as Bechtol’s revision has reduced the amount of turf that needs to be watered by more than 20 percent. “It’s great to see this course spring back to life,” Bechtol added. “We have made design changes and construction to make the Golf Club of Texas more fun to play and, most importantly, responsive to the wise and judicious use of water and as a reduction in maintenance costs.” The course plays at 7,121 yards from its back set of four tees and features a beguiling mix of long and short holes. Seven of the course’s par-4s are carded at 414 yards of longer and all four of the par-5s can be reached with two good shots by proficient players. All four of the par-3s weigh in at 186 yards or more. The real calling card for the renovation was the course’s complete grassing with different strains of Zoysia, the versatile, droughtresistant and hearty turf which makes every lie in the fairway seem like it’s on a tee. Zoysia
FEATURE STORY
also repels pitch marks on putting surfaces while allowing the greens to remain receptive to approach shots. The transformation is so compelling that Outlaw Golf and Bladerunner Farms, which supplied the Zoysia for the Golf Club of Texas, held a seminar about the advantages of using the turf during February’s Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. That seminar was attended by 255 registered participants from 25 different states and 20 countries, including those from both cold- (Scotland, Sweden, South Korea and Japan) and warm-weather (Israel, Bali, Jamaica, Thailand and Mexico) climates. “Zoysia allowed me to add slopes and mounding to the overall routing in places that other turf wouldn’t allow,” Bechtol said. “The ability to completely sod this course, 91 acres in all including 10 for the practice area, rather than sprig the turf and water it to make it grow and spread, let me vary the fairway lines, meander where the grass went, which helps with the overall look and the edges.” The first two months of play at the Golf Club of Texas have shown that the Zoysia greens can be cut to be as smooth-rolling and quick as Bermuda-grassed greens and can stand the punishment of the day-to-day grind of play on a semi-private golf course. The Golf Club of Texas’ restaurant and bar has become a regular gathering spot for both golfers and residents of the quickly-growing neighborhood near the facility. Theme nights offer specials on steak, pizza, barbeque and burgers – it’s common to see the restaurant packed even in the middle of the afternoon as golfers stay for an early dinner and a few cold
19
adult beverages after their rounds. Golfers are also excited about the facility’s expanded practice area, which includes a dual-sided driving range, a “wedge world” short game zone and a private teaching area. Two new lighted practice putting greens have also been fashioned in the shadow of the updated clubhouse, one with some challenging slopes that will act as its own place for fun and competition. The changes have brought back those golfers who have enjoyed the Golf Club of Texas in the past and have already won over new players, especially those anxious to test the Zoysia and those looking for a regular place to play. Zoysia is a game changer, and at the Golf Club of Texas, it makes the great golf course even better.
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
20
FEATURE STORY
By Steve Habel/Senior Contributing Writer
Real estate professionals claim that the true value of a piece of property can be summed up in three words: location, location, location. But as the City of Jersey Village illustrates, location, combined with amenities, recreational opportunities and world-class attractions garners even more significance and desirability. Jersey Village, set in just northwest of Houston near where Highway 290 and Beltway 8 intersect, offers a cornucopia of activities and a high quality of living. Top-rated accommodations and dining choices, a lively Theater District and one of the area’s top municipal golf courses bring people into the city and entice them to stay. Located on part of what was once a 1,236-acre ranch owned by Clark W. Henry, Jersey Meadow Golf Course is nestled among mature live oak groves. The ranch was originally home to the F & M Dairy and one of the world’s largest and best herds of Jersey dairy cattle. Henry and Leroy Kennedy began a joint land venture that took the old ranch and laid the groundwork for what would become the City of Jersey Village. TheTexasGolfInsider.com
In the late 1950’s, a parcel of land of the original ranch was branded as Jersey Meadow Golf Course, and in 1984 golf architect Carlton Gipson redesigned the track. Gipson’s course was tweaked in the 1990’s by Jay Riviere, helping to make it the outstanding test of golf it is today. The city has a public swimming pool and public park with playground facilities and a small lake with fishing available to residents and guests who have homes on the shores of the lake. Jersey Village is near Sam Houston Race Park, one of the nation’s top horse racing venues for both live racing and simulcast options from around the world. Houston Premier Outlets is a quick 15 minute drive from Jersey Village. Offering a 145 stores and a little bit of something for everyone. There is also Traders Village featuring great shopping with a busy schedule of events at its marketplace. Many of Houston’s top attractions are within an easy drive down Highway 290, with the Hermann Park Zoo, the Theater District, Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center all just a short conversation away. Fun for all ages, Jersey Village is the ultimate stay, play, shop and live experience.
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The Foresight Golf Family of courses invites you to be our guest and share the game we love so dearly. Our passion is to deliver nothing less than exceptional golf course conditions and world class customer service to you for a remarkable value.We also want to make you aware of the programs we have in place for rewarding you for your business with us. GET REWARDED WITH FREE GOLF FOR PLAYING GOLF WITH US! Sign up for a free Foresight Golf Loyalty Rewards Card and earn a point for every dollar you spend on Golf, Merchandise and Food & Beverages. Earn points at any or all of our courses and redeem free golf at the course of your choice. The points never expire and there are no blackout dates because we believe that loyalty goes both ways. POINT REQUIREMENTS FOR FREE ROUND
Course: The Buckhorn The Bandit The Republic Plum Creek Cypresswood-Tradition Cypresswood-Cypress Oso Beach Lozano Golf Center
Senior 400 500 400 400 550 450 600 600
Weekday 550 750 600 500 800 700 700 700
Weekend 950 1250 1100 750 1250 750 750 750
EMAIL SPECIALS All of our special deals go out through emails from each club and are designed to create an outstanding offer to allow you to play more.You may unsubscribe from our specials at any time. Sign up at any of the course’s home pages (scroll to the bottom) or send us an email at newsletter@foresightgolf.net and let us know which courses you are interested in receiving great deals from. WINTER MEMBERSHIPS Many of our courses are now offering memberships at great rates for the Winter season. Give us a call, look online or simply ask a staff member in our pro shops. Here’s to great winter golf and plentiful fairways and greens, Ed Miller Chief Operating Officer - Foresight Golf, LLC Foresight Golf is a local golf course management company based in Boerne,Texas. Let us know how your experience was! (830) 249-7528 www.foresightgolf.net
SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN
Public Course
COURSES
25
MAP #66
Comfor t RATES
18
9
Twilight
M-Th $35 $21 $25 M-F (60+) $30 F-Sun $46/49 $26 $34
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Art Schaupeter, ASGCA Dir of Golf: Daniel Treanor, PGA Superintendent: Ismael Toca Course Record: Tim Hobby, 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 t t t t t t
#FWFSBHF $BSU 4FSWJDF #FFS 8JOF 4OBDL #BS &NBJM 4QFDJBMT 3FXBSE 1SPHSBN #BORVFU )BMM 1SBDUJDF 'BDJMJUJFT
The Buckhorn Golf Course
N
estled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, The Buckhorn is a favorite of locals and Winter Texans alike. Well known as a really fun golf course that is always in exceptional condition, The Buckhorn’s design makes for a truly enjoyable experience at a great pace-of-play. Located off of I-10 , it is an easy drive North from San Antonio, and convenient to Fredericksburg, Kerrville and Boerne with plenty of activities to enjoy after your round. The championship layout utilizes a natural 100 foot elevation change and 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 mayy be the most memorable course you’ll play.
36 FM 473 Comfort, TX 78013
830-995-5351
www.buckhorngolfcourse.com
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
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COURSES
SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN
Public Course
RATES
18
MAP #98
9
Twilight
M-Th $39 $21 $32 M-Th (60+) $31 / $33 on Fri F-Sun $45/51 $26 $41
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Art Schaupeter, ASGCA Dir of Golf: Ken Holubec, PGA Superintendent: Cortney Brown Course Record: Brian Marini, 63 Alistar Jones, 63
TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Gold: 6913 Forest: 6387 Blue: 6101 Stone: 5447 Copper: 4274
COURSE AMENITIES t &NBJM 4QFDJBMT t 3FXBSE 1SPHSBN t #BORVFU )BMM t 'VMM #BS (SJMM t 1SBDUJDF 'BDJMJUJFT t #FWFSBHF $BSU 4FSWJDF
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
Kyle
Plum Creek Golf Course
P
lum Creek is located just one mile off of I-35 just 15 minutes south of downtown Austin in Kyle, Texas. If you haven’t been out to Plum Creek in a while, you are in for a delightful surprise. In 2011, new ownership immediately set about turning Plum Creek into a golf course that would be the recreational hub of the Kyle community. Under the direction and inspiration of management firm Foresight Golf, over a million dollars was invested to create a truly state-of-the-art practice facility. The 10th hole was converted from an average par-4 into an outstanding par-3, increased irrigation and additional turfgrass was added to improve several fairway corridors for width, strategy and enjoyment. 18 new tees were constructed to improve the playability of the golf course for a total of five sets of tees on each hole. 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
SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN Open to The Public
COURSES
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Corpus Christi MAP #96
Lozano Golf Center
TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Blue: 7027 / 73.9 / 125 White: 6554 / 72.0 / 121 Gold: 5790 / 68.5 / 115 Copper: 5084 / 70.1 / 111
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Architect: Finger, Dye, Spann Gen. Manager: Peter Palacios Jr Superintendent: Javier Martinez Head Pro: Jay Monte Teaching Pro: Ira Kramer PGA
COURSE AMENITIES t &NBJM 4QFDJBMT t 3FXBSE 1SPHSBN t Executive 9 hole course t 1SBDUJDF 'BDJMJUZ X SBOHF putting and chipping green t #BS (SJMM t #FWFSBHF $BSU 4FSWJDF Open to The Public
Lozano Golf Center has been transformed by the recent renovation of 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 the greens. 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! Rates: M-TH $33 ride, $22 walk, $27 twilight - M-F (60+) $28 ride, $15.86 walk F-Sun $40 ride, $24.50 walk, $29.50 twilight M-Sun on Executive 9: $18.50 ride, $10.75 walkk
4401 Old Brownsville Rd. Corpus Christi, TX 78412 361-826-8016 www.lozanogolfcenter.com
Corpus Christi MAP #97
Oso Beach
TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Blue: 6857 / 72.8 / 128 White: 6527 / 71.2 / 123 Gold: 5620 / 66.9 / 109 Red: 4989 / 68.6 / 113
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 70 Architect: John Beredemus Gen. Manager: Peter Palacios Jr Superintendent: -FXJT 'SZ Head Pro: Brent Springer PGA Teaching Pro: Ira Kramer PGA Course Record: Terry Yarbarough 62
COURSE AMENITIES t t t t t
&NBJM 4QFDJBMT 3FXBSE 1SPHSBN #FWFSBHF $BSU 4FSWJDF 1SBDUJDF 1VUUJOH (SFFO #BS (SJMM
Play where Ben Hogan, Bryon 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 a Winter Texas Favorite, test your nerve on the signature 13th tee shot over water. Rates: M-TH $33 ride, $22 walk, $27 twilight - M-F (60+) $28 ride, $15.86 walk F-Sun $40 ride, $24.50 walk, $29.50 twilight
5601 S Alameda Corpus Christi, TX 78412 361-826-8010 www.osobeachgolf.com
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COURSES
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SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN
Public Course
MAP #64
San Antonio
The Republic Golf Club RATES
18
9
Twilight
M-Th $47 $28 $35 M-F (60+) $35 F-Sun $64 $34 $39
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Art Schaupeter, ASGCA General Mgr: Shane Pearson Superintendent: Robby Jan Head Pro: John Westley Teaching Pro: Tom Olson, PGA
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
VOTED # 1 COURSE IN TOWN BY EXPRESS NEWS
W
elcome to the #1 course in San Antonio! Located less than ten minutes South of San Antonio’s world famous Riverwalk, The Republic Golf Club was built along the scenic Salado Creek among glorious oak, elm and mesquite trees. The golf course design is fun, challenging and is home to the best collection of par-5’s for risk/reward in the city. The course offers exceptional conditions including green, overseeded grass on all tees, fairways and greens to make cool season golf even more enjoyable. Enjoy the course consistently voted #1 by the Express News with no homes, no freeways, just pure golf - where you get the feeling that a little Texas history whistles through the trees.
COURSE AMENITIES t t t t t t
&NBJM 4QFDJBMT 3FXBSE 1SPHSBN #BORVFU )BMM #FWFSBHF $BSU 4FSWJDF 'VMM #BS (SJMM 1SBDUJDF 'BDJMJUJFT
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4226 S. E. Military Drive San Antonio, TX 78222
210-359-0000
www.republicgolfclub.com
SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN
Public Course
RATES
18
MAP #65
9
Twilight
M-Th $49 $28 $35 M-F (60+) $35 F-Sun $69 $38 $45
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 71 Architect: Keith Foster General Mgr: Bill Durbin Teaching Pro: Jonathan Roberson,PGA Superintendent: Michael Thomas Course Record: Mike Carnes, 62
TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Gold: 6928 / 72.7 / 130 Forest: 6405 / 70.3 / 124 Blue: 5905 / 67.6 / 114 Stone: 5289 / 70.7 / 122 Copper:4468 / 66.3 / 115
COURSE AMENITIES t t t t t t
Banquet Hall &NBJM 4QFDJBMT 3FXBSE 1SPHSBN #FWFSBHF $BSU 4FSWJDF 'VMM #BS (SJMM 1SBDUJDF 'BDJMJUJFT
COURSES
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N E W B R AUNFEL S
The Bandit Golf Club
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ocated in charming New Braunfels, The Bandit Golf Club is famous for great golf and for stealing the heart of all who have conquered the signature 18th hole. 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 at the edge of the Texas Hill Country. Elevated tee boxes and hilly terrain offer incredible views of beautifully sculpted golf holes, Long Creek and Lake McQueeny. Always in excellent condition, the course has beautiful, green, overseeded grass for your enjoyment throughout the cool season months. Now offering unique stay-and-play packages with The Lodges at The Bandit , the well-furnished and fully-stocked condominiums can sleep up to eight of your family and friends in style and comfort. Enjoy a sunset over the golf course from your balcony and you’ll see why The Bandit was named 2015 Best of Texas Golf Getaway. 6019 FM 725 New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-609-4665
www.banditgolfclub.com
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GOLF RULES & TIPS
Sponsored by
Q: My buddy hit his second shot on a par 4 deep into the woods right of the hole and said,“I’ll never find that”. He dropped another ball next to where he just played and hit it to the green. When we walked up to the green, he found his first ball, it must have ricochet off a tree. He said he played a provisional so he can play the first ball, I said you have to play the second ball, who is correct?
Lost Ball
A: If a player is playing a provisional ball, he must announce that he is doing such. Statements like “I’m reloading”, “I’m hitting another one”, “That might be out of here” do not satisfy the requirements of playing a provisional ball. The player’s statement must contain the words, “provisional ball”. Since your buddy did not mention a provisional ball when playing his second ball to the green, the ball he dropped is now the ball in play.
Q: Last week during a round, I hit my ball in the rough and after 3-4 minutes of searching, I dropped a ball in the general area and made a stroke. I then found my original ball 5 yards ahead of where I played my stroke. Can you tell me which ball I should have played at that point? A: When you dropped the second ball and played it, you in fact substituted a ball. At this point, the original ball is deemed lost and you must proceed with the substituted ball. However, since the original ball was lost, you were required to proceed under stroke and distance, returning to the place you played your prior stroke. If this were a tournament and you failed to correct your mistake, you would have been DQ’d for a serious breach. Q: I played in a Tournament last week and the participants were given logo golf balls. After we teed off, two of us drove within two yards of each other, however we both played the same logo ball. We flipped a coin and played out the hole. Did we proceed correctly? A: Since neither of you were able to identify your ball played from the tee, both balls were considered lost.You should have returned to the tee, playing your 3rd shot. This incident underlines the advisability of the player putting an identification mark on his ball. Moral of the story, mark your ball!
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Kevin Stokes has been a rules official since 2011 and is on the Texas Golf Association’s Rules Committee and the USGA Mid-Am Committee. Kevin also volunteers for the Southern Texas PGA.
Stokes Insurance offers a complete line of quality coverages for home, auto, business, and bonds. Our customer service is second to none. Contact Kevin at kevin@stokesins.com, or call 877-259-5533.
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REVIEW
Landa Park transformation brings new life to public, 18-hole gem
The city of New Braunfels, Texas is known for a number of local traditions including German festivals, floats along the river, and unforgettable rounds played on the serene and well-manicured Landa Park Golf Course at Comal Springs. For area golfers, this has been a go-to since the 1930s, when it was originally opened as a 9-hole course. More recently, Landa Park Golf Course has seen a remarkable transformation, bringing new life to this public, 18-hole gem. The course closed its doors in the Fall of 2013 to undergo a complete, $6.9 million dollar renovation, which included the addition of water features, bunkers, contouring, routing changes, and new tee and green complexes. Closed for only a year, the course reopened in October of 2014, and is now celebrating its oneTheTexasGolfInsider.com
year mark and a successful first season. “The feedback we’ve received from the rebirth and reopening of the course has been fantastic so far,” said Landa Park Golf Course PGA Head Golf Professional, Chad Donegan. “We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made and the chance for locals, long-timers and newcomers alike, to play the new Landa Park Golf Course at Comal Springs.” A new short game practice facility was added as a part of the golf course renovation, and offers patrons the chance to practice putting, chipping, as well as bunker shots. “Use of the expanded practice area, along with our partnership with a local driving range, allows us to offer individual and group lessons for experts and novices alike,” said Quint Alexander, PGA Assistant Golf Professional for Landa Park Golf Course.
REVIEW
In addition to group and summer camp lessons, both Quint and Chad are available for individual instruction, by appointment, while the short game practice area is available for public use. Along with the course revamp, the clubhouse also got a facelift and was enlarged to 5,500 square feet, to include more room for a full-line Pro Shop, a full service Sports Bar and Grill, Pavlock’s Fairway Grill, and a room which can be utilized as a meeting or events venue. Landa’s Pro Shop is fully stocked with all of the latest golf brands, including Adidas, Under Armour, FootJoy, TaylorMade and Titleist. After the renovation, Landa now has more to offer in the way of fundraisers and events. In addition to use of the meeting facility, golf course staff is on hand to assist with tournament set up and scoring, while Pavlock’s Fairway Grill can cater to just about any type of event. “After our renovation, the golf course has experienced a record number of tournaments and outings, as well as growing numbers within our local golf associations,� said Donegan. Enhanced Player Card Memberships offer discounts and added benefits to player card holders. “We are excited to offer new and improved opportunities for our patrons to have fun out on the course, shop in our full-line Pro Shop, eat good food, and save some money in the process,� said Donegan. Landa also offers club rentals and a range of Stay and Play Packages to accom-
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modate those out-of-town patrons. In addition to these improvements, Landa Park Golf Course at Comal Springs has developed a list of upcoming tournaments for the 2015-2016 season. Included in this 17 tournament line-up are: FootGolf, couples events, Match Play, and 9-hole tournaments preceding each of the major championships. Course conditions continue to improve under the watchful eye of Golf Course Superinendent, Brody Dillard and his team. The amount of rain the course saw earlier this year helped the newly established grasses to mature and grow, providing patrons with a beautifully developed 122-acre spread. At only a year old, Landa’s conditions couldn’t be better. “We’ve received excellent feedback on our renovations, and are looking forward to seeing the course continue to mature,� said Donegan. “We have made a lot of improvements here at Landa Park Golf Course, and are excited to offer such a great product to our patrons.� Visit Landa Park Golf Course and challenge yourself on the course or opt for a lesson from top PGA-rated professionals. LANDA PARK GOLF COURSE AT COMAL SPRINGS (0-' $0634& 30"% r /&8 #3"6/'&-4 5&9"4 r
r -"/%"1"3,(0-'$0634& $0.
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COURSES Open to The Public
SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN San Antonio MAP #85
TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Blue: 6819 / 70+8 / 124 White: 6412 / 68.3 / 117 Gold: 5552 / 72.0 / 118 Red: 5235 / 72+0 / 118
Fort Sam Houston Golf Club Salado Del Rio
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Architect: Kevin Tucker Director of Golf: Joseph Mendez Superintendent: Tim Blanchard
COURSE AMENITIES t Open to the Public t Banquet Room seats 300 t Practice Area t Full Service Pro Shop t Grill t League Play Available t Tournaments Welcomed
Open to The Public
Salado Del Rio was lengthened to more than 6,500 yards, and thanks to additional mounding, renovated bunkering and an improved drainage system, it will be far more enjoyable to play more days of the year. Salado Del Rio is a scenic course with its tree-lined fairways, additional mounding around the greens and forced carries over hazards. Some you can play out of, some you can’t. The stretch of holes from the fourth through the eighth is particularly breathtaking as they play along and across Salado Creek, offering more pronounced doglegs and dramatic elevation changes. 1050 Harry Wurzbach Rd San Antonio, TX 78209-6443 210-222-9386 www.ftsammwr.com/recreation/golf.html
San Antonio MAP #85
TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Blue: 6857 / 72.8 / 128 White: 6527 / 71.2 / 123 Gold: 5620 / 66.9 / 109 Red: 4989 / 68.6 / 113
Fort Sam Houston Golf Club La Loma Grande
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Architect: Kevin Tucker Director of Golf: Joseph Mendez Superintendent: Tim Blanchard
COURSE AMENITIES t Open to the Public t Banquet Room seats 300 t Practice Area t Full Service Pro Shop t Grill t League Play Available t Tournaments Welcomed
The La Loma Grande Course, originally developed by the legendary A.W. Tillinghast, was built by the soldiers themselves in the early 1930s. It is the only military golf course to host a PGA Tour event — two Texas Opens that were won by hall of famers Arnold Palmer and Gene Littler. Now it has been returned to the dream of Tillinghast’s original design. La Loma Grande has always been the flatter of the two layouts, but most regular players also consider it the more difficult course with its pushed-up greens, particularly on the back nine, and its diabolical bunkering and mounding around the greens. 1050 Harry Wurzbach Rd | San Antonio, TX 78209-6443 210-222-9386 | www.ftsammwr.com/recreation/golf.html Advertisements do not express or imply endorsement by any part of the Federal Government, and media involved are neither paid for nor sponsored by any part of the Federal Government
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SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN
Public Course
MAP #29
RATES Monday-Friday $32 Seniors and Military $26 Saturday, Sunday and $38 Holidays Twilight at noon everyday (Green Fee, Cart & Tax Included)
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Director of Golf: Dave Roberts
TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Blue: 6550 / 71.0 / 125 White: 6080 / 65.5 / 119 Gold: 5339 / 66.4 / 118 Red: 4815 / 64.0 / 113
DIRECTIONS From I-35 north, take Exit 178 and turn right onto Country Club Drive. The entrance to the course is on the right side of the street.
COURSES
35
Cibolo
Northcliffe Golf Club Home of the Noon Twilight Rate - Mon-Fri Just $24 Northcliffe Golf Club is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained golf courses in the San Antonio and New Braunfels area. The par 72 course is enjoyable for the average golfer, yet a challenge to the low-handicap players. Our rates are hands-down some of the most competitive around as we offer a great value to locals and visiting players alike. Northcliffe Golf Club is the home of “Twilight at Noon Seven Days A Week” Originally designed in 1979 by Joe Finger, the links-style design features generous fairways and leaves the golfer several options to play each hole. Northcliffe also has the unique design of 5 par 5’s and 5 par 3’s that wind through the course with no major elevation changes. Now open at Northcliffe Golf Club is the new “America’s first drift fry restaurant” Shifu’s 41 and a 1000 sq.ft. deck surrounding the pro shop. With a friendly informal atmosphere and customer service that is dedicated to making your golf experience exciting and enjoyable, Northcliffe is easily one of the “best kept secrets” around. We invite you to come relax, take it easy, and have a great round. 5301 Country Club Blvd. Cibolo, TX 77546
830-606-7351
www.northcliffegolfcourse.com
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REVIEW
Lighthouse Country Club
Golf is a Journey...... The Course is Yours! Packsaddle Country Club was purchased in September, 2011 by Rick and Mercy Howe from Midland,Texas.They were turned on to the property by Mr. Al Pryor, who was the General Manager and Golf Pro during bankruptcy. Once the purchase was complete, the course was closed to the public while maintenance began on the course to get it up to the standards that the Howe’s and golfers demanded. Preparations began for a Grand Opening on October 29th, 2011. While
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preparing for this event, Bastrop,Texas was in the midst of recovering from a devastating fire.The Howe’s chose to make the victims of the fires the beneficiaries of The Lighthouse Country Club grand opening tournament. It was a great success, and seeing the proceeds go to neighbors in need was a humbling experience. Seeing that success and the opportunity to help communities in need was inspiration for the Howe’s to continue seeking tournaments for charities in all walks of life.
REVIEW
In January of 2012, a young man by the name of Jarrett Eledge accepted a phone call from Mr. Howe. Without an interview and on faith, Mr. Howe offered Jarrett the position of Course Superintendent, with only one stipulation. Mr. Howe wanted him to see The Lighthouse vision, expand it, make the Tif eagle greens excellent and the 419 bermuda fairways as good as the greens, so that golfers could hit that wonderful iron shot and watch it dance on the green. But this wasn’t the stipulation, he believes that all superintendents want that. Mr. Howe’s stipulation was if the superintendent had to ask the golf professional or himself how to grow grass, he was heading in the wrong direction. In short, it was Jarrett’s course to make wonderful, and man has he SHINED in fulfilling this request. The Lighthouse restaurant was open to the public during this time, stay and play units were built and have been occupied by Winter Texans through the winter months to spring.They are used for golfers and golfing groups throughout the remainder of the year. An RV Park featuring 23 concrete spaces, a pavilion that houses both men and women’s showers, and a laundry room were also added. Golf carts
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are dedicated to each RV space and Stay & Play unit at a small fee, 24 hrs per day, for the golfer’s convenience.
The Hill Country goes through four seasons, although fall may be forgotten some years.The average mean temperature in the winter is 50º, spring is 67º, summer is 98º and fall is 75º.Therefore, golf is good for 340 days per year. Some diehards still think golf is good here for 365 days a year, or are just hoping for that Kodak moment that just might appear in a news special or blog. The Championship golf course sits in the shadow of Packsaddle Mountain. Playing 6,485 yards from the championship tees, to 4,810 yards from the forward most tees, the Journey begins. As you prepare to tee off on the first hole, a quick glance behind you reveals the Lighthouse, a serene warning of the
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REVIEW
dangers ahead that will also quietly greet you as you take your last stoke on the 18th hole. During this journey of avoiding the various bunkers, native areas, and water that is in play on seven holes, you rely on Guidance,Widsom, and Choice.What would your golfer of choice do in this given situation? Then in one stroke, you are back in your world – Golf is a journey, the course is yours. Playing through the course, you make the turn from four to five and there it is, sitting majestically in your sight, the pond, the green, the Packsaddle Mountains. You may beat yourself up because you only had to carry a granite wall on the last tee shot, and tried to stay out of the pond on the left. No time for “Why Me’s” though,when you realize the beauty of nature as you look forward from the #5 tee box. With a sigh and determination, you tee off on 6 hoping to stay away from the big oak tree on the right side of the fairway. As you approach your ball there it is, 200 yards of granite outcropping lin-
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ing the right side of the fairway, protecting the green from three sides. And on the left, a tree lined fairway. But you prevail, moving forward to the par 3 hole #7. A relief if par 3’s can be a relief. Then hole 8, and more water to carry. The journey continues, as you hit into a two tier green. Finally you make the turn to the #9 tee box, where you catch sight of The Lighthouse, almost halfway home. Break time and on the course again as the journey continues with #10, more water, and #11 with a waste area you have to lay up to. Then life is simple for the next four holes. Hole 16, is a par 3 blocked on the right with a monstrous cottonwood tree, with sand bunkers catching what may fall out unless it falls into the pond on the right. Hole 17 is a long par five, usually hitting into a headwind. After hitting your tee shot, do you lay up in front of the creek or do you go for it? The choice is yours. Finally hole 18, a par three with outcroppings on the left. The Lighthouse and the pro shop are on top of the hill. As you walk off the green, no matter what, the journey is complete. Enjoy the moments, no matter how small, it is a part of you!
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FEATURE STORY
Koasati Pines at Coushatta— beyond expectations!
If you’re a golfer and a gambler, you’ll enjoy playing Koasati Pines at Coushatta, part of Coushatta Casino Resort owned by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. The fairways on this spectacular 7,617 yard course, one of the longest golf courses in Louisiana, wind through natural wetlands and over rolling terrain studded with stately pines and huge live oaks. Koasati Pines is designed with a fresh perspective, to submerge you in a relaxing yet challenging golf experience. It’s novel 19th “gambling” hole is where tiebreakers and wagers can be resolved, and playing Koasati Pines will make it your new favorite course! PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED & TOP-RATED COURSE Course designer Kevin Tucker snuck in multiple approaches to several holes, but you’ll be riding on GPSTheTexasGolfInsider.com
enabled carts that track yardage and offer course tips to help you plan each shot. Six sets of tees let golfers tailor the course to their skill levels. See for yourself why Koasati Pines is listed as one of Golf Digest’s 2012-13 Top 10 Courses in Louisiana.
FEATURE STORY
AND THAT’S NOT ALL . . . THERE’S MORE! After your day on the links, enjoy a delicious dinner in Big Sky Steakhouse or any of the casino’s fine restaurants. Then it’s on to exciting gaming in the 100,000 square foot casino. Over 2800 of the newest and hottest slots, more than 70 table games including Blackjack, Craps, live Poker, and now live Bingo and off-track betting too! Catch a live show or dance the night away in the casino’s nightclub, Mikko Live, or simply relax in the comfort of your luxurious hotel room or in your lakeside chalet at Red
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Shoes RV Resort. And bring the kids! They’ll love the supervised childcare of Kids Quest (ages 6 weeks to 12 years) or Cyber Quest (ages 12 and older).
NEW ADULT-EXCLUSIVE GRAND HOTEL NOW OPEN Experience upscale Southern Hospitality at the all-new Grand Hotel! Coushatta’s flagship luxury hotel has been completely renovated into an adultexclusive property reserved for guests ages 21 and up, offering you a relaxing and refreshing escape.You’re also connected to the region’s largest gaming floor! WE’RE ONLY A SHORT DRIVE AWAY Drive 1 1/2 hours from Beaumont and only 45 minutes from Lake Charles ... and you’ve reached a destination that’s designed to delight, where world-class gaming and luxurious accommodations await you. Plan your family’s “gaming getaway” today! For tee times and room reservations call 800.584.7263 or visit online at www.coushattacasinoresort.com. Stay & Play packages available. TheTexasGolfInsider.com
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46
REVIEW
Fun, Fun, Fun
on and off the course at Delaware Springs
By Steve Habel/Senior Contributing Writer
Playing a round at Delaware Springs Golf Course is always a challenge and a fun time. Now the après golf offerings at the facility will be even more satisfying, thanks to a series of enhancements to the course and its clubhouse. Delaware Springs GC – nestled into the rolling hills and oak trees on oft wind-swept ground just south of town – opened for play in 1992. Like fine wine, Delaware Springs has improved with age, thanks to the City of Burnet’s dedication to conditioning and maintenance, including the needed tweak every so often. “I’ve been here a long time and I think the course has never been better than it is right now,” said Doug Fipps, Delaware Springs’ long-time director of golf. “We are always working to make things a little better and a little more fun, and the golfers that play here always tell me that they’ve had a good time, both on the course and after the round.” In the latest set of improvements, the City of Burnet is spending $230,000 to build a new pavilion astride the back patio of the clubhouse and expanding the clubhouse itself by 30 percent. Designed by architects Dave Axland and Dan Proctor (who have worked with Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore and also designed the flawless Wild Horse Golf Club in the Nebraska Sandhills), it fits the terrain perfectly. Part of the appeal of Delaware Springs is that it’s just a really fair, really fun golf course. Thanks to a variety of long and short holes and a routing that’s carded at 6,829 yards from the tips but includes three other tee boxes, players can bite off as much as they want to chew here. It’s an understated routing that’s not about punishing players with deep rough or forced TheTexasGolfInsider.com
carries or overly punitive greens complexes. Low handicappers should not be deceived by the track’s lack of length – there are more than enough challenges to keep all levels of golfers scrambling. There is not a lot of mounding at Delaware Springs GC and eight of the track’s holes have no bunkers. During the round golfers will encounter lush fairways, large greens that often slope severely and numerous chances to bump and run shots to the putting surfaces. Delaware Springs’ front-nine features three par-5s, each of which can be reached with two great shots if the wind is favorable. Those seemingly easy holes are mitigated by two long and tough par-4s (the 425-yard third hole and the 477-yard fourth) and the visually innocuous par-3 seventh, which – at 220 yards from the back tees – can be a bear if the wind is into the players’ face. The back-nine begins with two lengthy two-shotters (the 448-yard 10th and the 444-yard 11th). Another par-4, the 427-yard 15th, turns the heat up one more notch. The drivable 310-yard par-4 17th is the crescendo of the course, daring players to hit a high right-toleft shot and try to attack the smallest putting surface at Delaware Springs. The course has an expansive practice area with a huge putting green. Delaware Springs’ small grill serves huge cheeseburgers that have long been considered the best in Burnet County. A day at Delaware Springs is public golf at its best: a great course run by friendly people followed by a great no-frills meal. The experience never disappoints, and always leaves players with a smile and a desire for a quick return trip.
SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN
Public Course
RATES
18
MAP #41
9
Twilight
Weekday $37 $22 $25 Weekend $47 $27 $33
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Architect: Bunker Hill General Manager: Doug Fipps Superintendent: Jason Kelly Course Record: Kyle Jerome,62
TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Black: 6891 / 72.0 / 127 Blue: 6329 / 70.3 / 121 White: 5829 / 68.2 / 110 Red: 4931 / 66.8 / 106
COURSE AMENITIES t t t t t
1SBDUJDF 'BDJMJUJFT (PMG "DBEFNZ #BS (SJMM 'VMMZ 4UPDLFE 1SP 4IPQ 0OMJOF 4QFDJBMT
COURSES
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Burnet
Delaware Springs Golf Course One of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play”
R
ated four out of five stars on Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” list, Delaware Springs Golf Course is a Hill Country classic cradled by a variety of native trees and accented by charming scenery. The beautiful 6,891-yard par-72 track unfolds onto gently rolling hills and offers golfers scenic vistas at every turn, making it as picturesque as it is challenging. The aesthetic value is just one reason why Delaware Springs has become a Hill Country favorite. Visitors are often impressed by the attitude of the golf course staff, a friendly and courteous crew that makes strangers feel right at home. In addition to the 18-hole championship course, the facility features a well-stocked pro shop, driving range, putting green, snack bar and dining room overlooking the 18th green. To enjoy Hill Country golf at its finest, come visit Delaware Springs Golf Course, owned and operated by the city of Burnet. Course designers Dave Akland and Dan Procter named each hole after a local feature, such as “Mountain View” and “Roon the Bend” because of its sharp dogleg right. Few homes line the holes.
600 Delaware Springs Blvd. Burnet, TX 78611
512-756-8471
www.delawaresprings.com
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SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN
COURSES
49
Lago Vista G o l f
C o u r s e s
-BHP 7JTUB t Lago Vista Golf Course is a par 72 18-hole championship golf course that offers over 6500 yards of fun and challenging play. The course originally opened as a 9-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, 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 golfers are welcome to enjoy the undulating fairways, epic lake views, and abundant wildlife at Lago Vista Golf Course.
)JHIMBOE -BLFT t Highland Lakes Golf Course, designed by Leon and Charles Howard and built in 1978, has been newly acquired and improved by the City of Lago Vista. The multilevel, sloping tifdwarf greens provide a demanding, yet uniquely challenging golf experience. Originally known in the 1970s and 1980s as World of Resorts Country Club, Highland Lakes Golf Course is generally considered the more challenging of the two courses.
Same Day Special!
For other offers, tournaments and banquet information call
)PMFT o t #FFST
512.267.1170 or go to www.lagovistagc.com TheTexasGolfInsider.com
50
H I L L C O U N T R Y R V P A R K S
Beachcomber Park 800-379-3083 lakebuchananrv.com
Granite Rock RV Park 325-388-8900 graniterockrvpark.com
Big Chief RV Resort 866-922-4433 bigchiefrvresort.com
Heart of Texas Lake Resort 512-756-7766 heartoftexaslakeresort.com
Blanco Settlement Country Cabins & RV Park 830-833-5115 blancosettlement.com
Hidden Falls Adventure Park 830-798-9820 hiddenfallsadventurepark.com
Canyon of the Eagles Lodge & Nature Park 800-977-0081 canyonoftheeagles.com Cedar Lodge Waterfront Resort 512-793-2820 cedarlodge.info Dos Rios RV Park 325-347-1713 dosriosrvpark.com Edgewater Resort 512-793-2818 the-edgewater.com Fort Mason City Park 325-347-2064 Galloway-Hammond Parks and Recreation Center 512-756-6180
Hi-Line Lake Resort 325-379-1065 hilinelakesresort.com Hofbrau RV Park 830-596-2073 hofbrau-rvpark.com Inks Lake State Park 512-389-8900 tpwd.state.tx.us Krause Springs 830-693-4181 krausesprings.net Llanorado Lodge 325-388-4823 tpwd.state.tx.us Llano River RV Park 325-247-5100 llanoriverrvpark.com Miller Creek RV Park 877-868-2622 millercreekrvresort.com Poppy’s Pointe Resort 512-793-3922 poppyspointe.net
118 Club Circle Kingsland, TX
325-388-6660
LighthouseCountryClub.com
Northpoint Landing RV Park NOW OPEN
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Rio Vista Resort 325-388-6331 rio-vista-resort.com Riverview RV Park 830-693-3910 Roadrunner RV Park 830-868-7449 roadrunnerrvparktexas.com San Saba River GC & RV Park 325-372-3212 golfsansaba.com Shady Oaks RV Park 512-793-2718 campingfriend.com/shadyoaksrv Sunset Point on Lake LBJ 830-798-8199 sunsetpointlbj.com
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Savor The Hill Country Taste
Alamosa Wine Cellars 325-628-3313 alamosawinecellars.com Becker Vineyards 830-644-2681 beckervineyard.com Bell Mountain Vineyards 830-685-3297 bellmountainwine.com Chisholm Trail Winery 830-990-CORK chisholmtrailwinery.com Duchman Family Winery 512-858-1470 duchmanwines.com Driftwood Estate Winery 512-858-9667 driftwoodwinery.com Dry Comal Creek Vineyards 830-885-4121 drycomalcreek.com Fall Creek Vineyards 325-379-5361 fcv.com Flat Creek Estate Winery 512-267-6310 flatcreekestate.com Fredericksburg Winery 830-990-8747 fbgwinery.com Grape Creek Vineyards 830-990-2710 grapecreek.com McReynolds Winery 830-825-3544 mcreynoldswines.com Pedernales Cellars 830-644-2037 pedernalescellars.com Perissos Vineyards 512-656-8419 perissosvineyards.com Pillar Bluff Vineyard 512-556-4078 pillarbluff.com Rancho Ponte Vineyard 830-324-6704 ranchoponte.com
Sister Creek Vineyards 830-990-8555 sistercreekvineyards.com Spicewood Vineyards 830-693-5328 spicewoodvineyards.com Stone House Vineyard 512-264-3630 stonehousevineyard.com Texas Hills Vineyard 830-868-2321 texashillsvineyards.com Texas Legato Winery 512-556-9600 texaslegato.com Torre Di Pietra Vineyards 830-644-2829 torredipietra.com Woodrose Winery 830-644-2539 woodrosewinery.com
H I L L C O U N T R Y
W I N E R I E S
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52
FEATURE STORY
Scottsdale’s Valley of the Sun, In the Fall, will offer value and golfing variety
By Art Stricklin
TPC-Scottsdale Stadium Course
Arizona golf in the fabled Valley of the Sun has always been one of the Southwest’s greatest concentrations of sun, fun, golf, scenic views and equally appealing eats and drinks. But among the fastest emerging trends is golf in the sun, in the Fall before TheTexasGolfInsider.com
the high price Winter season hits after Christmas with maximum prices and maximum crowds. Many of Scottsdale’s finest courses and best new restaurants can be accessed for discount prices during the Fall shoulder season by savvy Texas travelers
FEATURE STORY
53
looking for a great time at a better price. With easy and direct flights from several places in Texas, travel to Scottsdale and the Valley offers plenty of choices along with several new golf, dinner and lodging options in the area. The TPCTPC-Scottsdale Stadium Course Scottsdale Stadium Course is home of seem a much better option than the green the annual PGA Tour’s Waste Managegrass battle! ment Open, known locally as the GreatOn the back nine you’re confronted est Party of Grass. It annually attracts with plenty of golfing history.The par 5 400,000 golf fans, and reopened just in 13th is where Tiger Woods had his legions time for the 2015 WM Phoenix Open of fans move a huge bunker during the won by Brooks Koepka. tournament as part of a loose impediment. The course is home to the world’s The par 3 16th is where Woods made greatest golfers one week a year, usually the week of the NFL’s Super Bowl, but is his first competitive hole in one, igniting a shower of plastic drink cups and open to public play along with guests of the adjoining Fairmont Scottsdale Resort thunderous cheers. On the par 4 17th, Carrollton’s Anthe other 51 weeks. drew Magee made the first PGA Tour hole Part of the charm of the newly renoin one on a par 4 when he banked his tee vated TPC –Scottsdale is that the front nine is very close to the huge Fairmont ScottTPC-Scottsdale Stadium Course sdale Princess hotel where many of the PGA Tour players stay during the Phoenix Open. From the par 3 fourth hole, you’re looking directly into the resort pool and depending on how your early scores are going, that may TheTexasGolfInsider.com
54
FEATURE STORY
pros play, you can now eat where the pros eat, as the clubhouse has been remolded to include the Toro Restaurant and Rum Bar for postround celebration and pre-round fuel up. We-ko-pa Golf Resort Texas architect Ben Crenshaw, shot after Tom Byrum’s putter for the most who has done several local courses, added the second layout, Saguaro, to unlikely ace.To perform the renovation, they called on original architect Tom Weis- the hugely popular We-ko-pa golf resort kopf, a local resident, to freshen the look of on a Fort McDowell Yavapai Indian reservation. the TPC.Weiskopf and his team regrassed The par 71 layout is classic, scenic all the greens, moved some of the tee desert golf with Crenshaw and partner Bill locations, and added 250 trees and several Coore’s minimalistic touch on the beautiful bunkers to the par 71 course which plays landscape.There are plenty of cacti and 7,261 yards from the championship tees. trouble as you stray off the fairway, but “The golf course and clubhouse imenough desert wash and enchanting views provements will provide a long term asset to Scottsdale and the world’s best attended to keep you interested and coming back for more. golf tournament, the Waste Management Because the course is located on Indian Open,” the local architect said. land, there are The course no homes is probably anywhere to best known spoil the green for the totally grass views like enclosed par 3 what has hapstadium 16th pened at equally hole and the great, but now island green cluttered, local par 5 15th layouts. which was not The adjacent substantially We-ko-pa changed in the Resort has unWeiskopf redo. dergone a name In addition to change to match the chance to We-ko-pa Golf Resort the golf course play where the Boulder Golf Course TheTexasGolfInsider.com
FEATURE STORY
The Boulders Golf Course
55
and 60’s. It offers plenty of drinks with umbrellas in them along with an extensive American and Polynesian menu. Scottsdale Quarter is a massive shopping center nearby with just about every trendy shop and eating establishment you could ask for. You can always wait for the crowds and the prices to rise in The Valley after Christmas, but a Fall travel trip to see what is new and popular in Scottsdale is an increasingly popular option for Lone Star travelers. There is enough great Fall golf in the high tone Scottsdale and Phoenix area to keep golfers going on the green grass buffet for weeks, not to mention the great, exclusive private courses like Whisper Rock and Desert Mountain. It’s truly a golf-rich target environment. For more information you can go to www.scottsdalepressroom.com
along with some hotel improvements including a large lobby and fun swim area. The Boulders, which also has 36 holes, is more target golf in beautiful surroundings with the two layouts more than living up to their name as huge rocks peer down on you from the mountains above. Among the best new eating spots in the area is Bryan’s Black Mountain BBQ, located 10 minutes away from The Boulders.The owner and chef, Bryan Dooley, once worked as a fine dining chef at a local resort before deciding to indulge his true love for locally cooked meats of all kinds. The modestsized establishment, located in the aptly named town of Carefree, usually has a long line of fans in line for lunch or dinner almost every night. Another unique new place is Hula’s Modern Tiki bar located in the old town section of Scottsdale, a takeoff of the tiki bars which were popular theCourse 1950’s The Boulders Golf Course Boulder in Golf
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GENERAL DIRECTORY
COURSE
TYPE
AUSTIN: Avery Ranch Semi-Private Falconhead Semi-Private Gray Rock Golf Club Semi-Private Hancock Park Golf Course Municipal Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer Golf CourseMunicipal Lions Municipal Golf Course Municipal Morris Williams Golf Course Municipal Riverside Golf Club Public BANDERA: Flying L Ranch Golf Course Resort BASTROP: Colovista Golf Club Semi-Private Hyatt, Wolfdancer Resort Lost Pines Golf Course Public Pine Forest Golf Club Public BLANCO: Vaaler Creek Golf Club Semi-Private BOERNE: Tapatio Springs Resort BURNET: Delaware Springs Golf Course Municipal CANYON LAKE: Lakeside Golf Club Public CASTROVILLE: Alsatian Golf Course Public CIBOLO: Northcliffe Golf & Country Club Semi-Private COMFORT: Buckhorn Golf Course Public CONCAN: Club at ConCan Resort DEVINE: Devine Golf Course Public FLORESVILLE: River Bend Golf Club Public FREDERICKSBURG: Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course Municipal GEORGETOWN: Cowan Creek Golf Club Semi-Private Legacy Hill Golf Club Semi-Private White Wing Golf Club Semi-Private HORSESHOE BAY: Horseshoe Bay Resort Resort Apple Rock Resort Ram Rock Resort Slick Rock Resort KERRVILLE: Scott Schreiner Municipal GC Municipal KINGSLAND: Legends Golf Course Public Lighthouse Country Club Public KYLE: Plum Creek Golf Course Public LAGO VISTA: Lago Vista Semi-Private Highland Lakes Public LAMPASAS: Hancock Park Golf Course Public
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PHONE COURSE (512) 248-2442 (512) 402-1558 (512) 288-4297 (512) 453-0276 (512) 444-0999 (512) 477-6963 (512) 974-8333 (512) 386-7077 (800) 646-5407 (512) 629-4585 (512) 308-9653 (512) 321-2327 (512) 321-1181 (830) 833-0706 (830) 537-4197 (512) 756-8471 (830) 899-3301 (830) 931-3100 (830) 606-7351 (830) 995-5351 (830) 232-4471 (830) 665-9943 (830) 216-2800 (830) 997-4010 (512) 864-1244 (512) 864-1222 (512) 864-1244 (830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600 (830) 598-8600 (830) 257-4982 (325) 388-8888 (325) 388-6660 (512) 262-5555 (512) 267-1170 (512) 267-1170 (512) 556-3202
TYPE
LEANDER: The Golf Club at Crystal Falls Municipal LLANO: Llano Golf Club Municipal MANOR: Shadow Glen Semi-Private MARBLE FALLS: Hidden Falls Golf Club Semi-Private NEW BRAUNFELS: The Bandit Golf Course Public Landa Park Golf Course Municipal 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 Municipal SEGUIN: Golf Club of Seguin Semi-Private Starcke Park Golf Course Municipal 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 Municipal Canyon Springs Golf Course Public Cedar Creek Golf Course Municipal Gateway Hills Golf Course Military Golf Club of Texas Public Hyatt Hill Country Resort Resort La Cantera Golf Club Public La Loma Grande Public Mission Del Lago Golf Course Municipal Olmos Basin Golf Course Municipal Randolf Oaks Golf Course Military Riverside Golf Course Municipal Salado Del Rio Public Silverhorn Public The Palmer Course Public The Republic Golf Course Public TPC San Antonio Resort Windcrest Golf Course Semi-private Willow Springs Golf Course Municipal UNIVERSAL CITY: Olympia Hills Golf & Conference Center Public UTOPIA: Utopia Golf Course Public WIMBERLEY: Quicksand at Woodcreek Public
PHONE (512) 259-5855 (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) 303-0669 (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) 826-4041 (210) 652-4570 (210) 533-8371 (210) 222-9386 (210) 545-5300 (210) 558-2365 (210) 359-0000 (210) 491-5800 (210) 655-1421 (210) 226-6721 (210) 945-4653 (830) 966-5577 (512) 847-9700
THE PERFECT DRIVE
57
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 Lorenzo Golf Center Oso Beach Municipal GC 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 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) 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
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
16
127
ConCan
15 15
Harper
Utopia
49
49
27 1604
Castroville
66
Comfort 473
20
1431
46
85
3 64 1604
35
29 725
73
87 87 Spring Brand
Kingsland
65 65
98
84
Kyle
80
25
620
Leander
3
130 1825
Robstown
37
2
Refugio
Portland
83286 358
44
77 97 96Corpus Christi
Sinton
2
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67 67 68 Falls 41 2342 68 Marble
Port Aransas
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Delaware Springs Golf Course (512) 756-8471 41 41 600 Delaware Springs Blvd., Burnet, TX 78611
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Practice Fac. Restaurant Banquet Fac. Pro Shop Instructions Ad on Page
Yardage /Rating /Slope
Par
Type: M=Municipal, PR=Private, P=Public, SP= Semi-Private.
Type Hole
Map Number
SAN ANTONIO |HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN COURSES
t t t t t
www.delawaresprings.com
Flying L Guest Ranch 49 566 Flying L Drive, Bandera, TX 78003
(800) 292-5134
41
t t t t t
(512) 382-6529
1
t t t t t
(713) 896-0900
1
t t t t t
LaLoma Grande Golf Club (210) 222-9386 85 1050 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209
1
(512) 267-1170
.
(361) 826-8016
P 18
72
t t
M
t t t t t
(325) 388-6660
1
t t t t t
Northcliffe Golf Club (830) 606-7351 29 5301 Country Club Blvd., Cibolo, TX 77546
S1
t t t t t
1
t t t t t
M
t t t t t
S1
t t t t t
www.flyingl.com
Highland Lakes Golf Course
20 20552 Highland Lake Dr., Lago Vista, TX 78645 www.lagovistagc.com/highland-lakes.html
Jersey Meadow Golf Course 2 8502 Rio Grande, Jersey Village, TX 77040 www.jerseymeadow.com
t t t t t
www.ftsammwr.com /recreation/golf.html
Lago Vista Golf Course
t t t t t
20 4616 Rimrock Dr., Lago Vista, TX 78645 www.lagovistagc.com
Lozano Golf Center
t t
96 4401 Old Brownsville, Corpus Christi, TX 78405 www.lozanogolfcenter.com
Landa Park Golf Course
(830) 221-4340
73 180 Golf Course Rd., New Braunfels, TX 78130 www.landaparkgolfcourse.com
Lighthouse Country Club 68 118 Club Circle, Kingsland, TX 78639 www.lighthousecountryclub.com
www.northcliffegolfcourse.com
Olympia Hills Golf and Conference Center (210) 945-4653 35 12900 Mount Olympus, Universal City, TX 78148 www.olympiahillsgolf.com
Oso Beach Municipal Golf Course (361) 826-8010 97 5601 S. Alameda St., Corpus Christi, TX 78412 www.osobeachgolf.com
Plum Creek Golf Course
(512) 262-5555
98 750 Kohler Crossing, Kyle, TX 78640 www.plumcreekgolf.com
Salado Del Rio Golf Course (210) 222-9386 85 1050 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209
1
t t t t t
www.ftsammwr.com/recreation/golf.html
Star Ranch Golf Club 3
(512) 252-4653
S1
t t t t
(830) 232-4471
1
t t t t t
2500 FM 685, Hutto, TX 78634 www.starranchgolf.com
The Club at Concan 15 520 Mountain Valley, Concan, TX 78838
www.concangolf.com
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
Par
Yardage /Rating /Slope
Practice Fac. Restaurant Banquet Fac. Pro Shop Instructions Ad on Page
COURSES SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN
Type Hole
Map Number
60
1
t t t t t
S1
t t t t t
1
t t t t t
(325) 388-8888
41
1
S1
Type: M=Municipal, PR=Private, P=Public, SP= Semi-Private.
The Golf Club of Texas (210) 504-2550 27 13600 Briggs Ranch, San Antonio, TX 78245 The Bandit Golf Club 6019 FM 725, New Braunfels, TX 78130 www.banditgolfclub.com
The Buckhorn Golf Course 36 FM 473, Comfort, TX 78013
www.buckhorngolfcourse.com
The Legends Golf Club
t t
t t
105 Rangeway Circle, Kingsland, TX 78639 www.legendsgolftx.com
The Republic Golf Club
t t t t t
4226 S.E. Military Dr., San Antonio, TX 78222 www.republicgolfclub.com
Vaaler Creek Golf Club
t t t t
87 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 www.vaalercreekgolfclub.com
SHOPPING/SERVICES | ACCOMMODATIONS/DINING | TOURNAMENTS/INSTRUCTION ACCOMODATIONS/ DINING SHOPPING/SERVICES
Coushatta Casino | Ad Page 84 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder, LA | www.CoushattaCasinoResort.com | 800-584-7263
Edwin Watts Golf | Map # 3 | Ad Pages 5 1050 NE Loop 410, San Antonio,TX | www.edwinwattsgolf.com | 210-822-4060 Edwin Watts Golf | Map # 83 | Ad Pages 5 4526 South Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi,TX | www.edwinwattsgolf.com | 361-852-0358
Flying L Guest Ranch | Map# 49 | Ad Page 48 566 Flying L Drive, Bandera, TX 78003 www.flyingl.com 800-292-5134
ESPN ‘Texas Golf Insider’ | Ad Page 41 1250 AM | Saturdays 8-9 am | www.espnsa.com
Jersey Meadow Village | Map# 2 | Ad Page 21 8502 Rio Grande, Jersey Village, TX 77040 | www.jerseymeadow.com | 713-896-0900
-FF %F'PSLF +S 3FBM &TUBUF 4FSWJDFT | Ad Pg 62 16602 San Luis Pass Rd., Galveston, TX | www.leedeforkejr.com | 409-739-1299
Best Western Blanco Luxury Inn & Suites | Ad Page 57 2218 Highway 281 N, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.BlancoLuxurySuites.com | 830-833-5697
Lighthouse Country Club | Map# 68 | Ad Page 38 118 Club Circle, Kingsland, TX 78639 | www.lighthousecountryclub.com | 325-388-6660 The Bandit Golf Club | Map# 65 | Ad Page 29 6019 FM 725,New Braunfels, TX 78130 | www.banditgolfclub.com | 830-609-4665 The Club at ConCan | Map# 15 | 520 Mountain Valley, Concan, TX 78838 | www.concangolf.com | 830-232-4471 The Legends Golf Club | Map# 67 | Ad Page 2 105 Rangeway Circle, Kingsland, TX 78639 | www.legendsgolftx.com | (325) 388-8888 Vaaler Creek Golf Club | Map# 87 | Ad Page 8 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.vaalercreekgolfclub.com | 830-833-0706 Zia Park Casino | Ad Pg 22 3901 West Miller Dr., Hobbs, NM 88240 | www.ziaparkcasino.com | 888-ZIA-PARK
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
Stokes Insurance | Map | Ad Page 30 33014 Tamina Rd, Magnolia, TX 77354 | www.stokesins.com | (281) 259-5533 The Academy of Golf Dynamics | Map # 25 | Ad Pg 14 Club Estates Parkway, Austin, TX | www.golfdynamics.com | 800-879-2008 The Golf Club | Map #80 | Ad Page 83 1315 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin, TX 78704 | www.teegolfclub.com | 512-916-GOLF(4653) The Golf Ranch | Map #84 | Ad Page 7 Wolf Ranch Shopping Center, Georgetown, TX | www.golfranchshop.com | 512-863-4573
TOURNAMENTS Cash fore Cancer | Ad Page 5 www.cashforecancer.org |
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If any day on the golf course beats a day at the office, then a day on a south Texas course in the fall beats them all. Owning property near the Texas coast allows you to continue to enjoy the great outdoors throughout the mild season as the year winds to a close. Although it’s usual to focus on the kids’ school activities or the upcoming holidays, keep in mind that the fall months are also a great time to buy real estate. A common misconception is that the real estate market is slow or stagnant after the summer ends. In reality, if a property has been listed longer than normal by this time in the year, the seller is more motivated to consider your offer. Buying now gets you in a new home in time for the New Year and allows you the opportunity to enjoy the tax-saving benefits of homesteading any primary home property. Likewise, this is also an excellent time to enter the rental business. Whether you use the house for long-term or holiday rental, it will not sit vacant as the number of available rental properties in the area is at an all-time low and vacation rental requests are soaring. Buying now gives you time to evaluate the property and be ready for the best part of the market in 2016. You’ll be able to spend time in it yourself before the summer months arrive and it will be booked. Interest rates are still low, but are steadily climbing.You can lock in an investment rate today. Come visit and I’ll help you find the right property to meet your needs. The coastal Texas fall offers solitude on the beaches and perfect weather for all the golf you can play. Lee DeForke Jr, Broker ABR,e-PRO,CNE,SRES,RSPS,GREEN, SFR,MRP,TRLS
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
Houston Area Golf Courses
Bayou Golf Course
Winter Weekend Golf Packages
2 night-36 hole package Over 40% savings For more information or to reserve your stay and tee time, call Steve Reist today at 979-992-1811 1750 North Falls Drive, New Ulm, TX 78950 WWW.THEFALLSRESORT.COM TheTexasGolfInsider.com
66
COVER STORY
New golfing-family outstanding makes Texas a course
Scott Roach has been working at Bayou Golf Club in Texas City for more than two decades, watching the city owned course rise to one of the finest, most popular and economical municipal courses in Southeast Texas. Even after an $860,000 course renovation TheTexasGolfInsider.com
debuted in early 2015, Roach,Texas City and the Bayou GC weren’t content to rest on their laurels and past golfing successes.While the feedback from regulars and first time visitors has been hugely favorable, the course and its visionary leadership continue to press for more.
COVER STORY
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pitching putt, renovation City’s Bayou to seek
That’s why a new nine hole family pitchand-putt short course will come on line this fall, which will allow players to work on their short game and introduce beginners and others to the game in the scenic Galveston-area surroundings.
“We want to grow the game both with regular players and those new to the game,” said Roach, the longtime Bayou clubhouse supervisor. “We have a new course and a new practice area and a new short game area and we are still the best bargain in town. TheTexasGolfInsider.com
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COVER STORY
“This is a city built on growth and a course doing the same thing with growth, that’s what we want to do.” The course renovation by Houston architect Mike Nuzzo certainly upgraded the product with new greens, tee boxes and bunkers.The biggest change came on the greens with the Mini-Verde ultra-dwarf grass giving the putting surfaces a smooth and fast putting base which allows golfers used to forcing balls into the hole on uneven surfaces a more consistent experience. ‘It was a big change from what we had. We had a confidence builder golf course, pretty basic, but this is very nice. It has a lot of undulation and speed. It takes a little getting used to from the conditions we had in the past, but it’s very, very nice,” Roach said.
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
“We are drawing a lot of golfers from Harris County, plus Galveston and surrounding areas. They all want to see what we have.” When they arrive this fall and early next year they will also see the new practice and pitch and putt area. In keeping with the forward thinking mindset for the course, the mini course was laid out to attract those who may have never played golf before or just wanted to check it out before committing to a full 18 holes. The holes range from 40-50 yards on the average with the longest 70 yards. The course is walking only, but is set up so all nine holes can be played by only carrying a putter and a wedge along with a couple of balls.
GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST
The tiff-dwarf greens on the mini-course allow for championship conditions even on a non-championship sized layout. “It will get a lot of play from regulars here and newcomers,” Roach said. “It’s the only public course around that has something this nice and it hasn’t changed the price either.” Most days, the cost for the 18 holes with a cart on the championship course is $32 to $38, a steal in the Houston area golf market. It’s another successful chapter in the long and successful story of the course, which was opened in 1974 by Texas golf architect Joe Finger. The 200-acre site on the banks of Moses Bayou boasts the renovated 18-hole layout, par 72, which measures 6,655 yards from the back tees. Many of the holes have elevated greens and tee boxes, plus some wind from nearby Galveston Bay, water on 12 holes and more than a dozen bunkers which were restored by Nuzzo and his team, brightened by new sand and adding to its degree of difficulty. Of course no renovation or new short game course could change the scenic natural features of the layout, which includes swaying palm trees and native hardwoods along with the challenging bayou breezes
COURSES
69
and friendly service from Roach and the experienced staff. The practice green, the walkable pitch and putt, the renovated championship course and the laidback Bayou lifestyle all makes the municipal course a sometimes hidden but always enjoyable golfing gem. Plus when golf is finished for the day there is plenty of fresh gulf seafood to be sampled at a variety of local options and saltwater fishing nearby. Then again, maybe just nine more holes on the short
game pitch and putt to settle all bets and bragging rights, perhaps fueled by a few cold beverages and snacks from the Bayou Clubhouse. It’s the end of a perfect day for green grass fun and fellowship at value-added prices which will keep you coming back. For more information, go to www. bayougolfgc.com or call 409-739-9622 and be prepared to experience a hidden jewel of Southeast Texas golf. TheTexasGolfInsider.com
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COURSES
Public Course
GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST
MAP #17
RATES Monday-Thursday $32 Seniors (65+) M-Th $27 Friday-Sunday and $38 Holidays Pitch & Putt Course Opening Soon (Green Fee, Cart & Tax Included)
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Architect: Joe Finger; Mike Nuzzo
COURSE AMENITIES t 4OBDL #BS t %SJWJOH 3BOHF t 'amily Pitch & Putt Course Opening Soon t /FX TR GU 1VUUJOH (SFFO t 'VMMZ 4UPDLFE 1SP 4IPQ t 0OMJOF 4QFDJBMT
2800 Ted Dudley Drive Texas City, TX 77590
409-739-9622 bayougc.com
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
Texas City
Bayou Golf Club A Little Piece of Heaven Near Houston In April 2014, the Bayou Golf Course began an 18 hole green’s renovation which included the putting green using Mini-Verde Ultra Dwarf. The golf course redesign Architect, Mike Nuzzo, has increased the average size per green to 5,000 sq.ft. In addition, we have rebuilt all sand traps and added new tee complexes on holes #5,7,10,13,16 &17. We have also added a new, one of a kind, 5 1/2 acre Family Pitch & Putt golf course for walkers, local high school golf teams and anyone wanting to spend quality time with friends and family. Designed by Houston-based architect Joe Finger, the 200-acre site on the bank of Moses Bayou boasts a championship layout with elevated greens and tee boxes. Amid the blue sky and palm trees, golfers enjoy the tropical climate for year-round play. The convenient location and spacious club house makes Bayou Golf Course an ideal choice to host your next golf tournament.
GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST
Public Course
MAP # 5
RATES
18
TWLIGHT*
Mon-Thur Friday Weekend Holiday
$45 $47 $60 $60
$32** $40 $40 $40
*Twilight begins at 1 pm
**NOV-FEB M-TH $25 AFTER 3 PM 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 t Online Tee Times t Meeting/Banquet Rooms t New Enclosed Pavilion t Two Restaurants t Recreation Complex & Wave Pool t Fully Stocked Pro Shop t Memberships Available
Mont Belvieu, TX (281) 385-6666 www.EaglePointeOnline.com
COURSES
71
M ONT B ELVIEU
Eagle Pointe Golf Club & Recreation Complex
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 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 a new 8,000-square-foot indoor pavilion that would be the perfect place for corporate outings, weddings or charity events. Plan your special event in the new climate controlled pavilion TheTexasGolfInsider.com
72
REVIEW
10 Things I Think I Know About Junior Golf I am always seeing lists of things.We can tion.You can gain these things through many search and find a list for almost anything. different activities, but playing video games Recently I read a really good blog article called is not one of them. Playing multiple sports “The TOP 50 Things I Learned This Season” by and taking a break from the favorite sport a Canadian Golf Coach named Doug Lawrie. It has proven to help kids develop and stay was a really good and entertaining piece about interested. junior golf. I thought that I might share a bit of 6. Struggle is good. what I have learned about junior golf, and enIt is very hard to watch our children strugcourage you to evaluate how you are performgle and not be successful.Through the struggle ing in your role as a parent/coach. we can learn how to persevere and how to deal 1. Kids are willing to learn but they with disappointment. As any adult knows, we want to have fun. better learn to deal with those things early on We start every class and camp session with and learn to not give up. some unstructured play time.The most popular 7. Kids need more golf course time and activities are throwing a football, kicking a socless driving range time. cer ball, and playing tug of war with a rope we Hitting balls is ok, but just ok. Almost every have just for playing.We try to make golf fun, sport is learned on the field or court where the but tug of war wins every time. game is played.There is so much to learn on 2. Kids enjoy being in groups of kids. the golf course. On my best day, I’m still an old guy trying 8. Interested adults are a necessity. to get kids to love golf like I do.When we are I saw a wonderful show about Jose Altuve, on the putting green with a group of kids, they the Houston Astros second baseman. He said engage with each other.They learn the rules that when he was a kid, he would wait for his together, root for and against each, and have dad to come home from work and they would some fun. One on one with a golf coach is not practice baseball together. He said that his dad and can never be that. was never too busy or too tired for baseball. 3. Equipment is important but … Can you be that parent? You can’t buy a game. But I have watched 9. A good swing is one that works. many kids struggle with clubs that are too long, I love to watch people swing a golf club and too short, or too heavy. If you are in the market try to figure out what is going on. Professional for junior clubs, please contact me or someone golfers all swing differently.The common you trust to help you. denominator is that all great 4. You should take your golfers have developed recepkids to a professional tive swings that are effective. tournament. Effective and repetitive are the Watching PGA or LPGA keys Professionals play is a great 10. A good coach will learning experience. It is fun make a big difference. to see a famous golfer up In life and golf, success close and you can really learn depends on many factors. Most by watching them swing and of us can look back to a small watching them play. group of people who had a 5. Golf is an athletic large influence on us. Parents activity. are first, but others can have David Pilsner, PGA To play good golf, you a huge impact. In every area of Director of Golf Instruction, need strength, balance, flexyour child’s life, make sure that Timber Creek Golf Club ibility, and hand eye coordina- (281) 734-0177 - davidpilsner@me.com the right people are there. TheTexasGolfInsider.com
GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST
Public Course
73
Friendswood MAP #36
DIRECTIONS I-45 S., exit and turn right on FM 2351, turn right at 2nd light.
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 27 Architect: Jay Riviere
RATES Call the Pro Shop or visit our website for online specials
COURSE AMENITIES t IPMF HPMG DPVSTF t (PMG "DBEFNZ t -FHFOET 3FTUBVSBOU #BS t 'VMMZ 4UPDLFE 1SP 4IPQ t TFBU QBWJMJPO GPS UPVSOBNFOUT and events t 0OMJOF 4QFDJBMT BOE &$MVC
4554 FM 2351 Friendswood, TX 77546
281-993-1140
COURSES
Timber Creek Golf Club A splendid layout 20 miles from downtown Houston Beneath the towering Oaks and sturdy Pines that permeate Timber Creek Golf Club, golfers are enjoying the game like never before. “People who play here frequently call this their club and have a sense of belonging,â€? general manager Mike Griswold said. “They don’t pay dues to get that.â€? The course’s culture is equaled if not surpassed by the design of Jay Riviere, who incorporated dense woodlands, winding creeks and rock outcroppings. “Our course isn’t target golf, but the fairways are really defined,â€? Griswold said. With its classic Clubhouse Pub atmosphere and an eclectic menu that appeals to virtually every taste, the Legends Grill at Timber Creek is the place to meet. The Golf Academy at Timber Creek can custom design a program for beginners, recreational players or highly skilled players who are in need of a tune-up. The Academy also offers Custom Club Fitting, the latest in high-end club-fitting technology. Bring your group to Timber Creek for an outing or a tournament that provides a country club experience at a public course price. From its outstanding course conditions to its food and beverage facilities, from its fully-stocked golf shop to its legendary service, Timber Creek Golf Club in Friendswood rivals any private club in Texas. Timber Creek Golf Club‌Where You Belong.
timbercreekgolfclub.com
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The Southern Texas PGA By Donavon Stadel There’s a lot to be excited about at the Southern Texas PGA Section. Our new staff additions and feedback from our fantastic parents have brought along new ideas we are cultivating. The weather may cool a bit, but golf is still hot in south Texas! We are working hard to make this coming year better than the last. For those who participated in 2015, you already know that this is a tall task, but we feel confident in our staff to take our Junior Golf Program to the next level and we can’t wait to have you join us! Junior Programs The Southern Texas PGA’s Bridgestone Prestige Tour has enjoyed tremendous popularity and growth, with 2015 events filling up quicker than Jordan Spieth’s rise to stardom! Based on demand, the 2016 schedule will increase to approximately 20 tournaments to accommodate more players. Our goal is get as many juniors out there having fun on as many courses across Southern Texas as possible. We also are planning to add more events to our Little Linksters and Junior Tour programs. The Little Linksters program
is geared toward ages 6-12, with juniors grouped by age, gender, and skill level. Juniors play either 5 or 9 holes. The program encourages and motivates juniors to learn the game, enjoy the game, improve at their own pace, and be as competitive as each individual aspires. We’ve seen remarkable progress by those in our Junior Tour program. The program is for juniors ages 11-18 (middle and high school golf team ages) that are looking to improve their game in 18 or 36-hole events. We are also really excited about introducing children to golf in a team format--PGA Junior League Golf. PGA Junior League Golf (PGA JLG) is designed for boys and girls age 13 and under to socialize while playing the game of golf. PGA JLG features team vs. team competitions in structured leagues that provide a popular, less stressful scramble format as opposed to stroke-play competition. This is a great way to get kids involved in the game! Summer Series Highlights The 2015 STPGA Junior Championship at the Woodlands Country Club - Palmer Course this past August may have been our most successful on record. With nearly 300 juniors playing, the most ever in an STPGA tournament, 11 champions were crowned. Junior Tour Champions Boys 11-12 Champion:Treed Huang Boys 13-14 Champion: Damin Strydom Boys 15-18 Champion:Troy K. Lopez Girls 11-12 Champion: Jacqueline Nguyen Girls 13-14 Champion: Elise Parel Girls 15-18 Champion:Tiffany Nguyen
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Winter WonderPlan… Little Linksters Champions Boys 11-12; 9-Hole Red Champion: Daniel Zou Boys 9-10; 9-Hole Modified Champion:Aaron Pounds Coed 6-8; 9-Hole Modified Champion: Shiv Parmar Girls 11-12; 9-Hole Red Champion:AshleyYen Girls 9-10;9-Hole Modified Champion:Allyn Stephens DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT The Southern Texas PGA is very proud to have two of our Junior Members as finalists in the Drive, Chip & Putt competition. They will travel to Augusta National during the Masters to compete against all regional finalists as well as enjoy a meet and greet with some of the tour professionals. Here’s more from Stephen and Elle following their exciting day on September 13th at Golf Club of Houston. Stephen Hernandez - Boys 7-9 Division 123 Total Points Stephen practiced really hard to make it to Augusta. He was so focused that for the majority of the summer it was his personal mission
to become the best possible Drive Chip and Putt player. He relayed, “I haven’t played anything but Drive, Chip & Putt, all summer. I just really want to make it to the Masters.” Elle Fox - Girls 11-12 Division 128 Total Points Elle is excited to have the chance to compete at the legendary course at such a young age. Elle’s favorite golfer is Stacy Lewis because of her sportsmanship shown towards other golfers. “I love the Drive, Chip and Putt Competition because I can compete against a lot of girls from other states and it’s a quick competition. There is no caddy and it’s all up to me to do well.” For more information about the Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Program, visit www.stpgajuniorgolf.com
76
FEATURE STORY
The Falls Resort One of Life’s True Pleasures
By Steve Habel/Contributing Writer
No longer considered a hidden gem but a premier golf club in the state of Texas, The Falls is as close to a Hill Country golf club as you will find so close to Houston. It is a fact that The Falls is not the easiest place to get to. But that is part of the appeal, playing golf in splendid isolation. The experience is tranquil and memorable thanks to the property’s flora and fauna, its demanding tree-lined course, picturesque views provided by the rolling terrain and a heaping helping of good old Texas hospitality. The golf course at The Falls was designed by the team of Jay Riviere, who was from the area, and Dave Marr, who won the 1965 PGA Championship. It is considered by many as one of the duo’s finest works. Opened in 1984, the 6,857-yard, par-71 track is challenging and rewarding for all skill levels thanks to its cascading water features and elevation changes not readily seen so close to the Texas Gulf Coast. Eight clearwater lakes come into play as they follow the descending natural terrain and create a series of cascading waterfalls. “Our course has been the calling card for this community and resort since we opened TheTexasGolfInsider.com
and it’s never been in better shape than right now,” said Steve Patton, the Falls’ long-time director of golf. “In the years I’ve been here, I’ve seen the course mature into a track that demands excellent shot-making and puts a prime on decision and execution.” The Falls’ back tees carry a healthy rating of 73.1 and a slope of 140. Five other teeing grounds allow the player to mitigate the difficulty without reducing the test. One of the true tenets of golf course design is that a course is only considered excellent if it’s good from all its tee boxes – in that respect, The Falls makes the grade. The golf course at The Falls is rated 4½ stars by Golf Digest. It has also garnered notice as the No. 1 scenic course and the top outlying course in the Houston area by the Houston Chronicle and the No. 1 hidden gem by the San Antonio Express-News. There are no two holes alike and there are several candidates for signature holes. Water comes into play on half the holes and some of the bunkering and greens complexes are unlike anything you’ll see in the area. The sixth, for example, is a medium length par-4 that doglegs right. The approach
FEATURE STORY
77
is over water to a highly elevated green, After playing my first round at The Falls, protected by tiers of sand and grass bunkers I walked off feeling I might have left a halfto where the putting surface cannot be seen dozen shots out on the course. The second from the fairway. Take two extra clubs here to time around my play – based on my decisions get up the hill successfully. and a little more course knowledge – was The seventh, the course’s No. 1 handisignificantly better and more satisfying. Locals cap hole, follows. With water at the end of say that’s a common trend among those getthe fairway, a large tree hugs the left side of ting familiar with the course. the landing area and narrows the player’s Some of the best designed courses reveal tee shot. The approach shot from the right themselves in stages and multiple rounds – is completely over water, a real test for the this is surely the case at The Falls. Play it once, nerves. you’ll like it. Play it again, you’ll like it even Four of the par-3s at The Falls play at more. 188 yards or more from the tees and as a That’s a perfect scenario for The Falls set might be the best one-shotters in south Resort’s stay and play options, which inTexas. The group is highlighted by the 210clude upgraded and finer than fine villas that yard third, which is all carry over a lake and have been fully appointed for your whole pinches the skinny fairway leading to a green foursome and no-frills inn rooms that are with three bunkers. economical and all a golfer really needs. Good players will feel like they can attack The resort’s food and beverage service, all four of the course’s par-5s, the longest of highlighted by the Cascades Restaurant, is which is just 531 yards, but finding the right as good as you’ll find at any resort. Order segment of the putting surface is essential to the ribeye for dinner; it might have been the make birdie. best cut of meat I’ve had at any price this The Falls’ most demanding hole is year. likely the 492-yard par-4 17th, which is Because of its lodging options and the played through a narrow chute of trees to versatility of its meeting capabilities, The a landing area with a downhill lie. The apFalls is a wonderful and all-inclusive place proach is with a hybrid or long iron over a for corporate retreats and events, family small creek to an elevated and deep putting reunions, golf buddy trips and tournasurface with bunkers on each side. Riviere ments, day groups, parties and weddings and Marr really pulled out all the stops on and receptions. this hole. The club also offers memberships and The greens at The Falls were also near has recently unveiled a series of weekday perfect. They were smooth, true, cut to the golf specials to the course, which is about an proper speed to hour and a half from challenge all levels of Houston and Austin players and they held and two hours from the ball well. Breaks San Antonio but well are very subtle and worth the trip. hard to read and The Falls is truly a the approach to the place that area golfers correct segment can come to love. Get of the medium- to in your vehicle, get large-sized putting out there and get in surfaces is parathe swing – you’ll be Thee challengingg third d holee at mount. glad you did. Eaglee Pointee Golff Club
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78
DIRECTORY
COURSE
TYPE
GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST LOCATON
PHONE
COURSE
TYPE LOCATON
PHONE
Alvin Golf & CC
PUB
Alvin
281-331-4541
Meadowbrook Farms GC PUB
Katy
Augusta Pines
SP
Spring
832-381-1000
Melrose GC
PUB
Houston
281-847-1214
Babe Zaharias GC
PUB
Port Arthur
409-796-1327
Memorial Park GC
M
Houston
713-867-0386
Bay Forest GC
PUB
La Porte
281-471-4653
Moody’s Gardens GC
Galveston
409-683-4653
Bayou Din GC
PUB
Beaumont
409-796-1327
Newport GC & Conf.Center PUB
Crosby
281-328-3576
M
Texas City
409-739-9622
North Shore CC
Semi
Portland
361-643-6057
PUB
League City
281-337-1459
Oakhurst GC
PUB
Porter
281-354-4653
Bear Creek Golf World
PUB
Houston
281-859-8188
Pasadena Municipal GC M
Houston
281-481-0834
Belle Oaks GC
PUB
Beaumont
409-796-1311
Pearland Golf Club
PUB
Pearland
713-773-9603
Bellville GC
PUB
Bellville
979-865-9058
Pecan Lakes GC
PUB
Navasota
936-870-3889
Brenham CC
SP
Brenham
979-836-1733
Pine Crest CC
PUB
Houston
713-462-4914
Brentwood
SP
Beaumont
409-840-9440
Quail Valley GC
M
Missouri City
281-403-5910
M
Houston
281-458-1350
Raven Nest GC
PUB
Huntsville
936-438-8588
Coldspring
936-653-2388
Rayburn Country
R
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 Ridge GC
PUB
Sealy
800-553-7517
Columbus
979-732-5575
River Terrace GC
PUB
Channelview
281-452-2183
Bayou GC Beacon Lakes GC
Brock Park GC Cape Royale GC Chambers County GC
PUB
PUB
281-693-4653
Columbus GC
M
Cypress Lakes
PUB
Cypress
281-304-8515
Sharpstown GC
Cypresswood GC
PUB
Spring
281-821-6300
Sienna Plantation
PUB
Dickinson CC
PUB
Dickinson
281-337-3031
Southwyck GC
PUB
Pearland
713-436-9999
Eagle Pointe GC
PUB
Mont Belvieu
281-385-6666
Stephen F. Austin GC
SP
San Felipe
979-885-2811 281-440-1308
M
Houston
713-988-2099
Missouri City
281-778-GOLF
Evergreen Point GC
PUB
Baytown
281-837-9000
Swanson Golf Center
Pub
Houston
Faith Bridge Ranch GC
PUB
Hempstead
979-826-2131
Texaco GC
PUB
Houston
713-453-7501
Freeport
979-233-8311
Texas A&M University GC PUB
College Station
979-845-1723
Willis
936-856-4233
Freeport GC
M
Spring
281-225-1200
Texas National GC
Glenbrook GC
M
Houston
713-649-8089
The Battleground at Deer Park PUB
Deer Park
281-478-4653
Goose Creek GC
SP
Baytown
281-424-5534
The Falls Resort & GC
New Ulm
979-992-3123
Greatwood GC
PUB
Sugar Land
281-343-9999
The Golf Club of Houston PUB/PV Humble
Green Caye GC
PUB
Dickinson
281-337-2021
The Village GC
PUB
Panorama Village
936-856-5531
M
Houston
713-928-4260
The Wilderness
PUB
Lake Jackson
979-297-4653
Henry Homberg GC
M
Beaumont
409-842-3220
Timber Creek GC
PUB
Friendswood
281-993-1140
Hermann Park GC
PUB
Houston
713-526-0077
Tour 18 Houston
PUB
Humble
281-540-1818
Heron Lakes GC
PUB
Houston
281-807-0207
Travis B. Bryan GC
Bryan
979-823-0126
High Meadow Ranch GC PUB
Magnolia
281-356-7700
Waller CC
PUB
Waller
936-931-3335
Houston National GC
PUB
Houston
281-304-1400
Wedgewood GC
PUB
Conroe
936-441-4653
Idylwild GC
PUB
Sour Lake
409-753-2521
West Brazos Golf Center PUB
Brazoria
979-798-4653
Iron Oaks GC
PUB
Beaumont
409-866-9191
West Fork Golf and CC
PUB
Conroe
936-760-1776
Jersey Village
713-896-0900
Westwood Shores GC
PUB
Trinity
936-594-9172
Kingwood
281-358-1155
Wildcat GC
PUB
Houston
713-413-3400
Conroe
936-448-3022
WindRose GC
PUB
Spring
281-370-8900
PUB-Public, M-Municipal, SP-Semi-Private, R-Resort, PV-Private
Gleannloch Pines
Gus Wortham GC
PUB
Jersey Meadow GC
M
Kingwood Cove GC
PUB
La Torretta
R
Legendary Oaks GC
PUB
Hempstead
979-826-4001
Longwood GC
PUB
Cypress
281-373-4100
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
PUB
SP/R
M
281-459-7800
GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST
RETAIL
LOCATION
PHONE RETAILER
DIRECTORY
LOCATION
79
PHONE
GOLF RETAILERS Big O’s Golf D & J Golf Edwin Watts Golf Games People Play Golf Etc. Golf Etc. Golf Etc. Golf Galaxy Golf Galaxy Golf Galaxy Golf Galaxy Golf USA Golf Warehouse Golf Warehouse II
League City Bryan Houston Beaumont Humble Katy Pearland Houston Houston Sugar Land The Woodlands Houston Houston Houston
PRIVATE COURSES
Bay City CC Bay Oaks CC Beaumont CC Briarcrest CC Carlton Woods Champions GC Conroe CC Deerwood Club Falcon Point Fort Bend CC Galveston CC Gary Player Sig. Cour. Golf Crest CC Hearthstone CC Houston CC Houston Oaks Kingwood CC Lake Windcrest Lakeside CC Live Oak CC Lochinvar GC
Bay City Houston Beaumont Bryan The Woodlands Houston Conroe Kingwood Katy Richmond Galveston The Woodlands Pearland Houston Houston Hockley Kingwood Magnolia Houston Rockport Houston
281-557-3300 979-776-4653 713-627-2411 409-866 -3883 281-764-1344 281-574-3232 713-436-5001 832-203-1518 832-478-1365 281-491-1888 832-585-0505 281-392-4653 281-443-2828 281-596-9090
Golfsmith Golfsmith GolfSmith Golfsmith Golfsmith GolfTec GolfTec GolfTec GolfTec GolfTec Impact Golf Mulligan’s Golf Sport Shoppe Strictly Golf
Katy Spring Galleria Houston Westheimer Houston Woodlands Katy Houston-Upper Kirby Westheimer Houston Webster Galleria Houston Houston Houston Houston Houston
979-245-3990 281-488-9753 409-898-7011 979-776-1490 281-863-5820 281-444-6449 936-756-5222 281-360-1065 281-392-2582 281-342-8368 409-737-9830 281-863-1490 281-485-4550 281-463-2204 713-465-8381 713-888-0000 281-348-2217 281-259-2279 281-497-2228 361-729-7311 281-821-0220
Magnolia Creek League City Northgate CC Houston Pebble Creek GC College Station Pecan Grove Plantation CC Richmond Raveneaux CC Spring River Plantation CC Conroe Riverbend CC Sugar Land Royal Oaks CC Houston Shadow Hawk GC Richmond Sugar Creek CC Sugar Land Sweetwater CC Sugar Land The Houstonian GC Richmond The Oaks & Panther Trail The Woodlands Traditions Club Bryan Walden on Lake Conroe Montgomery Walden on Lake Houston Humble Weston Lakes CC Fulshear Westwood GC Houston Whispering Pines GC Trinity Willow Creek GC Spring Willow Fork CC Katy
281-398-4669 281-292-2288 713-993-9993 713-334-3334 281-292-2288 281-741-6778 832-426-5650 713-339-2470 281-557-0015 713-850-7555 281-597-8008 281-890-6026 281-879-0929 713-629-4653
281-557-0555 281-440-1223 979-690-0990 281-342-9940 281-370-6370 936-273-2276 281-491-2500 281-899-3270 281-494-3533 281-494-9135 281-980-4653 281-494-4244 281-882-3000 979-779-1007 936-448-4668 281-852-3743 281-346-1227 713-774-3011 936-594-4980 281-376-1501 281-579-6611
TheTexasGolfInsider.com
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Mont Belvieu e vi u
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26 26 26 New Ulm
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GOLF ACADEMY/INSTRUCTION
GOLF ACADEMY/INSTRUCTION
Eagle Pointe Player Development | Map # 5, Ad Pg 72
Golf Academy at Timber Creek | Map #36 | Ad Pg 73
Jeff Strong, PGA | www.eaglepointeonline.com | 281-385-6666
David Pilsner, PGA | www.timbercreekgolfclub.com | 281-993-1140
STPGA Junior Golf | www.stpgajuniorgolf.com |Ad Pg 74
Practice Fac. Food Rental Clubs Pro Shop Lessons Ad on Page
(409) 739-9622 .
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Eagle Pointe Golf Club & Recreation Complex (281)385-6666 1 5 12440 Eagle Pointe Dr., Mont Belvieu, TX 77580
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Map Number
Yardage /Rating /Slope
81
Par
COURSES
Type Hole
GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST
Type: M=Municipal, PR=Private, P=Public, SP= Semi-Private.
Bayou Golf Course 17 2800 Dudley Dr., Texas City, TX 77590 www.bayougc.com
www.eaglepointeonline.com
Jersey Meadow Golf Course (713) 896-0900 . 41 8502 Rio Grande St., Jersey Village, TX 77040 www.jerseymeadow.com
LaTorretta Lake Resort & Spa
(936) 448-4400 41
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(800) 553-7517 1
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(979) 885-2811 1
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(979) 992-3123 41 3
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1
36 36 35
53 600 LaTorretta Blvd., Montgomery, TX 77356 www.LaTorrettaLakeResort.com
River Ridge Golf Club 7 3133 Brazos Oak Lane, Sealy, TX 77474 www.evergreenpointgolf.com
Stephen F. Austin Golf Club 8 Park Road 38, San Felipe, TX 77474 www.sfaustingc.com
The Falls Resort & Golf Course 26 1750 North Falls Dr., New Ulm, TX 78950 www.thefallsresort.com
Timber Creek Golf Course
(281) 993-1140
36 4554 FM 2351, Friendswood, TX 77546 www.timbercreekgolfclub.com
SHOPPING/SERVICES
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DINING
San Felipe De Austin State Historic Site | Ad Pg 65
The Cascades Restaurant at The Falls | Map #26 | Ad Pg 64
15945 FM 1458, San Felipe,TX 77473 | www.visitsanfelipedeaustin.com | 979-885-2181
1750 North Falls Dr., New Ulm, TX | 979-992-3123 Cazadores Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Ad Pg 65 Sealy, TX | 979-885-3211 | Map # 80 Katy, Tx | 281-693-2122 | Map #54 Houston, TX | 713-465-9377 | Map # 55 Houston, TX | 713-682-2404 | Map # 56
Sealy CVB | Map #50 | Ad Pg 65 Sealy, TX | visitsealy.com | 979-885-3222
Texas Parks & Wildlife | Map #59 | Ad Page 65 Sealy, TX | www.tpwd.state.tx.us | 979-885-3616
ACCOMODATIONS America’s Best Value Inn | Map #45 | Ad Pg 65 2107 Hwy. 36 South, Sealy, TX 77474 | www.bestwestern.com | 979-885-3707
Lakeside Restaurant & Bar | Map #53 | Ad Pg 82 600 La Torretta Blvd., Montgomery, TX | 936-448-4400 Legends Grill | Map #36 | Ad Pg 73 4554 FM 2351, Friendswood, TX | 281-993-1140
Maribelli Italian Ristorante | Map #52 | Ad Pg 65
City of Jersey Village | Map #81 |
2352 South Hwy. 36, Sealy, TX | 979-627-7665
Comfort Inn | 713-856-5005 Executive Inn & Suites | 713-896-1000
Tony’s Family Restaurant | Map #51 | Ad Pg 65
Holiday Inn Express | Map #48 | Ad Pg 65 2370 Hwy. 36 South, Sealy, TX 77474 | www.HIExpress.com | 979-877-0700
La Torretta Lake Resort | Map #53 | Ad Pg 82 600 La Torretta Blvd., Montgomery, TX 77356 | LaTorrettaLakeResort.com | 936-448-4400 SUPER 8 | Map #46 | Ad Page 65 Sealy, TX | www.Super8.com | 979-885-2121
The Inn & Villas at The Falls | Map #26 | Ad Pg 64, 76 1750 North Falls Dr., New Ulm, TX 77546 | www.thefallsresort.com | 979-992-3123
1629 Meyer, Sealy, TX | www.tonysfamilyrestaurant.com | 979-885-4140
REAL ESTATE SERVICES Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company | Map #75 930 Walnut Street, Columbus, TX 78934| | Ad Pg 79 email: dgraferealtor@gmail.com | 979-732-1850
Lee DeForke Jr. Real Estate | Map #88 | Ad Pg 62 16602 San Luis Pass Rd., Galveston, TX | email: leedeforkejr@yahoo.com | 409-739-1299 www.leedeforkejr.com
OUT OF THE BLUE, T H E P E R F E C T S TAY I S I N F U L L S W I N G .
Grab your clubs and hit the links for free when you enjoy a relaxing overnight stay at La Torretta. Tee up your next round today!
ห STAY & GOLF FREE PACK AGE INCLUDES ยง L U X U R I O U S S U I T E AC C O M M O DAT I O N S 2 ROUNDS OF GOLF
V i s i t L AT O R R E T TA L A K E R E S O R T. C O M t o b o o k y o u r s t a y
A T E X A S R E T R E AT
6 0 0 L A TO R R E T TA B O U L E VA R D
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M O N TG O M E R Y, T E X A S 7 7 3 5 6
Valid for tee times after 1:00pm. Advance reservations with the Golf Proshop recommended. Other terms and conditions may apply. See website for details. Please contact the Proshop at 936.448.3022 to schedule your tee time.