Texas Golf Insider: Central by Digital Publisher

TEXAS

Summer 2017

Golf Insider The Official Guide to Golf in Texas

Tiger Woods & Bluejack National A Winning Combination

Inside: Westwood Shores Play Where You Live

Golf, Gambling & Travel New Mexico and Louisiana View this Edition Online! TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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Contents 34

Cover Story Bluejack National, a WorldClass Texas Private Club & Community designed by Tiger Woods. 6 WELCOME

How to contact us with Golf News and stories.

9 FE ATURE STORY

Golf and Gaming combine at New Mexico’s High-Desert Masterpieces.

Bluejack National Golf Club 17 EXPLORE LOUISIANA

T G I

Finding Great Golf in Southwest Louisiana is no Gamble.

38 LUXURY AND GOLF CHALLENGES Abound at Northern California’s Half Moon Bay Resort.

50 WESTWOOD SHORES If you are looking for a quieter and simpler life then Westwood Shores may be just for you.

MAP & DIRECTORIES 42 GENERAL DIRECTORY 44 MAP 45 ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY

Sandia Golf Club

REGIONS GREATER HOUSTON & TEXAS COAST 60 62 63 64

GENERAL DIRECTORY MAPS ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY STPGA SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR KIDS

Golf Insider Westwood Shores TheTexasGolfInsider.com

The Official Guide to Golf in Texas

Retreat. Relax. Always a Great Time in Kerrville!

The Kerrville Scott Schreiner Golf Club is nestled in the rolling hills and towering live oaks of the Texas Hill Country. One hour northwest of San Antonio, this championship Joe Finger design offers an amazing, relaxed golf experience. 1 Country Club Dr, Kerrville, TX 78028 • 830-257-4982 • GolfKerrvilleTex.com

Plan your stay now in Kerrville at KerrvilleTexasCVB.com

FROM THE FROM THEPUBLISHER EDITOR

Welcome to The Texas Golf Insider Magazine 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, Larry Pearlstone, Steve Giles, The Texas Golf Hall of Fame, Bo LeHew Office Manager: Marcede Pullen CIRCULATION 300,000 per year reaching 700,000 readers including DIGITAL MAGAZINE. 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.

Mike Ratchman Publisher Welcome, and thanks for picking up the Texas Golf Insider. Summer is here and things are about to heat up.With all the rain we had this spring the golf courses should be in spectacular shape. Inside this issue we have some of the best courses you can play in Texas and at some of the best prices you will find anywhere in the country. Now if you’re living large and want to live larger, you’ll be impressed with Bluejack National located in Montgomery, Texas, just 60 miles north of downtown Houston. It’s Tiger Woods’ first U.S. design and has been compared to Augusta National. I have played Bluejack, and only played Augusta from a hitting bay, but they are right on as far as I can see. And there is more to Bluejack than just a golf course. It’s a country club resort that includes a 10-hole playground for your short game, a fish camp, zip lines, a pool, etc. Bluejack National has a lot to offer. Check it out, you’ll be totally impressed. One of our Feature Cover stories is about a Golf Course Community in Trinity Texas called Westwood Shores Country Club. Built back in the 70’s, it was considered one of the premier places to live. But as time went on, as is the case for some country clubs,Westwood Shores got worn down. Age finally caught up with the course, clubhouse, and some of the amenities. But several years ago, the Westwood Shores Property Owners’ Association (“POA”) purchased the Country Club. Now owned and operated by the POA, improvements have been made to the golf course, pro shop, tennis courts, swimming pool, 19th Hole Bar and Grill and Fitness Center. The results have been worth the effort. There are a lot people that have worked hard to bring Westwood Shores back to life and they want you to stop by and see all the improvements. As you thumb through the pages in this edition of the Golf Insider, take advantage of some of the great places to travel to this summer like New Mexico and Louisiana for golf and gambling. Enjoy your summer and some great golfing. Mike Ratchman Regional Publisher

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. Scan to your smart phone

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Melanie Grafe

Regional Publisher for the Texas Golf Insider â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Houston, with over 15 years experience in marketing and advertising, and owner of e-Graphics Marketing and Advertising providing marketing and graphic design services.

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 stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 800 golf courses.

Steve Habel

A national correspondent for Cybergolf, managing editor for Texas CEO Magazine, contributing editor for Horns Illustrated Magazine, a publication focusing on University of Texas sports and staff writer for the San Antonio Spurs. TEXAS

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FEATURE STORY

Golf and Gaming combine at New Mexico High-Desert Masterpieces

By Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Writer

When I’m asked by golfers if there is one great, overlooked location for a buddies trip where the courses are as wonderful as the action away from the links, I always have a ready answer – book a flight to Albuquerque. One of the most famous stops along Route 66, Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico. Roughly half the people in the state live in the city and the surrounding area. More than 4

million tourists flock to the high-desert each year, drawn by the temperate climate and over-the-top scenery. Golf here is a 12-month sport, with public access courses that run the gamut from municipal tracks to daily fee facilities to college courses and wonderful casino-based routings. The variety and overall quality of the golf offerings in the area make it a must-visit destination for golfers in

Albuquerque’s action is hot at both its casinos and its golf courses

Balloon Festival in full swing over Sandia Golf Resort

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FEATURE STORY

search of challenging tracks and unlimited off-the-course fun that rivals better known destinations such as Scottsdale, Myrtle Beach and the Coachella Valley. At the northern edge of the city sits the opulent Sandia Resort and Casino, home of the expansive and big-shouldered infinitely fun Sandia Golf Course.The course is designed across the desert moonscape by Scott Miller, who also fashioned the Sandia Golf Course award-winning layouts at We-Ko-Pa 18th Hole Golf Club in Arizona and The Coeur and sparse desert landscaping line the d’Alene Resort in Idaho. Carded at 7,772 yards from its back fairways. Don’t be intimidated by Sandia set of four tees, it is the longest course GC’s length – it’s a friendly and fun in New Mexico. It doesn’t play to its yardage thanks to a number of elevated track with lots of opportunity to attack tee shots and rolling fairways that push and few places that will balloon your score. the wayward shot back into play. Another casino-golf combo is set in Laid out between the hotel and the the southern part of the area, at the Ismountains with a pueblo-style clubhouse and patio for lunch, Sandia GC is leta Eagle Golf Course, where subtlety is at a premium probably because the a course with a view – the mountains course is an amenity of the burgeonoff one shoulder and the Rio Grande ing Hard Rock Hotel and Casino right Valley off the other. It encompasses across the highway. strategically placed hazards, challengVariety is the draw ing green complexes at Isleta Eagle, deand panoramic signed by Bill Phillips views of the Sandia and opened for play Mountains, the Rio in 1996.The facility Grande River, the offers golfers three Corrales Bosque and nine-hole courses that the greater Albucan be played in three querque area. 18-hole combinations, Fairway bunkers all perched on the – there are 48 on the Pueblo of Isleta’s vast course – come into reservation just five minutes south of play from all tee complexes, and each hole gives the illusion of offering far less Albuquerque. The courses, which are located landing area than is actually available. Transition areas of decomposed granite along the Rio Grande River, feature TheTexasGolfInsider.com

FEATURE STORY

No. 1 Green at Isleta Eagle’s Lake Course

typical desert conditions with panoramic views from their tee boxes. The greens are medium-sized and have contour, and the fairways are also undulating, which leads to some challenging uneven lies, with natural roughs on the borders. The tracks are named after their primary topographic feature – Lakes, Arroyo and Mesa. Each has a different character. Of the three combinations, the toughest is Mesa-Lakes, which carries a rating of 74.7 and a slope of 128. Lakes-Arroyo is rated at 72.7 and sloped at 125 and Arroyo-Lakes has been rated at 72.4 and sloped at 124. In any grouping, a round at Isleta Eagle is both challenging and satisfying. Just a few minutes The University of New Mexico’s north of Championship Golf Course the Isleta Eagle GC, right along the east side of the highway, sits the Championship Golf Course at the University of New Mexico. Once rated the top course you can play in the state, the UMN Golf Course remains one of the finest golfing venues in the nation, thanks TheTexasGolfInsider.com

to a combination of long holes and a demanding routing, all amplified by the ever-blowing wind. The UNM Golf Course opened in 1967 and has enjoyed a number of renovations over the past 30-odd years. Architect Robert (Red) Lawrence utilized the naturally hilly terrain on the site to create wide rolling and sloping fairways with many elevation changes. Long and tough from the tournament tees – where it plays to a par of 72 at 7,562 yards and carries a slope of 75.4 and a rating of 135 – the track is not a true desert course, even as its holes meander through desert-like terrain that serves as home to a variety of wildlife including rabbits, roadrunners, owls and hawks. Stray shots are penalized harshly by thick rough and unforgiving bunkers. If you do find the fairways, a premium is placed on club selection due to the elevation change and the wind, and both hamper your ability to fit your shots onto rolling greens.The putting surfaces feature

FEATURE STORY

hills and multiple breaks and the speed of the greens add tests that many golfers can’t pass. A little further out of the city but still within an easy and picturesque drive is one of the nation’s top public tracks, Paa-Ko Ridge, a 27-hole facility routed among rolling arroyos, native vegetation and rock outcroppings. Designed byTexas-based Ken Dye (who also fashioned Pinon Hills, Farmington, New Mexico’s toprated course), Paa-Ko Ridge is carved through a forest of pinon and juniper evergreens with some specimen ponderosa pines near the landing areas and greens. It stands apart from the region’s other high-desert courses. Opened for play in April 2000 and expanded to 27 holes in 2005, PaaKo Ridge features multiple mountain views, strong shot values and a serenity that seems synonymous with the quality golf you will find in the Land of Enchantment.The course also sports lots of big, bold features, undulating putting surfaces and offers plenty of risk-reward opportunities. The course is set at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 7,000 feet. Its original 18-hole layout plays to a par of 72 and at a lengthy, but not overwhelming, 7,562 yards

Paa-Ko-Ridge Golf Club

and sports a healthy rating of 75.2 and slope of 138. Holes 19-27 carry another 3,842 yards (actually the longest ninehole section at Paa-Ko Ridge) and are a real delight for the golfer who just can’t get enough of the challenges and fun here. The golf is stimulating, the views are breathtaking and the experience is unforgettable. Paa-Ko Ridge feels like a vacation getaway. It’s a track you can play every day and never tire of – the highest compliment a golfer can give any course. There’s something great about playing golf in New Mexico – maybe it’s the fine lineup of mountainside courses, the 310 days of sunshine, the low humidity or perhaps the overall affordability. It feels like you are discovering a bit of hidden treasure that you can’t wait to share with other golfers. Go and enjoy.

Paa-Ko-Ridge Pa P aaaaa-Ko-R Ko-R Ko -Rid RPaa-Ko-Ridge iddggee Golf Gol olf Club olf Cllub C ubGolf Club

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INSTRUCTION

STRETCHING AND WARMING UP Do you have days where you just don’t have time to get to the golf course to stretch and warm up properly? Like Kyle Jerome most golfers, PGA Professional your answer is probably, “yes”. Undoubtedly, your rounds where you get to the course in plenty of time to sufficiently prepare for them are much better than the days where you just show up and tee off. Like most things in life, if you have time to prepare and get ready for your task, you will usually see better results. Golf is no different. One of the most important parts of your round is what you do before you tee off. This in mind, let’s take a look at some ways to make your round more enjoyable. 1. GET TO THE COURSE IN PLENTY OF TIME This is a no-brainer. Getting to the course in plenty of time helps insure you have the time to sufficiently stretch and go through a warm-up routine to get you ready for your round. It also helps to keep you from feeling rushed which in turn helps keep your heart rate down. A calmer frame of mind is crucial to a relaxed round of golf. 2. HAVE A STRETCHING ROUTINE Doctors and trainers who have attended our school have told us that if you only have time to stretch or warm TheTexasGolfInsider.com

up on the range, you should stretch. Stretching is important for a number of reasons. First, it helps you get your muscles loose. Flexibility is important because it helps make better swings. Second, it helps you avoid injury. Pulled muscles usually occur when we’re not loose. Simple stretches of the following areas should be done: A. HAMSTRINGS: Spread your feet to shoulder width, knees straight with your weight on your heels. Bend over as far as you can go without bouncing. Try to hold this position for at least ten seconds. You can do this as many times as you feel necessary. Stretching your hamstrings helps loosen your lower back as well as your legs. B. SHOULDERS: Take one arm and pull it across your chest with your other arm, holding this position for a count of ten seconds. Repeat with the other arm. Then take a club and swing it forward and backwards at your side. Then repeat with the other arm. This will help you loosen your shoulders and get the blood flowing. C. CORE: Place your club behind your neck with both hands on the club. Twist back and forth slowly. This helps stretch your core and back. D. ARMS AND WRISTS: Extend your arm at full length and pull your fingertips back. Then bend your hand down and pull your hand back. This helps stretch your wrists and forearms.

INSTRUCTION

E. EVERYTHING: Take two clubs, hold them together and swing them continuously back and through. Doing this (slowly) can help stretch everything all in one shot. These are just some simple exercises you can do to help you get ready for your round. If you have other, more elaborate stretches you go through, great! WARMING UP ON THE RANGE Having plenty of time to warm up on the range is important for several reasons also. Here are some examples: 1. HELPS YOU GET LOOSE Hitting balls on the range is a key way for you to get loose and get your blood flowing before your round. 2. SETS THE TONE FOR HOW YOU WILL SWING THAT DAY Starting off hitting shots with your feet together, making shorter and slower swings will help you set the tone for how you will swing that day. This drill helps produce good timing, tempo and balance. You should gradually widen your stance and make your swing longer as you get loose. Establishing good timing, tempo and balance from the beginning of your day helps insure a swing that will last the whole round. 3. HELPS YOU FIND OUT “WHAT YOU HAVE” BEFORE YOU TEE OFF As we all know, some days our swing is there, and some days it’s not. Hitting shots with our feet together helps us see if we can make our normal full swing most of the day or if we need to take a little more club and make shorter/ slower swings for most of our shots. We are human so our coordination changes

everyday. You have to be ready to adjust to what you have on any given day. So the next time you decide to hit that snooze button, remember, get to the course in plenty of time so you can properly get warmed up for your round. It could mean the difference between the round you want and the round you try to avoid.

The Academy of Golf Dynamics Learn to Play Better Golf

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Forget the checklist and decide to Relax, Enjoy New Experiences & Create Memories

If you want an oasis of resort relaxation, or to connect with Mother Nature, head to Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. It is a unique area conveniently located on Interstate 10, halfway between Houston and Baton Rouge.With proximity to the coast and an abundance of waterways, it’s a destination that has the right mix of variety for the avid golfer or angler. Crying Eagle brewing company opened last year.The brewery’s name is a nod to the area’s historic roots being the English translation of the indigenous Atakapa Indian name “Calcasieu” which is the “county” name of the area.Visit their tap room and you can taste from the brew master’s experiments. Crying Eagle also features live music and an outdoor beer garden. If live music is your thing in addition to brews, Rikenjaks Brewing Company has an outdoor patio with a stage as well as an indoor stage. Listen to local artists and traveling artists while enjoying delicious food, and the atmosphere is eclectic and comfortable. Rikenjaks serves many Louisiana beers including Crying Eagle, Abita, Bayou Teche, Great Raft, Parish and Tin Roof. Many local restaurants feature live entertainment, jazz or music brunches with local products and seasonings.

Lake Charles is also known for its casino resorts, complete with spas, golf courses, live entertainment and incredible restaurants. Golden Nugget Lake Charles and L’Auberge Casino Resort sit side by side along the waterway. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel has a Texas flair with restaurants, an event center, and of course, thundering and majestic horse racing. Also, the Isle of Capri Hotel Casino has a relaxed atmosphere with a dance floor for people wanting to do the two step or Cajun/ Zydeco dancing. In Southwest Louisiana, you are never far from nature.The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road wraps around Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes.The trail is actually a 180 mile drive through marsh and prairie lands. The experience includes 4 wildlife refuges with walking trails, boardwalks along the marsh and prairie, and also, you can see alligators, birds, marshland creatures and flowers in bloom. It is recommended to kick off your journey at Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point. For more information on Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana and the area’s exquisite golf courses, log onto www.visitlakecharles.org/fore.

FEATURE STORY

Finding great golf in Southwest Louisiana is no gamble By Steve Habel/Contributing Editor

When one thinks of southwest The golf courses built in Lake Louisiana linked pairs of images may Charles and environs since gaming was come to mind: saints and hurricanes; reintroduced in 1991 also have the feel Cajun and Creole; swamps and bayous; of the Lone Star State’s coastal areas, accordions and washboard percusadding to the familiarity factor for visision; relaxation on the back porch and tors from the west. But because this is raucous festivals; boudin and gumbo; southwest Louisiana, there’s a distinct fishing and hunting. take on just about everything - and Thanks to a growing roster of that’s a good thing. Call it a Cajun flair casinos in the area – most of them if you want; golf in SWLA is just a little built to lure Texans to slot machines, more intense. craps tables and roulette pits – the past The spotlight on golf in this area decade has spawned another duo of as- intensified last summer when the sociations: gaming and golf, two things new course at the Country Club at that seem, in modern times anyway, the Golden Nugget came online. Its to go hand in opening gives hand. the Lake Charles The gaming area five great industry has options for golf, taken a strong making playhold in greater ing the game in Lake Charles, SW Louisiana stretching all anything but a the way back gamble. to the Texas As folks border some flocked to the 30 miles to region to live Gray Plantation Golf Club the west.The and to play, Photo: Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana CVB southwest courses were Louisiana rebuilt to keep gion is less than a two-hour drive from visitors occupied when they weren’t at Houston, the fifth-largest metropolitan the tables or in front of the slots. area in the U.S. The first course to open after the Many of these casinos have distincgaming boom was Gray Plantation, tive themes that make Texans feel like the centerpiece of an upscale, gated they own the place or at least should community located just south of Lake after a great day at the tables. Charles along the Calcasieu WaterTheTexasGolfInsider.com

FEATURE STORY

way. Opened in 1999 and renovated in 2005 after it suffered damage from Hurricane Rita, Gray Plantation is now a beautifully landscaped 7,200-yard semiprivate layout that challenges pros and entertains amateurs of all skills. The course was designed by William “Rocky” Roquemore, who featured the natural beauty of Louisiana’s Bayou Country and led Golf Magazine to describe it as Gray Plantation Golf Club “a delicate mix of Southern charm and Cajun fire.” at the end of August.Then Rita struck Water, both from the adjacent and undid a heap of the work architect Calcasieu and the course’s 60 acres of Tom Fazio and his team had labored man-made lakes, adds to the difficulty over. Because the highest elevation on while contributing to the aesthetics. the course is a mere 14 feet above sea The wet stuff enters play on 11 of the level, the storm tried to return much course’s 18 holes. of the property to its origins.The Besides all the aqueous hazards, course lost about 1,200 60-foot trees there are 94 bunkers but few forced and most of the underbrush to the carries off the tee. Most of the trouble hurricane. can be avoided with conservative play The 7,077-yard, par-71 Contraas Roquemore put an emphasis on band Bayou employs plenty of marsh tough par-3s, creating two with island- and lowland features.The site, across like greens. the street from the massive L’Auberge Contraband Bayou Golf Club was du Lac Casino Resort and built atop the next course to come on line, open- 227 acres that were once underwater ing in late May 2005 with an official and part of the Calcasieu Waterway, unveiling planned for August of that presented many obstacles in its design year. and construction, the toughest of The debut was delayed when Hur- which was building a golf course in ricane Katrina roared into Louisiana swamp-like terrain. More than 400,000 cubic yards of dirt were moved during construction Contraband Bayou Golf of the only TheTexasGolfInsider.com

FEATURE STORY

public course by Fazio in the Pelican State.There are plenty of favorable bounces incorporated into the par-3s (none over 200 yards), long par-4s (two play more than 450), short par4s (three less than 375 yards) and a monster par-5 (the 611-yard opener). Down the road a bit in Kinder, and opened about the same time, is the Koasati Pines golf course at the Coushatta Casino Resort. If you are up for a real challenge – away from the slot machines and gambling tables, that is – you can find it here. From the first minute you step onto the property, there is no mistaking the quality of your potential golfing experience. This 18-hole, par-72 championship course, with over 50 acres of looking-glass lakes, was designed with a fresh perspective by renowned architect Kevin Tucker. His goal was to submerge players in a relaxing, yet challenging golf experience. Nestled in the natural wetlands, golfers are surrounded by stately pines and huge live oaks. Koasati Pines can be a real bear to play, especially because of its taxing length (at 7,617 yards, it is the longest course in the Pelican State) and the seemingly constant – and often blustery – winds that whip across the site. But with its six different sets of

Contraband Bayou Golf at sunset Photo Courtesy of www.lindseyjanies.com

tees you need only bite off as much of the course as you think you can chew, while keeping in mind the quality and pleasure you are having while you are at it. About five miles as the crow flies, north of Contraband Bayou and a 15-minute drive around Lake Charles and back into the woods, is the National Golf Club of Louisiana, a big-shouldered Dave Bennett design. Opened in August 2009, the layout is the centerpiece of a new 600-plus acre masterplanned neighborhood in Westlake, a town just above Lake Charles. Bennett’s 6,946-yard layout features 14 lakes, 80 bunkers and some of the area’s largest and toughest greens. Stately Louisiana pines and dramatic vistas are highlights. National’s fairways are generously wide, but gentle slopes and rolling fairways can be unforgiving, so be precise with your tee shots. The National Golf Club of Louisiana went through more than 10 years of planning and there’s a lot to like about what Bennett fashioned.The course carries a 73.5 rating and 132 slope,

Koasati Pines golf course at the Coushatta Casino Resort. TheTexasGolfInsider.com

FEATURE STORY

and each of its four par-5s (the longest of which is 537 yards) are reachable with a pair of good shots.The collection of par-3s (159, 192, 176 and 199 yards, respectively) offer the opportunity to use a variety of clubs off the tee. Now comes the much-acclaimed new course at the Country Club at the Golden Nugget, an 18-hole, par72 golf track designed by the award winning team of Todd Eckenrode and Origins Golf Design. The course is right on the bayou in the shadow of the massive new Golden Nugget Casino Resort, and is turfed with Miniverde greens and Celebration tees. Fairways and roughs are surrounded with tall native grasses, providing a spectacular backdrop for guests seeking a getaway within their getaway. Most of its fairways are very wide and the course’s putting surfaces are huge, with plenty of options for hole locations.There is a great variety of long and short holes – I especially liked the stretch from No. 13-16, with two shot par-4s and a pair of medium length par-3s.The last four holes are along the river and in sight of the massive bridge that winds over the bayou. The Country Club at the Golden Nugget is not overly long or hard and has five sets of

The National Golf Club

tees that accommodate high handicappers and scratch golfers alike. And like Contraband Bayou, Golden Nugget is designed for resort play but doesn’t cut any corners to get you back to the tables quicker – it would be a destination course even if the casino didn’t hover over it.The Country Club at the Golden Nugget was recently named one of North America’s top 10 new courses by Golf Digest. In addition to the course,The Country Club features a full-service clubhouse providing the ideal environment for guests to dine, relax and recap the experience and savor another round as soon as it’s possible. Lake Charles is about casino gaming and the great outdoors, culinary delights and the Rhythm and Blues that make Louisiana so exotic. It also offers historical sites, luxury hotels and accommodations, a subtropical climate and warm Southern hospitality.

The Golf Club at the Golden Nugget

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f 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. Designed with a fresh perspective to submerge you in a relaxing, yet challenging, golf experience with its novel 19th “gambling” hole where tiebreakers and wagers can be resolved, playing Koasati Pines will make it your new favorite! LOUISIANA’S #1 CASINO GOLF COURSE Course designer Kevin Tucker snuck in multiple approaches to several holes, but you’ll be riding on GPS-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. 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 with over 2800 of the newest and hottest slots, more than 70 table games including Blackjack, Craps, live Poker, live Bingo, and off-track betting, too! THE GRANDER GRAND HOTEL Coushatta’s flagship hotel has been completely renovated into an upscale adult-exclusive property for guests ages 21 and up, offering a relaxing retreat with exquisitely appointed rooms and lobby area connected to the gaming floor. 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!

REVIEW

Delaware Springs “Bring Your Best”

DATE: July 29th & 30th, 2017 (Saturday & Sunday) PLACE: Delaware Springs, Burnet. Texas TIME: 1:30 p.m. Shotgun both days FORMAT: 3 person scramble (One Flight, All players play Black Tees) ENTRY FEE: $ 390.00 per Team (Includes: Green fee, Cart, Range Balls, Dinner and Prizes) Prizes: Cash Prizes Players Pool Both Days For Information call: 512-756-8471

Come and Enjoy The Competition!!!!!!!! “Bring Your Best” Tournament Entry Form Player 1 Name ____________________ Phone # ________________ Address __________________ City / State __________ Zip Code ________ Player 2 Name ____________________ Phone # ________________ Address __________________ City / State __________ Zip Code ________ Player 3 Name ____________________ Phone # ________________ Address __________________ City / State __________ Zip Code ________ ****************************************************************************************

E-MAIL ADDRESS: dsprings@cityofburnet.com WEB SITE: www.delawaresprings.com *****************************************************************************************

Come and enjoy the magnificence of Hill Country Golf at its finest. TheTexasGolfInsider.com

SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

Public Course

RATES

MAP #41

Twilight

Weekday $39 $24 $29 Weekend $49 $29 $37

COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Architect: Bunker Hill General Manager: Doug Fipps Superintendent: Tony Nash 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

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COURSES

Burnet

Delaware Springs Golf Course One of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play”

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

Public Course

MAP #67

RATES

Weekday Weekend Stay & Play

$55 w/cart $65 w/cart $199/night

(includes 2 rounds of golf)

Condominiums: $1700/mo (includes utilities, TV, Golf and personal reserved cart)

COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Par: 72 Architect: Kite/Bechtol/Russelll

TEE INFORMATION Yardage/Rating/Slope: Gold: 7260 / 74.9 / 137 Blue: 6726 / 72.4 / 131 White: 6148 / 69.6 / 127 Green: 5544 / 67.2 / 116 Red: 5218 / 65.6 / 113

COURSES

Kingsland

The Legends Golf Course Make Your Golf Experience The Best

he Legends is a lakeside golf course located on Lake LBJ near Horseshoe Bay. Designed by Tom Kite, Roy Bechtol and Randy Russell, this scenic course in the Texas Hill Country offers solitude, elegance and a challenging golf experience. The 18- hole championship course offers players both links style and hill country golf at its very best. The Legends is the longest course in the area at 7,260 yards and, unlike the competitors in horseshoe bay, The Legends is the only course with waterfront holes giving you the pure experience of lakeside golf. The property also sports lakeview condos with a personal cart so you can drive straight from your front door to the first tee. The Legends Golf Course is a spectacular place for any golf outing, either with your regular 4-some, family, or event. Come and join us. We want your golf experience to be the best. For information about rates, tee times, condos and stay & play please contact the golf shop at (325)388-8888.

COURSE AMENITIES t t t t t

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105 Rangeway Circle Kingsland, TX 78639

325-388-8888 www.LegendsLBJ.com

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REVIEW

Now is the time to book your group event at

Vaaler Creek Golf Course in Blanco By Steve Habel, Contributing Editor

It’s come to my attention that there are a few of you golfers out there who haven’t yet played and enjoyed a round of golf at Vaaler Creek Golf Club here on the edge of the Texas Hill Country. Well, if you haven’t teed it up here then you don’t know what you’re missing – let me tell you. I’ve been playing Vaaler Creek GC since it opened 2007 as a nine-hole course that sat virtually alone within the almost 1,100acre Rockin’ J Ranch community just south of town. I’ve watched it grow up and out into one of the best and most fun tracks in the region, and it’s very much worth the time to get there and stay awhile. Vaaler Creek GC expanded to a full 18 holes in 2009 and through the years has added to its off-course amenities. First came condos off its 10th tee for purchase or rental, then an expansive deck overlooking the pond that fronts the 18th green and clubhouse. Next was a gleaming pool, and most recently a pavilion adjacent to the pool for after-golf dining, entertaining and specific events – including weddings. The rain that we’ve enjoyed this past spring and summer has allowed all the ponds on the course to fill and has sent Vaaler Creek GC to a level esthetically

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that’s as good as any golf course in the area. The golf here has never been better. “The playing conditions here have always been great and very consistent, but the beauty that now surrounds the course has really added to the experience,” said Adam Grosch,Vaaler Creek GC’s Director of Golf. The challenges and level of fun at the course have persuaded many groups to hold their company and organizational golf tournaments here, and that’s easy because Vaaler Creek’s amenities allow for just about any kind of gathering, golf-related or not. “Now is the time to book group events for the fall and even into 2018,” Grosch said. “We offer great prices for groups of at least 20 and can accommodate groups of 144 with ease.” There’s some info online, but people interested should contact Vaaler Creek GC’s head pro, Andrew Bryant, at the golf shop or via email at andrew@ vaalercreekgolfclub.com It’s easy to say that Vaaler Creek GC has a little bit of everything for everybody. Once you’ve been there you’ll understand what all the hoopla is about. So isn’t it time to head to Blanco?

COVER STORY

Award-winning Bluejack Validates Promise and Potential of Woods’ First U.S. Course

Hole 13 - Par 5, 530 yards

With the combination of the first U.S. course design of Tiger Woods, the help of longtime Tom Fazio associate Beau Welling and some of the best and most experienced Texas golf leaders, there was little doubt that Bluejack National Golf Club, located 50 miles northwest of downtown Houston, would be successful. But in just over a year since it opened all 18 holes in the wooded 750-acre tract in tiny Montgomery, the course has been praised locally, statewide and nationally with a trio of prestigious honors. The most recent award for the Woods’ design, was a No. 3 debut in the 2017 prestigious Texas Golf Rankings, the highest by any Lone Star course in more than a decade. Last year, Bluejack was named best new course in the country by two national publications, Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.The Dallas Morning News Texas Golf ranks all courses in the state regardless of age.

Bluejack achieved the highest initial Texas ranking among the state’s 800plus golf courses since 2004. “There was never a doubt Tiger Woods’ first U.S. design would be the best new course in Texas for 2017. What was unexpected was that it would debut at No. 3, directly behind stalwarts (No. 1) Whispering Pines and (No. 2) Dallas National,” the Morning News story stated. Bluejack National opened all 18 holes for play last April and has hosted numerous top amateur and professional players since then, including a playing clinic by its course designer and a famous opening day hole-in-one by a South Texas junior on its playgrounds short course. “Every day more memories are made, more fun is being had and more families and friends are bonding around the golf and the many activities here at Bluejack,” said Bluejack President Casey Paulson, who has served time in both North and South Texas on exclusive golf layouts.

Mark O’Meara, David Feherty &TigerWoods

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COVER STORY

He said the latest award is further proof the blueprint of Bluejack National is succeeding. “We are very grateful that Texas Golf 2017 has recognized what many have already seen, Bluejack National is indeed a special place and will only continue to improve.” Most notably the par 72 tree lined course has no rough, very little water and was opened with the stated goal that players could have a good time with family and friends without losing a golf ball. Michael Abbott, president of Beacon Land Development, said the latest Texas awards can help point out a new

trend for members and families looking for a fun place to spend precious time together. “Somehow we’ve gotten the concept in golf that a course which is not extremely difficult, where you lose a lot of golf balls, is not a true championship course.What’s wrong with shooting your best score ever here and having a great time with family?” he asked. “It doesn’t diminish the course to say you made three birdies and shot a good score,” Abbott said “This is a great championship layout, but it’s OK to shoot a good number here and have a good time.That’s what golf should be all about.”

Hole 1 - Par 4, 458 yards Photography by Aidan Bradley

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COVER STORY

Hole 12 - Par 3, 200 yards

Another key factor in the ‘golf is fun’ mantra here is the 10-hole Playgrounds short course.With no holes over 120 yards, where players, members and guests can warm up, shorten their shot game and settle all bets, the fun is contagious. The Bluejack National facility also boasts a pristine double-ended practice facility.The Playgrounds is a shorter 10hole beginner golf course; and a stillunder-construction The Fort, is a threeacre amenity park with a fish camp, zip lines, burger joint, pool, skate park, whiffle ball diamond, tennis courts, flag football field and tree houses.

Bluejack was named the prestigious “best new private course in America for 2016” by Golf Digest, America’s largest and oldest golf magazine. Earlier in the year it was named the best new private for 2016 by Golf Magazine/Sports Illustrated. It’s the first Texas course to receive the national best new course honors by Golf Digest since the LaCantera Tournament Course in San Antonio received best new public course acclaim in 1995. “For Woods, Bluejack National is his, “Hello World,” moment as a fledgling golf architect,” the December Golf Digest story said. “The course is created to put smiles on the faces of the patrons. Hit it, find it, hit it again toward the green, run in a putt, cheer and move on.” ‘It represents the trend that many architects are embracing: build for the masses, not the elite players.’” Golf Magazine/Sports Illustrated praised Bluejack National in its golf publication for its “fun, option-filled track that emphasizes width, Hole 6 - Par 4, 454 yards angles, contours and recover-

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COVER STORY

ability, all in a handsome, oakdotted, rolling canvas.” “Working with Tiger and his team, we wanted a course with no rough where you could play 18 holes and never lose a ball. We’re excited and honored Bluejack National has been honored in that way by these national golf publications,” Paulson added. The course has always drawn comparisons to Augusta National Golf Course where Woods won four Masters Championship titles with its large sweeping fairways and especially the 9th and 18th holes which move upward toward the cabins and practice center. The course was officially opened in early November 2015, when George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States played the course along with Abbott, his longtime friend, and sometimes golf teacher. “This course will define a new Tiger Woods,” Abbott said. “When people see this course and what has been created, they will not only think of the golfer with 80 victories, but a skillful architect as well.”

Hole 7 - Par 3, 158 yards

“It’s extremely rewarding. I am excited to share our work at Bluejack National, which I am confident will be considered a fantastic addition to Texas golf,”Woods said. “I am particularly excited about Bluejack because it’s truly generational. I can see playing here with my kids and friends.” For more information on the award-winning course and unique Texas family facility, go to www. bluejacknational.com or call (281) 475-2165.

Bluejack National Clubhouse,“The Porch”

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FEATURE STORY

Luxury and golf challenges abound at Northern California’s Half Moon Bay Resort By Steve Habel, Contributing Editor

There are times when you walk the pair of finer-than-fine golf courses at the Ritz-Carlton-Half Moon Bay Resort that you’d swear you’re playing either a seaside links in Scotland or a parkland track on the outskirts of London. Maybe it’s the chill of the misty air when you’re along the bluffs of the Pacific Ocean, as you tackle the meat of the Ocean Course on the resort’s southern side. Or perhaps it’s the way that lush trees and vegetation and flawless conditioning direct you around the inland holes of Half Moon Bay’s Old Course, right up until you stride up the hill behind the 16th green and the sight of the endless view of the Pacific hits you right between the eyes as you prepare to play the par-3 17th with the ocean as your backdrop. Regally located on the California coastline, equidistant from San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, the Ritz-Carlton-Half Moon Bay Resort TheTexasGolfInsider.com

is one of Northern California’s only luxury golf destinations. Set on the bluffs of the Pacific, just 19 miles from San Francisco International Airport and 45 minutes from San Jose International Airport, this enclave radiates stately ambiance with a Georgian revival estate and 36 holes of oceanfront golf. The joy of being here is in taking in the total package and making this place your own. First there’s the drive down the California coastline from the Golden Gate, or over cypress and pine covered hills on the way from the Silicon Valley. Once in the town of Half Moon Bay, there’s the push out onto the ledge of the Pacific leading to the resort property with its striking hotel hanging above the water. Then it’s up to each one of us to figure out how many layers of clothes to wear in dealing with Half Moon Bay’s microclimate, an effect that will have golfers in short sleeves one minute, donning down vests and rain

FEATURE STORY

suits an hour later and running for a spot near the resort’s fire pits as soon as the round is done. The two courses here – the Old Course and Ocean Course – are both fabulous and completely different. Designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane and opened in 1973, The Old Course is an American classic whose lush parkland-links routing features 7,001 yards of challenge, distinguishing edges and corridor views of the Pacific. Like a lot of Palmer designs, the Old Course is fairly straight forward and traditional and in most cases golfers can see the flags on the greens and understand the shot they need to execute to attack the holes. There are no tricks, gimmicks or hidden dangers here. But from the back tees the Old Course carries a rating of 75.2 and a slope of 135, meaning it will test the players’ game throughout. The trouble comes via lots of out of bounds areas if golfers spray the ball, as well as trees, plenty of bunkering, sharp doglegs, water hazards, contoured fairways and challenging

green complexes. Palmer balances those demands with a handful of risk/ reward opportunities beginning with the very first hole, a reachable-in-two par-5. And while this course is a blast to play from its opening drive to its final putt, Palmer saved the most memorable holes for the end. After playing the 16th hole, the golfer emerges from a tree-lined, house-infused, parkland-style course to the stunning finishing holes – both of which offer starring roles from the Pacific Ocean. The par-3 17th is played from an elevated tee to a green that looks as if its suspended above the azure blue water, an all-or nothing carry to a putting surface that’s fronted on the left by a huge bunker and on the right and rear by the long-distance approach to the Far East. The Old Course finishes at one of the highest ranked holes in the world – the 405-yard par-4 18th, that culminates on a bluff with dazzling coastal vistas at the base of the hotel. The tee shot is played into a dale that ends in a tributary on its way to

Half Moon Bay Ocean Course

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FEATURE STORY

Half Moon Bay Old Course

to the ocean, while its approach is to a green that rests hard on a bluff just underneath the stunning Ritz-Carlton that overlooks the property. Folks enjoying an adult beverage al fresco on the hill, just beyond the green surrounds, will be the ones judging the golfers’ final shots of the round and their prowess on the huge putting surface. But that’s okay – it’s well worth it. The Old Course has played host to numerous U.S. Open qualifiers and demands strength, especially off the tee, guile and skill with irons and excellence with the putter. It’s a course that will test all facets of a golfer’s game. Where the Old Course is somewhat protected from the elements through its first 16 holes, the Ocean Course is totally exposed to the whims of Mother Nature. Perched on a bluff high above the roaring Pacific, the Ocean Course boasts sea views TheTexasGolfInsider.com

at every turn and a stretch of holes finishing the round that are considered among the finest on the Pacific Coast. Opened in 1997 and designed by renowned landscape architect Arthur Hills, the Ocean Course delivers “firm and fast” fairways, with wispy native grasses accenting the tees and joining forces to transport players and guests alike back to the game’s Old World origins. Hills did a fantastic job of leveraging the natural California coastal setting to create a Scottish links course in its truest sense; the term was coined for courses that serve as a “link” between the land and sea. The majority of the course is set in rolling, coastal dunes-scape, with wide fairways and plenty of bunkers to use as targets and to focus your course management and large, undulating putting surfaces. Some holes are side by side, with natural grassy areas on the borders.

If the wind blows (and it usually does) seeing a shot move toward a neighboring fairway is a common occurrence. Uphill and downhill shots are common while flat lies are not, all of which make choosing the proper club and playing the correct shot paramount to scoring well. From most of the holes you can get a glimpse of the Pacific, but it doesn’t come into play until the last three holes. The walk up out of the valley of the Ocean Course to the tee box on the 16th produces jawdropping views of the Pacific and sea gulls gliding over the cliffs. On even the calmest of days, golfers hear the waves crashing on the rocks and sand, The Ocean Course’s three finishing holes have been praised as among the best in golf course design and are likely well worth the trip to the edge of the North American continent. While the golf here is a great calling card, it’s not the only one by far. The Ritz-Carlton-Half Moon Bay is situated snugly between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Pacific

FEATURE STORY

16th hole at Half Moon Bay’s Ocean Course

Ocean and the shingle-style hotel’s weathered, wind-battered appearance evokes a 19th-century seaside lodge. Red- and gold-accented interiors showcase equally classic taste, with oil paintings, watercolors and sepiatoned etchings lining each suite. As for leisurely activities, the RitzCarlton-Half Moon Bay has more on tap than you likely have time to enjoy. Guests can take a jog on the hotel’s coastal paths and have the Pacific lapping at their feet or head to the 16,000-square-foot spa, with its Roman mineral baths and lavender facial treatments. It would be easy to say that the golf experience at Half Moon Bay is spectacular, but to be honest, that term just doesn’t do it justice.

Half Moon Bay Old Course

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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 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 HUTTO: Golf Club at Star Ranch Semi-Private KERRVILLE: Scott Schreiner Municipal GC Municipal KINGSLAND: Legends Golf Course Public KYLE: Plum Creek Golf Course Public LAGO VISTA: Lago Vista Semi-Private Highland Lakes Public LAMPASAS: Hancock Park Golf Course Public LEANDER: The Golf Club at Crystal Falls Municipal

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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) 321-1181 (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 (512) 252-4653 (830) 257-4982 (325) 388-8888 (512) 262-5555 (512) 267-1170 (512) 267-1170 (512) 556-3202 (512) 259-5855

TYPE

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: 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 Northern Hills Municipal Olmos Basin Golf Course Municipal Randolf Oaks Golf Course Military Riverside Golf Course Municipal Salado Del Rio Public San Pedro Range & Par 3 Public Silverhorn Public The Palmer Course Public The Quarry Golf Club Semi-private The Republic Golf Course Public TPC San Antonio Resort Windcrest Golf Course Semi-private Willow Springs Golf Course Municipal UNIVERSAL CITY: Olympia Hills Golf & Conference Center Public UTOPIA: Utopia Golf Course Public WIMBERLEY: Quicksand at Woodcreek Public

PHONE (325) 247-5100 (512) 278-1304 (830) 693-3300 (830) 609-4665 (830) 221-4340 (830) 281-3486 (512) 251-9000 (512) 388-2874 (512) 252-GOLF (512) 651-9850 (254) 947-5698 (512) 353-1665 (325) 372-3212 (830) 401-2490 (512) 264-1489 (830) 904-4653 (830) 885-5168 (210) 696-4000 (210) 226-5612 (210) 497-1770 (210) 695-5050 (210) 671-3466 (210) 504-2550 (210) 647-1234 (210) 558-4653 (210) 222-9386 (210) 627-2522 (210) 655-4148 (210) 826-4041 (210) 652-4570 (210) 533-8371 (210) 222-9386 (210) 349-5113 (210) 545-5300 (210) 558-2365 (210) 824-4500 (210) 359-0000 (210) 491-5800 (210) 655-1421 (210) 226-6721 (210) 945-4653 (830) 966-5577 (512) 847-9700

THE PERFECT DRIVE

THE COAST COURSE

TYPE

Alice Municipal Golf Course Brownsville Golf Center Buccaneer Bay Public GC Colony Creek Country Club Corpus Christi Country Club Cottonwood Creek Golf Course Edinburg Municipal Golf Course El Campo County Club Fort Brown Municipal Golf Course Ganado Golf and Country Club Goliad Country Recreation Assoc. Grande Caribbean at Dune Crest Harlingen Country Club L.E. Ramey Golf Course Lozano Golf Center Oso Beach Municipal GC Northshore Golf Course Padre Isles Country Club Palm View Golf Course Palmilla Beach Golf Club Rio Colorado Golf Course South Padre Island Golf Club The Victoria Country Club Tierra Del Sol Golf Club Tierra Santa Golf Club Treasure Hills Country Club Village Executive Golf Course Valley International Country Club

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

PHONE (361) 664-7033 (956) 541-2582 (361) 790-7513 (361) 576-0018 (361) 991-2811 (956) 428-7758 (956) 381-1244 (409) 543-6592 (956) 542-9861 (361) 771-2424 (361) 645-2144 (361) 749-1974 (956) 412-4110 (361) 592-1101 (361) 826-8017 (361) 826-8010 (361) 643-2798 (361) 949-8056 (956) 687-9591 (361) 749-4653 (979) 244-2955 (956) 943-5678 (361) 573-3712 (956) 702-2320 (956) 973-1811 (956) 365-3100 (956) 968-5331 (956) 546-5331

A great golf experience at an affordable price. • • • • • •

LIONS HANCOCK MORRIS WILLIAMS JIMMY CLAY ROY KIZER GREY ROCK

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

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

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

GOLFATX.ORG TheTexasGolfInsider.com

127

ConCan

Harper

Utopia

Castroville

1604

Comfort

473

1431

85 1604

725

Kyle

620

Marble Falls 41 Leander

87 87 Spring Brand

Kingsland

2342

130 1825

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

(281) 475-2165

Yardage /Rating /Slope

Bluejack National 1 4430 South FM 1486, Montgomery, TX 77316

Par

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

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Type Hole

Map Number

SAN ANTONIO |HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN COURSES

www.blackjacknational.com

Delaware Springs Golf Course (512) 756-8471 41 41 600 Delaware Springs Blvd., Burnet, TX 78611 www.delawaresprings.com

Gateway Hills Golf Course 26 1800 Dimsted Pl., Lackland AFB, TX 78236

(210) 671-3466 1

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www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.com

Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course (830) 997-4010 53 341 Golfers Loop, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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www.golffredericksburg.com

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

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www.ftsammwr.com /recreation/golf.html

Landa Park Golf Course

(830) 221-4340

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

Randolph Oaks Golf Course

(210) 652-4653 1

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

Salado Del Rio Golf Course (210) 222-9386 85 1050 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209

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(830) 257-4982

(512) 252-4653

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(325) 388-8888

(956) 726-2000

(210) 824-4500

(830) 833-0706

www.ftsammwr.com/recreation/golf.html

Scott Schreiner Golf Course

17 1 Country Club Lane, Kerrville, TX 78028 www.golfkerrvilletex.com

Star Ranch Golf Club 3 2500 FM 685, Hutto, TX 78634 www.starranchgolf.com

The Legends Golf Club

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67 105 Rangeway Circle, Kingsland, TX 78639 www.legendsgolftx.net

The Max

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99 27700 FM 1472, Laredo, TX 78045 www.themaxlaredo.com

The Quarry Golf Club

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64 444 East Basse Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209 www.quarrygolf.com

Vaaler Creek Golf Club

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87 228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 www.vcgc.golf

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DIRECTORY SAN ANTONIO | HILL COUNTRY | AUSTIN

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MAKES GOLFERS GIDDY AND THEIR FRIENDS

GolfFredericksburg.com | 800 950 8147

48 48

Houston Area Private and Public Golf Courses

Westwood Shores Country Club TheTexasGolfInsider.com

COVER STORY

WESTWOOD SHORES:

“Not a Secret Anymore!”

Westwood Shores is an up and coming community with a very promising future. Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle? Remembering when you were young and things seemed quieter and simpler? There is such a place and it is called Westwood Shores. Come for a visit and you will want to stay and be part of this special community! Westwood Shores’ gated community consists of a Semi-private 18 Hole golf course, Pro Shop, Clubhouse, 19th Hole Bar & Grill, Swimming Pool,Tennis Courts, Fitness Center, Banquet Facility, Miniature Golf, Marina and Marina Store.The Access Control gate is staffed 24/7, monitored continuously by security cameras, along with roving patrols throughout both day and evening hours.There is also an adjacent 5 Star RV Resort. TheTexasGolfInsider.com

The golf course is built around a great community, but the community is not just about golf! There is something here for everyone. Westwood Shores borders Lake Livingston which boasts great fishing, boating and fun on jet skis. There are 9 interior lakes, 7 of these are stocked and provide great fishing. The Country Club has a well equipped Fitness Center, exercise classes, water aerobics and swimming in the beautiful pool, tennis and 26 miles of quiet, paved roads for walking or biking. Those who always have a camera in hand will love the abundant wildlife: deer, fox, alligators, bald eagles, water fowl, and a variety of bird species (Westwood Shores is an official Bluebird Sanctuary). And the sunrises and sunsets are stunning!

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Looking for that quieter, simpler life? Westwood Shores has that small town environment where people truly care for each other. There are a variety of community clubs and groups. The Civic Association organizes monthly dinners and special events/activities/ planned trips. This year will be the second Annual 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks held at the Clubhouse. Nestled high on the hill in Marina Village Resort is a quaint Chapel in the Pines, a non-denominational church with Sunday services, designed and built by Westwood Shoresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; property owners. Westwood Shores offers homes and lots in all price ranges: Lake Livingston homes and lots, Golf Course homes and lots, Interior Lake homes and lots, Townhomes near the Country Club, Cabins in the woods and wooded lots. There are also two beautifully wooded sections for Manufactured homes. Westwood Shores really is an affordable place to live, retire or just have a weekend or summer home. Of course you can also build that custom home of your dreams.

Golf Course: Many significant improvements have been made to the Westwood Shores Golf Course in the past four years. Since the Westwood Shores Property Owners Association (POA) acquired the property, there has been consistent investment in the golf course maintenance operations. An improvement in staffing levels, along with the acquisition of top of the line golf course equipment has allowed continuous improvement of the course conditions. The architectural features and golfing challenges envisioned by designer Carlton Gibson have been restored. New irrigation pumps and other improvements allow for consistent maintenance and improvement of the sand based putting greens. As these commitments have been steady and ongoing by the POA, daily course conditions have improved to a level â&#x20AC;&#x153;not seen in a long timeâ&#x20AC;? as the members like to say. The tangible improvements to the course that are being done incrementally include, bunker sand replacement, proper drainage of

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bunkers and green complexes, ongoing irrigation repair and replacement, and selected tee box leveling. Most all of these projects and the general operational improvements have been greatly appreciated by the long time membership and guests alike. It would be fair to say from the management level down to hourly labor staff, Westwood Shores is an “off the beaten trail place that is working to do things right”. Westwood Shores’ 18-hole golf course offers playability for players of all skill levels. The forward tee boxes for beginners offer wide fairways that allow the player to have fun and be rewarded with a good golf shot. The skilled golfer looking for a challenge can find it by playing the back tees. The back tees only play at 6,791 yet they bring OB into play and require a lot of precise tee shots. There are many doglegs that can be tricky. Players who choose to be more aggressive can cut some doglegs and have short approach shots that can yield low scores. However, a shot not TheTexasGolfInsider.com

well executed can get you into trouble quickly and result in a high score. A typical good tee shot will leave a straight forward approach shot. The Greens are consistently receptive. For the player who can hit high iron shots into the greens, the ball will react like it should and provide a great opportunity to make those birdie putts! Players consistently give the course high marks. Although there are Out of Bounds on at least one side of each hole, the course is generally wide and forgiving. Roughs are kept mowed fairly low throughout the year, yet there is an easily distinguished difference between the rough and fairway. A shot that lands in the rough can be found fairly quickly and, with a decent lie, a good recovery shot awaits. There is water on 9 of the 18 holes and 31 bunkers to add an extra challenge to the course. For those who just wish to practice to improve their game, there is a practice facility that includes a full size

$10.00 Off

a Round of Golf for “First Timers at WS” Present this Ad (expires 12-31-17)

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driving range and a practice green for putting and chipping. Come play the course and have lunch at the 19th Hole Bar & Grill. Plan to stay for the day and take a tour of the community – or sign up for the “Stay and Play” package offered by the Westwood Shores Real Estate Office. A tour of the community or the Stay and Play package can be arranged through George or Theresa Gallagher at the Westwood Shores Real Estate Office 936-594-1234. George and Theresa at Westwood Shores RE have been here since the developer started this fine community. They are very knowledgeable and are an integral part of the community. Their office is conveniently located adjacent to the Access Control gate. George says “More new homes have been built in the last two years than previous years. It is an exciting time and it is because of the many improvements to the golf course and amenities. People are coming together like never before – you can actually “feel” the pride in this community!”

Westwood Shores also offers membership lots and Associate Memberships to the Country Club for those who would like to play golf here on a regular basis, but not move their home here at this time. Check with George or Theresa at the Real Estate office (936-594-1234) regarding a membership lot or Diana Barak at the POA Administrative Office (936-594-3805 option 4) for information on Associate Memberships to the Country Club.

Stay & Play Package $69.00 per person -

based on Double Occupancy

Includes one night stay, one round of golf and 19th Hole Burger Basket (Additional rounds/nights available)

For Details- (936) 594-1234 TheTexasGolfInsider.com

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Myrtle BeachGreat Golf Destination By Art Stricklin

Man-O-War Island Greens

Myrtle Beach golf and the expanded Grand Strand, which stretch across two states, has been referred to as original public golf buffet, full of variety, flavor, value and Southern charm. The original king-of-roadtrips for public golf for more than 30 years provides outstanding, valuepriced golf options along with similar accommodations plus a seemingly endless string of equally low price non-golf destinations. You’ll see that Myrtle Beach golf is not a wholly owned international corporation or the result of a single golf visionary, but a series of individual golfing properties run by individuals or smaller companies who care about you having a good time and coming back for more. There are approximately 120 golf courses on the complete Grand Strand, the 60-mile large strip of land which stretches across South and North Carolina. The greater Myrtle Beach area, which includes an international airport, has close to 60 courses that are almost all open to the public with a wide variety of quality, prices and golfing availability. Davis Love III, Jack Nicklaus, John Daly and Tom Fazio, who designed TheTexasGolfInsider.com

TPC-Myrtle Beach, have all designed courses in the Myrtle Beach area. If you’re looking to splurge on your Myrtle Beach trip, then the historic Dunes Club designed by Robert Trent Jones with beachfront access is certainly the place to do it. It’s been the home of multiple USGA golf championships including this year’s Woman’s Four-Ball, and its classic design, including the famous par 5 13th Cape Hole with water all along the right side, can justify the $200-plus green fee. You can have lunch at the clubhouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and contemplate your good fortune of being in such a diverse golf destination. The true heart and soul of Myrtle Beach golf belongs to people like Claude Pardue, who came to Myrtle Beach more than a decade ago and now owns and operates three vastly different, but high quality public courses, The Witch, Man-O-War and The Wizard. Pardue, who enlisted North Carolina golf architect Don Maples to design each of his courses, is hands on and highly successful, involved in everything from hiring cart girls to

FEATURE STORY

head pros and making sure each of his annual thousands of golfing guests have a quality experience. “I don’t consider myself in the golf business, I’m in the entertainment business, the leisure business and the fun business,” he said. “I want to make sure people have a good time with their friends and buddies and want to come back and do it again.” Of the three courses Pardue operates, The Witch is the most scenic, groomed and has been ranked the highest by a variety of golf media and links publications. Cut from virgin forest from land Pardue purchased from a local company, it plays through picturesque swampy wetlands and cypress forest with more than 500 acres full of wildlife. The par 72 Man-O-War, named for the plant life, not the horse, has water on almost every hole and pristine bent grass greens which are a joy to putt. At nearly 7,000 yards, the course demands a strong game and might be the best golf challenge of the three. In the spirit of the famous TPCSawgrass 17th hole island green, Man-

The Wizard’s Clubhouse

O-War has back-to-back island greens at the 14th and 15th holes.You also finish your round on the water-laced par 5 18th which can sink or highlight your round here. If you’re a fan of links golf you should feel right at home on the par 71 adjacent The Wizard, where hardand-fast turf, wide and rumpled fairways, and sod-faced bunkers are reminiscent of an Ireland-Scotland trip. The three course’s clubhouses are almost exactly the same size, but each has a different theme. There’s a minicastle for the Wizard, a fish camp for Man-O-War and down home Southern lodge for the Witch. For more information on Myrtle Beach golf you can go to www.mysticalgolf.com or www.myrtlebeachgolfholiday.com

The Witch

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Mont Belvieu, TX (281) 385-6666 www.EaglePointeOnline.com RATES

Twilight

Mon-Thur $45 $32* Friday $47 $40 Weekend $60 $40 Holiday $60 $40 *Twilight begins at 2 pm - Mar13-Nov 6 All rates include cart fee Range balls included on weekends & holidays untill 10:59 am

STATISTICS Par: 71 Black Blue White Red

Yards Rating 7077 73.2 6502 70.9 5927 68.0 5213 67.4

Slope 128 121 116 113

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

AMENITIES

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

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 courseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinguishable characteristics are its

GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

COURSES

Exceptional location to host your event

rolling fairways, stunningly tall pines, dramatic elevation changes and an abundance of water. With no homes on 17 of the 18 holes, golf is what you get at Eagle Pointe. The trademark of Eagle Pointe is its steeply tilted, undulating greens that will challenge even the most expert players. Strategically speaking, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to place your approach shots below the hole at Eagle Pointe because of the quickness of the putting surfaces. The facility also offers a state-of-the art fitness center and an 8,000-square-foot tournament pavilion that would be the perfect place for corporate outings, weddings or charity events.

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GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

Public Course

MAP #17

RATES Monday-Friday Seniors (62+) M-F Saturday-Sunday and Holidays Seniors (62+) Wknd

$33 $28 $39 $36

(Green Fee, Cart & Tax Included)

9-Hole Par 3 Course -Walking- $10

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

COURSE AMENITIES t 4OBDL #BS t %SJWJOH 3BOHF t 'BNJMZ 1JUDI 1VUU $PVSTF 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

COURSES

Texas City

Bayou Golf Club Texas Coast Golfing At Its Best Bayou Golf Course in Texas City is only minutes from Galveston. Amidst the blue skies and palm trees with tropical-like climate, Bayou Golf Course offers golfers year round play. The 200-acre site on the bank of Moses Bayou boasts a championship layout with elevated greens and tee boxes has been redesigned by Mike Nuzzo that the average size per green was increased to 5,000 sq. ft. In addition, there are rebuilt sand traps and added new tee complexes. The new renovation includes a new 13,000 sq. foot putting green and a 9-Hole Par 3 Course for walking, a great way to spend quality time with friends and family. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the convenient location, and spacious clubhouse makes Bayou Golf Course an ideal choice to host your next golf tournament, plus the new grill has great options before or after your round.

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