TEXAS GOLF INSIDER - Summer/Fall 2023

Letter From The Publisher

Texas GOLF INSIDER

P.O. Box 310652

New Braunfels, TX 78130

830-964-2152

FAX 830-964-2153

thetexasgolfinsider.com

Mike Ratchman

Texas Publisher Office: 830-964-2152

mike@thetexasgolfinsider.com

Director of Marketing: Melanie Grafe, National Office: 979-732-1909

Joe Valentino, DFW Office: 940-735-1265

Durwyn Williams, Houston Office: 832-978-6929

Editor: Ava Ratchman

Contributing Writers: Steve Habel, Art Sticklin, Shane Sharp

Contributing Photographers: Connie Black, Mark Lindsay, Steve Giles, Justin Becker, Office Manager/Social Media: Marcede Pullen

3 ANNUAL EDITIONS

Copyright ©2020 Texas Golf Insider. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Golf course rates are subject to change at any time. Texas Golf Insider and its affiliates are not responsible or liable for any errors, omissions or

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the latest issue of Texas Golf Insider Magazine, your comprehensive guide to all things golf in the Lone Star State.

As we head into the summer months, there’s plenty to look forward to in the Texas golfing world. Our editorial team has been hard at work bringing you all the latest news, reviews, and tips to help you make the most of your time on the course.

In this issue, we’ve got a great mix of features, including an in-depth look at some of the best courses to play, unique towns to visit, best of what to wear and golf equipment to buy.We’ve also got exclusive interviews with several of the top Texas PGA Tour players giving their opinion on the merger between the PGA and LIV Tour. You might be surprised by their reaction.

Of course, no issue of Texas Golf Insider would be complete without a destination feature. In this edition we feature Alabama’s Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area.We offer tips on what a three-day weekend would look like filled with golf, food, and drinks and a little something for the kids.

As always, we want to hear from you, the readers. If you’ve got any feedback or suggestions for upcoming issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.Your input helps us make sure that we’re delivering the best possible golfing content to the Texas community.

So, settle in, grab a cold drink, and enjoy another great issue of Texas Golf Insider Magazine.We’re proud you have made us your premier source for golfing coverage in the Lone Star State for 25years, and we look forward to bringing you even more great content in the months to come.

Have a great summer, Mike Ratchman

Publisher, Texas Golf Insider Magazine

Melanie Grafe

National sales for the Texas Golf Insider, over 15 yrs experience in marketing and advertising. CEO of e-Graphics Marketing and Advertising providing marketing and graphic design services.

Joe Valentino

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

Golf is his passion and he has been fortunate enough to play top courses in seven countries. Joe loves calling on North Texas courses for TGI.

Durwyn Williams

Houston Marketing Director Durwyn brings over 30 years of sales and marketing experience in Technology and Golf. He promotes a creative approach to building strong and profitable partnerships with his customers.

Steve Habel

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

Art Stricklin

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

LANDA PARK GOLF COURSE showcases

By Steve Habel, Contributing Writer

There continues to be an upswing in golf rounds in Texas and across the nation that began during the pandemic, with more people taking up the game and those players who already knew how great golf can be teeing it up more often than ever.

Those trends and that impact are perfectly illustrated right now at New Braunfels’ Landa Park Golf Course at Comal Springs, where prime course conditioning, a friendly and attentive staff and a great location combine with a fabulous and challenging routing for a memorable round every time.

Landa Park Golf Course is owned and operated by the City of New Braunfels.

There has been golf on the site since 1938, when the city opened a nine-hole track on 61 acres. In 1972, the course added another nine holes after acquiring 52 adjacent acres.

That track was completely renovated in 2013 by the noted Houston-based golf architecture firm of Finger, Dye, and Spann, who used its $7 million budget to turn the course into one of the most surprising – and fun – places to play golf in the region.

The renovation, which touched every part of the golf course, has created a layout that is fair but demanding, and loaded with character. The course’s playability is off the charts, with plenty of

how good the game can be

chances to show off your game and use every club in the bag, all just steps from Schlitterbahn, one of the Lone Star State’s top tourist attractions.

The staff at Landa Park GC continue to add aesthetic additions and tweaks to the facility, planting more than 80 trees over the fall and winter to better help define the courses fairways, especially on holes 11, 13, 14 and 17 where the fairways run parallel to each other. Creating that definition is also the purpose of the dry creek bed between the eighth tee box and 13th fairway.

The winter freeze of 2021 and 2023 helped thin out some of the trees that needed to be removed, meaning the ones

left are where they need to be to make the course great.

“We’ve also added more river rock around our holes’ tee monuments and around some of the cart paths,” said Quint Alexander, the course’s PGA head professional. “Our goal every year is to add something that adds to the experience for our players – we already have wonderful conditions year around.”

Landa Park GC continues to show an increase in year-to-year rounds, with play up about 15 percent in the most recent fiscal period.

Length isn’t everything

Landa Park Golf Course will not overwhelm player with its length – it only

plays at 6,205 from its back set of tee boxes – but the par 71 course can be a tester. Three of its par-3 holes are carded 182 yards or more, and there’s the tough 434-yard par 4 17th and the 571-yard fourth hole, which from the tips is a true three-shot challenge.

Landa Park Golf Course has an interesting routing, featuring a front-nine that plays to a par of 37, with a lone par 3, six par 4s and a pair of back-to-back

par 5s. The back nine, carded as a par 34, is short at 2,851 yards but plays much longer than that because of subtle elevation changes and constant doglegs. It has three par 3s, a single par 5, and five par 4s.

The greens at Landa Park Golf Course are well-guarded, with slope, undulation, tiers, ridges, or swales.

Part of the experience at Landa Park Golf Course is the fauna (ducks, egrets,

Hole #2

Clubhouse

and more) and all of the deer grazing in the rough and in the shade.

The course is scenic with trees, native areas, and ponds plus the clear water of the Comal River, which comes into play on some holes. There are spots here where golfers can watch tubers riding the rapids; on the back nine, you’ll hear a lot of whooping and hollering at Schlitterbahn.

All those aspects have produced a membership of about 200 players and a handful of leagues and options to get out and enjoy the game.

Landa Park GC has become a gathering place for the area’s golf

community.You’ll find players there of all ages and from all over the region enjoying the course and staying around afterward for a bite to eat, a beer, and some added fellowship because, well, they just don’t want to leave.

“We feel like the people who play here are our family and we are grateful to be a part of their lives,” Alexander said. “There’s not a day that goes by that someone doesn’t come into the pro shop after the round to say how much they enjoyed their round. It’s very gratifying and, at times, a bit humbling. We understand how much this place means to our players.”

Landa Park Golf Course recently added a new fleet of carts and over the past year purchased new mowing and maintenance equipment to make

Landa Park’s Clubhouse has a banquet room and full-service pro-shop

Alexander explained. “None of our success

growth as a facility would have been possible without a total team effort from the men and women on our staff.”

Alexander offers private and group

sure the course is kept in pristine condition and the staff has the right tools to do the right job.

Part of the appeal of Landa Park GC is its consistent excellent condition, a hallmark of a group of working professionals that understand how to make the course shine.

Alexander understands the topto-bottom need for excellence in customer service and credited his staff for their role in making Landa Park Golf Course one of the region’s best places to play golf.

“The group as a whole take great pride in what we have here at Landa Park Golf Course and continue to take ownership in the process and the facility,”

lessons for juniors and adults. His approach is to keep it simple and fun for his students and he tailors his instruction to each individual’s needs. With 25 years of teaching experience, he’s had the opportunity to work and teach with Hank Haney, Chuck Cook, and Bill Rogers.

and continued

Gruene won’t change, and that’s what makes it special

Nothing says you’re a quintessential Central Texan more than the proclamation that heaven is spending a long weekend in Gruene, the quaint village in New Braunfels that’s been, in the words of those who know it best, “gently resisting change” for the past 151 years.

Gruene (pronounced: Green) is a place where a lifestyle and attitude is preserved as a snapshot of Lone Star State culture and history. Its 15 walkable acres are designated a National Historic District and have become a quick getaway favorite where folks

can shop, dine, and dance within the walls of the original township buildings… or just take a load off at a spot where hustle and bustle are left behind and the best things about being a Texan are emphasized.

Gruene’s events calendar is chockfull of happenings that will remind visitors what makes the place so special. Highlighting the best of Texas culture and flavor is the village’s specialty, for locals and newcomers alike.

“When you visit Gruene, you really feel like you’re on vacation – even if you’re

By Steve Habel, Contributing Writer Photos Coutesy of Gruene Historic District

just a few minutes from home,” said Mary Jane Nalley, who’s known as the ‘Queen of Gruene.’ “Being a short drive from Austin, San Antonio and Houston, we are a popular staycation destination. The locals have always loved Gruene and enjoy doing their shopping, dining and having fun here just as much as the visitors do.”

It seems that every doorway in Gruene leads visitors to something unforgettable. It’s a place for people who love good music, fun times, and old things. Music is in the air and is the heartbeat of the town, with stages in multiple locations, free music daily and a list of coveted ticketed shows and special events.You’ll hear Blues and Country, Rock and Americana, all with a Texas flair.

Nalley should know a bit about Gruene – she’s resided in the village for 42 years and is the Partner and CEO of the Pat Molak Corporation, the company that owns and operates the majority of the businesses and attractions in the Historical District.

Among the corporation’s holdings are the venerable and iconic Gruene Hall and The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar as well as Mozie’s Bar and Grill, Cantina Del Rio, The Grapevine, Cotton Eyed Joe’s

Gruene was founded in 1845 as a bustling German cotton farming community on the banks of the Guadalupe River. A handful of buildings were erected to serve the community, among them Gruene Hall, which was constructed in 1878.

The community thrived until it suffered a one-two punch of devastation from, first, a boll weevil infestation that decimated the area’s cotton crops, and later, the Great Depression that began in 1929 and left the area largely abandoned except for Gruene Hall, which stayed open through it all.

In 1975, Pat Molak purchased Gruene Hall and

& The Company Store and The Gruene Antique Company.

did virtually nothing but clean up the 6,000-square foot, open-air structure. The wooden dance floor, side flaps, chicken wire screens, vintage advertisement signs, large beer garden, bar and stage have not changed and won’t be.

In 1975, the town of Gruene was added to the National Register of Historic Places. That was about the same time that the Redneck Rock era of the Texas music scene began to gather steam. Texas music legends George Strait and Asleep at the

Wheel were regular performers at Gruene Hall in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and people in Central Texas and beyond started buzzing about this “new” (old) dancehall that served up ice cold beer and great dance music.

These days, people do more than dance – they flock to the Hall to hear the best songwriters, up and comers, and legends in a unique and intimate setting.

“Gruene Hall and its music created the synergistic force that led to further devel-

Market days

Gruene Hall

opment of restaurants, shops, river outfitters and accommodations over the years,” Nalley said. “Gruene Hall has become the place where people from all walks of life make lasting memories.”

A few highlights of a trip to Gruene

The Gruene Historic District is rife with shopping that ranges from antiques and outdoor gear to clothing, food items, and gifts. There are several unique dining spots in old cotton gins and other historic buildings that range from American, Mexican and Bar Food, all with casual service, so there is something for everyone.

Gruene also plays host to Old Gruene Market Days, which is held the third weekend each month eleven months out of the year and features upwards of 100 artisans who offer uniquely crafted, handmade items.

Two Ton’s Tuesday is a lively swing dance and music experience throughout the summer, and The Texas Clay Fest in October and Holidays in Gruene are major standouts. There are many other unique seasonal events throughout the year, which can be found on the village’s website: www.gruenetexas.com.

The restaurants here are a huge draw to the area, as well. The Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar sits high above the Guadalupe River and is the site of the area’s original 1878 cotton gin. Its brick, three-story boiler room is a central part of the modern-day restaurant and was all that remained after a fire destroyed the structure in 1922.

Cantina del Rio is a Tex-Mex favorite and is just a few steps away from Gruene Hall, featuring margaritas that have been voted the Best of New Braunfels for 11 years (and counting). Mozie’s is located across the street from Gruene Hall and features a casual, “come-as-you-are” atmosphere serving American classics, delicious

Two Ton ‘s Tuesday

A Tex-Mex Favorite

drinks and sports on all eight televisions. Based on their proximity to Gruene Hall, all three of these restaurants are great choices for a meal before seeing a show at the Hall.

Visitors can stay and play in Gruene as well, with the Gruene Mansion Inn providing lodging along with a bit of Texas history. Formerly H.D. Gruene’s home and complimentary buildings, the unique boutique hotel offers 30 rooms and an easy rhythm just steps from Gruene Hall and multiple restaurants.

What’s new in Gruene?

While Gruene is famous for resisting change, some new things do pop up from time to time. Gruene Boot Company recently opened as a companion store to Gruene Hat Company because what’s a hat without a pair of boots.

There is live music in Gruene Hall every day of the week, and the venue showcases local and regional talent as well as nationally recognized musicians. Cantina

del Rio Restaurant has freshened their facility and added a Quesedilla and Guac Burger to the menu this spring.

Rockin’ R River Rides has some onsite food and drink offerings now as well as some special family activities.

The Gruene Mansion Inn recently opened “The Pantry” and offers grabn-go breakfast items and lighter fare for takeout. The Grapevine is adding six more craft beer selections on tap and takeout

charcuterie and lite snacks. And Cotton Eyed Joe’s has a new line of Hooey Hats this spring.

Gruene’s popularity as a quick and fun getaway was only enhanced by the pandemic, when people stopped flying and turned to destinations and staycations that are nearby, fun and safe.

“Just like everyone else, the pandemic forced us to alter the way we did things,” Nalley explained. “We were able to ‘keep on keeping on’ and continued delivering the food, shopping and entertainment that brings comfort and joy to our visitors, even in times of uncertainty.”

Gruene Mansion

Gruene Mansion Folsom Studio

Texas PGA Tour Players Blast Sudden, Shocking Merger With LIV Golf

By Art Stricklin, Contributing Writer

Longtime North Texas PGA Tour pro Ryan Palmer was finishing up a relaxing family vacation to Costa Rica recently when he woke up to his cell phone ringing enough times to make him think either the country was under attack or someone in his family was in serious trouble.

All the calls had the same question, what did Palmer, a longtime PGA Tour loyalist, think of the shocking PGA/LIV Golf merger after two years of fighting, legal maneuvering and casting aspersions on each other?

“I felt sadness, disappointment, anger and who gives a ……………”

San Antonio’s Jimmy Walker was at home in the Alamo City when he got the news, but had no less a strong reaction.

“I don’t think they (PGA Tour) could have handled it any worse.

The merger with LIV golf was just horrible.”

While in his Dallas home recovering from back surgery, which will likely keep him out of action the rest of the year, Will Zalatoris had a similar reaction when he heard the news from social media.

“I had four immediate thoughts,” Palmer said, three of them printable and one not so much.

“It’s frustrating because the Tour told us to stay loyal and not make a move, and now we’re told we’re merging with who we were told not to merge with.”

Ryan Palmer

Jimmy Walker

He confirmed the reports that he was offered $75 million from LIV golf, but said that was spread over six years and decided not to take it. Palmer said he was also offered millions (what he called “Pat Perez money”) to go to LIV, but firmly chose to remain on the PGA Tour, rejecting the presented opportunity as did Tom Hoge.

“I heard the commissioner say that those who stayed and remained loyal would be rewarded. My question is, who is ‘they’? I think I’m part of ‘they’. They told me to stay loyal, now how do you reward those players?”

Only Texas golf legend Lee Trevino preached patience from his home in Dallas.

“People may not remember Jack (Nicklaus) and I led a revolt against the PGA of America in the 1960s to form the PGA Tour we know today. That turned out pretty good. Let’s just see what happens with this.”’

While Trevino took a waitand-see attitude, Walker and others were hurt to discover the PGA Tour’s sudden shift in direction through social media, rather than being informed directly.

“I think I’m disappointed more than anything else,” said Walker, who has six PGA Tour wins including a PGA Championship victory. “We’re supposed to be a player led tour, that’s what they tell us all the time, but then they do this.”

“I mean, you didn’t tell Tiger or Rory in advance,” said Palmer, “but why not let me know. I’ve been out here for 20 something years. In the long run it’s probably better for the game of golf for everybody to be together. Maybe I can play in some LIV tournaments, in off weeks, but the way they did it was terrible.”

Palmer said golf’s new world order could affect Texas PGA Tour players in other ways. While LIV golfers could now play in regular PGA Tour events when they are given permission, golfers like Palmer, Walker and others could go the other direction.

“If I’m off a week and there is a LIV golf tournament nearby that week, I’d be pretty foolish not to try and go and play.”

Although Zalatoris made the best decision for himself, it’s natural for him to feel a sense of disappointment and frustration with the outcome.

“My whole life I wanted to be a PGA Tour golfer, this is just not the way I thought it would turn out.”

Will Zalatoris

Lee Trevino

TPC DANZANTE BAY

Plan your golf getaway at Mexico’s Best

Located on the rolling hills of the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains in Loreto, Mexico, TPC Danzante Bay might just be the best course you’ll ever play. The 18hole masterpiece, designed by legendary golf architect Rees Jones, wraps around the natural undulations of the mountainous landscape, treating golfers to the stunning views of the Loreto National Marine Park and the islands that pepper the Sea of Cortez. The valleys, arroyos, dunes,

and foothills create the perfect par-72 course, while the holes that hang over the cliffs of Danzante Bay make it a challenge for even the most seasoned golfers. As the only TPC course in Mexico, it is no surprise that it has been named Mexico’s Best Golf Course 2022 by the World Golf Awards and recognized among the 25 Best Golf Courses in the World by Travel + Leisure. If golf is your game, this is your course!

Special offer 5 days, 4 nights, all inclusive meals and drinks with 4 rounds of golf for $2,799 per couple. Call today 213-672-1255 and see if you qualify for $1,000 discount off this introductory price.

Blanco’s Vaaler Creek Golf Club continues to enjoy runaway success

By Steve Habel, Contributing Writer

It’s hard to imagine a better bet for golf in the Texas Hill Country than a round at Vaaler Creek Golf Club in Blanco, a course that has been ranked among the best in the state that just continues to flex its muscle and improve.

Vaaler Creek GC, the centerpiece of the burgeoning Rockin’ J Ranch community just five miles south of the city, has enjoyed full tee sheets since before the pandemic. The word of mouth around the course and its challenging and affordable layout continues to attract players, most of whom leave the track hankering to play the course again as soon as possible.

“We are on a schedule to produce another record month for play, and that’s been the case virtually every month since COVID hit and golf boomed,” said Adam Grosch, Vaaler Creek’s PGA director of golf. “The golf course

has never been in better shape because of the rains we’ve enjoyed this spring. All our ponds are full, the turf is lush, and our greens are practically flawless.

“The course is booming and the neighborhood is busy with houses being built and activity. It’s really a great time out here.”

Success has not stopped Vaaler Creek GC from improving on things that were already good. This winter the course opened a new building at its practice facility that features an indoor hitting bay for instruction. And there are new restrooms next to the grill to help players make the turn faster and more efficiently.

“Those are a few ways that we continue to work to create a second-to-none experience at our course for our members and our guests,” Grosch explained.

Vaaler Creek GC offers farreaching views of the surrounding region and the generous homesite setbacks mean that the houses near the course are mostly out of sight and unobtrusive, adding to the course’s isolated feel.

Opened as a nine-hole track in 2007, Vaaler Creek expanded to a full 18 two years later. The course was the first signature design by Michael Lowry, who fashioned a much-tougher-than-its-carded 6,801-yard, par-72 track among live oak and cactus.

Lowry routed the layout along the rolling, scrub brush-filled prairies and worked

in all sorts of cool features: ponds, sand hazards of sundry sizes, elevated tee shots and wavy, tree-lined fairways.

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

Vaaler Creek GC’s true last line of defense is its lightning-quick, mounded

and segmented putting surfaces, which can make even the most aggressive players timid and prone to second-guessing.

Vaaler Creek GC has become a real favorite for Hill Country golfers and continually draws players from the region’s bigger cities. What makes the round here stand apart, and above, is its laid-back, friendly vibe that permeates from the folks in the pro shop, to those at the halfway house, and to the course itself.

Ongoing renovation of Riverside Golf Course is the talk of the Alamo City Golf Trail

By

Things have never been better at the courses of San Antonio’s Alamo City Golf Trail, with play at the group’s seven open facilities at an all-time high and the courses in their best overall condition in recent memory.

The increase in rounds can be tied to the courses’ overall fun and playability and an uptick in interest in golf during and since the pandemic. Golfers can thank Mother Nature and plenty of rain for the lush turf and the steadfast work of the Trail’s golf superintendents for keeping the courses in prime shape.

The Municipal Golf Association of San Antonio (MGASA), also known as the Alamo City Golf Trail, is a non-profit corporation that has partnered with the City of San Antonio to operate the City’s eight golf facilities and be stewards of municipal golf. MGASA constantly improves the municipal golf courses so that San Antonio golfers will enjoy playing on premier courses at affordable prices.

If you’ve read this far you have seen that we said only seven courses are enjoying the fruits of the golf uptick and the increase in precipitation.

An eighth course, the venerable Riverside Golf Course on the city’s Southside, is closed and undergoing a complete renovation as marshalled by the Trail’s management and agronomists and is being conducted under the watchful eye of golf architect Jeff Blume. Blume most recently directed the renovation of the Trail’s Olmos Basin GC, which has received much acclaim.

Riverside GC’s 18- and nine-hole courses are in the midst of a complete redesign that will touch every aspect of the facility.

Steve Habel, Contributing Writer

Renovation on Hole #15 progressing well

Step one is the hole in the ground

Originally opened in 1929, Riverside GC has long been a staple of the San Antonio golfing community, welcoming golfers of all ages and abilities. Located just four miles south of downtown San Antonio, Riverside GC is split by the San Antonio River, which separates the front and back nines.

Riverside’s front nine opened in 1929. In 1968 11 holes were added to make a full 18 holes, and the existing back nine was added in 1974.

Because the two sides were built at different times they offer differing experiences. The front features treelined fairways that penalize errant tee shots, while the back nine opens up with less trees and provides more birdie opportunities.

“The aim is to modernize the infrastructure of both the 18 and ninehole courses at Riverside while keeping them fun and inviting,” said Andrew Peterson, the president and CEO of the Alamo City Golf Trail. “It’s the latest move made by the Trail to improve the city’s municipal facilities and keep golf in San Antonio great and affordable. Things are going really well across the board here.”

The work at Riverside began at the end of November 2022 and is expected to be completed by this October, two months later than originally planned because of weather delays caused by rain. The redesign will including tees, greens, fairways, and bunkers; add new water features and refurbish others, some irrigation improvements as needed; repairs to cart paths; parking lot and landscape enhancements; an updated clubhouse and new clubhouse restrooms; new maintenance and golf cart storage buildings; and updated and new on-course restrooms.

While the routing itself won’t change, some holes will be lengthened and others made shorter. Go to www.alamocitygolftrail. com/2022-2023-riversiderenovation/ to see pictures of the process and get an idea of some of the changes being made.

And then there is sand

The Alamo City Golf Trail is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates the City of San Antonio's golf facilities. We offer EIGHT unique golf experiences for you to enjoy.

Be sure to play Historic Brackenridge Park, the original site the Texas Open and the oldest municipal golf course in Texas.

Brackenridge Park - Est 1916

Cedar Creek - Est 1989

Mission del Lago - Est 1989

Northern Hills - Est 1969

Olmos Basin - Est 1963

Riverside - Est 1929

San Pedro - Est 1950

Willow Springs - Est 1923

by Art Stricklin, Contributing Writer

Colonial Country Club

The current renovation project now underway at Fort Worth’s Colonial Country Club will be the largest milestone for a club full of them, the site of the 1941 U.S. Open, the 1991 Women’s Open and the longest running host of a PGA Tournament event (outside of Augusta National), since the 1930s.

The project is under the experienced eye of super architect Gil Hanse. Plans are that he will be able to accomplish the extensive work in less than 11 months in time for the 2024 Colonial in late May.

“I wish you wouldn’t mention that,”

Hanse said recently. “I get nervous just thinking about it.”

But Colonial members who consulted on the long-term project feel like they have the best architect on one of the best and most historic courses in Texas.

“We engaged the best with Gil and we’re entrusting him with our baby,” said longtime Colonial member Chris Stenholm, “and we’re asking him to treat it with the same care.”

The price tag for the makeover is expected to be around $21 million, far more than most clubs spend, but it

comes from the expedited timeframe to complete the job, lots of weekend and overtime work as needed and the complex pipe system which will be installed under all the trademark bent grass greens, allowing the putting surfaces to behave as if it is 72 degrees every day, regardless of what the North Texas weather provides.

“I’m confident in myself and my staff that we can get the project done on time,” Hanse told Colonial members in one of his many local town hall meetings “This is an 18-month project we’re compressing into 11.”

While flooding by the adjacent Trinity River forced some course changes in the 1960s, this redo of the classic layout first designed by Texas’ John Bredemus, Ralph Plummer, and Oklahoma’s Perry Maxwell and others, will keep the original routing in place which as Hanse described, changing to easier for members, harder for pros.

Among the way he plans to achieve that is taking out many of the greenside bunkers at Colonial and replacing them

with grass bunkers. While most amateurs fear any kind of sand shot, professionals excel out of the sand, a skill they showcase on a weekly basis.

Hanse also plans to lower several of the greens at Colonial, some by several feet, as they have become built up by sand and grass growth over the last several decades and have made running the ball up on the greens difficult if not nearly impossible for many weekend golfers.

He will also remove some of the trees on the front nine to allow the Trinity River to come into full view. The biggest hole change could come on the par 3 8th hole

Rendering of Hotel Entrance

Old layout of course

Members and Pros alike are excited for a new look

which will move the green slightly to make it more dangerous to players of all kinds and also lengthen the tee box.”

“It can only help our future; it’s really a milestone for our club,” said Marty Leonard, whose father Marvin founded Colonial in 1936, in the midst of the Great Depression, and who still remains active in club affairs.

Despite the Colonial board unanimously approving the project, there was still the matter of the all-member vote. Technically, a 51 percent “yes” vote would seal the deal, but after four years of talking

and planning, Colonial members wanted closure and overall club concurrence.

For the final town hall meeting, Leonard rose to speak to the membership about the monumental decision that would greatly impact the club her father founded.

“I wanted them to know what they were missing out on if we didn’t approve this,” Leonard said. “Gil Hanse is the most sought-after architect in the country, and this is a great opportunity for us. But if we don’t pass this, we may not have another opportunity.”

“Getting the great Hanse renovation passed was a big hurdle … a big, big hurdle for the club,” added longtime head golf professional Dow Finsterwald who recently retired from his full-time role, but is still at the club.

“We’re celebrated our 75th tournament anniversary. If we don’t get it passed, maybe we don’t see the 76th celebration. That’s probably not true, but you don’t know for sure.”

The pairing of Hanse, who finished up the massive 36-hole PGA Frisco project with Beau Welling, and Colonial is a project six years in the making. The club first contacted Hanse in 2017 for a longterm restoration plan to bring the course back to its original look and shape, as well as to overcome several decades of wear and tear.

Lawson Little was one of the golfers playing in the 1941 U.S. Open

Then and Now- The Gallery is always full. One difference between the 1941 U.S. Open gallery and the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge gallery is the hats!

Hanse, who first became known as golf ’s hottest architect for his work on the 2016 Olympic Golf course in Rio de Janeiro and later successive restorations at Open sites, Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oakland Hills, outside Detroit, and LA North in Los Angeles, the site of this year’s US Open, produced the plan as required. But then it sat and sat … and sat some more.

Perhaps the biggest step to make the project a reality was the involvement of longtime Colonial member and PGA Tour player Ryan Palmer and his one-time caddy James Edmonson, a former Colonial club champion.

They walked the par-71 Colonial multiple times with Hanse, who was in town offering ideas on how to make the ambitious plan better and how to sell it to the members.

“In 2017, Gil Hanse came to the table, but in the final six months, it was Ryan Palmer and James Edmonson. And that has been huge, because they have credibility with everybody liking them and believing in them,” said Colonial member and former board member Marc Goodman.

The project was originally supposed to start after the 2022 Colonial won by

Sam Burns, but the global pandemic and the resulting supply chain issues had Hanse and Colonial leaders nervous than any slowdown or lack of project materials could miss the very tight window they had for completion. That allowed them to push the project by a year, stockpile needed items and be ready to begin in haste the day after a sponsor tournament was held the day following the 2023 event won by Emiliano Grillo.

One of the people most affected by the aggressive Colonial timeline is PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge tournament director Michael Tothe, who feels Hanse’s steady and experienced architectural hand will have one of the oldest professional golf events at a brand new, but familiar site in spring of 2024.

Asked if it seemed realistic that Hanse and his crew can pull off what they have promised, Tothe replied, “I don’t know, that’s why I’m not an architect, but we don’t have a Plan B because we still have a tournament to run here.”

“It will be a dark day if it’s not finished in time, but that’s why we got one of the best (architects) ,” Stenholm added.

But the renovation of a Lone Star Golf Jewel Colonial should only mean bright days ahead for the historic course.

Then and Now- CraigWood won the 1941 U.S. Open with the winner’s share being $1000. E. Grillo won the Charles Schwab Challenge taking home a Bronco and a share of the $8,700,000 purse.

Kerrville Scott Schreiner Golf Course

BEST KEPT SECRET OF THE SOUTHWEST

Scott Schreiner Golf Course is an 18-hole course that is nestled among the rolling hills in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Redesigned by renowned golf course architect Joe Finger in 1999, it is one of the best kept secrets of the southwest.

The layout features mounded greens in a variety of sizes and shapes. The fairways offer generous landing areas, yet are tight enough to present a comfortable challenge. The signature hole is number 17, a 535-yard par-5. Water comes into play on the second shot, then again on the approach to the green, which is surrounded by water on three sides. A waterfall to the left of the green adds a pleasing aesthetic. Set against the beautiful hills and rustic Texas landscape, this course is fun for all.

The course is located in Kerrville, Texas making it an easy drive from San Antonio or Austin. A putting green, driving range, chipping greens with sand bunker, complete pro shop, and available golf lessons are some of the amenities found at the course.

Kerrville boasts over 900 acres of public spaces to paddle, bike and play in. Enjoy eclectic restaurants, local music and local breweries and wine during your stay.

New Braunfels’ Double Schotts Sports Bar & Grill goes the extra mile

By Steve Habel, Contributing Writer

If you’ve been to Double Schotts Sports Bar & Grill in downtown New Braunfels you know that’s it stands above the pale for its combination of

is their continuing quest to improve their customers’ experience. It’s an eatery that has all the trappings of a top-drawer sports bar, with plenty of televisions (32 in all) inside and out, drinks and beer and wings and burgers and comradery by the bushelful.

Double Schotts’ menu also has fresh (not fried) foods, healthy options and cocktails that are meant to be enjoyed by both hungry men and women, in an upscale atmosphere where all are welcome and fun abounds.

fun, food, friendliness, cleanliness and affordable and heavy-pour libations in an upscale neighborhood setting.

And judging by Double Schotts’ success over the past five years, plenty of you who are reading this story have patronized the establishment on a regular basis. If you know, you know.

The great thing about the folks that own and operate Double Schotts

“We have enjoyed being able to be a place in New Braunfels that people love to enjoy and come back again and again,” said Austin Hanna, Double Schotts’ founding owner and operator. “Business has been steady and growing every year. We believe in keeping things fresh and there are some items and specials that are new but we also know what our customers like.”

Double Schotts was opened in 2018 to be a place here where you

There’s a little bit of everything here, with a stacked menu, specials, and plenty of fun on tap in a neighborhood setting

can always get a great meal and quality service based on Hanna and his team’s 110-percent customer satisfaction model. It’s a sports bar where there is always a game to watch but also a finedining establishment with a lot of TVs showing sports.

ment that our local friends and family come to,” Hanna said of Double Schotts. “They come in to forget about their personal problems, hang out with their buddies and enjoy life versus not having that. Our guests were excited to come back, and we were so happy to have them back.”

Lately Double Schotts has positioned itself as the go-to location for UFC and boxing broadcasts, offering plenty of room and a cool place for fight fans to get their fix.

Double Schotts also offers catering and welcomes parties and events.

Hanna and his friends James Meadours (Double Schotts’ director of operations) and JP and Katie Schott, also founding owners, grew up together in the area and have been involved with the bar and grill since the start.

“It’s not just a bar and restaurant that people are coming to – it’s an establish-

There’s always daily drink and food specials, and you’ll be hard pressed to try everything on the menu. Check out those options at doubleschotts.com.

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

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate

ACCOMODATIONS/ DINING

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Double Schotts Sports Bar & Grill| Map #22 | Ad Pg 43 2055 Central Plaza # 102 | New Braunfels, TX www.doubleschotts.com | 830-632-5355

Gruene, Texas | Map# 52 | Ad Page 16 www.Gruenetexas.com |

Rockin’ J Ranch | Map# 87 | Ad Page 26

288 John Price, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.rockinjranch.net | 830-833-2266

Vaaler Creek Golf Club | Map# 87 | Ad Page 29

228 Jeff Vaughn, Blanco, TX 78606 | www.vcgc.golf | 830-833-0706

SHOPPING/SERVICES

Bash in the Box | Ad Page 55 www.bashinthebox.com

Coby Stevens | Ad Page 15 www.cobystevens.com

Edwin Watts | Map # 3 | Ad Page 38-39

1050 N,.E. Loop 410, San Antonio, TX www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 210-822-4060

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INSTRUCTION/TOURNAMENTS

David Ogrin Golf Academy | MAP # 42 | Ad Page 48

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REAL ESTATE

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RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Great Golf and Good Times make Glen Rose the perfect get-a-way

By Art Striclkin, Contributing Writer

Enjoying a round of golf, savoring delicious Texas cuisine, and taking in breathtaking views make for an unforgettable trip to the Glen Rose Golf and Somervell Country area in North Texas.

One of the leading attractions here is the public championship Squaw Creek golf course, first opened in 1992 by Texas architect Jeffrey Brauer and later updated by Fort Worth’s John Colligaan. The two courses, Comanche Lakes and Apache Links, serve as a grand golf introduction to the scenic area.

“We keep improving the courses, but also what’s around the layouts as well,” said Kelly Harris, tourism director for Glen

Rose and Somervell County. “That’s one of the items which keep people coming back to this wonderful area.”

Squaw Valley is located in Glen Rose, just 60 miles southwest of the DFW Metroplex. It’s home to 36 holes of Championship Golf, and are consistently rated as one of the top courses in the state, including a 4 1/2 star rating from Golf Digest Magazine.

It is also home to the  #1 and  #4 municipal courses in Texas as ranked by The Dallas Morning News in its annual statewide survey. Plus, the Rooster Bar & Grill are good any time to fuel up before or after 18.

It’s a day trip from North Texas or the Waco-Temple area, or even better for a weekend getaway. Squaw Valley GC features beautiful vistas of century-old Oak trees and Squaw Creek, which meanders through both courses.

The Comanche Lakes layout is a par 72 which plays a stout 7,000 yards from the back tees. As the name would suggest, there is more water on this course, so it is crucial to be precise on your tee shots. The Apache Links course is also a par 72, but plays nearly 7,100. It is surrounded by more trees and a tighter landing area off the tee.

Among the biggest recent improvements at Squaw Valley is the addition of the new lavish outdoor pavilion, which can host a wide variety of functions, from Lions Club meetings to weddings and wedding receptions to even CasinoOtherNights. local attractions include several dinosaur

themed outlets; Dinosaur Valley State Park, Dinosaur World, and the Creation Evidence Museum for the ancient dinosaur bones which were unearthed here. There is also Fossil Rim Wildlife Park, owing its name to the treasuresprehistoric which populate this area. The quaint and historic Somervell County Courthouse is surrounded by historic buildings and local shops.

“Certainly, everything is bigger and better since I arrived here a decade ago, everything is growing in the area,” Harris said.

“It’s unique, and offers good variety and plenty of fun for visitors and locals alike.”

For more information www.squawvalleygc.comgoor www.exploreglenrose.org

Somervell Courthouse

COURSES GREATER HOUSTON | TEXAS COAST

ACCOMODATIONS / DINING

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Moody Gardens Golf | Map #23 | Ad Pg 53

1700 Sydnor Ln ., Galveston, TX 77554 www.moodygardensgolf.com | 409-683-4653 |

SHOPPING / SERVICES

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Coby Stevens Apparel | Ad Pg. 15 www.cobystevens.com

Edwin Watts | Map # 3 | Ad Page 38-39 5395 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77056 www.worldwidegolfshops.com | 713-627-2411

“Golf After Hours” On Air ‘Texas Golf Insider’ | Ad Page 2 Facebook Live | Thurdays 7-8 pm |

GOLF SHOWS/INSTRUCTION

Houston Golf Show | Map # 60 | Ad Pg. 59 www.houstongolfshow.com

The Colony

Just north of Dallas, nestled along 23 miles of shoreline, you’ll find a uniquely tranquil getaway complemented by metropolitan luxuries. The Colony offers a variety of outdoor excursions, world-class restaurants and lively entertainment you won’t find anywhere else in Texas. This summer, hit the road and learn why The Colony is where you go to play!

Swing through three awardwinning golf courses, complete with scenic lake views and greens honoring

the sport’s historic past. The Tribute Golf Links, listed as one of the top five courses in Texas by Golf Magazine, is an homage to the legendary courses of Scotland. Nearby Old American Golf Club features natural contours and native grasses as it evokes the “golden age” of American golf course architecture. In October the course hosts Texas’ longest running LPGA tournament event.

Rounding out courses in The Colony is the 9-hole Stewart Peninsula Golf Course featuring double greens and

Old American Golf Club

Stewart Peninsula Golf Course

challenging play along 65 acres of lake views.

The extended warm season creates plenty of opportunity for recreation along Lewisville Lake. Enjoy the steady breeze off the lake while you traverse trails on a mountain bike, bird watch along acres of nature preserve or cast a line past the sandy shores for a moment of calm. The lake is easily accessible from one of The Colony’s two lake parks, Stewart Creek Park and Hidden Cove Park and Marina.

The Colony is a growing hub for first-to-market restaurants and attractions, offering experiences not available anywhere else. Many restaurants within Grandscape, the city’s premier indoor-outdoor entertainment, shopping and dining destination, feature seasonal specialties crafted with regional produce for an exclusively local taste. Eat your way through dozens of culinary adventures, ranging from elevated Italian steaks to authentic Indian curry and more.

Immersive Gamebox

Stewart Creek Park

Make plans for entertainment the whole family can enjoy, whether you’re competing for first place at Andretti’s, scoring points at Topgolf, taking in the sights from atop the Grandscape Wheel or stepping into a virtual world at Immersive Gamebox.

For the 21 and up crowd, Puttery provides the perfect mix of craft cocktails and immersive modern mini golf with its Instagram worthy courses.

The Colony is constantly bringing new attractions to the area. Visit Red Phone Booth, an exclusive speakeasy only available to those with the password, and keep an eye out for the latest golf experience designed by Tiger Woods, PopStroke, coming soon.

Experience Texas-sized retail at NFM, the nation’s largest home furnishings store, and SCHEELS, the world’s largest all sports store. For something

Experience the Puttery

truly unique, shop within The Homestead and find expertly crafted goods including handmade jewelry, bath and body products, boutiques and made-toorder desserts.

In the evenings, The Colony comes alive with a vivid live music and micro brewing scene. Kick back with nightly entertainment ranging from rock

and country concerts at Truck Yard to touring national acts headlining the Lava Cantina stage. Each venue serves small-batch brews on tap and specialty cocktails featuring native ingredients. Whether you escape to the outdoors or discover unparalleled entertainment, The Colony is the ultimate year-round destination.

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

Coushatta Casino | Ad Page 84

Coushatta Drive, Kinder, LA | www.CoushattaCasinoResort.com |

Danzante Bay | Ad Page 24 Loreto, Mexico | www.tpcdanzantebay.com | 888-883-2472

Somervill County | Ad Page 50 Explore Glen Rose, TX www.exploreglenrose.org

The Colony CVB | Ad Page 60 6900 Main Street, The Colony, TX | 75056 www.visitthecolonytx.com | 972-624-5253

The Hideout Golf Club & Resort | Map# 44 | Ad Page 78 185 Hideout Lane, Brownwood, TX 76801 www.thehideouttexas.com | 325-208-1937 SHOPPING / SERVICES

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Golf After Hours | Ad Pg 2

TRUE linkswear Launches New ‘Tour Collection’ for Prime Golf Season

Featuring Five New Items Bringing Tour-Level Quality to Golfers’ Feet and Wardrobes

Peak golf season is here, and TRUE linkswear (TRUE) is launching the new “Tour Collection” featuring the highlyanticipated LUX Tour and OG Tour golf shoes, the premium LUX Tour Polo Tour Logo Edition and midweight Quarter Zip Tour Logo Edition, and the breathable LUX Tech Tour 5-Panel Hat, providing golfers with high-performance, stylish options for the golf season.

“The Tour Collection was tailored around the needs of our Tour staff,” says TRUE CEO Jason Moore. “Through feedback from players like Joel Dahmen, Mark Hubbard and Chris Kirk we’ve been able to continue to elevate the premium nature of our footwear and apparel via countless upgrades and aesthetic improvements. The Tour Collection is our take on the fit, performance and style of a modern Tour player.”

The Tour Collection lineup: LUX Tour

The LUX Tour is TRUE’s take on the modern performance golf shoe designed to the rigorous standards of its PGA TOUR staff, including co-founder Ryan Moore, Joel Dahmen and Chris Kirk. Building on the legacy of the LUX Pro, it boasts subtle-yet-significant improvements to style, quality, fit and function. LUX Tour includes the Achilles heel pad and TPU heel stabilizer for a more stable fit and features the allnew TRUE® Tour Signature Top Grain Napa Leather. Comfortable enough for TRUE’s Tour players to wear right out of the box. Updates to the WANDERLUX® midsole compound and insert give it the best feel, grip and lateral stability to date. The upgraded metal logo and exotic genuine leather accents elevate LUX Tour’s luxury aesthetic.

OG Tour

The OG Tour combines the iconic TRUE Original with all-new premium construction built to the rigorous performance standards of TRUE’s PGA Tour staff. Building on the TRUE Original legacy, the OG Tour delivers a distinctive minimalist fit, wide toe box and zero drop experience.

With its minimalist design and maximum comfort, the LUX Tour Polo is created via Super Natural Materials offering unrivaled performance and a modern aesthetic transcending seamlessly to the golf course. The athletic modern cut is perfect on or off the links as the polo drapes naturally for a casualyet-tailored fit. The ultra-premium LUX Tour Polo blend features a sustainable mix of industry-leading Tencel® (45%), REPREVE® Recycled Polyester (50%) and Spandex (5%) for maximum comfort and movement. It also includes

Naturally enhancing comfort and engineered for walking, it generates more surface contact than any golf shoe, keeping golfers connected to the earth with ideal balance and traction. A flexible, ergonomically designed sole eliminates all inhibitions between golfers and the turf. Now featuring TRUE’s all-new TRUE® Tour Signature Top Grain Napa Leather, the OG Tour offers an upgraded metal logo and exotic genuine leather accents to elevate the luxury aesthetic.

LUX Tour Polo

TRUE’s high visibility logo on the front left chest along with the fan-favorite Dead Golfer on the left sleeve.

LUX Tour Quarter Zip

The LUX Tour Quarter Zip is the optimal mid-weight layering piece for the active and competitive golfer, built using Super Natural Materials delivering unreal performance, a premium look and feel, and next-level sustainability. This Quarter Zip is the perfect “allseason” weight to keep golfers feeling good during their pursuits on and off the course. The premium Frenchterry blend features a sustainable mix of industry-leading Tencel® (43%),

The OG TOur

LuX TOur POLO

LuX TOur QuarTer ZiP

Recycled Polyester (50%) and Spandex (7%) for maximum comfort and movement. It includes TRUE’s high visibility logo on the front left chest along with the Dead Golfer on the left sleeve.

LUX Tech Tour 5-Panel Hat

TRUE’s premium performance “take” on the 5-panel hat, the LUX Tech Tour 5-Panel Hat sports a brushed, broken-in coastal feel with a modern design and “stealth” detailing. The breathable foam front, laser perforated back, athletic sweatband and moisture-wicking shell will keep golfers cool and dry. Featuring TRUE’s new Tour tone-ontone logo vinyl application on the front along with an embroidered Tour design underneath, TRUE fans can rock the hat the TRUE pros are wearing this season.

For more information on the Tour Collection and other TRUE products, visit www.truelinkswear.com.

About TRUE linkswear

TRUE crafts naturally comfortable gear ready to perform from the links to the streets. As a collective, we aim to inspire each other to achieve camaraderie, wellness and purpose in the pursuit of par. We’re a group of family and friends dedicated to sharing our passion and excitement for footwear and the game of golf with like-minded players.

Born amid the rugged golf landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, we use only the finest and responsibly-sourced materials to protect golfers from the elements and help them #enjoythewalk.

In keeping with its global ethos, TRUE’s current footwear portfolio includes five core designs focused on sustainability, performance and comfort with a modern, minimalist aesthetic appealing to professional golfers, dedicated amateurs, avid recreational players and new golfers alike. Several TRUE models, like the recently released All Day Ripstop, are crafted almost entirely from recycled materials.

TRUE Story:

A couple of brothers grew up playing and working around their family driving range. Golfing since they could walk, they ended up experiencing nearly every level of competition, sub-culture and nuance that is golf - one eventually arriving on TOUR, the other traveling along as his caddie. Exploring the world, walking the fairways of major championships together for years, there was just one thing they just couldn’t find - a golf shoe they actually enjoyed wearing. Born out of selfish ideation, TRUE set out on a mission to create a comfortable, game-changing golf shoe that are so good, you might just want to wear them everywhere.

LUX Tech ToUr 5-PaneL haT

13th Annual Babe Zaharias High School Jr. Golf Awards Winners

The 2023 winners of the Babe Zaharias High School Junior Golf Awards are announced at the annual banquet honoring high school golfers in Southeast Texas.

The prestigious annual awards banquet recognizes the area’s top high school golfers, team leaders, underclassmen, and high school golf coaches for the 2022-2023 school and competition year. This year’s banquet at 5 Under Golf Center in Beaumont includes a dinner and a presentation from keynote speaker, Brian White of the Houston Astros Golf Foundation.

Austin Williams, Babe Zaharias Foundation Board Member and Director of South Texas PGA Jr. Golf–BeaumontMetro, says the awards banquet is a time of celebration for all honorees, coaches, families, and community.

“The awards banquet is such a special night, and everyone gets to share in the celebration. The future of Southeast Texas golf is bright with this group,

The winners announced:

Girls Player of the Year

Hallie Westfall - Hardin-Jefferson

Girls Character Award

TIE

Saylor Moreaux - Bridge City

Annabel Cardenas - Kelly HS

Girls Underclassmen Player of theYear

Tatum Bean - Port Neches-Groves

Girls Underclassmen Character Award

Peyton Hidalgo - Hardin Jefferson

and we hope they know that all of the Golden Triangle is behind them. The inspiring speech from Mr. Brian White is going to be with this group for a long, long time.”

About the Babe Zaharias High School Junior Golf Awards

Former PN-G coach, Jerry Honza, originally pitched the idea to the late W.L. Pate, Jr. (longtime chairman of the Zaharias Foundation) many years ago and the partnership began under the name of Babe Zaharias Junior Golf

Boys Player of the Year

TIE

Lincoln Parks - Orangefield

Xander Parks - Orangefield

Boys Character Award

Preston Deserrano - Nederland

Boys Underclassmen Player of theYear

Julian Mathews - Kelly HS

Boys Underclassmen Character Award

Drake Andrepont - Hardin-Jefferson

Awards. After Pate’s passing in recent years, Austin Williams has taken the reins of the awards at 5 Under and each year has seen increased involvement and participation. Past speakers include former Lamar golfers such as PGA Pro, Chris Stroud, and 2-time champ on the Nike Tour, Kelly Gibson, along with Pulitzer Prize winner, Don Van Natta, 1983 PGA Player of the Year and PGA Championship Winner, Hal Sutton, and Port Arthur legendary golfer, Marty Fleckman, among others.

About 5 Under

5 Under Golf Center is the awardwinning home of golf and game play, golf lessons, events, restaurant, and more as Beaumont’s premier sports and entertainment venue. Featuring both Topgolf Swing Suites & outdoor Toptracer Range, 5 Under combines all that golf has to offer with variety and accessibility for all ages and skill levels since 2019.

The Covey At Big Easy Ranch uses top combination as Texas’ Next Great Championship Course

The newly opened championship course, The Covey at Big Easy Ranch, has the golfing combination of a stunning natural site, a talented Lone Star architect and a passionate owner who all came together to produce Texas’ next great golf course between Houston and Austin.

Following the successful Grand Opening for members, guests and key media across the State of Texas, which drew rave reviews, the championship course, along with the par 3, is open for members and their invited guests.

The par 72 course, which can play as long as 7,511 yards from the back tees, opened earlier this spring. It is the latest sporting addition to the 2,000 acre Big Easy Ranch just outside of Columbus, Texas, but architect Chet Williams said it could be one of the best.

“Big Easy Ranch is home to The Covey and is one of the best properties I have been able to work on.  It was blessed with many attractive natural features, and I believe we took the utmost advantage of all of them,” he said.

photos courtesy of: Edward C. Robison III , Crescent Moon Pictures, Inc. Hole # 14

Hole # 18

Williams had earlier designed a nine hole par 3 course for visionary owner Billy Brown, a Louisiana native who fell in love with the native Texas property. Brown asked Williams to complete a championship layout as well.

“I told Chet exactly what I had in mind and he created something spectacular,” said Brown. “His skills and imagination are tremendous.”

Big Easy Ranch has proven pretty tremendous itself as it covers a vast stretch of tree lined, water-filled rolling Texas land. It already offered exotic

hunting, fishing, overnight lodging, a new amphitheater, and casual fine dining.

In fact, of the 2,000 acres which make up Big Easy Ranch, only 250 are used for golf, but that was enough to produce a masterstroke of green grass engineering.

“I am most proud of the variety of golf holes at The Covey. There are no two holes that are remotely similar, yet they still hold together as a cohesive group,’” Williams said.

In fact, each of the holes are named for the term which best describes their design. From Inspiration on the par 4 first hole to Deer Run and Wind Engine on holes three and four, and Quail Ridge on the 13th. Oak Point on the 16th and Tranquility on the closing par 5 18th hole challenge the best. Water runs through the

Hole # 17 photos by Hygh Hargrave Photography

Hole # 9

property in several key locations including a huge lake to the right of the 18th hole.

The Eagle’s Nest is a two story halfway house behind the 9th green boasting 360 degree views of the ranch and golf courses. Currently under construction, the Eagle’s Nest will have a grill and bar and other unique amenities for those who play The Covey.

The course can play 7,511 yards back from the championship tees, including a 641-yard par 5 18th hole, to 6,000 from the forward markers.

Practice facilities include a 9-acre driving range, 3-acre short game area, and a practice green located in walking distance to The Golf Academy and fully stocked pro shop. Future plans include an additional full service clubhouse with indoor and outdoor dining, bar, lounge area, locker rooms, and wine cellar.

Already, the reaction from members and guests who have played it has been outstanding. In addition, Brown has formed an all-star team of golfing executives to execute his vision.

Chad McCormick is the General Manager, Casey Russell, the Director of Golf and Ben Lauber the Director of

Agronomy, all with deep Texas golf and events experience.

“I’m thrilled with the way the course turned out and it’s one of my favorite Texas golf efforts to date,” said Williams, who also designed many of the most highly rated golf courses in Texas and beyond.

“We want it to be perfect, but it is starting out at very good, and we will build to become the top course in the state,” Brown said.

Along with expansion plans, a limited number of estate homesites and shared ownership villas are currently available. Estate homesites average 1-acre with select custom builders to choose from. Eight villas are available with 1/8 and 1/4 share options for shared ownership. The homesites and villas have been thoughtfully located in highly sought-after areas providing breathtaking views of creeks, waterfalls, and wooded areas, as well as the par 3 course. Although in golf’s purest form, The Covey will remain free of homes.

For more information, call Nicole Scarbrough, Membership Director, or Chad McCormick, General Manager, at 979-733-8635 or www.bigeasyranch.com.

641-yard par five, finishing hole at The Covey

Discover Your Swing at The Hideout Golf Club & Resort

Prepare to tee off like a pro at The Hideout Golf Club & Resort, where you can unleash your swing on an 18-hole masterpiece. Designed by two-time PGA Tour winner Bill Johnston, our acclaimed course elevates the golfing experience. Beyond the greens, meandering creeks and giant oaks converge to create breathtaking views of Central Texas Hill Country. Whether you’re looking to perfect your shot or watch the greatest masters compete during a tournament, explore more ways to play at our golf resort.

Located just a short drive from Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and Lubbock, our expansive 1,400-acre property welcomes golf enthusiasts of all levels. Bill Johnston’s strategic design incorporates bunkers, tree stands, and water hazards throughout the course to reward both distance and precision. Before teeing off, visit the Pro Shop to equip yourself and perfect your technique at our driving range.

At The Hideout, everyone can enjoy the game, whether you’re seeking a long drive or focused on your short game. We offer annual golf memberships for residents and non-residents, granting unlimited access to golfing, carts, and range balls. Additionally, we provide day passes and weekend specials, allowing you to experience the course before committing to a membership. Escape the city and challenge your friends to a spirited game on a sunny afternoon, or wake up to expansive views and cruise around in your cart with our Stay & Play Package. Golf at The Hideout is not just a game; it’s an immersive experience. Take a break or end your game at The Hideout Grill, where you can savor madeto-order food and drinks. Inside, join fellow players to connect and exchange tips while enjoying local refreshments. If spectating is more your style, plan a visit during one of our pro-level events. Our award-winning greens test some of the best players in exciting tournaments throughout the year, allowing guests to witness the action firsthand.

Unleash your inner champion and witness your golf ball soar at The Hideout. A visit to our resort unveils an idyllic escape with experiences both on and off the course, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Alabama’s Gulf

Beach area makes the grade for great golf

By Steve Habel,

Shores-Orange

With a long list of varied lodging options, restaurants, and attractions and one of the most pristine, white sands beaches anywhere along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area has a little bit of everything.

This sun-splashed region, set where the southeast edge of Alabama meets the Florida Panhandle, has been a favorite place to get away and play for decades, with its full-time population of about 35,000 regularly expanding to three times that many folks between Spring Break and Labor Day.

For our purposes, the area became a real place to circle on the map when it built a roster of dynamite golf courses, among them one of the best tracks in all of Alabama. Here are a few sample itineraries to help you plan for your stay at one of the South’s great destinations.

Day One:

Arrive: Check in to The Lodge at Gulf State Park, part of the Hilton family and set hard on the beach with 350 non-smoking rooms, four restaurants and more than 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. It’s a model of environmentally friendly coastal development where connectivity to the outdoors is a central focus.

Golf: The first round of the trip was at the Cotton Creek course at the Craft Farms golf resort, the Grande dame for golf in the area. The resort offered two courses designed by Arnold Palmer – the younger is Cypress Bend – that challenge golfers with their subtle difficulties.

The routings here are among some of south Alabama’s most massive live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, towering pine

Contributing Writer photo courtesy of The Lodge at Gulf State Park

Cotton Creek ,Hole 6 photo by Craft Farms

forests, numerous lakes, creeks, and native wildlife. Cypress Bend’s fairways are wider that Cotton Creek’s, with large landing areas to create confidence off the tee box for all levels of players.

Dinner: We went casual with our first dinner, heading to the decidedly downbeat Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s, a restaurant known for is known for its fun, food and music. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores, the eatery has scenic waterfront views, live music nightly, a sandy beach with its own arcade, a three-story climbing ropes course called the “Mountain ofYouth” and the smaller Munchkin Mountain for the younger children.

Stone’s design here asks golfers to move the ball in both directions, to play over or past trees and/or hazards that are often right in the line of attack and have a steady hand on the approach in order to attack the course’s undulating putting surfaces.

Day Two:

Golf: After breakfast at the Lodge, we headed for Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, a 27-hole championship facility that’s considered to be one of the most memorable and enjoyable courses in the southeast.

Peninsula’s golf course was designed by Earl Stone to offer a constantly changing variety of golf and visual appeal and offers three distinctive nine-hole routings that offer golfers a dramatically different playing experience time after time.

Dinner: We went upscale on the second night, choosing Big Fish Restaurant for a classy atmosphere, deliciously fresh seafood, perhaps the best sushi on the Gulf Coast and an overall night guests will not soon forget. The restaurant has an exceptional menu of Asian-inspired seafood dishes as well as a full bar, and huge selection of wine. Everything is always made fresh in its open-air kitchen.

Marsh Course, Hole 4

photo by Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club

Outside LuLu’s Restaurant

Big Fish offers the Best Sushi on the Gulf Coast

Day Three:

Breakfast:We checked out of the Lodge and ate breakfast at Hazel’s Nook, a Gulf Shores tradition for more than 40 years. The eatery serves the official biscuits of Alabama and offers its “World Famous Gulf Shores Breakfast Buffet, as well as its “Old Tyme Country Breakfast.”

Golf: For our getaway round we teed it up at Gulf Shores Golf Club, which has been rated among the top 15 courses in Alabama in the past three years by golfadvisor.com. The Golf Club’s 18 championship holes were designed by the renowned father-son team of Jay and Carter Morrish

and feature several sharp doglegs, bunkers, and the occasional water hazard.

The course was built in the 1960s and was renovated in 2005, when it was lengthened by 300 yards and added numerous water features, enhanced fairways, and additional bunkers. The result is a spectacular product that no golf enthusiast will want to miss.

Whether it’s an annual trip with the guys, a weekend getaway for two, or a trip with the entire family, golfers can customize a stay-n-play golf package to Gulf Shores-Orange Beach that’s perfect for their group.

photo by Gulf Shores Golf Club, Hole # 4

photo by Gulf Shores Golf Club, Hole # 3

Escape to Alabama’s 32-mile island and experience a vacation like no other. Relax on sugar-white sand beaches, indulge in our coastal cuisine and challenge yourself on the greens, all in one unforgettable place.