As one of the top ten golf states in America, Texas has earned the right to its very own RGV Tour top ten. Here are my favorite ten photos from Texas. Presented in order of greatness.
#10 - Colonial Country Club
With the golf course gearing up for a major renovation, the club has decided to over-seed the green surrounds before the May tournament. Even when the golf course is not looking its best, the result is striking from above.
#9 - Lions Municipal
The beating heart of public golf in Austin Texas resides at Lions Municipal. The course is home to more than a dozen middle school and high school golf teams, it hosts more charitable tournaments than any other golf course in the Austin area and it is the first golf course in the south to desegregate peacefully. Whatever Lions Municipal lacks in conditioning, it makes up for in substance. To make sure it stays a part of Texas history… you can donate here.
#8 - Austin Country Club
The worst lighting in our Texas Ten comes on the 11th hole at Austin Country Club. However, this photo makes our list for 3 very important and non-photo related reasons.
I spun a wedge into two feet after I took this photo.
I found a baby copperhead snake on this green.
Austin CC was the 100th golf course played on The RGV Tour
#7 - Maridoe Country Club
By the time you make it to this spot behind the 18th hole, you will likely be at least a dozen over par. Not because you suck at golf but because Maridoe is one of the toughest tests of golf in Texas. From the back tees and into a breeze, the 18th hole at Maridoe is nearly impossible and impossibly good looking
#6 - Old Brackenridge
We return to the muni life at San Antonio’s “Old Brack” This beloved Tillinghast gem has been restored to its original intentions and the result is a timeless round of golf. I found the rectangular shaped greens to be uniquely pleasant and this particular image does a great job of showcasing the general feel of the golf course.
#5 - TPC San Antonio
When the rest of the golf course has gone dark, the very last licks of sunlight are still visible on the 11th hole. I stood in this fairway with a smile on my face and watched as the sun fell down after a day of 36. As the golf course prepares for the Valero Texas Open, I was treated to some tour level conditions.
#4 - Carlton Woods - Fazio Course
Fact: This photo does not make our list without the photo bomb from this deer.
He was sprinting pretty hard across the frame as I hustled to capture the image. Just as I thought I was going to miss the moment, he looked my way and stopped dead in his tracks. He quickly flashed me a knowing smile, and then struck the strongest deer profile pose that I have ever seen. I pressed my shutter button and a moment later he was gone.
#3 - Hollow Brook Country Club
There are 4 reasons that this picture makes it all the way to the #3 spot in the Texas top ten.
The rectangular shape of the green matches the buildings in the back drop.
The morning shadows spill perfectly across the deliciously treacherous putting surface.
The dormant Bermuda grass wraps the green side bunker like a glove.
Brook Hollow was a surprise. A week earlier it was not on my radar of places to play at all.
#2 - Pecos Golf Club
After a long drive across Texas, I parked the RGV in a town called Pecos. I had no idea that I had parked the RGV right next to the local Pecos golf course. After waking up to a mystical west Texas morning, I decided to capture the magic first thing. The previous day’s 50 mph winds had ripped the door off the RGV and it t had also completely blown out the bunkers on the local golf course. The result was this picture.
#1 - Black Jack’s Crossing
If it feels like I have hammered this course home, that is because I have. It would have been unethical to leave this one out of the top spot. For full coverage on Black Jack’s crossing be sure to check out The RGV Tour Course spotlight.
