The “it” factor… It can be hard to nail down, but you know it when you see it. There are places in golf that just feel more special than others and The RGV Tour Course Spotlight is focused on bringing you those special spots in the American golf landscape. These are the places that make your golf soul swoon.
Deep in the heart of Terlingua, Texas lies a special golf course worthy of this distinction. For the very first installment of this exclusive series, please enjoy Black Jack’s Crossing.
We start with the “Apex” moment during your round at Black Jack’s. This is the spot where U.S. Army General, "Black Jack" Pershing pursued Pancho Villa across the Rio Grande. It is now the 14th tee box and one of the grandest golf views in all of Texas. It is truly something special to watch your golf ball fall across this vista and land softly in the fairway.
As we work backwards, we run into the 7th hole and what might just be the best golf hole on the course. With a solid drive out to a sweeping fairway, the golfer faces this view for their approach into a dramatically sloped green. The wise golfer plays it out to the right and watches with delight as the golf ball runs onto the green.
With the 14th hole taking the “Apex” title, the par 3 13th hole provides the crescendo. This downhill par 3 will tickle the golf senses and will inspire every single golfer to pull out their phone to take a picture.
The 12th hole can be seen from the front nine and gives the golfer a sense of the grandeur of the property. With Big Bend National Park nearby, Black Jack’s Crossing feels like a nature tour as much as a round of golf.
This short dog leg right par 4 should give most golfers a wedge into the green and a chance at birdie. The surrounding views continue to be a distraction and like most of the golf holes at Black Jack’s Crossing, fun is of premium importance.
If I had to describe Black Jack’s Crossing in 8 words it would be. “Like Wolf Creek but not as tricked up.” The fairways are wide, there are very few blind shots and it is very playable for the casual golfer. There are some dramatic downhill tee shots that border on the ridiculous, but the complaints from golf purists will remain minimal.
The par 5 8th hole.
The par 4 10th hole.
The award for most difficult golf hole at Black Jack’s goes to the 6th hole. A good tee shot will set you up for success, but if you lay back off the tee, you will be faced with a difficult approach to a green surrounded by a natural hot spring. Yes. that little creek is not some man made river, it is a legitimate hot spring. I tested the water with my golf ball to confirm that it was hot and made my only double bogey of the day.
The 5th hole earns the honors for the 2nd most dramatic par 3 at Black Jacks. This short little beauty is tucked into a cliff and requires a well struck golf shot if you want a taste of that sweet GIR action.
The par 3 5th hole.
Every one of the par 5’s provides a legitimate birdie opportunity for the confident golfer. This theme presides throughout the entire course. If you are hitting good golf shots, you are going to have lots of chances to score.
The par 5 16th hole.
This has been the 1st official RGV Tour Course Spotlight. As a special treat, I have compiled an exclusive aerial compilation from my visit to Black Jack’s Crossing. Please enjoy the ride below.
Be sure to follow The RGV Tour as I attempt to set the world record for most 18 hole golf courses played in a single year by downloading the Golf Gamebook app.