1. Austin Country Club - our family was a former member family so I've been there before. But not since the 80s. Since then, the course has aged, has had a multi million dollar renovation and is the new host of the World Match Play Championship (won in 2016 by Jason Day).
I played with Ed and our host was John C. who I had met while skiing in Utah in January 2015. So it was a great homecoming and we enjoyed our return a lot. The new renovation is first class and definitely improved the course to a very modern feel. Score of 85 from the Riverside tees was a good one.
2. Brackenridge Park, San Antonio. Ed and I continued our golf trip with a visit to one of our favorites. Home of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame includes people that we have known through our careers. Looking back on the scorecard - lowest round of the year of 80. I made birdie on 15, but then double on 16, then good pars on 17 and 18 for 80.
3. McAllen CC. While I played there many times, my second lowest round of the year 81 was there on April 6. I enjoyed playing the Sundowner from April to June - 9 holes on Tuesday evening.
4. Palm View Golf Course, McAllen. I played in the McAllen City Championship. I worked hard to get my game in order but hot windy weather and the pressure made for a tough run of 93-95. Susan said that I looked like I was not having fun and she said I should not play in that tournament again for someone who loves golf otherwise. I agree.
5. Houston CC. The scorecard I have shows 9 holes on March 30 with my father Ed. Birdie on #9 for a 39. I recall the 4 iron as a great shot into the wind as the sun was going down.
6. Palmer Course at La Cantera. I had a free round for 2 there won in a CLE raffle the past year. It was set to expire, so I arranged to drive up, Clint and John came down from Austin and we had a GREAT time - good weather. The day before Clint's 50th birthday. Great course. And a good round of 84.
7. Max Mandel Golf Course, Laredo, TX. This is a new course owned by the City of Laredo. Designed by top designer Robert Trent Jones II it is the best course for the money I've seen in a long time. Again, great weather on Columbus Day. I played really well but finished 5 over on the last 3 holes for 82. Highly recommend!
8. Rancho Viejo, Brownsville, TX. As a course 60 miles away, it is not easy to arrange to go, but I always enjoy the day.. Again I played well in good weather, 84.
9. University Ridge, Verona, WI. Sarah has moved to Madison WI and works in Verona. So my vacation this year was to go to Wisconsin and enjoy a week there. I played 2 times at this course, also a Robert Trent Jones II design. I enjoyed playing with my new friend Woody from Kentucky who was up with his wife and was playing golf while she was at work at Epic of course. I plan to return in 2017 for the American Family Champions Tour tournament. Played fairly well on a tough course both days, 86-86.
10. Soldiers Memorial Field Golf Course, Rochester, MN. I drove to Wisconsin to Minnesota in my 50 state quest to the home of the Mayo Clinic. After checking out the Sports Performance Institute, I had time for 18 holes at this classic track. This sign cemented it as my favorite course of the year:
And I had a great time, stayed until dark. Shot 80 to tie the low round of the year.
11. Odana Hills, Madison, WI. As you can tell, I was able to play a lot of golf on this trip. The course is close in town in Madison and was a very reasonable charge. I was only able to play 9 but will go back for the back 9. Shot 42 in great weather. I have to hand it to the Sconies - when its summer they play a lot outdoors.
12. Golf ATX.org is the website for the Austin city courses. I played 3 and am grouping them together. Lions Municipal is my home course from way back. It is a historic place but alas is set to be bulldozed in 2019. So I wanted Travis to see it before he graduated. He and I played with Clint and Sarah rode in the cart. Great day. And shot 86 - not bad.
Hancock. A ragged old 9 hole muni, barely maintained. Hard to believe it used to the Austin CC from 1899 (or maybe not). But 9 holes was what the day allowed and I was able to play with Travis again with his new clubs for his UT graduation.
Jimmy Clay. The site of my first round of 79 back in 1982. As you can see, I still am looking for those sub 80 rounds. I didn't remember the course as well as I thought, but I did enjoy it a lot. Some holes was been slightly changed over the years due to flood erosion. Played with my good friend Clint again after the UT graduation. A good day and a round of 89.
BONUS:
13. Watters Creek, Plano, TX. 9 holes with my old friend Jeff on the short course 9 holer. Par 30. Playing with old clubs, Jeff playing left handed, just kicking around. A super fun time. And I beat Jeff (never easy). It helped that he was playing left when he is normally right handed :)
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