Category: San Antonio

San Antonio is a top spring golf trip destination

Posted on by jim

From Golf Digest’s “11 of the Best Spring Golf Trips You Can Take to Play Where the Pros Play”

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-trips-pga-tour-stops

 

“Texas is certainly a great state for golf, but when it comes to public courses, it doesn’t necessarily have a standout resort destination (though that might change with the Omni PGA Frisco development). It does have a collection of very good public options, and TPC San Antonio—where the Valero Texas Open takes place—is worth building a trip around.

 

The Oaks course, where the tournament is played, is Golf Digest’s top-ranked public course in the state. The Greg Norman design (with an assist from Sergio Garcia) tips out at 7,435 yards and incorporates some rocky terrain and native grasses nicely in the routing. The facility’s Canyons course, which hosted a PGA Tour Champions event from 2011-15 views, ranks inside our top-15 public courses in Texas. The Pete Dye design offers views of a 700-acre nature preserve.

Those building a golf trip in San Antonio can add some other very good public tracks. The Quarry Golf Course (above) is a Keith Foster design that utilizes rock formations that were part of the old Alamo Quarry that date back to 1908. La Cantera Resort & Spa (Resort) was named Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course of 1995 and features thrilling elevation changes. And Brackenridge Park, or “Brack” to the locals, is an A.W. Tillinghast original design that dates back to 1916. It hosted the inaugural Texas Open in 1922—and following a restoration in the late 2000s—boasts one of the best values in Texas at tee times starting under $60.

Of course, Austin is just about an hour and a half away, and offers plenty for those looking to extend their San Antonio golf trips. Horseshoe Bay Resort and its three public 18-hole courses (plus the private Summit Rock) should be on every golfer’s radar (it’s about an hour from Austin and an hour and a half from San Antonio).

Ram Rock is the second-highest ranked public course in Texas, and the demanding test has hosted the Texas Open on multiple occasions. The island-green par-3 fourth hole is a standout. The resort’s Apple Rock and Split Rock are also Robert Trent Jones Sr. layouts and worth playing.”

Top 100 Golf Resorts

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The GOLF Magazine Travel Guide 2019 included in the October 2019 issue rates the Top 100 Resorts in North America.  They further break down the best golf resorts into four categories – Luxury, Buddies, General Excellence, and Families.  Three of the top 100 are located in central Texas and partner with Texas Golf Trails –

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin (Buddies)

Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay (Families)

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa / TPC San Antonio (Families)

Fazio Foothills Course at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is located about 20 minutes west of downtown Austin.  The premier golf resort in Texas features four championship golf courses.  There are two nationally ranked Tom Fazio designed courses, a Ben Crenshaw course, and an off-site Arnold Palmer course that’s about 40 minutes away (shuttle rides from the resort are available).  The entire resort closed for a year during a $150+ million renovation, which included the addition of the all new Mokara Spa and a brand new, expansive, multi-tiered pool complex, the perfect place to relax and cool off after your round.  The renovation also included the addition of seven new dining options, so there’s something to delight everyone’s palate.  The proximity to downtown Austin makes it easy to visit the famous 6th Street entertainment district and experience the “Live Music Capital of the World.”

Apple Rock Course at Horseshoe Bay Resort

Horseshoe Bay Resort on the shores of Lake LBJ is about an hour northwest of Austin and an hour and a half north of San Antonio.  GOLF Magazine rates Horseshoe Bay as a top resort for families, but notes that it is a great buddy trip destination as well.  The resort features three Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed championship courses, Apple Rock, Ram Rock, and Slick Rock, all rated in the top 25 in the state.  Your group will have a blast playing the resort’s 18-hole natural grass Whitewater putting course, complete with sand bunkers, waterfalls, and a new sports bar in the middle of the course.  While staying at the resort, take advantage of the massive Lake LBJ that is adjacent to the resort and offers numerous boating and water activities.  Be sure to head into Marble Falls, a nearby quaint Hill Country town that is home to boutique shops and the historic Blue Bonnet Café (make sure you get a slice of pie!).

AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is co-located with TPC San Antonio.  TPC San Antonio features the AT&T Oaks Course designed by Greg Norman and the AT&T Canyons Course designed by Pete Dye.  The Oaks Course is the home of the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open.  The resort also boasts a colossal pool and water recreation area complete with huge water slides and an enormous lazy river.  The High Velocity sports bar inside the resort has one of the largest screens in the state, the perfect spot to catch a game and grab a cold one after your round.  The buffet brunch served in the Cibilo Moon restaurant is a must.  While the River Walk in downtown San Antonio deservedly get all the pub, visit San Antonio’s newest entertainment district, Pearl, just north of downtown.  This former brewery has been transformed into a 22-acre culinary and cultural destination that offers numerous restaurants and shops to visit.  Noted as a top resort for families, GOLF recommends JW Marriott San Antonio as a great option for buddy trips too.

The Palmer Course at La Cantera

Another central Texas resort that’s just outside the Top 100 that warrants mention is La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio.  The resort is home to The Resort Course designed by Tom Weiskopf and The Palmer Course designed by The King himself, Arnold Palmer.  The Resort Course hosted the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open from 1995 to 2009.  La Cantera overlooks 550-acres of the Texas Hill Country and features 496 luxurious rooms, 34 boutique-style villas, and an exclusive adults-only floor.  The Loma de Vida Spa is breathtaking and there are numerous restaurant options to choose from.  The heated, infinity style pools offer a pleasant escape, especially the adults-only pool that has ten luxurious cabanas and a poolside bar and restaurant.

San Antonio – The Best in Texas Golf Resorts

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If you’re looking for a Texas golf vacation package and exploring stay-and-play golf vacations at hotel golf resorts, look no further than San Antonio.  The Alamo City is home to 3 outstanding Texas golf resorts.

 

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is home to TPC San Antonio.  This resort offers two of the best golf courses in Texas, the AT&T Oaks Course and the AT&T Canyons Course.  The Oaks Course, designed by Greg Norman, is home to the PGA Tour’s Texas Valero Open.  The Pete Dye designed Canyons Course, which maximizes its hill country topography and differs from the traditional, tree-lined Oaks Course, is the former host of the PGA Tour Champions San Antonio Championship.  The JW Marriott also features a nine-acre water park with several waterslides and a 1,100-foot lazy river, making it a great family-friendly destination for your Texas golf vacation.

 

La Cantera Resort & Spa is a luxurious couples’ favorite thanks to two championship golf courses, a pampering spa, and its close proximity to high-end shopping and dining at The Shops at La Cantera.  The Resort course at La Cantera, designed by noted architect Jay Morrish and PGA professional Tom Weiskopf, offers breathtaking views and championship caliber golf.  The Palmer course, designed by its namesake, Arnold Palmer, is one of the most scenic courses in the country.  All carts at this AAA Four Diamond luxury golf resort are equipped with a state-of-the-art ProLink GPS system.  If you or someone you’re with need a little serenity, discover Loma De Vida Spa.

 

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa is a top-ranked resort that immerses its guests in Texas hospitality.  Situated on acres of historical ranch land, this Texas golf resort is home to Hill Country Golf Club.  Voted the best golf course in San Antonio by readers of San Antonio Magazine, Hill Country GC has 27 holes of championship golf designed by Arthur Hills and Associates.  Sprawling over 200 acres, this gem will make you truly appreciate golfing in Texas as it fully takes advantage of diverse terrain, lush hillsides, and tree-shaded plateaus.

 

If you’re interested in golfing in Texas and you’re searching for first class hotel golf resorts, you’re going to like what San Antonio has to offer!