Golf Trips in a World with Covid

This has been a year like no other.  Covid, Coronavirus, Wuhan Virus, whatever you want to call it, has affected every aspect of our lives.  For us here at Texas Golf Trails, we know it has ruined plenty of golf trips.  For those who had their annual buddy trip cancelled, we’re ready to help you get back out there.

 

If you’re wondering where to go, look no further than the ultimate luxury golf resort in Texas, the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin.  Yes, the same resort you see on those MasterCard commercials.  The resort has three courses on-site, the Tom Fazio designed Canyons and Foothills courses, and the Ben Crenshaw-Bill Coore designed Cliffside course.  About 40 minutes away, the resort features the Arnold Palmer designed Lakeside course perched along the shores of Lake Travis.  We can help arrange shuttle transportation to this course, which is definitely worth the trip.  If you want to play 36 holes while you’re out there, Lakecliff Country Club, which also features an Arnold Palmer course, is just 5 minutes from Lakeside.  In addition to world-class golf, the food, service, spa, and amenities at Barton Creek are sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.

 

Another destination to consider is Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, TX, about 45 minutes northwest of Austin.  Named a Top 100 Golf Resort by GOLF magazine, the resort is home to three Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed courses.  The Slick Rock course is the original of the three and features the world-famous “Million Dollar Hole,” a par-4 that has you tee off over a waterfall and then drive under the same waterfall from the tee box to the fairway.  The Apple Rock and Ram Rock courses are co-located and share a clubhouse.  Both courses will take you from the highest points on the resort grounds all the way down to the shores of Lake LBJ.  Ram Rock is the more challenging of the two and features a par-3 with an island green.  The resort also has an 18-hole all grass putting course, a great place to settle those un-finished bets.  The resort offers plenty more than just golf, with pontoon boats, ski boats, jet-skis, kayaks, and canoes available for you to take out and enjoy the lake.

 

Finally, San Antonio should definitely be considered for your next golf trip.  The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and La Cantera Resort & Spa are both great stay-and-play choices; however, unlike the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa and Horseshoe Bay Resort, you don’t have to be a guest at either of these resorts to enjoy their courses.  Through our relationships, we can book tee times at the Greg Norman designed Oaks course and the Pete Dye designed Canyons course at TPC San Antonio even if you don’t stay at the JW Marriott.  Also, you don’t have to stay at La Cantera to enjoy the Tom Weiskopf designed Resort course and the Arnold Palmer designed Palmer course.  San Antonio is also home to The Quarry Golf Course, a truly unique track with a back 9 that meanders through the remains of an old limestone quarry.  History also abounds in the Alamo City at Brackenridge Park Golf Course, a rare A.W. Tillinghast design that is open to the public.  Originally built in 1916 and restored in 2008, “Old Brack” is the original host of the PGA Tour Texas Open, with players such as Byron Nelson and Sam Snead strolling its grounds.  The course is now home to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.

 

When considering your trip, here are two resources to refer to:

https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/about/covid-open/

https://www.austintexas.org/plan-a-trip/covid-19-resources/

 

We’re here to help and are happy to answer any of your questions.  During these unprecedented times, we are committed to helping you have the best Texas golf trip experience possible.