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by JD Latorre
Dallas is a city known for many things: the Cowboys, great barbecue, J.R. Ewing. But “The Big D” isn’t all belt buckles and brisket. The city has garnered the reputation as one of the truly great venues for American golf. An airport featuring direct service from most major cities, temperate climate and some of the most sought after playing experiences in the country have golfers traveling deep into the heart of Texas to tee it up. Here’s our list of must-plays in a place the locals call “The Metroplex.”
The Old American Golf Club
The Old American Golf Club is to golf as Jerry Jones’ Cowboys Stadium is to football. While both are relatively new, they are already being hailed as a one of a kind experience. Opened in September, The Old American, located just north of Dallas in The Colony, has already earned “Best New” honors from GOLF Magazine, LINKS Magazine, Golfweek and AVID Golfer. The course is the brainchild of acclaimed architect Tripp Davis and PGA TOUR star and native Texan, Justin Leonard. The design is inspired by the “Golden Age” of golf course architecture between 1911 and 1937 and features natural contours, hazard styles, native grasses and green shapes reminiscent of such masterpieces as Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Prairie Dunes and Crystal Downs. For more information visit www.theoldamericangolfclub.com or call (972) 370-4653.
The Tribute
Golf Digest has named this Tripp Davis design the No. 1 public golf course in the Dallas-area and one of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” The Tribute is a true links golf experience simulating some of the most famous and challenging holes from renowned Scottish courses such as St. Andrews, Troon and Prestwick. In addition to offering an experience unlike any other in the Dallas-area, The Tribute also provides accommodations in the form of a quaint guest house with seven suites. The guest house is also home to The Old Tom Morris Pub, serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. For more information visit www.thetribute.com or call (972) 370-5465.
Bridlewood Golf Club
Nestled in the rolling hills of North Texas, Bridlewood Golf Club is a D.A. Weibring design that that measures 7,000 yards from the back tees. Bridlewood bobs and weaves through thick forests of hardwood as well as lakes and creeks, which make water an omnipresent hazard. Grass swales, mounds, hollows, and bunkers create additional incentive to stay in the fairway. The volume and size of the large oaks onsite leave a lot of decisions in the hands of golfers and affords them the opportunity to use a different strategy on each hole. For more information visit www.bridlewoodgolf.com or call (972) 355-4800.
Bear Creek Golf Club
True to Texas’ “bigger is better” bravado, Bear Creek Golf Club features 36 holes of championship golf. The two distinct layouts – the East and West Courses – pack a one two punch that has earned it a place among Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Resort Courses in America” and The Wall Street Journal’s “10 Great Places to Golf.” Bear Creek has played host to PGA Tour Qualifiers and the Texas State Open. While the golf may be bigger, the prices are not. Rates range from $55 (Monday – Thursday) to $69 (Friday – Sunday, Holidays). For more information visit www.bearcreek-golf.com or call (972) 456-3200.
Texas Star Golf Course
This municipal track was designed by Keith Foster and gives off a Texas Hill Country-vibe. Despite its location just minutes from the DFW Airport and downtown Dallas, stacked rock ponds, waterfalls and natural woodlands create a relaxing atmosphere. The par-71, which plays to roughly 7,000 yards from the back tees, has been highly ranked by Golf Digest, Golfweek, the Dallas Morning News and T&L Golf. For more information visit www.texasstargolf.com or call (817) 685-7888.
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