TPC San Antonio

By Neville Leck Last updated: 26th April 2011

For just the second time, this week's Valero Texas Open will be played at the exclusove TPC at San Antonio where once more the PGA Tour players can expect a rousing Texan reception and some challenging golf on an AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio that celebrates the beauty of the Texas hill country, but is not without teeth.

The Texas Open was moved here last year after 15 years at the Westin La Cantera Resort

The Oaks Course, one of two at TPC San Antonio which in turn is part of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, was designed by the highly acclaimed and innovative Greg Norman (with a little help from Serge Garcia) and only opened as a private members club in January last year.

The other course at this outstanding new resort which also opened in January, is the AT&T Canyons Course which is the work of yet another highly rated golf course architect, Pete Dye.

Built on 2,800 rolling acres which are situated at the base of the beautiful Texas Hills Country, both have been provided with the essential infrastructure and quality turf so as to ensure they are able to qualify as up-to-the-minute host venues for any or all the professional tournaments on the US PGA Tour calendar

The golf club's official website makes it clear that TPC San Antonio is a private resort, only accessible to Club Members and guests of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa and that membership is only by invitation - although this seemingly excluding statement is contradicted by a form you can fill if you wish to apply for an invitation to play there..

Norman's design philosophy is heavily underlined on the par-72, 7,522-yard Oaks Course by environmental sensitivity and a deep reverence for nature.

"Great care," the club takes pains to state, "has been taken to incorporate the distinct nuances and indigenous flora of the natural Hill Country topography into the course design, to create a compelling, strategically diverse and strikingly beautiful course for golfers of all skill levels."

Norman adds: "The topographic subtleties of the rolling Texas Hill Country terrain, framed by magnificent stands of mature live oaks, create a pristine natural setting that is as playable as it is beautiful."

Dye, whose portfolio includes the likes of Whistling Straits, TPC Sawgrass and Crooked Stick GC has ensured that his Canyons Course fits neatly onto this impressive resume.

"With the goal of crafting a course that fits harmoniously with its surroundings, we took full advantage of the dramatic vistas, indigenous flora and beautiful rolling terrain to create a memorable golf experience," he has said of his San Antonio addition.

Both courses feature a "closed-loop irrigation system" which was designed to protect the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. In addition, the property boasts an amazing array of wildlife, such as armadillo, bobcat, coyote, deer, fox, turkey and several different species of birds.

What makes the TPC San Antonio courses so unique is that they deviate from the TPC norm of spectator mounding and viewing areas. Both courses were crafted with the environment in mind for a more natural presence. Although the stately JW Marriott hotel stands as a sentinel in the center of the property, the rest of the land is devoid of real estate.

The powers that be did not stop with the famous course designers. They continued to bring in high-profile people to make the TPC San Antonio the ultimate golf destination. Former director of golf course operations at Medinah Country Club, Thomas Lively, was signed on as the GCSAA Class A Director of Golf Course Operations.

In addition, former TPC Sawgrass instructor Steve Hanlon heads up the Tour Academy, which includes specifically-designed chipping and putting areas and a large driving facility.

VALERO TEXAS OPEN:

Last year the organisers are promised that their first PGA Tour event would have a 'very real Texas twist to it.'

It had just that.

They said then and can happily say again: 'Sure, we'll have world-class golf, great players and a big purse at stake, but we've also got a course like you've never seen with rolling fairways, untamed roughs and rugged sand traps that will challenge even the greatest golfers.

"It's almost like Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia and Mother Nature teamed up to create the perfect Texas Golf Course.

"To make things even more exciting we've created an event around the tournament that'll showcase some of the best of Texas including down home Texas cuisine cooked on wide open flames by some of the area's best cooks. We'll also feature live music by legendary Texas artists to keep us rocking late into the evening. And we'll be honoring the troops, Texas style."

THE AT&T OAKS COURSE:

Architect: Greg Norman, with player consultant Sergio Garcia.
Year Opened: January, 2010.
Location: San Antonio, Texas.
Slope: 148.
Rating: 76.5.
Par: 72. Yardage: 7,435.

Card of the course:

1 - Par 4 454 Yds
2 - Par 5 602 Yds
3 - Par 3 213 Yds
4 - Par 4 481 Yds
5 - Par 4 342 Yds
6 - Par 4 403 Yds
7 - Par 3 207 Yds
8 - Par 5 604 Yds
9 - Par 4 474 Yds
10 - Par 4 447 Yds
11 - Par 4 405 Yds
12 - Par 4 410 Yds
13 - Par 3 241 Yds
14 - Par 5 567 Yds
15 - Par 4 464 Yds
16 - Par 3 183 Yds
17 - Par 4 347 Yds
18 - Par 5 591 Yds

Hole by hole

Hole one:

The opening hole is a gentle, dogleg left par four that stretches to 454 yards from the Tiburon markers. No fairway bunkers, but plenty of trouble lurks left with deep underbrush and trees. Naturally, the side to play from is the right, however if you're aggressive and go left, this will leave a better angle of attack towards the green. The elevated putting surface features a chipping area to the right that will make for a difficult up and down. The green itself bends from left to right and from mid-front to back, with plenty of slope. Sand left of the green is well below the surface, but the trap to avoid is the pot bunker in the front.

Hole two:

The meat of the course are the monstrous par fives and the second hole is no exception at 602 yards. Calling for a fade off the tee, you'll need to stay clear of the fairway bunker down the center of the landing area. From there, it is lay up time towards the right-center, missing the 40-yard trap down the right and the trees jutting out in the fairway left. Although the putting surface is just 25 paces in length, it is a shared green with the seventh. Sloping from back to front, the putting surface can be slick, but will yield plenty of birdies. Bunkers left and right are tough, but the rear, shared trap is nasty.

Hole three:

One of the prettiest holes on the course is the third. A modest-length par three, this beauty plays over a pond to one of the widest greens on the course. Plenty of undulations can play havoc with the flat stick, but it is what's in store when you miss the putting surface that can really hurt the scorecard. Besides the water short, the enormous trap right is no picnic and the chipping area deep and left are brutally difficult. I will say however, that I did get up and down from behind the green. What's that old saying, "even a blind squirrel finds an acorn."

Hole four:

A wide fairway awaits as you tee it up on the fourth, one of eight par four's over 400 yards long on the Oaks Course and at 481 yards, it's the longest. Missing the landing area will result in a lay up, due to the deep fairway bunkers left and trees right. Even with a successful tee ball, you'll have a very long approach to a well-guarded green. The putting surface is long and narrow with an equally long bunker left and chipping areas protecting the remainder of the green. A back-left pin will be hard to get at, so play towards the center for your par. It's the No. 1 handicap hole for a reason.

Hole five:

In contrast, the fifth is the shortest par four at 342 yards. A fairway metal off the tee should suffice and played with a slight draw for optimum results. Bunkering comes into play for the big hitters who attempt to reach the green off the tee, as sand greenside left and short right can be reached. Another long and tight putting surface presents even the most skilled player a challenge.

Hole six:

Requiring a sweeping draw from the back tee boxes, the sixth is a wonderful par four. A tree stands sentinel on the right, just enough to get into your head, but it's the carry over native grasses that might tighten your grip. A medium iron should be enough to get home to an angled-left putting surface that slopes from right to left. A 40-yard greenside trap forces a right-to- left play from the fairway. Although the green falls off sharply on the left, this putting surface is fairly benign. It certainly didn't stop me from three- putting!

Hole seven:

The longest green on the course is part of the uphill, par-three seventh. At 53 paces, this roller coaster putting surface provides plenty of defense to the already difficult hole. The gigantic trap left, which covers the entire green, sees plenty of action, despite most players trying to avoid the danger. Right and short are equally challenging, as the chipping areas are tightly mown. Most shots missed right, can move towards the green, so if you're to miss, that's the side.

Hole 8:

When it comes to par five's, the eighth takes a back seat to nobody at the TPC San Antonio. Another 600-plus three-shotter, this killer plays uphill off the tee, with native grasses and trees left and a deep, V-shaped trap right. From there, it swings to the left for your lay up, sans sand, however the fairway tightens the further down you go. Your third is played slightly uphill to a long, narrow green that runs from back to front. Sand on both sides sits well below the putting surface, making it hard to get that sandy.

Hole 9:

There is nothing routine about the ninth hole, despite the absence of sand. That's right, not a fairway or greenside bunker in site, just a straightaway par four that stretches 474 yards. Trees and rough adorn both sides of the fairway, so keep it in the short grass if you want to get home in regulation. The green is another long one, this time 47 yards in length, with plenty of slope. That's a heck-of-a, one-two, closing hole punch on the front side.

Hole 10:

Playing downhill from the tee, the 10th is a long par four without fairway sand, but plenty of rough lining the landing area. Stay clear of the left side of the fairway, as balls will get hung up on the sloping rough. Your approach to the well-guarded green must be precise as three traps around the putting surface feature plenty of rakes.

Hole 11:

It turns out that my favorite hole on the Oaks Course is the 11th and it's not because it's the only hole I made birdie. From an elevated tee box, No. 11 features a split fairway that tilts from left to right with a trap placed in the center of the landing area. From the tips, it's just 227 yards out, but 267 yards to clear. If played correctly, the drive should favor the left side of the tilted fairway, thus leaving a straight shot to the long putting surface. Stay below the hole and you'll have a great shot at three. Miss right and sand and double-bogey come into play, but not for me!

Hole 12:

The 12th is very deceiving to the naked eye. At first blush, it's just 410 yards from the tips. No big deal, right...wrong. This straightaway par four plays uphill from tee to green and features a tight landing area, a massive fairway bunker on the left and a left to right sloped fairway. Even with a successful tee ball, the player is left with an uphill approach to one of the longest and most deceiving greens on the course. The putting surface is 48 paces long, slopes in several directions and is very narrow in the front section. This is one hole I'd like to get a second crack at, since I failed miserably the first time around.

Hole 13:

With the San Antonio skyline in the foreground, the 13th is the longest par three on the course, a whopping 241 yards from the tips. To make matters worse, the putting surface is 49 yards long, possesses a fronting pot bunker and chipping areas short and right. It does play slightly downhill, but when you're striking a hybrid or long iron, does it really matter? By the way, miss left and you'll find a very deep and unkind trap.

Hole 14:

The shortest par five on the course awaits on the 14th. Before you get your hopes up, this gem is 567 yards long and boomerangs to the right. Although it requires a fade off the tee, the landing area is quite accommodating and easy to negotiate. Your second shot, however will be tested, as the fairway narrows quite significantly at the 100 yard mark. This is also where a long bunker runs down the right to the green. The left side is no picnic either, as sand and a rock wall await the errant play. The green is fairly benign, but more sand awaits to the right. Par is far from easy here.

Hole 15:

If you're thinking of gaining a stroke back on 15, well, forget it. Bending slightly to the left, this long par four requires accuracy off the tee and with your approach. If you can reach the fairway bunker down the right, then you'll be left with a mid-iron second shot to a long and narrow green, guarded by three deep bunkers that sit well below the putting surface. It's the second hardest hole on the course and with good reason.

Hole 16:

The signature hole on the Oaks Course is the par-three, Riviera-like 16th. That's right, this 183-yard hole features a bunker in the center of the massive putting surface. Not only that, the green features tiers on either side of the trap and slopes from back to front. Assorted bunkers dot the landscape to the right and left, not to mention a chipping area fronting the green. A back-center pin is diabolical, especially when the wind is up, but a front flag is no bargain either.

Hole 17:

Norman has tossed in another driveable par four, this time it's the 347-yard 17th. The key is the drive, which must favor the right side, despite the 100- yard trap, as the duel-level fairway features a ridge down the center, which runs towards the green. Any tee shot pulled slightly will fall down to the left towards the lower level, making for an awkward approach. The green is long and elevated with several strategic pin placements, making for a difficult two-putt.

Hole 18:

The closing hole on the Oaks Course is a sensational, snake-like winding par five, that plays uphill from tee to green, reaching 591 yards from the back markers. A fade off the tee is the choice play, as you avoid the hills and trees right. Reaching this hole in two is highly unlikely, unless the course is firm and fast and you're John Daly. You're lay up will be tricky, as a stream winds down the left side and cuts in front of the green and a pair of bunkers wait in the landing zone to the right. A risky play for your second is down the left side, where the fairway is split by the creek and the landing area is tight, however this will give you a clear shot towards the green. The putting surface is long and runs from back to front, with two traps rear and one left. A great finishing hole for a PGA Tour event, featuring plenty of fireworks.

Summed up, the Oaks with its tight, oak-lined fairways, spectacular bunkering and undulating putting surfaces is tougher than the Canyons where the fairways are much wider.

Norman definitely carved this layout with his game in mind, putting the premium on driving accuracy. Norman, as you might recall, was one of the finest drivers of the golf ball during the prime of his career. You don't win over 100 worldwide tournaments by missing fairways.

The TPC San Antonio is a private resort, so you'll need to stay to play. The many packages available are designed to fit the needs of many different levels of golfer.

This is the largest JW Marriott resort in the world, with over 1,000 rooms, a complete full-service spa, numerous dining options, a sensational sports bar with enormous flat screen televisions and two wonderful golf courses that share a 42,000-square foot clubhouse.

Perhaps we should let Pete Dye have the last word. He has said: "I believe TPC San Antonio will cement San Antonio's reputation as a world-class resort golf destination."

MEMBERSHIP:

Membership at TPC San Antonio offers you and your guests access to the newest addition to the PGA TOUR's network of premier clubs.

In addition to enjoying a full array of golf benefits, membership also comes complete with enhancements that provide access and discounts at the adjoining JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa.

Membership at TPC San Antonio is by Invitation Only.

TPC San Antonio is currently offering two categories of Membership: The Charter Membership, and the Professional Business Membership.

The Charter Membership is a full golf privilege membership designed for residents within designated neighborhoods of the Cibolo Canyons development.

The Professional Business Membership is available to both individuals and companies.

Individuals may join under this membership category. The Professional Business Membership allows for multiple designees within a company to have membership privileges at TPC San Antonio. Up to three (3) employees per company can have access, so entertaining your clients never has to cease.

To request an invitation to join, please complete the form below.

TO CONTACT THE CLUB

Website: www.tpcsanantonio.com

Address: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio, Texas 78259 United States

Telephone: (210) 507-4191

Neville Leck