PGA TOUR announces contest to design
Golf hole at TPC San Antonio
Winner will have design implemented on Pete Dye-crafted AT&T Canyons Course
San Antonio, TX- Beginning with its flagship TPC Sawgrass, the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network of clubs introduced everyday golfers with the opportunity to “Play Where the PGA TOUR Players Play.” And now, thanks to a one-of-a-kind contest announced by the TOUR, one talented amateur golf course architect will have the opportunity to “Design Where the PGA TOUR Players Play” by designing a hole at TPC San Antonio, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010.
The TOUR is inviting aspiring golf course designers to submit an original, hand-sketched design of the 13th hole on the AT&T Canyons Course at TPC San Antonio, which is being designed by renowned architect Pete Dye. Entries will be judged by Dye and Steve Wenzloff, Vice President of PGA TOUR Design Services, Inc. One winner will be selected from all entries received to have his or her design integrated into the project, and will also receive a trip to TPC San Antonio to tour the course with Dye prior to the club’s grand opening.
“I'm excited about the opportunity to showcase the TPC San Antonio project through this unique contest,” said Dye, who will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, FL in November. “It will be interesting to see the creations and select a winner to spend a day with me on the project site. I always enjoy sharing my thoughts and suggestions with others on golf course design."
To enter, contestants should visit pgatour.com/tpcdesign and download an entry form. The entry form includes a map of the 13th hole, along with contest rules, judging criteria and mailing instructions. Entries will be accepted by mail and must be postmarked by September 12, 2008 in order to be eligible to win. Entries should clearly illustrate yardages, tee box, fairway, green and other elements, with a clear scale and topography of the hole. The various elevation levels and angles of the hole should be noted, along with a description of landscaping and other design/environmental factors.
Construction crews have broken ground on TPC San Antonio’s AT&T Canyons Course as well as the adjacent AT&T Oaks Course, which is being designed by World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman. A rough design of the 13th hole on the AT&T Canyons Course already has been completed, but there is plenty of room for creativity by contestants. The hole is a 226-yard par-3 with a slight downhill slope.
“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 for members and resort guests,” Dye said.
When complete, TPC San Antonio will offer an exceptional private and resort golf club experience, featuring two premier golf courses designed by two of the world’s most innovative golf course architects, along with an array of accompanying amenities. Champions Tour member Bruce Lietzke collaborated with Dye on the design of the AT&T Canyons Course, a par-72, 7,545-yard layout featuring wide fairways, stands of oak and cedar trees and sweeping panoramic vistas. Numerous environmental elements distinct to the Texas Hill Country were incorporated into the course design, in an effort to minimize its impact on the environment.
PGA TOUR member Sergio Garcia lent his perspective in assisting Norman on the design of the par-72, 7,522-yard AT&T Oaks Course. Like Dye, Norman’s design philosophy is characterized by environmental sensitivity and a deep reverence for nature. Great care was 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 layout for golfers of all skill levels.
“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,” Norman said.
TPC San Antonio will be accessible to private club members and guests of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. For membership information, please visit
www.tpc.com/sanantonio. For contest guidelines, printable contest materials and entry forms, please visit pgatour.com/tpcdesign.
About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to provide competitive earnings opportunities for past, current and future members of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour; to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world.
In 2008, the three Tours are competing in approximately 108 events for approximately $355 million in prize money. Tournaments are being held in nine countries outside the U.S. and in 37 states. In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR’s web site address is
www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
About The TPC Network
Licensed by the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network is comprised of 28 premier private and resort golf properties designed by some of golf’s most elite architects, 17 of which are operated by the PGA TOUR. Each TPC has hosted or has been designed to host TOUR-sponsored golf tournaments.
Since the TPC Sawgrass first opened its world renowned PLAYERS Stadium Course in the fall of 1980, TPCs have provided the PGA TOUR with rent-free venues for tournaments, helping to boost championship golf purses and increasing charitable donations to grass roots non-profit organizations. At the same time, TPCs have provided recreational golfers with the unique opportunity to test their skills on the same layouts where the world’s best golfers compete.
Distinctive in character but consistent in quality, TPCs are known for their outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a commitment to environmental excellence. To date, 15 TPCs operated by the PGA TOUR are certified as Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Systems. The TPC Network is also distinguished by its unwavering commitment to further the PGA TOUR’s giving back mission through support of charitable and community-based programs. For more information, please visit
www.tpc.com.