Golf in Houston?

« **on:** January 11, 2008, 10:39:14 AM »

The weather up here in NW has been awful for golf this whole winter and I have not been on a golf course for three months now.

I am going stir-crazy and need to take some well-deserved weekend golf trip.

My friends and I are thinking about heading out to Houston since we have never been there before. But I know very little about the golf courses down there.

Can folks around here recommend some must plays in Houston?

« **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2008, 10:47:36 AM »

Richard,

Check out the thread on Blaketree National. The other public option that I really enjoy is High Meadow Ranch (www.highmeadowranchgolf.com). Other good choices would be Waterwood if you don't mind traveling a bit north (www.waterwoodnational.com) or River Ridge out west (www.riverridgegolfclub.com). The weather down here has been great, but it is not impossible for there to be a cold snap at some point before the winter is over.

There is a great group of GCA guys around Houston. If you'd like an other information be sure to send me a message. I would be happy to help.

« **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2008, 01:12:46 PM »

Richard I've played almost every public course in Houston, if you have any questions please ask. Kyle has gotten you started down the right path, though he's never played a couple of those courses.

« **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2008, 04:00:37 PM »

I would echo what Kyle and Sam have said. Just keep an eye on the forecast before you make your plans. It was in the 80s last weekend but you can get days where it doesn't break 40.

River Ridge and Blaketree National are fun tracks. Meadowbrook Farms and Black Horse are not bad either.

Hit us with a message before you come down and maybe we can put something together at one of our clubs as well.

« **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2008, 04:22:15 PM »

I'm going to be looking for the same information here in a few months as my sister-in-law is moving to Houston to work for Cisco. She and my wife will be out shopping all the time when we visit, so I'll have some time to hit the links.

« **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2008, 05:36:49 PM »

I would include Keith Foster's Tradition Course at Cypresswood and Memorial Park as other worthy options.

« **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2008, 06:47:20 PM »

Quote from: Walston on January 11, 2008, 05:36:49 PM

I would include Keith Foster's Tradition Course at Cypresswood and Memorial Park as other worthy options.

I agree that Tradition is pretty good but Memorial Park does nothing for me. To me it's the kind of course that if GCA were around in the 30's we'd be calling to the carpet. It's just long with big greens, heck amongst Houston muni's I'd rather play Hermann, Brock, or Gus.

« **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2008, 06:59:36 PM »

Sam .. now don't be dissing all of Memorial.. the front nine (old back 9) is classic for a public.. and last i knew, the length and power game were still in play!!

I would recommend including The Wilderness in Lake Jackson if one wanted a cross section of golf from gulf plains to foothills golf in Harris to Montgomery county.. its the southern end of the Brauer Trail! They have wild hogs down there too!.. need two fences (one electric) to help keep them out!

there's some not so old threads on houston area courses that you have to bring up..

« **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2008, 07:06:00 PM »

Quote from: Steve Lang on January 11, 2008, 06:59:36 PM

Sam .. now don't be dissing all of Memorial.. the front nine (old back 9) is classic for a public.. and last i knew, the length and power game were still in play!!

I would recommend including The Wilderness in Lake Jackson if one wanted a cross section of golf from gulf plains to foothills golf in Harris to Montgomery county.. its the southern end of the Brauer Trail!

there's some not so old threads on houston area courses that you have to bring up..

All the holes at Memorial Park look far to alike for me. I'm not even sure if it's one of the 5 best public courses in town.

« **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2008, 07:54:24 PM »

Sam.. I can't believe you'd play Hermann over Memorial .. do you only have mid-irons in your bag?

« **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2008, 08:00:38 PM »

Quote from: Steve Lang on January 11, 2008, 07:54:24 PM

Sam.. I can't believe you'd play Hermann over Memorial .. do you only have mid-irons in your bag?

It's a fun golf course and more importantly the staff at Hermann doesn't act like you owe them something.

« **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2008, 08:19:47 PM »

Kyle and I played the tournament course at Redstone where they held the Houston Open. We played the week following the event. It was in good shape and was enjoyable to play. The only gripe I had was that it was about $150. I thought this steep given the quality of other public courses.in the area. High Meadow Ranch was a very good value and fun to play . Will enjoy playing there again.

« **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2008, 10:37:19 PM »

Quote from: Jack Crisham on January 11, 2008, 08:19:47 PM

Kyle and I played the tournament course at Redstone where they held the Houston Open. We played the week following the event. It was in good shape and was enjoyable to play. The only gripe I had was that it was about $150. I thought this steep given the quality of other public courses.in the area. High Meadow Ranch was a very good value and fun to play . Will enjoy playing there again.

Jack we need to get you back down here, I vow to play golf with you in 08. As for Redstone I find it laughable that any public course in Houston can cost that much money.

« **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:13:23 AM »

Sam, Kyle, and Jack, Thank y'all for the compliments!

I agree with all of your choices and even throw in Woodforest.
Even though it is my competition!

Casey Wade
Head Golf Professional, PGA
High Meadow Ranch Golf Club

« **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:25:37 AM »

Quote from: Casey Wade on January 12, 2008, 10:13:23 AM

Sam, Kyle, and Jack, Thank y'all for the compliments!

I agree with all of your choices and even throw in Woodforest.
Even though it is my competition!

Casey Wade
Head Golf Professional, PGA
High Meadow Ranch Golf Club

No problem Casey, you guys blow everybody away these days I don't see anything out there as good as you guys.

« **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:28:05 AM »

Redstone finally let volunteers for SHO play at the Tourney Course last year.. this past fall it was not worth the twilight rate..

p.s. Casey.. haven't seen you for a while, hope all's well at HMR.. I need to get out there again..

« **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:30:31 AM »

Quote from: Steve Lang on January 12, 2008, 10:28:05 AM

Redstone finally let volunteers for SHO play at the Tourney Course last year.. this past fall it was not worth the twilight rate..

p.s. Casey.. haven't seen you for a while, hope all's well at HMR.. I need to get out there again..

Steve the other day I started playing around in my head with the idea of a GCA outing, I think High Meadow would be a very worthy site. Though in the next couple of months a group of us (not from this board) will be making a Waterwood weekend trip and I think that would also make a fine outing.

« **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:37:58 AM »

Good to hear from you Steve! Everything is great at the Ranch! C'mon out!

Sam, got your message. I haven't been out there in a while and only get my info from Whitey. He's got a good deal going there and doesn't get involved in the golf shop. I still talk to some of the guys in the "Rack" and they have the same feelings you expressed.

« **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:39:23 AM »

Casey, The other thing besides the high value of your course was the nice lunch and drink you threw in with the round. I'm used to $100 rounds in the Chicago area when playing the public courses. I also feel as though the service is sometimes unfrindly and the pace of ply awful. My visit to your club was a pleasant surprise. The elevation changes surprised me for the Houston area. Hope to return this year.

« **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:40:12 AM »

Quote from: Casey Wade on January 12, 2008, 10:37:58 AM

Good to hear from you Steve! Everything is great at the Ranch! C'mon out!

Sam, got your message. I haven't been out there in a while and only get my info from Whitey. He's got a good deal going there and doesn't get involved in the golf shop. I still talk to some of the guys in the "Rack" and they have the same feelings you expressed.

Whitey gives you a run for nicest pro in town.

« **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:44:51 AM »

That's why we hang out together! He becomes infectious!

Don't count yourself out either! What have you been up to lately besides playing a lot of golf with KK?

BTW Kyle, great pictures of Blaketree! When can you come and take pictures of HMR?

« **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:51:04 AM »

Quote from: Casey Wade on January 12, 2008, 10:44:51 AM

That's why we hang out together! He becomes infectious!

Don't count yourself out either! What have you been up to lately besides playing a lot of golf with KK?

BTW Kyle, great pictures of Blaketree! When can you come and take pictures of HMR?

You guys are infectious but I'm like a parasite. I work hard during the week so I can play golf with Kyle. I soak in all his leftover charisma.

« **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:54:56 AM »

"I soak in all his leftover charisma." Classic statement that I am going to have to start using!

« **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2008, 11:00:58 AM »

Quote from: Casey Wade on January 12, 2008, 10:54:56 AM

"I soak in all his leftover charisma." Classic statement that I am going to have to start using!

Mr. Crisham will attest to that statement about Kyle.

« **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2008, 11:10:06 AM »

Quote from: Jack Crisham on January 12, 2008, 10:39:23 AM

Casey, The other thing besides the high value of your course was the nice lunch and drink you threw in with the round. I'm used to $100 rounds in the Chicago area when playing the public courses. I also feel as though the service is sometimes unfrindly and the pace of ply awful. My visit to your club was a pleasant surprise. The elevation changes surprised me for the Houston area. Hope to return this year.

Jack, thanks again! Can't wait to see you again. I might try to do the Waterwood outing with y'all if I can swing it.

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