FEATURE STORY
Houston has solid plays for Super Bowl
By Brendan McEvoy,
Contributing Editor
HOUSTON (Jan. 21, 2004) -- Ever since the New England Patriots clinched a trip to their second Super Bowl in three years, it's impossible to surf through the television stations without seeing quarterback Tom Brady.
Brady was at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., as a guest of George W. Bush during the State of the Union address. And ESPN's Outside the Lines featured a profile on "The Prince of Boston" for the first half of its nightly half-hour show.
You know his story: While attending the University of Michigan, Brady was the back-up quarterback to Brian Griese. After one season as the starter and another sharing time, the Patriots took a chance on him in the sixth round. The unknown became a superstar.
The same could be said for Houston, the site of Super Bowl XXXVIII, as a golf destination.
|
Here's what we know: Houston is the country's fourth largest city with a restaurant on every corner in the downtown section and a legendary nightlife scene -- everything the NFL wants in its host city for the final game of the season.
But most golfers aren't aware that Houston has more than 150 public golf courses, and the rates go down in the winter, unlike Florida and Arizona. The average temperature in late January or early February is in the mid-60s, making for a comfortable setting.
So, in honor of this generation's Joe Montana -- if Bill Walsh said it, it must be true -- here's a Brady Bunch of golf courses that are solid plays during your Super Bowl trip. And who knows, maybe Houston earns consideration the next time you want to flee the frigid protection of a wool cap for a 10-gallon golf experience.
The best option is 18 miles north of downtown Houston in the sand flats and dense pine forest of Spring, Texas. Cypresswood Golf Club is a scenic and secluded 54-hole facility. The Tradition Course hosts Stage 2 of the PGA Qualifying School. The Keith Foster design is a throwback to the Strategic School days of Alister McKenzie and Donald Ross. But for high handicappers, the Tradition Course might not be the best choice. Fairways are tight and a ball in the trees might as well be dressed in Leavenworth prison fatigues. The good news is that there aren't any hidden obstacles.
This course will force golfers to use every club in their bag. Conditions are superb and the locals consistently rank it the best in Houston. Even Golf Digest got into the act, ranking it the fourth best public course in the state of Texas, and 20th overall. The other two courses, Creek and Cypress, were also honored by Golf Digest as "Best New Course" in the state in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Green fees through March start at $60.
In addition to traditional style course, the novel Tour 18 Golf Club
offers a chance to play replicas of the best holes in America. Tour 18
copies Augusta National's Amen Corner, TPC Sawgrass's famous island-green
par-3 17th, and select holes from Pebble Beach, Merion, Oakmont, Colonial
and Doral for $59 to $95. The holes will feel like the real thing to those
who've never played the real courses before. After improvements to its
greens and tee boxes, Tour 18 is a top-flight facility. It's the most talked
about course in Houston and a must play for any visitor. Appropriately, Tour
18 is located in a northeast suburb called, "Humble."
Bring your humble pie to the Woodlands Resort and Country Club for the TPC Woodlands, former home of the Shell Houston Open. The course plays 7,118 yards from the back tees and 5,326 from the front with respective ratings of 73.1/136 and 72.1/128. Local publications rate it a top 10 public course in the state because two tough finishing holes, fairways as good as Augusta National's and greens like the TPC Sawgrass. With the forced carries and island greens, this course is a tough test for higher handicaps. This Robert Von Hagge and Bruce Devlin design is known for its par-5 13th hole, a forced carry off the tee and lay up short of water surrounding an island green.
For those who struggle to break 90 on a regular basis, check out the
northwest town of Cypress and play BlackHorse Golf Club. With six
tee boxes to choose from, it's playable for any handicap. However, golfers
will still have to navigate around lakes, wetlands and native trees. The
club offers two 18-hole golf courses, North and South. The wetlands are the
centerpiece of the North Course, while the South Course offers an authentic
sand quarry to test your skills. Both courses will offer unique shot
selections with the mounds, bunkers and elevated greens. Rounds range from
$55 to $75 if you print the coupon off its Web site
(blackhorsegolfclub.com).
If you like the sounds of BlackHorse, you'll love Redstone Golf Club; both courses were authored by Jim Hardy and Peter Jacobsen. It's the new home of the Shell Houston Open, probably because it's more forgiving than the TPC Woodlands. Redstone only has a few forced carries and subtle greens. But price is where the two Hardy and Jacobsen courses part company. A round at Redstone could cost between $145 and $160. And if you need any justification for the green fee, just realize the course was so well done, it lured famed instructor Dick Harmon to be its director of golf. And another big name, Rees Jones, is designing a second course at Redstone.
While we're dropping names, Greg Norman's Meadowbrook Farms in Katy,
Texas was ranked among the "Best Golf Courses in Texas" by Golf Digest in
2001. The gently rolling fairways are framed with native prairie grasses and
wildflowers. With an aesthetic design and exceptional turf conditions, this
course is a must play. The layout meanders through creeks, lakes and
wetlands. The club specializes in group outings, but it also accommodates
the individual player with a high level of service. Rates range from $60 to
$85 for individuals.
Let's tally it up: a killer throwback course, a TPC, a replica course of the greatest holes in America, a couple of forgiving but challenging tracks and a phenomenal Norman design. That's a strong lineup, one worthy of a Super Bowl host city. In other words, if Tom Brady lives up to the hype and turns out to be the next Joe Montana, you can say you were there ... and it was the second best part of your weekend.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
