Home > The M.O. > Archives > 2008 > July > 09 > Entry
Your A-List: Best Golf Course
Central Texas has been exploding with golf courses over the past two decades. Most of them, in this writer’s opinion, are overpriced and have a warped view of themselves. Ninety-six dollars to play a slightly-above-average course on the weekend? Give me a break.
Fortunately, there are still some courses in town where you can play and not be surrounded by pretense — or lose your shirt in the process. The standard bearer for reasonably priced golf in Austin is the winner of this week’s Your A-List poll for Best Local Golf Course, Lions Municipal.
I have played the course a dozen times or so, and while the fairways may not be up to the level of some of the area’s ritzier courses, and the rounds may take five hours or more, there is something wonderful and beautiful about the course located just west of Downtown Austin. While I definitely appreciate ‘old muni,’ I thought I’d turn this space over to my friend Casey Haverstick, who can do the course much better justice than I.
A 1992 graduate of Austin High School, and a 4 handicap (at least at Lions), Haverstick’s love of the 75-year-old course is unparalleled (at least among anyone his age) and the tournament he and his friends put on each spring is absolutely legendary. What follows are Casey’s thoughts and feelings about his “home” course:
I first played Lions in 1987, as a seventh-grader attending O. Henry Junior High. The pro shop was a converted trailer home with vending machines that popped out ice cream sandwiches and fountain Cokes. We’d play 36 holes for under $4. Over the years, I never strayed too far. Often, it felt like my classes at Austin High and then UT got in the way of my time at Lions. I guess it felt that way because they did. As I officially became an adult, my feelings for the course grew stronger. There were other courses in town, sure. Lions is family. And it made my being an adult feel less official, I suppose. Teeing off on No. 2, I’ve seen Lance Armstrong ride by on Lake Austin. I’ve seen Ben Crenshaw hit a draw down the first fairway. I’ve seen grown men get choked up after winning the Firecracker. I’ve seen a fox. I’ve waited an hour to tee off on No. 12 and enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve seen over 39 bets booked on the 18th tee. I’ve seen many holes-in-one, including my own on No. 7 and my dad’s on No. 13. I’ve heard at least 19 different old guys explain why the 16th is called Hogan’s Hole, no two stories the same. I’m not the only one who feels this way. There’s a reason more rounds are played at Lions than any other course in Central Texas. It’s walkable and affordable. The layout is short, but challenging — you won’t find harder greens to read. The staff is courteous and friendly. The list of champions is impressive, including a two-time Masters winner. And you’re basically playing in Downtown Austin. Which, sadly, could be the course’s undoing.
Others receiving votes
- Avery Ranch Golf Club, 16 percent
- Falconhead Golf Club, 7 percent
- ShadowGlen Golf Club, 5 percent
- Riverside Golf Course, 5 percent
- The Golf Club at Star Ranch, 4 percent
- Teravista Golf Club, 4 percent
- Wolfdancer Golf Club, 4 percent
- Forest Creek Golf Club, 3 percent
- Jimmy Clay Golf Course,3 percent
- Roy Kizer Golf Course, 3 percent
- Grey Rock Golf Club, 3 percent
- Morris Williams Golf Course, 3 percent
- ColoVista Country Club, 2 percent
- Lago Vista Golf Club, 2 percent
- Blackhawk Golf Club, 2 percent
- Bluebonnet Hill Golf Club, 1 percent
- Plum Creek Golf Course, 1 percent
- Delaware Springs Golf Course, < 1 percent
- Pine Forest Golf Course, < 1 percent
- Quail Creek Country Club, < 1 percent
- White Wing Golf Club, < 1 percent
- Yaupon Golf Course, < 1 percent
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By Matt
August 9, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
If your looking for a great place to practice or play a quick round during the week you should check out the Harvey Penick Golf Campus. It’s one of Austin’s best kept secrets. I will say it is a 9-hole course but it’s tough! It’s a PGA designed course, you get to play every club in your bag, even the driver a couple holes and it is nothing like Hancock or Pitch n Putt.