Brackenridge Park Golf Course
This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2012) |
A.W. Tillinghast | |
Par | 71 |
---|---|
Length | 6,243 yards (5,709 m) |
Course rating | 70.3 |
Slope rating | 126 |
Brackenridge Park Golf Course is a historic golf course in
History
Location
George Washington Brackenridge donated over 100 acres of land to the city to create Brackenridge Park, the park in which the present day Brackenridge Park Golf Course is located.[3]
Ray Lambert's appointment as City Parks Commissioner in 1915 began a new era for Brackenridge Park. Lambert inherited a parks system that was underfunded and growing quickly. He immediately asked for almost a threefold increase in budget (to $60,000), and earmarked much of this increase for the further development of Brackenridge Park. One of Lambert's major projects was the construction of a public golf course. A public course had been advocated by golf enthusiasts for many years as a tourist attraction for the City. There were three other courses in San Antonio at that time, all private. In October 1915, it was reported that the 18-hole Brackenridge Park golf course was under construction. Noted course designer
Currently the historic golf course remains in operation near downtown, and in close proximity to the
The Clubhouse
The original clubhouse was a small one-story building that burned down in 1920. In 1922, the City hired Ralph H. Cameron to design and build a new clubhouse for the golf course and the Texas Open. $8,000 was raised by the City for clubhouse construction. Cameron designed other notable San Antonio buildings, including the Scottish Rite Cathedral (1923), Neo-Gothic Medical Arts Building (1925), the Frost Brothers Store (1930), and the U.S. Post Office and Court House (1937).[5]
Borglum Studio
An adjacent building to the Brackenridge Park Golf Clubhouse once served as the working studio for artist Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who created the heads of the U.S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore. The structure was built in 1885 from local limestone and timbers to serve as a water pumping station. In 1905, the pump house became obsolete with the drilling of artisan wells into the Edwards Aquifer. Around the abandoned pump house, the untamed land was sculpted into a golf course. In Reid Meyers' self-published book, "The Ghosts of Old Brack," he spotlights Gutzon Borglum's arrival in San Antonio in 1924 and his rental of the old pump house. Through the windows, he likely would have seen golfers warming up. "That was what made it nice as an artist studio, the setting and light, the large space," says San Antonio historian Maria Watson Pfeiffer.
After Borglum's use of the studio passed, it served as the creative space of other noted regional artists, and art students of the Wiite and Fort Sam Houston.[6]
Today, the Borglum Studio looks out on the 17th hole of the golf course.
The Schrievers
U.S. Air Force General
Notable records
In 1939,
Mike Souchak set a PGA Tour 72-hole record of 257 at the 1955 Texas Open. The record held until 2001.[8]
Three of the first six 60s shot in PGA Tour history came at Brackenridge Park. Al Brosch was the first to do it, with an 11-under during the third round of the 1951 Texas Open. In 1954, Ted Kroll matched Brosch, with a 60 of his own, also during the third round of the Texas Open. The following year, Souchak opened the Texas Open with a 60 (27-33) on his way to the 257 that gave him the title that season.
Texas Open
The
Texas Open winners at Brackenridge Park Golf Course
Year | Player | Country | Score | To par | 1st Prize ($) | Purse ($) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1959 | Wes Ellis | United States | 276 | -8 | 2,800 | 20,000 | [10] |
1958 | Bill Johnston | United States | 274 | -10 | 2,000 | 15,000 | [11] |
1957 | Jay Hebert | United States | 271 | -13 | 2,800 | 20,000 | [12] |
1955 | Mike Souchak | United States | 257 | -27 | 2,200 | 12,500 | [13] |
1954 | Chandler Harper | United States | 259 | -25 | 2,200 | 12,500 | [14] |
1953 | Tony Holguin | United States | 264 | -20 | 2,000 | 10,000 | [15] |
1952 | Jack Burke Jr. | United States | 260 | -24 | 2,000 | 10,000 | [16][17] |
1951 | Dutch Harrison | United States | 265* | -19 | 2,000 | 10,000 | [18][19] |
1950 | Sam Snead | United States | 265 | -19 | 2,000 | 10,000 | [20] |
1940 | Byron Nelson | United States | 271* | -13 | 1,500 | 5,000 | [21][22][23] |
1939 | Dutch Harrison | United States | 271 | -13 | 1,250 | 5,000 | [24][25] |
1935–38 | No tournament | ||||||
1934 | Wiffy Cox | United States | 283 | -5 | 750 | 2,500 | [26][27] |
1932 | Clarence Clark | United States | 287 | +3 | 600 | 2,500 | [28][29] |
1931 | Abe Espinosa | United States | 281 | -3 | 1,500 | 6,000 | [30][31] |
1930 | Denny Shute | United States | 277 | -7 | 1,500 | 7,500 | [32][33] |
1929 | Bill Mehlhorn | United States | 277 | -7 | 1,500 | 6,500 | [34][35] |
1926 | Macdonald Smith | Scotland | 288 | +4 | 1,500 | 8,000 | [36][37][38] |
1925 | Joe Turnesa | United States | 284 | E | 1,500 | 6,000 | [39] |
1924 | Joe Kirkwood, Sr. |
Australia | 279 | 1,500 | 6,000 | [40] | |
1923 | Walter Hagen | United States | 279* | 1,500 | 6,000 | [41][42] | |
1922 | Robert MacDonald | 281 | 1,500 | 5,000 | [43] |
* Indicates a win in a playoff
^ Indicates weather-shortened to 54 holes
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Main sources[44][45][46]
Texas Golf Hall of Fame
The Texas Golf Hall of Fame is now headquartered at Brackenridge Park Golf Course after closing in The Woodlands, Texas in the late 1990s.[47] Several upgrades have been added to the golf course to accommodate The Texas Golf Hall of Fame including a new pavilion to host events and The Texas Golf Walk of Fame. The Texas Golf Walk of Fame connects the Brackenridge Clubhouse and Borglum Studio together with exhibit monuments dedicated to Hall of Fame members. The Cavenders, best known for their sprawling auto sales business, offered $50,000 to underwrite the cost of the Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame is designed as a garden area that connects the clubhouse to the studio near the 17th green. The family's donation was in honor of their grandfather, legendary longtime San Antonio Country Club head pro Tod Menefee. Their mother, Betty Cavender, also partnered in the grant.[48]
Course Design and Features
Brackenridge Park Golf Course was originally designed by
Course Information
Tee | Rating/Slope | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue | 73.9 / 146 | 394 | 507 | 160 | 359 | 446 | 360 | 407 | 195 | 546 | 3374 | 388 | 519 | 332 | 156 | 436 | 416 | 486 | 128 | 426 | 3287 | 6661 |
White | 70.9 / 137 | 360 | 469 | 134 | 324 | 422 | 333 | 382 | 168 | 522 | 3114 | 351 | 469 | 313 | 141 | 377 | 366 | 470 | 115 | 387 | 2989 | 6103 |
Red | 72.3 / 143 | 394 | 507 | 160 | 359 | 422 | 360 | 382 | 168 | 522 | 3274 | 388 | 469 | 332 | 156 | 377 | 366 | 486 | 128 | 426 | 3128 | 6402 |
Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 | |
SI | Men's | 11 | 15 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 2 | |||
SI | Women's | 11 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 14 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 6 |
Fairways Grass: TifSport Bermuda.
Greens: Miniverde Ultradwarf Bermuda
Water hazards: Moderate
Sand Bunkers: Heavy
Renovation and Restoration
1968
Brackenridge was completely renovated and remodeled in 1968 due to the construction project on 281 and I-35. The controversial decision to construct U.S. 281 right through the back nine caused the course to lose 10 acres, and a few of the long par 4s on the back nine were shortened. The architecture firm Johnson and Dempsey and Associates, along with George A. Hoffman and Murray Brooks, redesigned the back nine holes to fit on smaller property. Ponds were added to the course but the river was filled in throughout certain parts of the golf course.[49]
2008
The golf course experienced a revival in 2008 after a $4.5 million renovation. Architect John Colligan restored fifteen of the original 18 holes; the course now measures 6,243 yards from the back tees (par-71) and occupies only 113 acres of urban green space.[50]
Recognitions
In 2012, Brackenridge Park Golf Course was ranked the 29th Best Municipal Golf Course in the United States by
External links
References
- ISBN 978-0-615-35619-8.
- ^ Meyers, p.38
- ^ Handbook of Texas. "Brackenridge, George Washington". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ Pfeiffer, Maria. "Brackenridge Park History". City of San Antonio. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ Meyers, pp.26–7
- ^ Jaffee, Michelle Koidin. "<< Return to Historic Conservation in San Antonio The Borglum Studio: Mount Rushmore Takes Shape in San Antonio Michelle Koidin Jaffee - Texas Public Radio News". Texas Public Radio. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ Oliver, Richard. "S.A.'s Schriever among inductees to Texas Golf Hall". MySanAntonio.com. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ a b Meyers, p.77
- ^ Meyers, p.32
- ^ "Ellis Wins Texas Open Tourney on Final Hole". Rome News-Tribune. Rome, Georgia. United Press International. February 23, 1959. p. 3. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- United Press. February 16, 1958. p. 21. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- ^ "Jay Hebert Wins Texas Open Golf". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Associated Press. February 16, 1957. p. 8. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- ^ "Souchak Wins Texas Open, Breaks Hogan's Records". Ludington Daily News. Ludington, Michigan. Associated Press. February 21, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- ^ "Record Golf By Harper Wins Top San Antonio Prize". The Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina. February 23, 1954. p. 10. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- Spartanburg Herald. Spartanburg, South Carolina. Associated Press. February 16, 1953. p. 7. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- ^ "Burke Posts Record 260". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. February 18, 1952. p. 12. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. February 15, 1952. p. 8. Archived from the originalon 2012-06-04. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- United Press. February 13, 1951. p. 29. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- ^ "Harrison, Ford Go Into Open Playoff". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. Associated Press. February 12, 1951. p. 10. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- The Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. February 13, 1950. p. 18. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. February 13, 1940. p. 16. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- The Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. February 12, 1940. p. 19. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ "Nelson Hits Golf Stride". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. February 11, 1940. p. 11. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- United Press. February 13, 1939. p. 6. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- Chicago, Illinois. February 12, 1939. p. A1. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- United Press. February 12, 1934. p. 10. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. February 11, 1934. p. C2. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- San Jose News. San Jose, California. Associated Press. February 1, 1932. p. 8. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- Chicago, Illinois. January 31, 1932. p. A2. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ "Espinosa Cracks Par To Win Texas Crown". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press. February 2, 1931. p. 3. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- United Press. February 2, 1931. p. 6. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ "Shute Getse Big Prize In Texas Open Tourney". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. Associated Press. February 3, 1930. p. 8. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- United Press. February 3, 1930. p. 11. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- United Press. January 28, 1929. p. 27. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ "More Records Drop As Mehlhorn Wins Texas Open Golf Tournament". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 28, 1929. p. 16. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- United Press. January 19, 1926. pp. 2–1. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- The Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. January 14, 1926. p. 6A. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- San Antonio, Texas. Associated Press. January 16, 1926. p. 10.
- San Antonio, Texas. Associated Press. February 25, 1925. p. 27.
- San Antonio, Texas. Associated Press. February 17, 1924. p. 27.
- Los Angeles, California. January 29, 1923. pp. 3–1. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- Boston, Massachusetts. January 26, 1923. p. 12. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- The Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. February 8, 1922. p. 10. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ Valero Texas Open – Winners Archived 2012-10-13 at the Wayback Machine – at www.pgatour.com
- ^ Valero Texas Open – Winners Archived 2014-05-23 at the Wayback Machine – at golfobserver.com (1970–2009)
- ISBN 978-1-60239-302-8.
- ^ Bailey, Mike. "Texas Golf Hall of Fame is back in business at Brackenridge Park in San Antonio". The Golf Channel. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ Oliver, Richard. "Texas Golf Hall of Fame getting its dream home". MySanAntonio.com. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ Meyers, pp.82–3
- ^ GolfNow.com. "Old Brackenridge Park Golf Course is better than ever in San Antonio". GolfNow.com. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ^ Golf Week Staff. "Golfweek's Best: Municipal Courses (2011-12)". GolfWeek.com. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ Golf Week Staff. "2012 Golfweek's Best Courses: State by State". GolfWeek.com. Retrieved 1 October 2012.