SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Golf offers more than just a game or hobby, it’s an investment in memorable experiences, challenges and value. Among the many courses I’ve played, the TPC Network consistently stands out for its quality.
When fans think of that branding, TPC Sawgrass in Florida, home of the Players Championship, immediately comes to mind. However, there are 30 private, resort and daily fee golf properties in the PGA Tour’s TPC Network portfolio.
Most TPC Network facilities host or have hosted PGA Tour events. For instance, TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, hosts July’s John Deere Classic and TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course is home to spring’s Valero Texas Open.
I recently played The Oaks and can’t wait to return for another round, as well as to test-drive the adjacent course, The Canyons, also on the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa property, north of the city.
The Oaks, nearly 7,500 yards in length, features a traditional layout with minimal elevation change and is lined by trees and native vegetation, creating a natural look and feel. This makes it one of the best playing experiences in Texas.
The Canyons, by contrast, is classic Texas Hill Country golf, offering dramatic swings in elevation and breathtaking views. While The Oaks is renowned for tradition and challenge, The Canyons stands out for its varied terrain changes and scenery. It has hosted six PGA Tour Champions tournaments and a Korn Ferry Tour event.
Viewers of Tour telecasts are familiar with The Oaks’ feature hole: the par-3, 189-yard 16th, which is known as “The Avocado.” A bunker in the center of the green resembles an avocado from certain camera angles.
From bag drop to check-in and tee to green, this is a higher-end outing well worth the price of admission, and there is no pretention about this club.
The members were welcoming and conveyed pride as immense as the state itself. Some credit for the inviting atmosphere goes to general manager Matt Flory, who helped open the club 15 years ago and now leads the team to his standards.
“We’re in the service business and hospitality is at the forefront of what we do,” Flory says. “We constantly ask ourselves how we can create an experience as close to our Tour event as possible, because that’s what the amateur golfers are looking for. Whether that’s course conditions, a practice facility with launch monitors at each station, delicious food and beverage or our furnishings. When you walk into our clubhouse, the decor and photos of past winners speak to the more than 100-year history of our professional event.”
TPC San Antonio is exclusively available to guests staying at the JW Marriott, which offers a wide variety of stay-and-play packages. The only exception to this rule is active and retired military personnel, who do not need to book a room to play the courses. Flory led the effort to establish the program, which serves approximately 3,000 military members annually.
“They have their private booking link and portal. They just go online and identify themselves as active or retired military, and they have a special guest rate,” Flory adds. “We’re a private resort, but we are equally proud to honor all who served.”
Valero, the San Antonio-based energy company, signed on as the Texas Open’s title sponsor in 2002, before the event relocated to its present home.
Former U.S. Open winner Gary Woodland calls it a ball striker’s paradise, and the clubhouse captures the tournament’s storied legacy, with champions spanning from Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer to Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth and J.J. Spaun.
With each visit to TPC San Antonio, you are immersed in a tradition of excellence — where history is celebrated, hospitality stands out and every round feels part of something memorable.
Remember The Alamo
While golfing where the pros do is a main draw, there’s so much to do off the course in The Alamo City. One insider hack is to purchase a San Antonio City Pass, which offers a single low price for up to four attractions, including the San Antonio River Cruise — a guided tour of this unique, authentic Southwest destination.
Where To Dine?
Located in the trendy, historic Southtown neighborhood, Rosario’s award-winning, made-from-scratch menu combines traditional Mexican dishes and original house specialties — all prepared with a contemporary flair. My personal favorites include tacos callejeros, a plentiful portion of ceviche, skinny margaritas and ice-cold cervezas. While you are there, be sure to arrive early or stay late on the exceptionally furnished Rooftop Terrace and Bar. Private dining is an option with ample meeting space for your next group golf trip. Visit San Antonio.
