Some of you may be familiar with this ultra exclusive course in the Houston area - if not it is a Nickalaus designed course, that does not allow women to step foot on the premises (except around Christmas time to buy gifts I think).

Anyways, I dont have the connections to play a round on it, however I saw on amatuergolf that they have a tournament going on this weekend known as the Claude Harmon Invitational.

Does anyone know if they allow spectators to come in and watch the tournament? Im guessing probably not, but I just wanted to get some insight. Also, if any of you have any experience playing there or can share anything about it, feel free to do so.

On another note, Whispering Pines (another exclusive course in the area) is hosting the Spirit International Tournament this week as well. If nothing else I think they do allow spectators.

Very nice course. Very flat though. Ripped out bent greens a couple years back unfortunately after replacing them with bent again and again to no avail. Clubhouse has Claude harhon's green jack hanging it it so that is cool to see, otherwise the clubhouse is pretty pedestrian. Played in front of bob McNair the first time then behind Clyde the glide last time. Cool to know other really worked his game on that small range.

Claude Harmon, opps. And somehow "tiger" changed to "other" tiger worked out there a ton in the younger days.

[This message has been edited by Hanrahan (edited 10/30/2013 9:50a).]

It was a big deal in Houston in the 90's that Tiger was there with Butch because, lets just say some of the members didn't care for Tigers ethnicity. If Clyde is a member now they have come a looooong way.

I got to play out there about 10 years ago. The member I played with told me Tiger would fly in and out to work with Butch in the mid 90s (when he was still an amateur). He said Tiger was the only person he ever saw that could hit the ball through the driving range. Nowadays, a pedestrian tour pro could probably do the same.

I get to play Lochinvar pretty regularly. Nice course but as above poster said, very flat. Really exclusive and almost never crowded. Great place for a Friay afternoon.

Whispering Pines is on a whole other level. It is the best course in Texas and its not close. I've got my application in for membership, which is partially tax deductible.

The new Par 3 at Whispering Pines is unbelievable.

I'm a big fan of Whispering Pines. However, Carlton Woods > Whispering Pines, bra. WP is a great getaway with the boys for the weekend track for sure, but the course design, playing conditions and amenities aren't in CW's league. CW is hosting the U.S. Junior Am in 2014.

My wife and I ended up making the drive to Whispering Pines, and watched the tournament. The course was great despite the rainfall they got last week. It was cool to watch the international players as well. I watched a few groups play 18, and some got caught by that slope and rolled back into the water.

We also walked the Needler course. That place is amazing - there is a double green that the maintenance guy told us is around 25K square feet.

We ran into Corby Robertson twice. He was pretty cool, and chatted with my wife because of her UH grad sweater. All in all I enjoyed it - only regret is I still couldnt pull a round out of it.

quote:

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I'm a big fan of Whispering Pines. However, Carlton Woods > Whispering Pines, bra. WP is a great getaway with the boys for the weekend track for sure, but the course design, playing conditions and amenities aren't in CW's league. CW is hosting the U.S. Junior Am in 2014.

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Totally agree with you concerning ammenities (however clubhouse addition is pretty sweet), but design and conditions, not so much.



[This message has been edited by cevans_40 (edited 11/5/2013 4:30p).]

Hey Garym2001, I'm a single HC and would love to play a round with you. Any time you'd like a good Ag to join in, I'd love the opportunity. During week, weekend, during birth of child, whenever...thanks!!

Agree to disagree on CW vs WP. WP is the best designed course I've ever played outside of Oakmont. I'm a member at the only Donald Ross designed course in Houston, and a very nice track, but it doesn't hold a candle to WP. You have to play it several times to get feel for the subtleties of the design and how each hole builds on the next up until the final 3-4 holes stretch which is outstanding.

The closing 5 holes at WP are 5 of the best 18 holes in Texas. But CW design is better? OK

Pipe down, no need for golf course design fights. We are all gentlemen here and we have all player nice expensive courses...

Pipe down, no need for golf course design fights. We are all gentlemen here and we have all player nice expensive courses...

I didn't realize how well off the TexAgs golf board is. River Oaks, Lochinvar, Carlton Woods, Whispering Pines. Bunch of high rollers on here.

[This message has been edited by Houaggie (edited 11/6/2013 9:19p).]

I get to play heron lakes regularly... I know a guy.

You forgot to add Red Wolf Run in Huffman to that distinguished list...it's a spa as well.

Boot Ranch or gtfo you lolpoors.

We have a Boot Ranch member on here too. You name it, TexAgs got it!

Is Boot Ranch pricier than the other clubs mentioned though? I figured it was a little cheaper?

how do the courses mentioned in this thread compare to Gus Wortham? I played Gus Wortham the other day and thought it was really nice, probably one of the best in Houston.

I wanna say to join BR the initiation is $100K and approx $13K/yr in dues. I believe that's what they told us anyway. No idea on the others listed. Don't you have to be asked/sponsored by a member to join a place like River Oaks?

You could also buy a lot in BR and get the golf membership included.

Oh btw I'm not a member at Boot Ranch Hou. I got to play there this summer and loved it. Way outta my price range. I do enjoy my Golfcrest membership though. Nice course for the money IMO.

[This message has been edited by 98Ag99Grad (edited 11/14/2013 9:30a).]

What is Boot Ranch Houston?

Hou = hou Aggie

Yeah, I meant that someone else on here is a member at Boot Ranch. jjeffers?

I didn't realize it was quite so steep to join.

quote:

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I didn't realize how well off the TexAgs golf board is. River Oaks, Lochinvar, Carlton Woods, Whispering Pines. Bunch of high rollers

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I was thinking the same thing. Props to Gary not name dropping his club, but we all know....

Don't give him too much credit; he did name drop Oakmont on us!

I married into it. I can assure I didn't write a $100k check. We got in on a jr deal and then a family transfer. As for Oakmont, I have a buddy who is a member, and I get to play occasionally.

And Boot Ranch is on my list of courses I'd like to play. If we have a member on the board, I'd love to do a home and home.

[This message has been edited by Garym2001 (edited 11/14/2013 6:19p).]

98/99 - Im also at Golfcrest. In terms of value, I think we have one of the best deals around. I dont think I'd leave Golfcrest unless I moved.

WP is far better then CW IMO.
carlton woods=cordillera ranch
WP on a different level.