Original Article 24 Jun 2012 (there is 1 update below): I had the opportunity to stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in December of 2011, which is the setting for TPC San Antonio, including the AT&T Oaks Course where they play the Valero Open. From what I saw firsthand of the golf course, which I’ll admit wasn’t much, nothing looked easy on this course.
After checking online about the Valero tournament, the PGA, the designers (Greg Norman with player/consultant Sergio Garcia), and few others, I know it’s hard.
On the day I was there it was cold, with a light rain, and I didn’t envy the few golfers out on the course. I still wish I had been able to play. Probably best that I didn’t.
But I was able to get a few images, including the 18th green image above. It’s a course with many undulations, trees, and bunkers, including a bunker in the middle of the sixteenth green. You better have your “A” game. And hope it isn’t cold and raining.
Ed Gleichman
FineWorldPhotography.com
Ed Gleichman – FineArtAmerica
You can get more information at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, AT&T Oaks Course, and Valero Texas Open.
Update of 6 April 2013: I’ve been watching the Valero Texas Open, being played a week before The Masters this year, and was reminded of how hard this course looks. Rory McIlroy seems to be getting his game together just in time but some of the other top players have skipped, including Phil Mickelson who has commented on this not being the kind of course he wants to play before The Masters. But it’s a beautiful day in San Antonio and, as long as they keep it in the fairway, they should really enjoy being there.