La Cantera has been the site of the PGA Tour's Texas Open since 1995. Located on the north side of town, this thrill-a-minute design by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish has made quite a bit of noise since its debut three years ago. It was a Golf Magazine "Top 10 You Can Play" pick for 1995 and continues to set its sights high, with a 500-room Westin hotel that recently opened this year.

The 7,001-yard layout is spread over three hilltops, serving up views of the surrounding terrain. Some holes seem like a game of "can-you-top-this," with dramatic elevation changes, carries over ravines, and risk-reward opportunities. But La Cantera pulls this off without being gimmicky because it's the roller-coaster property, not the design, that causes the drama.

Speaking of roller coasters, the seventh hole provides one of the most remarkable scenes in all of golf. The tee shot on this 316-yard par four drops 80 feet down to the fairway, set in the bottom of an old limestone quarry. However, your eyes seem glued to what sits to the left of the hole: The Fiesta Texas Amusement Park, complete with "The Rattler," a huge wooden roller coaster directly on the other side of a fence from the green. Every 40 seconds or so, your concentration is interrupted by the shrieks of yet another group of thrill seekers as they cascade down the coaster's initial drop.

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Play this course in one of our following programs: Westin La Cantera Golf Package, Play Around San Antonio Golf Package, San Antone's Best 90 Holes or The Texas 2 Step.
 
 

The newest and most anonymous development in town is Canyon Springs, unveiled in late December on the northern city limits. The developers made an effort to keep things quiet until the grand opening (maybe so they could have the place to themselves for the first few days of play). Now that the word is out, they're unlikely to ever get that chance again.

The 7,077-yard layout was designed by Thomas Walker. Don't worry if you've never heard of him; if this place reaches its potential, you'll surely be seeing more of his name in the future.

Canyon Springs is set in a scenic oak forest covering a series of hills. The isolated routing makes you feel as if you're on top of a private mountain, as no two fairways run parallel. Some might expect a tricked-up course with wild elevation swings and long forced carries. Instead, the design blends in with its environment instead of taking advantage of it.

There were some heated discussions during construction on whether or not to leave some strategically placed trees, and in the end, the correct decisions were made. The result is a thinking person's layout where placement off the tee is critical and the huge greens can make for wildly different pin positions. It needs some time to mature, but is set to become one of the area's finest.

Play this course in one of our following programs: Canyon Springs Golf Package, Play Around San Antonio Golf Package, San Antone's Best 90 Holes or The Texas 2 Step.
 
 

The Hill Country Golf Club, nestled in San Antonio's Hill Country, meets all the standards of a truly great golf club. The 6,913-yard course is a beautiful, but challenging 18-hole course designed by the nationally acclaimed golf course architectural firm, Arthur Hills and Associates. A number of Arthur Hills and Associates courses are nationally recognized, including Eagle Trace, the TPC course at Coral Springs, Florida, which hosts the PGA Tour Honda Classic.

In its first year, Hill Country Golf Course was nominated for best new resort by Golf Digest. It was also listed among Golf Magazine's Top Ten Courses You Can Play and was the recipient of Corporate Meetings and Incentives Golden Links Award.

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Play this course in one of our following programs: Hyatt Hill Country Golf Package or Play Around San Antonio Golf Package
 
 

SilverHorn Golf Club sets a high standard. Walking down the fairways, the golfer sees live oak and mesquite trees, gently rolling holes and straightforward shot values.

SilverHorn can play up to 6,922 yards, but strategy is rewarded more than distance. The terrific set of par fives are three-shotters for all but the longest hitters. While the 556-yard sixth is considered by many to be the signature hole, the 524-yard 18th, with a pond fronting the green, is the shortest par five and can make a $2 Nassau very intriguing.

Architect Randy Heckenkemper, a former designer for Weiskopf and Morrish, has earned a reputation for building low-key tracks that maximize their surroundings. Although SilverHorn is inside a housing development, the dense vegetation makes for well-carved holes that appear very natural.

Play this course in one of our following programs: Play Around San Antonio Golf Package, San Antone's Best 90 Holes or The Texas 2 Step.
 
 

The Bandit appeals to all golfers but especially to the purist. With water in play on 12 holes and 100 foot elevation differentials and pristine condition this course offers an unforgetable experience. Not a single hole is embraced by housing. The Bandit is a delightful "change of pace" experience waiting for the golfer who enjoys a challenge of some unforgettable holes while enjoying the twisting, rolling terrain of the historical Texas Hill Country.

Whether its the breathtaking views, the pristine condition of the course or the first class treatment by an accommodating staff you will remember The Bandit!
 

Play this course in one of our following programs: Play Around San Antonio Golf Package
 

Perhaps no other city can boast of a site less than ten minutes from downtown that would match that of The Quarry Golf Club, a Keith Foster design opened in 1993 that is one of the most unusual layouts anywhere. At 6,740 yards from the back tees, its moderate length may lull you into a false sense of security. Make no mistake about it, this is a very difficult golf course that changes personality in a hurry.

The watery, treeless front nine lies between an adjacent expressway, railroad tracks and an office complex -- not exactly a serene golf experience. Tall heather abounds, adding an esthetic touch with a propensity to swallow golf balls.

An entirely different experience awaits as you descend into the quarry for the back nine. It's one beastly hole after another, with carries over waste bunkers, narrow fairways, and 400 extra yards.

The setting, however is something to behold. The sheer walls of the quarry extend up to a rim lined with luxury homes, and the factory where limestone was once converted into concrete is now the upscale Quarry Market mall. It's urban renewal, with a touch of The Flintstones' Bedrock.

Play this course in one of our following programs: Play Around San Antonio Golf Package or San Antone's Best 90 Holes
 

Decades of rich tradition surround you as you scan the magnificent scenery of Pecan Valley Golf Club. History-making events, including the legendary 1968 PGA Championship, just seen to come naturally to Pecan Valley. Originally designed by J. Press Maxwell, Pecan Valley has long been recognized as one of golf's greatest masterpieces. Now, with the help of renowned architect Bob Cupp, Pecan Valley Golf Club has been restored to its legendary status with more than $5.5 million in improvements. In addition, the USGA recently selected Pecan Valley Golf Club to host the 2001 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

Video Available!>>>:Windows 56K  /  ISDN  /  Cable or     RealG2 56K   /    ISDN & Cable
Play this course in one of our following programs:  Play Around San Antonio Golf Package