Brackenridge Park 2315 Avenue B • San Antonio • TX Phone: (210) 226-5612 The Brackenridge Golf Course is noted as the oldest 18-hole public course in the state. Designed in 1915 by renowned golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast (who also designed Winged Foot, Baltusrol and Inverness), "Old Brack" was recently honored as the first golf facility listed in the Texas Registry of Historic Sites. It has also been inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and the Texas Open Hall of Honor, having hosted the first Texas Open in 1922. Today, the course is still a true test of shot-making. The front nine is lined by ancient oak and pecan trees, requiring accurate tee shots to score well. The back nine is more open, bringing the wind into play. Give it a rip on the 17th, a par 4 that can be reached off the tee by strong players. Par 72, Yards 6,185, Rating 67, Slope 122 Cedar Creek 8250 Vista Colina Rd. • San Antonio • TX Phone: (210) 695-5050 Set in the picturesque Texas Hill Country, Cedar Creek has been ranked the top municipal course in South Texas in just about every survey. As demanding as it is beautiful, the course winds its way through limestone hillsides, taking a golfer up and down steep elevation changes, through oak thickets and around several waterfalls and meandering creeks. The fairways are generous, but multi-tiered greens demand accurate iron shots and put a premium on the short game. Par 72, Yards 7,150, Rating 73.4, Slope 132 Mission Del Lago 1250 Mission Grande Rd. • San Antonio • TX Phone: (210) 627-2522 Built at the same time as Cedar Creek, Mission del Lago could not be more different than its sister course. Here, the land is flatter, making the Texas wind a real factor. And for a municipal course, Mission del Lago is superbly bunkered. Hit a shot off line and one of the 124 bunkers waits in anticipation. Add water that comes into play on 10 holes and subtle greens, and you have a course that will test every part of your game. A good score from the back tees at Mission del Lago is something to be proud of. Par 72, Yards 7,004, Rating 72.6, Slope 127 Olmos Basin 7022 McCullough • San Antonio • TX Phone: (210) 826-4041 One of San Antonio's most popular courses, Olmos Basin has hosted the Men's City Championship 27 times over the years. Highlighted by a collection of demanding par 3 holes, the course is an honest test of golf. There is nothing too tricky - your good shots are rewarded, and you pay a price for bad ones. The course's greens are similarly straightforward with no severe undulations, but their large size demands either accurate iron shots or a sure touch with the putter. Par 72, Yards 6,896, Rating 71, Slope 123 Riverside 203 McDonald • San Antonio • TX Phone: (210) 533-8371 Located on the site where Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders trained, Riverside Golf Course opened in 1929 as a nine-hole course. In 1961, an additional 11 holes were added - all par 3's. Today, the par 3 course still exists and an 18-hole championship course offers 6,729 yards of fun. Huge old trees, particularly the one blocking the right side of the fairway on the seventh hole, give the straight hitter an advantage on the front nine. The back nine is more open, letting long hitters cut loose. Par 72, Yards 6,729, Rating 72, Slope 128 Willow Springs 202 Coliseum Rd. • San Antonio • TX Phone: (210) 226-6721 Opened in 1923, Willow Springs has hosted the Texas Open numerous times, with Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson all competing here. The course was redesigned in 1975, but the large, well-guarded greens and tough par 4's remain. Willow Springs also features the longest hole in the city - its 663-yard par 5 second hole. Two creeks and numerous ponds come into play on seven holes, but they're more of a visual accent than an actual hazard. This is a great course if you like to walk. Par 72, Yards 7,221, Rating 73.9, Slope 134