Hole 16 at Fazio Foothills ABOVE : Fazio Canyons
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USTIN MIGHT BE TEXAS LONGHORN COUNTRY and the acclaimed “ Live Music Capital of the World ,” but it ’ s also a fine place to get in some early rounds when spring has not yet arrived in Virginia .
This capital city boasts championship courses , including four gems at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa , which are open to resort guests . It also offers six city-operated Golf ATX public courses and numerous daily-fee courses at affordable rates .
Sure , if you can get an invitation to some top private courses , try playing at Spanish Oaks Golf Club , Great Hills Golf Club or the University of Texas Golf Club . But rest assured , there are plenty of courses to explore in Texas Hill Country that will keep you entertained — and possibly rewarded — as you take those first swings in the new year .
Maybe just as enjoyable as the golf is this vibrant city where you can easily find tasty Texas barbecue and authentic Mexican food while checking out some boot scootin ’ and live music with a tasty margarita in your hand .
Go ahead and pack your boots and your clubs for Austin — you never know if you ’ ll be toe-tapping after the rounds are done .
Check out these courses :
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COURSES
OMNI BARTON CREEK RESORT & SPA – Located 10 miles northwest of downtown Austin , this facility consistently ranks high as a top Southwest destination , with its four championship courses nestled in scenic Texas Hill Country . The following four courses are open to registered guests of the Omni Barton Creek Resort :
• Fazio Foothills – Designed by Tom Fazio in 1986 and renovated in 2018 , this 7,125-yard course has hosted the Champions Tour and numerous other PGA of America Championships . Described as a “ roller coaster ride through Texas Hill Country ,” this par-72 course features elevated tee boxes , five sets of tees and small greens protected by creeks , waterfalls and cliffs .
• Fazio Canyons – Another scenic Tom Fazio design , this course spans 7,433 yards on a par-72 tract lined with mature sycamore and red oak trees and a meandering creek . Built in 1999 and renovated in 2022 , it features a par-5 , 562-yard finishing hole . It ’ s the first Texas resort course certified as an Audubon International Signature Sanctuary for environmental stewardship . vsga . org M ARCH / A PRIL 2025 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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