Our series on America’s finest golf courses continues with a look at the three best classic courses in the South Central U.S., as determined by Golfweek magazine’s handpicked panel of 385 course raters. The raters, who are students of architecture, attend national workshops and each evaluate 15 to 20 courses per year.
Here’s what distinguishes the South Central region’s top courses, according to Golfweek architecture editor Bradley S. Klein. We’ve also included information on the most convenient places to land your business jet near each course.
Look for a report on the best classic courses in the North Central U.S. in our next issue.
Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Okla.
Set on beautifully rolling land, this course offers the best set of Perry Maxwell greens–“Maxwell’s rolls”–in the country. There isn’t a level lie to be found in the fairways, either, which is why Southern Hills perennially flusters the world’s best players, most recently at the 2001 U.S. Open. The course ranks 25th on the Golfweek Classic list.
Airport
Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. (KRVS), 5,102-ft runway, five-mile drive.
FBOs: Christiansen Aviation, (918) 298-6650, (877) 331-5550; Roadhouse Aviation, (918) 299-3835, (866) 530-3835.
Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas
The PGA Tour pros have been coming here every spring since 1946, and with good reason–great shot-making demands are evident in every hole. Perry Maxwell’s 1940 refinement of John Bredemus’ 1935 design has withstood the onslaught of technology very well. Ranked 53rd on the Golfweek Classic list, Colonial is the most-revered members’ course in Fort Worth, if not in all of Texas.
Airport
Fort Worth Meacham International (KFTW), 7,501-ft runway, 11-mile drive.
FBOs: Phazar Flight Support, (877) 892-2844; Sandpiper Aviation, (817) 625-5531; Texas Jet, (817) 624-8438, (800) 776-4547; Trajen FBO Network, (817) 625-2366, (877) 395-2462.
Holston Hills Country Club, Knoxville, Tenn.
This course was recently restored to its 1928 Donald Ross design, in large measure through the members’ efforts and the commitment of superintendent Ryan Blair. Don’t be worried by the tawny, dormant Bermuda grass conditions off-season; that’s all part of an effort to firm up the ground game on the course, which ranks 46th on the Golfweek Classic list.
Airport
Knoxville Downtown (KDKX), 3,497-ft runway, six-mile drive.
FBOs: Knox Air, (865) 577-4461.
'The Best Classic Golf Courses in the South Central U.S.' PDF
