Making plans on our annual weeklong trip to the RTJ Trail.
12 players this year and we're starting in Huntsville.

We're looking for good courses to play on our drive from Texas. If you have any suggestions, thanks in advance.

You can play The Cascades in Tyler, it's where the Texas State Open is played and then I would stop in Shreveport and play Olde Oaks.

squire creek in shreveport. excellent fazio layout. the best place in the region you're talking though is old waverly in west point, ms

I'm from east Texas and my favorite in the area is Pine Dunes in Frankston. I try to go there at least once every 3 or 4 trips back to see my mom (she is in Henderson... about an hour away). Or possible Garden Valley in Lindale. It is right off Interstate 20 so when your done you could just hop on the interstate and go east.


I'm headed back home in August. I wanna play somewhere but can't decide.

For courses in North Louisiana, check out www.audubontrail.com and consider Olde Oaks in Shreveport, Calvert Crossing in Calhoun and Black Bear in Delhi. I am somewhat biased towards Calvert Crossing since it is my home club (tough track, nice greens, premium on shotmaking) but don't overlook Black Bear. Black Bear is a new course (clubhouse still under construction) that offers a real challenging layout, but the greens are still pretty firm since they are less than a year old. Olde Oaks is pretty nice, but call to check on the condition of the greens ahead of time since they have had some problems off and on. All these courses are in the $40-55 dollar range.

Squire Creek, mentioned in an earlier post, is actually in Choudrant. The course is always in great shape and the clubhouse is awesome, but you will pay about $125 if you can get on . . . not the easiest task since it is supposed to be play with a member only. It is a "no cash" facility, so they prefer to just charge members accounts. Bottom line, very nice course for the area, but not worth the money or the hassle to play.

None of the courses in the area are going to compare with the RTJ courses, but for a warm-up round on your way, Calvert Crossing or Black Bear are good tracks for a good price.

Pine Dunes is great and one of the best in Texas but it is a big time hike south from where they will be.

If you are driving from Central or South Texas, Pine Dunes (Frankston) and Crown Colony (Lunkin) are must stops. Probably out of the way from North Texas.

If you are coming from North Texas, the back nine at Garden Valley in Lindale worth a stop (the front nine is pretty weak) if you have plenty of time. Over the years Garden Valley has had some conditioning issues which I think have been remedied in the past few years.

I didn't even think about in until now but you could go to The Links at Lands End in Yantis.

You might also consider Twin Lakes in Canton. It's about 10 miles south of I-20. I think it's one of the hardest courses in Texas, especially the first time you play it. I would suggest it over Garden Valley.

Pine Dunes is a fun and not overdemanding design.
I've been told by several people The Cascades is not all it's supposed to be.
Olde Oaks is a good course, conditioning is good at times, average the rest of the time. The Oak and Meadow are the best nines. The Cypress is good too, just a little more bland design.

wildhorse in amarillo, tx. slightly out of the way but i was voted number one in the state under 40 bucks. cant beat it for the price.