When Lake Conroe opened in 1973, the city of Montgomery, located about 50 miles north of Houston, suddenly transformed from a small rural town into a booming vacation destination. With over 150 miles of shoreline tucked into the rolling, picturesque landscape, the area became a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and home to some of the state’s most beautiful golf courses.
One of the first on the scene, Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club, set a standard of excellence that has enthralled members and guests for nearly 50 years.
Designed by Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin, Walden on Lake Conroe opened for play in 1976. The dramatic layout offers some of the most breathtaking golf scenery in Texas, with gently sloping fairways lined with towering pines and ancient oaks, artfully sculpted bunkers, imaginative green complexes and a series of holes set on the shores of Lake Conroe. Measuring 6,756 yards from the back tees, the par-72 course is highly regarded by golfers of all ages and abilities and is consistently ranked among the state’s best by Golf Digest and The Dallas Morning News
There are incredible shot values at every turn during a round at Walden on Lake Conroe, but none produce as many jaw-dropping moments as No. 11 through No. 13, a beautiful, but treacherous three-hole stretch that generates as many double bogeys as it does “oohs and aahs.”
A 582-yard, double dogleg par 5, the 11th made Golf Magazine’s list of “The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes.” And it’s easy to see why. Accuracy off the tee is paramount to avoid the trees and OB left and the fairway bunkers on the right. Lake Conroe becomes a major factor on both the layup and approach to the green, which is guarded by the lake in front and along the right and bunkers left and in back.
The par-3 12th hole is relatively short at 158 yards from the tips. But length really isn’t the issue here, it’s the visual intimidation of the tiny peninsula green jutting out into the vastness of Lake Conroe. Any shot short or right will be swimming with the fishes. Two menacing bunkers on the left await those looking to bail out at the last second. On the uphill, par-4 13th, players must again summon their courage for a heroic carry over the lake on their tee shot before being redirected back out into the heart of the golf course.
With a beautifully conditioned championship course, an award-winning PGA staff and state-of-the-game practice and learning center, it doesn’t take long to notice that the focus at Walden on Lake Conroe is on the game itself.
A shared love of playing golf for the fun and camaraderie it brings permeates the atmosphere at Walden on Lake Conroe and is a source of delight for Head Golf Professional Danny Jones.
“You can’t enjoy playing golf if you take it too seriously,” Jones said.
It would be understandable if the members and staff at Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club wanted to keep their little slice of paradise all to themselves, but nothing could be further from the truth. The club is very welcoming and revels in giving others the opportunity to play one of the best courses in Texas.
“We smile and provide a warm welcome when you’re here,” Jones said of the Walden hospitality. “We like to take care of the players and make sure they have a unique time. At Walden on Lake Conroe, smiles are free.”
Eagerly waiting for a chance to play this spectacular course and experience it for yourself? Well, here’s some good news! This fall Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club will be hosting a Fun Golf Play Day on Oct. 23. The event is open to all TGA Members and their friends. Tee times start at 12 p.m. and the format is a Two-Person Scramble with Gross and Net divisions. Entering the competition is optional, for those that would rather not worry about their score and instead just enjoy a relaxing round amid the spectacular scenery.
Registration opens at 9 a.m. on Sept. 13 and will close when the maximum field limit of 60 players has been reached. The cost is $80 for TGA Members and $90 for non-members.
For more information on Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club, click here. For more information on the TGA Fun Golf Series presented by PGA TOUR Superstore, click here.
