If you love the outdoors, Waco offers up remarkable experiences and treats for all the senses. The city’s pristine rivers and breathtaking natural beauty provide much more than a scenic backdrop. In fact, you could base an entire stay in Waco on playing outdoors.
Since the 1930s, the sprawling Lake Waco, located a few miles west of downtown, has served as a center of family recreational activity. Residents and visitors alike have enjoyed hiking secluded trails, fishing, boating, camping and swimming at the five parks perched on the shoreline.
For nearly as long, Ridgewood Country Club, which sits on the southeastern edge of Lake Waco, has been a haven for those who love the open spaces but would prefer to avoid the water altogether, as in not incurring penalty strokes for wayward drives or flubbed approach shots.
Opened for play in 1947, Ridgewood was designed by Texas native Ralph Plummer, who was also the man behind Lakeside Country Club and the Cypress Course at Champions GC in Houston and Preston Trails in Dallas, to name a few.
Plummer was considered an “on-site†designer who loved to plan, strategize and visualize while working in the field as opposed to drawing ideas up on paper. At Ridgewood, Plummer employed the site’s natural features – rolling, wooded land overlooking Lake Waco – to provide a stern test for tournament play, and an interesting, challenging, yet playable course from the forward tees for members.
In addition to the immaculately conditioned golf course, which has undergone a number of improvements in recent years, Ridgewood Country Club boasts six newly surfaced and lighted tennis courts plus a private teaching court, two swimming pools with a food and beverage cabana, spacious children’s playground area and a 220-slip marina.
The 44,000 square-foot clubhouse, completely renovated in 2012, is home to the pro shop, men’s and women’s locker rooms, fitness center and six distinct dining options featuring everything from formal settings in the Lakeview Room to more casual spots like the Lakeview Patio, Vertney's Bar or the 19th Hole Mixed Grill.
The membership at Ridgewood is justifiably proud of their first-class facility and have graciously opened their doors over the years when it comes to hosting TGA championships. Most recently, in 2015 Ridgewood was the site of the 94th Women’s Texas Amateur won by Annika Clark of Highlands. It was the fifth time the club has hosted the state’s premier women’s championship, dating back to 1956.
This year, Ridgewood will welcome the Texas Super Senior Amateur from April 23-25. One of the newest events on the TGA annual schedule, the Texas Super Senior was established in 2015 as a 54-hole stroke play championship for senior amateurs age 65 or older. There is also a separate Legends Division for players 75 or older.
At the 2018 championship held at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown, Mickey Jones of Odessa carded rounds of 72-74-73 for a three-over-par 219 total to win the Super Senior Division. In the Legends Division, host club member Don Grider posted a three-day 224 total to cruise to a seven-stroke margin of victory.
Registration for the 2019 Texas Super Senior Amateur opens at 9 a.m. on Feb. 26. For more information, click here.
