Located between Austin and San
Antonio, Kissing Tree in San Marcos is a 1,300-acre gated community built for active
adults 55 and older. The key word in this age-restricted neighborhood is
“active,” because with a unique assortment of clubs, groups and amenities there
is always an opportunity to join the fun and stay engaged.
Residents love to gather at The
Mix, the community’s 20-acre amenity campus that includes, pickleball, bocce ball
and tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools and cafes, hiking and biking trails
and a multipurpose event stage set amid an Old World-style biergarten. But,
judging by the always busy tee sheet, the most popular way to have fun and be
around people is to meet up for a relaxing round at Kissing Tree Golf Club.
Designed by native Texan Gary
Stephenson, Kissing Tree Golf Club opened in October 2018. At the time, it was the
first new, semi-private 18-hole golf course to be built in Texas in more than five
years. Stephenson took full advantage of the natural surroundings of the
beautiful Hill Country and routed the course through and around limestone
walls, groves of oak trees, colorful native areas and numerous creeks and
ponds.
With elevated tee boxes, few forced
carries, generous fairways (many 40 yards or wider), and subtle green
complexes, the 6,572-yard, par-72 layout is fun for players of all ages and
skill levels. Stephenson also incorporated into his design two “hero moments”
for golfers. The ninth and 18th holes are both drivable downhill par 4s (325 yards
and 287 yards from the tips, respectively) with water and other perils looming around
the green. It’s a thrilling risk-reward option for players (especially exciting
for the nine-hole crowd) and, fair to say, the scene of many dramatic reversals
of fortunes.
Professionally managed by Troon
Golf, Kissing Tree Golf Club’s other amenities include a driving range,
short-game practice facility, nine-hole putting course and a state-of-the-art
clubhouse and restaurant.
Golfers all over Central Texas
have flocked to Kissing Tree Golf Club since its opening three years ago. This
spring the club will be welcoming another group of avid golfers from an even
larger area when it hosts the South Senior Amateur from April 5-6. It’s the
first time a TGA Championship will be played at Kissing Tree and the club is
eager to be in the competitive spotlight.
“The entire Kissing Tree staff and
community is excited to host the 2021 South Senior Amateur,” said Brian Weaver,
Head Golf Professional at Kissing Tree. “We view this as a great opportunity to
showcase Kissing Tree as one of the Hill Country’s best new 18-hole
championship layouts and we look forward to welcoming some of the region’s best
senior amateurs to our beautiful facility.”
Scheduled for 36 holes of individual stroke play, the South
Senior Amateur features two divisions: Senior (55 and older) and Super Senior
(65 and older). Each division will play from different tees/yardages with a
separate champion crowned in each division.
“At a little over 6,500 yards from
the back tees, Kissing Tree Golf Club might not be the longest layout the
players will face all season, but we think the course will present a wonderful
challenge,” Weaver said. “It’s in great condition with over-seeded tees and
fairways, and the large greens have many subtle breaks that can be difficult to
read.”
The 2020 South Senior Amateur was
cancelled due to COVID-19. It gave the previous year’s winners, Scott Smith of
Houston and Mike Arnold of Windcrest, an extra 12 months to reign as defending
champions. Smith carded rounds of 73-68 (-3) to win the 2019 South Senior
Amateur at River Crossing Club in Spring Branch. Arnold captured the Super
Senior title with rounds of 72-74 (+2).
For more information about the
2021 South Senior Amateur, click here. For more information about Kissing Tree Golf Club,
click
here.