In today’s day and age there are so many activities and distractions that compete for your attention. It can be hard to choose what to spend your time doing. If the previous page didn’t capture your interest in joining Texas League Play, then don’t take it from us.
Listen to the guys that have been playing for years. Their reasons to join are endless.
League Play caters to every type of golfer, for starters, which makes it unique. For some people, the last time they have truly played a team sport was in high school or college. One allure of League Play is that it allows players the opportunity to feel the camaraderie of being part of a team and competing together.
From a pure desire to ingrain yourself in a team atmosphere again, League Play is a great outlet. Mark Jones, captain of the 2022 Texas League Play Champion Odessa Country Club, explains it well.
“Texas League Play is different than other events from the standpoint of being on a team,†Jones said. “When we were young, playing sports was special because of the comradery of being on a team. I think every club should be a part of this. It’s a great experience playing against other clubs, and they will meet a lot of great guys along with a potential opportunity to play in the finals.â€
Jones shared that the fellowship goes beyond individual teams though, it’s a league-wide family. This was on full display when his OCC team won its first League Play championship title in 2019.
“My favorite memories of League Play are from having captains and players from other clubs call to congratulate you and say they are happy we won because our guys are great sports and very respectful of others,†Jones said.
CJ Brock, a League Play competitor since 2014, has seen firsthand how beneficial it can be for clubs to get involved.
Brock, who originally started on the Dallas Athletic Club team, moved in 2019 to Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club, who didn’t participate in League Play. Brock went to the General Manager and spearheaded an effort to get the club involved.
“I went to our General Manager (at Rockwall) and told him my experience from League Play in the past and how much fun it was,†Brock said. “It was a great opportunity to show off our place as it was getting better and also meet other guys in the golf community and he was all for it.â€
Thanks to Brock’s efforts, Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club competed in League Play for the first-time last year and advanced to the state championship. Brock emphasized how being a part of League Play creates more community within the whole club.
“The guys are fired up,†he said. “They can’t wait to play this year now that they’ve had a taste of it at the state championship. They totally get that everybody wants to get along and have a good time while we are playing, and if you happen to win your conference that’s great, but now guys want to win. Guys like competition, to be honest with you. It’s turned into something we are really proud of.â€
For the ultra-competitive golfer, League Play offers a bevy of rewarding aspects, as well. Padden Nelson, a member of the Golf Club of Houston’s team and an accomplished competitor in TGA Championships, laid out many of the benefits he’s seen from joining League Play.
“I would highly recommend League Play to any golfer who wants to test their game under the ultimate pressure,†Nelson said. “Again, winning is awesome, but I have certainly learned more about both my mental and physical golf game during a humbling beatdown. Additionally, at least at Golf Club of Houston, our entire membership shows interest in the results of our team throughout the season.â€
Nelson has seen his League Play experiences pay dividends in individual competitions over the years. A couple of his notable accomplishments include winning the 2021 South Amateur and earning Low Mid-Master honors at the 37th Texas Mid-Amateur.
“League Play is a different animal compared to the usual individual competitions,†he said. “It truly is the ultimate level of pressure. If you can perform in League Play, individual competition is a piece of cake. At the same time, League Play is typically very lighthearted. During the match, the grind is real. But when it’s over, players from both sides always find time to chat and have a few pops. This isn’t always the case at a typical tournament.â€
Another wrinkle to League Play is that many of the clubs’ Head Professionals participate. Dallas Athletic Club Head Pro Ryan Bowey has seen the dynamic between he and his members improve because of it.
“I would encourage other Head Pros to play and organize a team,†Bowey said. “It’s a great way to make sure we get out to play with our members more frequently, and it’s even cooler when it’s a competitive team atmosphere. It’s been a great avenue for me to develop relationships with my members, members of other clubs, and fellow Golf Professionals.â€
TGA Tournament Director Justin Guthrie adds that the structure of League Play is another big influence.
“A huge draw for players is that it gives them a statewide interclub experience,†Guthrie said. “A lot of these players already play in an informal interclub league, but this gives them a more structured format with a handful of other clubs in their area they play against in a yearlong competition to go to the championship.â€
The reasons to join League Play are seemingly endless. You can use League Play as a mechanism to play with guys you typically wouldn’t, to play in a fun and slightly less pressurized environment, or to get experience in a different format of golf.
If you’re thinking about starting or joining a team at your home club, do it! It’s time well spent, and you will reap the benefits. For more information on Texas League Play and to get your home club or course registered, click here.