Texas A&M University in College Station is steeped in tradition and history. Some of the time-honored traditions date back more than a century, including the Aggie Ring, Pennies on Sully, and the 12th Man. Others have been introduced more recently, such as The Big Event and Maroon Out.
Falling somewhere in between on the timeline – and truth be told, it’s more of a beloved ritual than an officially recognized tradition – is making time to get outdoors and enjoying a round of golf on the nearby campus course. For over 60 years, students and faculty seeking to decompress from the rigorous demands of college life have made the short walk from the classroom to the course for a quick 9- or 18-holes. And because it is open to the public, locals and visitors alike also have come to view the course as a campus institution.
Opened in 1951, the Texas A&M University Golf Course (as it was then-known) was designed by Texas Golf Hall of Famer Ralph Plummer. Conveniently located across Bizzell Street from the student housing section, Plummer incorporated the natural attributes of the land to create a strategically sound and engaging layout that delighted generations of Aggies (and non-Aggies, too).
Over the decades, the course went through various modifications, both small and large, before a major overhaul in the early 2010s. To oversee the comprehensive renovation, the University turned to one of its own, noted golf course architect Jeff Blume (Class of 1989). It was a dream job for Blume, who earned a Turfgrass Science degree at A&M, as he relished the opportunity to do something special for his alma mater.
And he certainly delivered.
Starting in the fall of 2012, Blume began moving more than 200,000 cubic yards of dirt to relocate and reshape green complexes, tee boxes, bunkers, and water hazards. To enhance playing conditions, six inches of sand capping was used in the fairways to improve drainage, a new irrigation system was installed, and greens were resurfaced with MiniVerde Bermuda. In addition to the 18-hole remodel, Blume also enlarged the driving range and added a short-game practice area next to the pro shop.
The multimillion-dollar project was completed in 12 months. When the revamped course opened for play in October 2013, it was rechristened as The Golf Club at Texas A&M. Blume’s stunning transformation of the old property has resulted in a thoroughly modern layout that features rolling terrain, undulating greens, lakes and streams, numerous bunkers, grassy swales, and sweeping views of Kyle Field as an inspiring backdrop.
Sitting on more than 175 acres, The Golf Club at Texas A&M now offers six sets of tee markers, ranging in length from 7,008 yards to 4,968 yards, to accommodate players of all skill levels. But even with its bold new look and upgraded amenities, The Golf Club at Texas A&M remains true to its longstanding mission of being a campus social center for current and former students to enjoy the game of golf, as well as a welcoming place for the public to come out and play.
It's certainly succeeding in its objective, as the TGA’s Championship Communications Coordinator and proud Aggie alum Adam Rohrbough (Class of 2019) can attest.
“The course is easily one of the things I miss most about my time in College Station,†Rohrbough said. “A couple buddies and I would get a semester-long membership every fall and spring and play nearly every other day. The course is a ton of fun and I’ve always enjoyed the uniqueness of it being on campus next to everything else. I remember the staff always being polite and ready to help at a moment’s notice. I can’t wait to get back and play that course again soon.â€
Rohrbough isn’t the only one looking forward to a trip to Aggieland. A large contingent of talented junior golfers will be headed to College Station from Feb. 25-26 for the Legends Junior Tour’s Spring Preview at The Golf Club at Texas A&M. One of the most popular events on the LJT’s annual schedule, the 36-hole stroke play championship features an elite 84-player starting field comprised of the state’s top-ranked boys and girls aged 12-18.
There are few things Aggie fans love more than a good sporting event, so the junior players can expect to be cheered on with plenty of thumbs-up gestures of approval and enthusiastic shouts of “Gig ’em!â€
For more information about The Golf Club at Texas A&M, click here. For more information about the LJT Spring Preview, click here.