The Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley is an incredible destination for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors. Tucked away in a quiet corner of northwest Harris County, the scenic retreat offers a wide-ranging mix of signature amenities for members and guests to enjoy, including golf, tennis, swimming, boating, horseback riding, hiking and biking trails, shooting range, and much more. With the hustle and bustle of downtown Houston far away, the atmosphere at Houston Oaks is usually calm, serene, and relaxing.
Usually, but not always.
At the center of the expansive complex, which now encompasses more than 1,100 acres, is a wholly remodeled golf course that is considered one of the state’s finest with a proven reputation as a demanding championship venue. Whenever the club moves into the spotlight as host to a top-tier event, as it will when it welcomes the 114th Texas Amateur from June 15-18, the air becomes a bit more electrified and stands in sharp contrast to the normally tranquil setting.
For the owners and members of Houston Oaks, hosting elite competitions is part of the foundation of the club and its mission of promoting and supporting the game of golf.
“The goal of hosting the Texas Amateur started several years ago, and we’re very excited that all the hard work has come to fruition,” said Bob Gusella, The Clubs at Houston Oaks’ General Manager. “To be able to welcome the finest amateur golfers in the state for the 114th Texas Amateur this summer is an honor and a privilege for us. We can’t wait to showcase our club and our unique brand of Texas hospitality. We’re looking forward to rolling out the red carpet and treating participants and their guests to a world-class golf experience.”
This year’s Texas Amateur will be the second TGA men’s major and third overall TGA championship conducted at The Clubs at Houston Oaks. The club previously hosted the 2018 Texas Shootout and the 2021 Texas-Mid Amateur.
“We are thrilled to be able to return to The Clubs at Houston Oaks for the 114th Texas Amateur,” said Justin Guthrie, TGA Tournament Director. “The owners, members, and staff at Houston Oaks are such tremendous supporters of amateur golf, and we are excited to extend our relationship with them and to work together in conducting an unforgettable championship.”
The Clubs at Houston Oaks has been constantly growing and evolving since three couples got together to purchase the old Tennwood Country Club in the mid-2000s. They gave it a new name and purpose, and soon began working on a long-range plan to enhance and expand the entire facility in a multi-step approach. When the time came to update the golf course, the new owners hired noted course architect Chet Williams.
In early 2016 Williams began work on a comprehensive overhaul of the existing course that involved reimagining everything above ground and modernizing all below-ground systems as well.
Following the 17-month, multimillion-dollar remodel, the modern-day Houston Oaks course was unveiled in late 2017. Williams’ stunning 7,007-yard, par-71 layout meanders through groves of centuries-old oak trees and in and around natural water features and vast native areas. The course features gentle undulations throughout with a wonderful variety of strategic challenges including long and short holes, doglegs, cleverly placed bunkers, and large green complexes.
“At first glance, it may not look as intimidating as some courses, but it’s a fantastic test of golf,” Gusella said. “The players will need precision and discipline starting from the tee boxes. They will need to hit the fairways most importantly, and then carefully maneuver their way around from there to score well.”
The golden opportunity to compete for the state’s most coveted amateur title at such a highly regarded venue as Houston Oaks is not lost on the players. The TGA accepted a record 1,176 entries for the 114th Texas Amateur, eclipsing the previous record of 1,010 accepted entries for the 111th Texas Amateur in 2020 at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg. It is just the second time entries have surpassed the 1,000 mark.
“The Clubs at Houston Oaks is well known around the state, and we knew from the start there would be a tremendous amount of interest for this year’s championship,” Guthrie said. “It’s very gratifying to set a record for the number of entries, because it shows just how excited players are about competing in the Texas Amateur at such a special place.”
Holden Wisener of Dallas won last year’s Texas Amateur in a playoff at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler, and is one of four past champions among the 41 players who were fully exempt from having to qualify. Joining Wisener are Austyn Reily of Pottsboro (2021), Trey Bosco of Austin (2020), and Zach Atkinson of Colleyville (2004).
Top finishers from the 2022 championship are also among the group of exempt players and include Hayes Hamilton of Kingwood (who finished T4), Francois Jacobs of League City (T4), Travis Woolf of Fort Worth (7th), Hunter Bott of Montgomery (T8), Garrett Leek of Brock (T8), and Cody Winkler of McKinney (T11).
To determine the remaining 103 spots in the 144-player starting field, 18-hole qualifiers were held April 10-June 6 at 14 sites across the state.
The format for the walking-only championship is 72 holes of individual stroke play. All contestants play 18 holes on both June 15-16. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 scorers and ties heading into the final two rounds.
There will definitely be something special in the air at The Clubs at Houston Oaks the third week of June, and it is sure to provide lasting memories for everyone.
For more on the 114th Texas Amateur, click here.