The eight facilities that make up the Alamo City Golf Trail (ACGT) in San Antonio have a rich history, offering affordable and enjoyable golfing experiences to players of all levels since the early 20th century. Each facility has contributed significantly to the region's public golfing landscape, which is among the heartiest in the U.S.
One of the most popular places to tee it up on the ACGT is the Olmos Basin Golf Course. Conveniently located just off Highway 281, only minutes from downtown, Olmos Basin was designed by George Hoffman and opened for play in 1963. For the past six decades, it has been a welcoming outpost that provides a friendly environment for everyone who loves to play, no matter the stage of their golf journey.
The course is spread out across relatively flat terrain, though with enough natural elevation changes to keep things interesting. The fairways are expansive, but well-placed bunkers and water hazards pinch the landing areas in at strategic places.
Most of the greens are generous targets, too, and nearly all are surrounded by wide swaths of fairway wrapped to one side or the other or completely around. Missing a green left or right, even badly, still will likely give players the option of pitching or putting.
In 2021, Texas-based architect Jeffrey Blume oversaw an extensive 11-month, $4 million course renovation project that included regrading and regrassing of all tees, fairways and green complexes, as well as bunker renovations and improvements to the drainage and irrigation systems.
The transformation enhanced playability, conditioning and sustainability at the much-loved course, keeping Olmos Basin firmly affixed at the top of the “must play” list for citizens and visitors to San Antonio alike.
With five sets of tees ranging in length from 7,038 yards to 4,878 yards, the par-72 course allows for a highly enjoyable experience for the average golfer or a more challenging test for the low handicap player.
In keeping with its commitment to accessibility and community engagement, Olmos Basin has been a proud member of the Youth on Course Texas network since 2020, along with all the other ACGT facilities. In fact, Olmos Basin consistently ranks as one of the state’s most active network courses, annually hosting over 2,000 Youth on Course member rounds for $5 or less.
Olmos Basin is not only a favorite among grownups and kids, the flexibility of the course’s strategic design has also made it a much sought-after tournament venue. It has been the site of numerous Men's and Women's City Amateur championships through the years, and is once again set to prove its tournament toughness this fall when it welcomes the Legends Junior Tour’s 2024 Alamo Shootout from Dec. 6-7. The 36-hole stroke play championship, which typically comes at the close of the LJT’s annual competitions calendar, will feature an 84-player starting field comprised of the state’s leading junior golfers competing in two divisions: Boys 12-18 and Girls 12-18.
For more information about Olmos Basin Golf Course, click here. For more information about the 2024 LJT Alamo Shootout, click here.
