Brackenridge Park Golf Course

Brackenridge Park is the oldest 18-hole public golf course in Texas, designed by A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1916 along the San Antonio River. In 1922, it hosted the inaugural Texas Open — the first PGA Tour event played in Texas — offering a then-remarkable $5,000 first prize. Tommy Armour won that historic event.

The Texas Open remained at Brackenridge for most years between 1922 and 1959. The Valero Texas Open (still played annually in San Antonio) traces its lineage directly to this course. A restoration returned several holes to Tillinghast\'s original design, including reopening riverbed meanders.

A short but strategic municipal course where every hole is memorable. The San Antonio River runs through the property with mature trees lining tight fairways. Lacks length but demands accuracy and creativity — a thinking player\'s course.

Restored Tillinghast features (rectangular greens, original routing) add genuine historical character. A plaque commemorating the birthplace of the Texas Open stands on the property.

Municipal pricing at $20-40 — historic Tillinghast golf accessible to everyone.

Fairway accuracy is essential — the course is notably narrow with adjacent fairways running close together.

Greens are small and require precise approaches. Bring your shot-shaping game rather than distance.

The river and trees create tight corridors. Accept that driver isn\'t always the right play.