Inaugurated at the start of the new millennium, Austin Golf Club has been flying under the radar of publicity ever since the day it first opened for play. There’s no real estate element here and you’ll not find any swanky country club amenities – just an 18-hole golf course that lies north of Highway 71, seven miles to the southeast of Spicewood.
Apart from designing the course, Ben Crenshaw was instrumental in the club’s foundation and he maintains close contact with those involved in its day to day running. Laid out on typical Texas Hill Country terrain, the course is characterised by live oaks, cacti, native grasses and scrubland, with its clubhouse sited at the highest point on the property.
The greens at Austin vary in size, according to the length of the hole being played. For instance, the 454-yard 5th and downhill 511-yard 11th play to larger, offset greens whereas short par four holes like the 325-yard 2nd and the 366-yard 17th feature only small or shallow putting surfaces.
There’s only one water hazard of note on the course, a spring that lies short and to the left of the 428-yard right doglegged 12th. The main obstacles to be avoided are the live oak trees, like the single standing ones on the fairway at the 1st and 15th, and the thicker stands that line the 5th, the corner of the 7th, or those narrowing the 12th.
The 8th and 9th holes are reminiscent of A. W. Tillinghast’s short par three to a small target followed by a demanding par five at Baltimore Country Club’s 13th and 14th. Here, the 131-yard 8th and its tiny green is followed by Crenshaw's version of "Hell's Half Acre" at the 584-yard 9th, where a dozen ragged edged bunkers present all sorts of problems.