Brackenridge Park Golf Course

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Brackenridge Park Golf Course is a historic public golf course in San Antonio, Texas. Opened in 1916, it is the oldest 18-hole public course in the state. The course was designed by A. W. Tillinghast and plays as a par-71, measuring 6,243 yards.

Location and management
The course sits in Brackenridge Park, near downtown San Antonio, and is owned by the City of San Antonio. It is part of the Alamo City Golf Trail, a nonprofit group that runs six municipal courses in the area.

Course features
- Greens: Miniverde Ultradwarf Bermuda
- Fairways: TifSport Bermuda
- Water hazards: Moderate
- Sand bunkers: Heavy
- Length: 6,243 yards
- Par: 71
- Course rating: 70.3
- Slope: 126

History and landmarks
The land was donated for Brackenridge Park by George Washington Brackenridge. The original clubhouse burned in 1920 and a new clubhouse was built in 1922. Nearby, the Borglum Studio—once a working space for sculptor Gutzon Borglum—still looks over the 17th hole, and the Texas Golf Hall of Fame now sits at the course.

The 1968 renovation, prompted by road construction nearby, shortened some holes and added ponds as the back nine was redesigned to fit on smaller space. A major restoration in 2008 by architect John Colligan restored 15 of the 18 holes and reaffirmed the course as a compact urban masterpiece.

Texas Open history
Brackenridge Park hosted the Texas Open for many years: 1922–1926, 1929–1932, 1934, 1939–1940, 1950–1955, and 1957–1959. It was the first professional golf tournament in Texas and helped popularize the game in the state. The early Open had a $5,000 purse in 1922. In 1960, the Texas Open moved to Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio.

Today and achievements
Brackenridge Park Golf Course remains a central part of San Antonio’s golf scene and is recognized as a leading municipal course in the region. In 2012, Golf Digest ranked it among the top municipal courses in the United States and Texas. The course continues to be a link to San Antonio’s golf history, nearby parks, museums, and the Zoo and Aquarium.