Despite being added to the National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places, the West Austin, Texas property is being looked at for possible mixed-use development. A national education and advocacy organization has named Lions Municipal Golf Course in West Austin, Texas as a threatened site, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The Cultural Landscape Foundation, a nonprofit…
Groundbreaking Set for New Great Hills CC Clubhouse
The Austin, Texas club is building a new two-story, 27,000-sq. ft. clubhouse and a single-story, 4,500-sq. ft. activity center as part of a $12 million renovation. Construction is expected to last 18 to 24 months and the current clubhouse and administration building will remain open during the project. Great Hills Country Club (GHCC), one…
Growth of Poker Clubs in Texas Raises Legal Questions
There are now at least 30 of the clubs in the state, all of which cite a gray area in state law that they claim allows them to operate legally by charging a membership fee, making money off food-and-beverage service and entertainment, and not taking a “rake” for the house. The Attorney General has declined…
CMAA Announces New Certified Chief Executives
The Club Managers Association of America’s CCE designation, meant to augment the Certified Club Manager designation, requires managers to maintain membership status with the association, to have obtained Honor Society status, and to have served as the top executive in a club for a minimum of five years. The Club Managers Association of America has…
Omni Barton Creek to Lay Off Nearly Half Its Staff During Renovation
The layoffs will begin on April 30 as the Austin, Texas resort closes to complete a year-long, $150 million makeover. “This was difficult decision and we are committed to easing the transition and will be holding job information sessions and fairs in the coming weeks, for associates to explore opportunities at Omni properties and other local hotels and restaurants,” the resort’s management said in a statement.
A Place to Call Home
In December, The Austin Club purchased the historic Millett Opera House, bringing to reality the club’s dream of owning its clubhouse. After nine years of discussions, meetings and negotiations, The Austin (Texas) Club purchased the historic Millett Opera House in December 2017, bringing to reality the club’s dream of privately owning its clubhouse, says Ken Richardson,…
$12M Renovation Begins at Great Hills CC
The project at the Austin, Texas property will replace an existing 11,000-sq. ft. clubhouse and administration building with a new two-story, 27,000-sq. ft. clubhouse, and also construct a pool pavilion and 4,500-sq. ft. community recreation building. Completion is scheduled for the summer of 2019, and the club plans to keep current facilities operational until the new structures are ready.
Hancock GC Switches to Automated Pay Stations
The city-owned golf course in Austin, Texas will have automated pay stations for golfers to pay green fees by January, with the pro shop staffed only on Fridays through Sundays. The measure is part of an effort to cut costs, as annual revenues recently came up $125,000 below expenses. With the greens at the city-owned Hancock…
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Plans $150M Renovation
Highlights of the Austin, Texas property’s project include a new resort tower, redesigned existing guest rooms, conference center and ballroom, event Pavilion, six new dining outlets, Mokara Spa, updated lobby, expanded pool scape, golf clubhouse at Barton Creek Country Club, golf course renovations, and tennis complex. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas has unveiled…
VGM Club Partners with YETI
VGM Club announced an official partnership with the Austin, Texas-based cooler company in February. The golf world has seen many changes since Heritage Golf Group’s three Hilton Head Island courses (Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club, Shipyard Golf Club and Oyster Reef Golf Club) joined VGM Club in 2005. Those changes forced clubs to be…
The University of Texas GC to Unveil “Spieth Lower 40”
The Austin, Texas facility has worked with former Longhorn Jordan Spieth to develop the six-hole, par-3 short course. Members will be able to listen to music while playing the layout, which will open in September. The University of Texas (UT) Golf Club in Austin, Texas has worked with former Longhorn Jordan Spieth to develop the…
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Plans $70M Renovation
The Austin, Texas property plans to begin work on the project this fall, with completion set for 2019. The first phase will demolish a parking garage, event pavilion and pro shop, while the second phase will build a new hotel tower, conference center, restaurant, and event lawn. The 309-room Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa…
Great Hills CC Head Pro Competes in U.S. Senior Open
Ricky Arnett, 52, has found time in his busy schedule at the Austin, Texas club to play in the 2017 U.S. Senior Open at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Mass., from June 29 – July 2. A report in the Austin Statesmen draws parallels between Arnett’s story and golf film “Tin Cup.” Ricky Arnett, 52, head…
Friday Filmfest: Owl Rescued at Lost Creek CC
After an employee of the Austin, Texas golf course noticed that a Great Horned Owl had fishing line wrapped around it while perched in a pond, Golf Course Superintendent Craig Loving freed the bird with a pair of pliers, shovel handle, and a pep talk.
Bill Could Transfer Lions Municipal GC Ownership to State
The proposed legislature would transfer ownership of the historically significant property away from the University of Texas at Austin to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Proposed by State Sen. Craig Estes, the bill’s intention is to protect the golf course from any future development by the university. The bill was left pending and will be reconsidered in the future.