Museum Reach

The first portion of the extension of the San Antonio River Walk was completed in 2009.  This extension, called  the urban section of the Museum Reach is over one mile from the original River Walk.  You may now take a river tour or river taxi  to the site of the former Pearl Brewery, which is now an exciting complex of restaurants, shops and the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Intricate bridge railings, paint and multilayered textures on overpasses, an aural delight of the sounds of the river, a grotto worthy of Neptune, the dancing lights reflecting in the current, and a school of fish suspended in air are some of the surprises you will see on the Museum Reach. Probably the most unusual is a lock system that raises and lowers boats nine feet to continue the journey.

Mission Reach

Work on the 8-mile Mission Reach has begun. A system of walkways, paths, footbridges and resting places for observation will encourage visitors to reflect on their place within the ecosystem.

The Alamo is just one of many Spanish missions founded in Texas. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established to preserve and interpret the chain of Spanish Missions that were built along the San Antonio River in the 18th century.

Start your trip at Mission San Jose with a 23-minute film, a ranger guided tour, and a visit to restored Spanish Colonial flour mill. Museums are located at Missions San Jose, San Juan, and Espada. Espada Aqueduct is the only functioning aqueduct from the Spanish Colonial Period in the United States.

Visit the National Park Services website to plan your visit.

Spend the day visiting missions that still serve as parish churches, light candles in dimly lit alcoves that echo with the prayers of centuries, and view some of the most pristine lands remaining on the San Antonio River. Ponder the priests that journeyed from Spain to Mexico to Texas to enslave the native population and build the enduring legacy that surrounds you. It is a breathtaking and a humbling experience.

Below is a plan of the Mission Reach sites.

While much of the beauty of the San Antonio River was sacrificed for flood control in the 1950s, the hope is to restore a more natural setting to the southern portion of the river. The plan is to to develop gathering places for learning, recreational park space, quiet spots, rest stops and river access points, so that the San Antonio River will be a recreati0onal corridor instead of a mud-covered ditch, which is what it had become.

Eagleland Reach

South of downtown, the Eagleland Reach segment of river runs from Guenther Street to Lonestar Boulevard. The King William district is filled with historic homes built by early German settlers and the vibrant art community of the Blue Star Arts Complex will become part of the River Walk.

Top 10 Golfing Cities in Texas

1. Houston

2. San Antonio

3. Austin

4. Fort Worth

5. Dallas

6. Lubbock

7. McKinney

8. Corpus Christi

9. Conroe

10. El Paso

As time allows, I will publish golf course information on the top 10 golfing cities in Texas. This  installment will highlight Houston golfing.

Houston, Texas Golf Courses

Golf courses rated at least 3 out of 5 stars are listed.  The courses are arranged by their distance from Houston. Caveat: the mileage may be off.  Please check website for directions to courses.

Bay Oaks Country Club

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 7,011 yards with a par of 72 (Private Non-Equity)
• 14545 Bay Oaks Blvd
• Houston, TX 77059-4412
• (281) 488-9753
• 3 miles from the center of Houston

South Shore Harbour Golf Club, South Course

• 5 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 3,360 yards with a par of 36 (Private Non-Equity)
• 4300 S Shore Blvd
• League City, TX 77573-5808
• (281) 334-0525
• 3 miles from the center of Houston.

South Shore Harbour Golf Club, Harbour Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 3,364 yards with a par of 36 (Private Non-Equity)
• 4300 S Shore Blvd
• League City, TX 77573-5808
• (281) 334-0525
• 3 miles from the center of Houston.

Timber Creek Golf Club, Pines Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes (Public)
• 4554 Fm 2351 Rd
• Friendswood, TX 77546-2820
• (281) 993-1140
• 6 miles from the center of Houston.

Timber Creek Golf Club, Creekside Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes (Public)
• 4554 Fm 2351 Rd
• Friendswood, TX 77546-2820
• (281) 993-1140
• 6 miles from the center of Houston.

Timber Creek Golf Club, Timber Trails Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes (Public)
• 4554 Fm 2351 Rd
• Friendswood, TX 77546-2820
• (281) 993-1140
• 6 miles from the center of Houston.

Canongate At Magnolia Creek Golf Course, Scotland Course

• 4.5 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 3,669 yards with a par of 36 (Private Non-Equity)
• 1501 Bay Area Blvd
• League City, TX 77573-3169
• (281) 557-0555
• 6 miles from the center of Houston.

Canongate At Magnolia Creek Golf Course, England Course

• 4.5 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 3,664 yards with a par of 36 (Private Non-Equity)
• 1501 Bay Area Blvd
• League City, TX 77573-3169
• (281) 557-0555
• 6 miles from the center of Houston.

Green Caye Golf Course, Green Caye Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 1,426 yards with a par of 27 (Public)
• 2100 Caroline St
• Dickinson, TX 77539-3847
• (281) 337-2021
• 6 miles from the center of Houston.

Pasadena Municipal Golf Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,750 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
• 1000 Duffer Ln
• Houston, TX 77034-4139
• (281) 481-0834
• 7 miles from the center of Houston

Bay Forest Golf Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,756 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
• 201 Bay Forest Dr
• La Porte, TX 77571-6311
• (281) 471-4653
• 8 miles from the center of Houston.

San Jacinto College Golf Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 2,638 yards with a par of 36 (Public)
• 8060 Spencer Hwy
• Pasadena, TX 77505-5903
• (281) 476-1880
• 8 miles from the center of Houston.

The Battleground at Deer Park, Battleground Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,944 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
• 1600 Georgia Ave
• Deer Park, TX 77536-6711
• (281) 478-4653
• 10 miles from the center of Houston.

Hillcrest Golf Club, Hillcrest Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 2,358 yards with a par of 33 (Public)
• 3401 Fairway Dr
• Alvin, TX 77511-4903
• (281) 331-3505
• 13 miles from the center of Houston.

Evergreen Point Golf Course, Evergreen Point Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,969 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 1530 Evergreen Rd
• Baytown, TX 77523-7633
• (281) 837-9000
• 13 miles from the center of Houston.

Southwyck Golf Club

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,914 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 2901 Clubhouse Dr
• Pearland, TX 77584-4841
• (713) 436-9999
• 17 miles from the center of Houston.

Gus Wortham Park Golf Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,314 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
• 7000 Capitol St
• Houston, TX 77011-4644
• (713) 928-4260
• 18 miles from the center of Houston

River Terrace Golf Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,267 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 16777 Wallisville Rd
• Houston, TX 77049-
• (281) 452-2183
• 18 miles from the center of Houston.

Wildcat Golf Club, Highlands Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,954 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 12000 Almeda Rd
• Houston, TX 77045-2601
• (713) 413-3400
• 20 miles from the center of Houston.

Wildcat Golf Club, Lakes Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 7,016 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 12000 Almeda Rd
• Houston, TX 77045-2601
• (713) 413-3400
• 20 miles from the center of Houston.

Hermann Park Golf Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,014 yards with a par of 70 (Municipal)
• 2155 N MacGregor Dr
• Houston, TX 77030-1717
• (713) 526-0077
• 20 miles from the center of Houston.

Brock Park Golf Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,487 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
• 8201 John Ralston Rd
• Houston, TX 77044-2117
• (281) 458-1350
• 22 miles from the center of Houston.

Memorial Park Golf Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 7,164 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
• 1001 E Memorial Loop
• Houston, TX 77007-2049
• (713) 862-4033
• 26 miles from the center of Houston.

BraeBurn Country Club

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,808 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity)
• 8101 Bissonnet St
• Houston, TX 77074-3999
• (713) 774-2586
• 27 miles from the center of Houston.

Houston Country Club

• 5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,971 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity)
• 1 Potomac Dr
• Houston, TX 77057-1299
• (713) 465-8381
• 28 miles from the center of Houston.

Sharpstown Park Golf Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,660 yards with a par of 70 (Municipal)
• 6600 Harbor Town Dr
• Houston, TX 77036-4052
• (713) 988-2099
• 28 miles from the center of Houston.

Westwood Golf Club

• 4.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,989 yards with a par of 72 (Private Non-Equity)
• 8888 Country Creek Dr
• Houston, TX 77036-7216
• (713) 774-2521
• 29 miles from the center of Houston.

World Houston Golf Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,642 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 4000 Greens Rd
• Houston, TX 77032-2300
• (281) 449-8384
• 31 miles from the center of Houston

Royal Oaks Country Club Houston, Inc.

• 4.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 7,007 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity)
• 2910 Royal Oaks Club Dr
• Houston, TX 77082-6855
• (713) 914-0014
• 32 miles from the center of Houston.

Lochinvar Golf Club

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 7,023 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity)
• 2000 Farrell Rd
• Houston, TX 77073-4099
• (281) 821-0220
• 34 miles from the center of Houston.

Jersey Meadow Golf Course – White Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes (Municipal)
• 8502 Rio Grande St
• Houston, TX 77040-1100
• (713) 896-0900
• 37 miles from the center of Houston.

Bear Creek Golf World, The Masters Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 7,131 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 16001 Clay Rd
• Houston, TX 77084-4201
• (281) 859-8188
• 38 miles from the center of Houston.

Bear Creek Golf World, The Presidents Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 6,562 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 16001 Clay Rd
• Houston, TX 77084-4201
• (281) 859-8188
• 38 miles from the center of Houston.

Bear Creek Golf World, The Challenger Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 5,295 yards with a par of 66 (Public)
• 16001 Clay Rd
• Houston, TX 77084-4201
• (281) 859-8188
• 38 miles from the center of Houston.

Classic 3 Golf Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 1,245 yards with a par of 27 (Public)
• 6224 Theall Rd
• Houston, TX 77066-1312
• (281) 440-1308
• 38 miles from the center of Houston.

Mulligans, Mulligans Course

• 3 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 1,224 yards with a par of 27 (Public)
• 11010 Jones Rd
• Houston, TX 77070-6302
• (281) 890-6026
• 39 miles from the center of Houston.

Champions Golf Club, Cypress Creek Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 7,200 yards with a par of 71 (Private Non-Equity)
• 13722 Champions Dr
• Houston, TX 77069-1330
• (281) 444-6449
• 40 miles from the center of Houston.

Hearthstone Country Club, Horsepin Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes over 3,205 yards with a par of 35 (Private Non-Equity)
• 7615 Ameswood Rd
• Houston, TX 77095-3301
• (281) 463-2204
• 40 miles from the center of Houston.

Houston National Golf Club, Houston National 1 Course

• 4 out of 5 stars
• 18 holes over 7,337 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
• 16500 Houston National Blvd
• Houston, TX 77095-6908
• (281) 304-1400
• 43 miles from the center of Houston.

Houston National Golf Club, Houston National 2 Course

• 3.5 out of 5 stars
• 9 holes (Public)
• 16500 Houston National Blvd
• Houston, TX 77095-6908
• (281) 304-1400
• 43 miles from the center of Houston.

Source:  GolfLink

15th Annual Great Texas Birding Classic

April 9 – April 17, 2011

Texas Coast

birdingclassic.org

The Great Texas Birding Classic (GTBC), sponsored by the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is a tournament–birding for conservation–coincides with Texas spring bird migration. Tournament teams compete to spot and record the most bird species during a time period. Winners select the conservation projects awarded Conservation Grant Grand Prizes.  So far, GTBC has contributed $736,500 directly to avian habitat conservation along the Texas gulf coast!