San Antonio membership/games

[golfingnomad199]

Hello everyone. 

 

About me: mid-30s, male, scratch handicap.

 

I am currently considering moving out of the DC area and SA was on my radar as places to move to. It seems like there's a good amount of golf in the SA area, both public and private. I probably wouldn't join a private club straight away, but would consider after being in the area for a couple years to make sure I like it. That being said, I would consider joining a club if there's a decent game and the initiation fee is affordable (under 15-20k). I plan on living in the La Cantera/Rim area. 

 

My main question is if there's any regular games or groups that play at certain courses? Currently, we have a game at my club where we get 15-20 guys every Sat/Sun and we play a team game and skins for $20. This is fun, and a great way to meet people through golf. Seeing as I will know nobody in SA when I move, I was wondering if there is anything like this at any courses in the area? I will likely be playing as a single at different courses around the area, so it would be great to have a regular game or group to play golf with if possible. I am aware of the Alamo City GT, which sounds great, but seems like more of a tournament series than a regular game (similar to Golfweek Am Tour or GCAT). I would certainly consider playing some of these events, but meeting people in a tournament golf setting can be challenging as a more serious player if anyone can understand this. 

 

Thanks in advance! 

Edited November 7, 2021 by golfingnomad199

[J_Birdie]

Public golf is too good here!

 

Come play the ACGT Am Tour. 
 

http://acgttour.golf

 

PM me for deets and I’ll give you my number so we can play. I’m also a 30 something scratch golfer 

Edited November 8, 2021 by J_Birdie

[Miker20890]

On 11/7/2021 at 8:35 AM, golfingnomad199 said:

Hello everyone. 

 

About me: mid-30s, male, scratch handicap.

 

I am currently considering moving out of the DC area and SA was on my radar as places to move to. It seems like there's a good amount of golf in the SA area, both public and private. I probably wouldn't join a private club straight away, but would consider after being in the area for a couple years to make sure I like it. That being said, I would consider joining a club if there's a decent game and the initiation fee is affordable (under 15-20k). I plan on living in the La Cantera/Rim area. 

 

My main question is if there's any regular games or groups that play at certain courses? Currently, we have a game at my club where we get 15-20 guys every Sat/Sun and we play a team game and skins for $20. This is fun, and a great way to meet people through golf. Seeing as I will know nobody in SA when I move, I was wondering if there is anything like this at any courses in the area? I will likely be playing as a single at different courses around the area, so it would be great to have a regular game or group to play golf with if possible. I am aware of the Alamo City GT, which sounds great, but seems like more of a tournament series than a regular game (similar to Golfweek Am Tour or GCAT). I would certainly consider playing some of these events, but meeting people in a tournament golf setting can be challenging as a more serious player if anyone can understand this. 

 

Thanks in advance! 

 

did you end up relocating to SA? What about joining a club? I’m currently in DC area and looking forward to relocating out of the area. 

[golfingnomad199]

On 6/26/2023 at 11:29 AM, Miker20890 said:

 

did you end up relocating to SA? What about joining a club? I’m currently in DC area and looking forward to relocating out of the area. 

 Hi Mike, 

 

I just moved to SA about 2 months ago. Still getting my feet wet and TBH have not played much golf here yet (have had a couple back injuries, and still 7 months out from hip surgery). I have played Olmos Basin and Cedar Creek (two Alamo City Trail Courses) and Canyon Springs, and they were okay. Canyon Springs is in great condition, and they do have a pretty good annual membership program. But they keep the rough 5 yards off the fairway hip-high, which I don't really feel like losing 5 balls a round if I happen to be wild off the tee that day, LOL. But if you can keep it in play, that's probably your best bet on the public courses front. Olmos Basin has excellent potential, the layout is great, but the greens were extremely slow and sandy in places around the edges (think like an inch deep of sand). If you hit a chip shot and it landed in these sandy spots, the ball would stop dead, pretty frustrating. Cedar Creek also had a great layout, very hilly and challenging greens, but again conditions are spotty. 

 

As far as private clubs go, I have emailed a few (Sonterra, TPC, and Fair Oaks) and they have gotten back to me with initiation and dues. TPC, Sonterra, and Fair Oaks all fall around the same in monthly dues, but initiation at TPC is a great deal higher (think around 30-50k, depending). Sonterra and Fair Oaks were around 5-10k, which is more in my price range. I have not played anywhere else other than the two courses I mentioned above, so I can't give any reviews on those. I would be willing to join somewhere, but I am waiting to see if I want to stay in SA and where I am going to settle down. Honestly, it's more important to me to just have a regular group to play golf with, as long as the course is in decent condition and challenge. There are plenty of golf tours here (South TX Am Tour, Golf Bros, Golf Fellowship, etc.), and I'm sure I will play some of their events in the future, but I don't really want to play an individual stroke play tournament every weekend. I did that all through my 20s and early 30s, and I am kind of over tournament golf for various reasons (slow play, angry golfers, guys who think they are on the PGA Tour, LOL). 

 

Culture-wise, it's way different than DC here. Much less traffic, people are nicer and more chill and honestly I love it so far. Not sure on your age, but if you like country music or are into that vibe, there's a lot of dance halls and stuff in the area which cater to that. I am sure there are more mainstream bars and clubs as well. Definitely seems like a way more relaxed vibe than the east coast, I'm sure you will feel less stressed on a daily basis. 

 

I have covered a lot here, but please reach out if you would like to know more. 

 

 

[Miker20890]

10 hours ago, golfingnomad199 said:

 Hi Mike, 

 

I just moved to SA about 2 months ago. Still getting my feet wet and TBH have not played much golf here yet (have had a couple back injuries, and still 7 months out from hip surgery). I have played Olmos Basin and Cedar Creek (two Alamo City Trail Courses) and Canyon Springs, and they were okay. Canyon Springs is in great condition, and they do have a pretty good annual membership program. But they keep the rough 5 yards off the fairway hip-high, which I don't really feel like losing 5 balls a round if I happen to be wild off the tee that day, LOL. But if you can keep it in play, that's probably your best bet on the public courses front. Olmos Basin has excellent potential, the layout is great, but the greens were extremely slow and sandy in places around the edges (think like an inch deep of sand). If you hit a chip shot and it landed in these sandy spots, the ball would stop dead, pretty frustrating. Cedar Creek also had a great layout, very hilly and challenging greens, but again conditions are spotty. 

 

As far as private clubs go, I have emailed a few (Sonterra, TPC, and Fair Oaks) and they have gotten back to me with initiation and dues. TPC, Sonterra, and Fair Oaks all fall around the same in monthly dues, but initiation at TPC is a great deal higher (think around 30-50k, depending). Sonterra and Fair Oaks were around 5-10k, which is more in my price range. I have not played anywhere else other than the two courses I mentioned above, so I can't give any reviews on those. I would be willing to join somewhere, but I am waiting to see if I want to stay in SA and where I am going to settle down. Honestly, it's more important to me to just have a regular group to play golf with, as long as the course is in decent condition and challenge. There are plenty of golf tours here (South TX Am Tour, Golf Bros, Golf Fellowship, etc.), and I'm sure I will play some of their events in the future, but I don't really want to play an individual stroke play tournament every weekend. I did that all through my 20s and early 30s, and I am kind of over tournament golf for various reasons (slow play, angry golfers, guys who think they are on the PGA Tour, LOL). 

 

Culture-wise, it's way different than DC here. Much less traffic, people are nicer and more chill and honestly I love it so far. Not sure on your age, but if you like country music or are into that vibe, there's a lot of dance halls and stuff in the area which cater to that. I am sure there are more mainstream bars and clubs as well. Definitely seems like a way more relaxed vibe than the east coast, I'm sure you will feel less stressed on a daily basis. 

 

I have covered a lot here, but please reach out if you would like to know more. 

 

 

Wow this was a great write up. I’m still probably 10 years from being able to retire and relocate. And so much can change in that time but this is great information for SA area. Thanks.