Tapatio Springs Resort & Conference Center, is a Resort, 27 hole golf facility conveniently located just 25 minutes northwest of San Antonio in Boerne, Texas.
Tapatio Springs Resort & Conference Center first opened for play in 1981. The golf course were designed by Bill Johnston. The three nines (Lakes, Valley and Ridge) are playable in three different eighteen hole combinations. The Ridge Nine was formerly the "Executive Nine" that has been expanded to a regulation length 9 holes.
Tapatio Springs has been ranked a "Top Ten Texas Course" by The Dallas Morning News.
The courses were built on hilly terrain, so expect some uneven lies. The tree-lined fairways are narrow and typically fast, while the greens are slightly undulating, providing just enough break to make them difficult to read. The course has many large trees that can affect your shots as well as Frederick Creek, which runs throughout the design, providing an additional hazard.
Among the great holes at this 27 hole facility are #5 and #6 on the Lakes Course. Hole #5 is a 371-yard, par 4 that requires a tee shot through a chute of trees to a fairway forty feet below the tee box, lined on the left by Frederick Creek. Hole #6 is a 396-yard, par 4 that requires a downhill tee shot that needs to be long, then an intimidating, uphill approach shot over trees and a creek to the green.
The Lakes Course plays to a par-35 and maximum distance of 3,128 yards.
The Valley Course plays to a par-37 and maximum distance of 3,376 yards.
The Lakes Course plays to a par-35 and maximum distance of 3,124 yards.
The Tapatio Springs Golf Course score card presented above is for the Lakes/Valley 18 hole combination.
$46 (cart included), played on Saturday, February 2012 at 10am
Under new owners Tom Cusick and George Strait (yep, THAT George Strait), it's fair to say Tapatio Springs is making a comeback from years of obvious neglect, compounded by the drought. Most greens (and more than a few fairways) on the Lakes 9 and Valley 9 are pretty disappointing, but if their work on the clubhouse (and from what I hear, the resort) is an indication of their commitment to improvement, you can expect the course to come around quite well. Despite this course's general condition for now, I would recommend it. Since it's playing largely like a muny, it's priced pretty much the same. Check online for deals; there are plenty to be had. The Ridge 9 is Hill Country challenging, but not too intimidating, as long as you know which tees you should play (I'd say stick to the whites unless you're a solid single-digit handicapper). The greens are generally in better condition on the Ridge 9.
Guest (cart included), played on Wednesday, March 2010 at noon
This course has suffered the ravages of no water and apparently little or no maintenance of the past two years. Think of it as golf in Afghanistan. The fairways are mostly dirt. The greens; well they are not green and in tatters. A real shame. This used to be a nice, fun course. My host won passes at a charity auction in Houston. He was very embarrased when he saw the condition of the course. Rumor has it that the course/resort will file for bankruptcy soon.
$36 (cart included), played on Sunday, July 2009 at 8am
Fairways were in such terrible condition that you had to move ball to get on a tuft of DEAD grass.
Severe water problems.
We played on a two for one coupon - $40 each, pity the poor soul that paid full price. For $10 more could have played Buckhorn (12 miles distance) which is lush.
$66 (cart included), played on Monday, June 2009 at 10am
Course was ok. Staff was excellent, courtious and helpful. Stayed at the resort and could not recommend doing so. Old accomodations in need of renovations. Resturaunt staff was friendly but could not recommend the food.
$31 (cart included), played on Monday, June 2008 at 8am
I love this place. My brother, his wife and my sister and I (along with my non-golfing wife) have been meeting here in June for years to play four days of golf. Great area, too.
$31 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2008 at noon
Due to dry conditions in our area, water is rationed and therefore they have not been able to water as much as needed. The fairways and rough are really hard.
Member (cart not included), played on Saturday, May 2008 at 8am
Tough course for women. Hazards on most holes for the ladies. Tough track. Softened a bit over the years because of tree removal on some holes.
Latest Golf Course Reviews
$36 (cart included), played on Friday, December 2012 at 8am
Played the Lake/Valley combination. Commendable design. Not a lot of trees, but the ones that are there play into driving strategy. Excellent use of terrain features and well placed bunkers. The greens were in good shape -- slippery but fair. Overall, not a championship course, but better than most munies. Friendly staff. The only reason I'd ding the food is because they had a limited selection of soft drinks (Coke Zero is the nectar of the gods; Diet Coke is should go the way of the dial phone and Tab), and because they only carried 12 oz cans. Any golfer who's ever had an open can in a golf cart or on a pushcart knows that the can's contents slosh up to a 3-foot radius from the can. 20 oz resealable bottles were made for golf. Hopefully the Tapatio Springs course management will see the error of their beverage strategy and correct it. :)