Alsatian Golf Club Review

This is the first year that we are staying in one place for two months with the full intent on improving our golf game. It didn’t start out that way. We were just looking for a nice spot that we could stay relatively warm for a few months during the winter. We chose south Texas because we have some friends here that suggested we give Alsatian RV Resort a try.

After learning that there was a golf course next door, yes, next to the park, we were in.

I discussed with Kathy my plans for playing better golf. I laid out a training routine, a playing routine and even joined a couple of tournaments to put my new and improved skills to work.

Here is what happened.

We started our plan to get better at the beginning of April. We practiced twice a week on one or two parts of the game. Then we played twice a week. Trying to put the new skills into play. The first month we followed the plan to the tee. As you would expect, the first few rounds we did not see any changes in the score. However, we both felt that the areas we worked on were getting better on the course.

Then, by the end of the first month we saw our scores drop. Every round seemed to get a little better. Our course management got better. And, an added bonus, we started to communicate golf strategy to each other without it being a husband telling his wife to keep her head down. We started looking at each hole and discussing how to play the tee shot to have a better second shot. We started picking out targets with and for each other. We also began to trust each other on what the other is seeing.

We are now into our last week here. A lot has changed in our golf game. Kathy got her first hole in one. That alone would have been an awesome accomplishment. But, it happened during what ended up being her best round of golf to date.

I also shot my best round ever.

I had planned to work my way down to getting my first par round. I have been close a few times in the past. I have shot several 77s, a few 75’s, and one 74. But that was the closest I have ever gotten. Until last week. Last week I was on fire.

But, it didn’t feel that way. My nerves were steady, my shots were pure, and my swing was smooth. I ended up with my best scoring round ever.

However, it wasn’t a par round. It was a 68.

That’s right I shot a 68. It was amazing. I didn’t do anything extraordinary, I just played smoothly.  I had many pars and some of them were tap-ins. Meaning, I left a few birdies on the course.

(FYI….The only person that complains about a tap in par, is the person that missed the birdie).

Three birdies, an eagle on a par 5, and only one bogey. What a round. Of course I have played three rounds since then and they have been a complete mess. They were so bad that, somewhere during one of the rounds, I quit scoring and just concentrated on hitting a good shot. Go figure. 

That brings me to the course.

Alsatian Golf Club is a great little course. It has a challenging layout that demands a little of every skill needed in golf. There are well placed trees that need to be avoided. You must pay attention to the tree layout. They are placed in such a way that you have to navigate about 50% of your drives. There are a few holes were a grip it and rip it style is ok and you can get away with a bit of a slice or hook. But, the rest of the holes require a well struck ball. 

Some of the fairways have creeks running across them. Just when the trees are not an issue there is a water to contend with. They happen to be right at the end of where your ball will stop rolling. Or, where you can clear it with a well struck ball. Always a decision and a challenge.  

There are many water hazards that are a must to navigate and clear. The amount of water on the course is perfect and well placed. You don’t have to worry about it on every hole. But, it is out there and is about a third of the course’s defence that must be overcome.

There are perfectly placed sand traps guarding  some of the greens. The sand on the course was also carefully considered. The traps stand like a guardians of the greens. Some of the holes have the sand bunkers so perfectly placed that the only way to the green is over with a perfectly lofted approach shot. Any miss-hit leaves you headed straight for the beach.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, some of the greens are sloped in such a way that they demand a perfect shot or else your ball will roll into the water. 

As I said, Alsatian Golf Club has it all. It is a great course to practice your skills. Honing each golf shot needed to play a round of golf anywhere.

It was no small feet for Kathy to get her hole in one or for me to score my lowest round ever here. We love this course. Because for all of the courses tricks, it is still a scorable course. It is fun to play and with almost 20 rounds played here, we are not tired of playing it. And, we can’t wait to get back next year and sharpen our skills a little more.  

Oh, I almost forgot. The staff and clubhouse. There are a bunch of one word adjectives that can be used here, i.e. welcoming, friendly, and awesome. The staff at Alsatian Golf Club are all of those things and more. They are happy you are here to play. They want you out on the course enjoying your round of golf. And it shows in the way you are treated and greeted.

Alsatian is a birdie course.

We will be back. If you are in the area you should be sure to stop in and play a round. You won’t be disappointed. 

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By Marc Festa

COURSE REVIEW SCORE CARD

Course: Alsatian Golf Club

Type: Public Course

Date Played: 16 April 2024

HOLE	PAR	SCORE	COMMENTS
1 – Tee Time Availability	4	4	Fairly easy to get a tee-time. You do have to compete for a tee-time with many of the tournaments scheduled at the course.
2 – Cost of Green Fees	4	4	Lower than some of the other 18 hole courses in the area. 18 holes with a cart is $59.00 Monday – Thursday, $68.00 Friday – Sunday. 18 holes walking is $35.00 Monday – Thursday, $45.00 Friday – Sunday. They do offer Senior/Military/Educators and First Responders discounts. Twilight fees start at 3:00 p.m.
3 – Condition of Tee Boxes	4	4	Good condition. Each tee box was placed in good position to present a fun and challenging round for all level of players.
4 – Condition of Fairways	5	5	The grounds team does a good job of keeping the Bermuda grass fairways mowed and ready for play.
5 – Condition of Greens	4	4	The greens average about 5,000 square feet in size, are firm, and putt true. The greens were aerated during our stay. Made for some interesting putts.
6 – Length of Course	5	5	Four sets of tee boxes to choose from: Blacks – par 71/6436 yards Blue – par 71/5963 yards White – par 71/5441 yards Red – par 71/4872 yards
7 – Hazards	4	3	Good use of design with all hazards. Front side fairly open and flat, almost links type play. Hole #2 surrounded by waterways and bunkers. Back side is hilly and has lots of trees. Super finishing hole with a tree in center of uphill fairway. Throughout the course you will find challenging and beautiful fairways lined with trees and Spanish Dagger.
8 – Starter/Marshal	3	2	Every starter and marshal on the course, is professional and friendly. All provide an informative brief of track for first time players of the course. Desi and Travis were the BEST!
9 – High Handicap Friendly	3	3	Larger greens, as well as red and white tee boxes offer high handicap golfers shorter yardages.
OUT	36	34
10 – Practice Area	5	4	Driving Range, pitching area and practice greens available.
11 – Locker Rooms	3	3	Rest Rooms only. No showers.
12 – Pro Shop	4	4	The pro shop has everything you would need to golf.
13 – Location	4	3	Right next door to Alsatian RV Resort. Also, just 30 mins from downtown San Antonio on Highway 90 West to Castroville.
14 – Rental Equipment	4	4	Rental clubs available.
15 – Restaurant/Food Cart	4	4	There is no food cart. However, there are complimentary bottles of cold water for every golfer. Julianna’s restaurant serves pizza, salads, soup, sandwiches, and wine and beer.
16 – Club House	4	4	Club house has a room for meetings etc.
17 – Parking	3	3	Plenty of parking for all the trucks. PERSONAL NOTE: Texas has a lot of trucks!
18 – Customer Service	5	4	Simply the best customer service. Friendly and welcoming.
IN	36	33
TOTAL	72	67	PLAYER: Marc F.   ATTESTED BY: Kathy F.