WESTIN LA CANTERA GOLF CLUB (210-558-6500)
Palmer Course
Texas Golf Course Review 4/12/07
Overview
The Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio is a AAA Four Diamond property that is truly a cut above most luxury resorts. Conde Nast Traveler named this hilltop retreat as one of the "Worlds Best Places to Stay" in 2006! Located in the hill country just north of the city, Westin La Cantera is ideally situated near area attractions, including Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the Shops at La Cantera - a mega shopping complex with Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and 80 other world-class shopping experiences.
On property are six pools, three hot tubs, a Westin Kids Club, a spacious WestinWORKOUT poweerd by Reebok Gym, a soothing spa, fine and casual dining experiences, plus meeting and conference facilities that includes the 17,000 square foot San Antonio Ballroom. There are 508 guest rooms including 25 spacious suites and 38 newly appointed rooms in an exclusive Casita Village - all with the signature Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath. Guests staying at the casitas have access to golf carts for traveling around the resort, for the duration of their stay! For more info on this resort, visit our page for the Westin la Cantera, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
Golf Magazine has recognized this property as one of "America's Best Golf Resorts", for the two championship courses and renowned Golf Academy. The Palmer Course opened in 2001 and plays over 225 acres set on 370 acres of rugged, natural terrain, with dramatic topography and scenery that includes waterfalls and magnificent landscaping. The Resort Course is carved from the walls of a limestone quarry and nestled amongst live oak trees, streams and wildlife of the Texas Hill Country. Dramatic elevation changes and spectacular scenery make this a visual stunner. Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskoph designed this layout, which has been the host of the PGA Tour's Texas Open at La Cantera since 1995.
PALMER COURSE
The Palmer Course features some of the most spectacular golf scenery found anywhere. The landscaping surrounding the ninth and eighteenth green complexes - with cascading streams and waterfalls fronting the gorgeous clubhouse that rest above on a hill, is breathtakingly beautiful! This layout is built on a very rolling terrain, with numerous elevated tees. There also are some blind tee shots to raised fairways (tall posts serve as directional devices on these holes) that make for a challenging experience. 54 soft sand bunkers are strategically located - situated near the landing zones or greenside, and water comes into play in the form of crossing creeks or ponds on 5 holes. A few dry creek beds also cross the fairways.
Golfers will encounter a mix of tightly tree-lined and open fairways, most with ample landing areas. The green complexes feature large sloping TifEagle putting surfaces that roll quick and true, and there usually is some room for recoveries from offline approaches. Many of the complexes slope off dramatically however - miss to the wrong side and trouble lurks. Five sets of tee boxes play to distances and slopes measuring 6926 yards/142 slope, 6535 yards/139 slope, 6115 yards/134 slope, 5684 yards/128 slope and 5066 yards with a slope of 116 from the forward tees. As these ratings indicate - this is a challenging golf experience.
On property is a full scale practice facility with a multi-tiered, targeted grass range, short game area with sand bunker, plus putting green. The extraordinary clubhouse has upscale amenities including a well-stocked pro shop, locker rooms with showers, plus restaurant/lounge/outdoor patio providing spectacular views. There are wonderful views at quite a few areas of the course, with vistas of the surrounding hillsides and valleys. The Pro Link GPS that is standard on all carts (ball & club washers and ice chests as well) provide accurate info from tee to the pin, and sprinkler heads on the fairways are also measured to the center of the green.
Both courses at The Westin La Cantera Resort are Troon Golf properties - so visitors can expect top notch conditioning and service, to go with the exceptional course designs.
This is an exceptional resort, providing amenities and service worthy of a word renowned golf property. We highly recommend a visit here. For more info on this course, visit our page for the Resort Course by clicking here. A link to the resort website, with info on golf, golf school, accommodations plus stay and play packages, is available through the Westin La Cantera website link available on this page.
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