Texas or Tejas, is a state in the South Central Region of the United States. It is the second largest U.S. state by both area (after Alaska) and population (after California).
The city shares borders with the states of Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the south and southwest, and has a coastline with the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast.
Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth largest in the U.S., while San Antonio is the second-most populous in the state and seventh largest in the U.S. Dallas–Fort Worth and Greater Houston are the fourth and fifth largest metropolitan statistical areas in the country, respectively.
Other major cities include Austin, the second-most populous state capital in the U.S., and El Paso. Texas is nicknamed the “Lone Star State” for its former status as an independent republic, and as a reminder of the state’s struggle for independence from Mexico.
The “Lone Star” can be found on the Texas state flag and on the Texas state seal. The origin of Texas’s name is from the word táyshaʼ, which means “friends” in the Caddo language.
The term “six flags over Texas” refers to several nations that have ruled over the territory. Spain was the first European country to claim and control the area of Texas. France held a short-lived colony. Mexico controlled the territory until 1836 when Texas won its independence, becoming the Republic of Texas. In 1845, Texas joined the union as the 28th state.
The state’s annexation set off a chain of events that led to the Mexican–American War in 1846. A slave state before the American Civil War, Texas declared its secession from the U.S. in early 1861, and officially joined the Confederate States of America on March 2 of the same year.
After the Civil War and the restoration of its representation in the federal government, Texas entered a long period of economic stagnation.
Historically four major industries shaped the Texas economy prior to World War II: cattle and bison, cotton, timber, and oil. Before and after the U.S. Civil War the cattle industry, which Texas came to dominate, was a major economic driver for the state, thus creating the traditional image of the Texas cowboy.
In the later 19th century cotton and lumber grew to be major industries as the cattle industry became less lucrative. It was ultimately, though, the discovery of major petroleum deposits (Spindletop in particular) that initiated an economic boom which became the driving force behind the economy for much of the 20th century.
Texas developed a diversified economy and high tech industry in the mid-20th century. As of 2015, it is second on the list of the most Fortune 500 companies with 54.
With a growing base of industry, the state leads in many industries, including tourism, agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronics, aerospace, and biomedical sciences.
Texas has led the U.S. in state export revenue since 2002 and has the second-highest gross state product. If Texas were a sovereign state, it would have the 10th largest economy in the world.
GOLF IN TEXAS
With a mild climate and more than 800 courses strewn across rugged desert mountains, lush piney woods, hill country elevation changes, and seaside links, Texas is a giant playground for golfers.
Travelers can find premium public, private and resort courses across the state, making Texas a year-round golf destination rivaling any locale in the country. The links choices state-wide are truly endless, from the Gulf Coast to the Big Bend.
Golfers of all skill levels are challenged and awed by Texas’ enormous selection of golf facilities, from world-famous courses to inexpensive golfing on some of the nation’s prettiest links.
Called home by many legends of the game – including Ben Crenshaw, Ben Hogan, Nancy Lopez, Byron Nelson, Lee Trevino and Babe Zaharias – Texas beckons pros and amateurs alike from all over the world.
GOLF IN THE HILL COUNTRY
The rugged landscape, limestone cliffs, clear springs, towering oaks and meandering creeks make a golfing experience in the Hill Country challenging and fun.
Austin and its surrounding areas have received positive attention for its professional level courses. Having to work around the knobby terrain, architects have created innovative greens that cannot be found elsewhere, making the Texas courses distinctly unique. Barton Creek Resort and Spa is known as one of the best golf resorts in Texas.
Players can perfect their swing on one of four distinct courses all designed by professionals Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer and Ben Crenshaw, including the signature Fazio Foothills, the impressive Fazio Canyons, stunning Coore Crenshaw Cliffside and the secluded Palmer Lakeside.
The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines and Resort, located just outside of Austin, provides golfers championship level services and facilities. The resort’s course, named Wolfdancer, is a challenging yet satisfying experience, and have been named by Golfweek magazine as “Top 100 Resort Courses.”
Three Robert Trent Jones, Sr. championship courses can be found at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott, situated overlooking Lake LBJ in the Hill Country.
The Slick Rock, Apple Rock and Ram Rock courses were carefully designed around natural streams, waterfalls and rugged terrain that make these links some of the most difficult and picturesque in the state.
GOLF WHERE THE CHAMPIONS PLAY
Travel just an hour south and experience golf in San Antonio, choosing from an incredible selection from over 50 acclaimed courses, practice greens and academies.
Paired with premium courses and the abundance of playable days, San Antonio is a prime destination for avid golfers.
Additionally, the city is home to championship PGA tour courses at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa and the Westin La Cantera Resort, which only adds to their already impressive portfolio of links.
Additionally, the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa is part of the PGA Tour’s TPC Network of premier clubs offering 36 holes of golf designed by two of the most innovative architects and World of Golf Hall of Fame members, Pete Dye and Greg Norman.
Not only is the course unlike any other with its unique rolling fairways, untamed roughs and challenging sand traps, but is also home to the Valero Texas Open golf tournament.
The tournament is the fifth oldest professional golf tournament in the world in addition to being the longest running tournament held in the same city. The pair of championship golf courses at this resort offer epic golf opportunities few can enjoy elsewhere.
GOLF BY THE SEA AND IN THE PINES
Traveling to the coast presents many opportunities for those hoping to practice their swing. The cool breeze from the Gulf of Mexico and scenic views of wetlands and tropical landscapes from Galveston to Corpus Christi to South Padre Island keep golf vacationers returning year after year.
Unique courses such as Palmilla Beach Golf in Port Aransas, often compared to courses in Ireland, and the Rockport Country Club, with its towering oak trees, present magnificent challenges, making them longtime favorites amongst golfers.
Additionally, those looking for a resort-style getaway can head to Moody Gardens Resort and Spa in Galveston where days of golf and relaxation go hand-in-golf-glove.
Not far from the coast, Houston and the surrounding areas present a golfer’s paradise with complex landscapes and first class resorts. Mere minutes from downtown, the Golf Club of Houston hosts the Houston Open PGA Tour, where professionals compete and vie for excellence playing one of the state’s longest courses.
Other player favorites include Tour 18 Houston, which offers fun holes mimicking Augusta, Colonial, Bay Hill and Pinehurst in addition to Memorial Park Golf Club, one of Texas’ classics.
Just thirty minutes north in The Woodlands, tall pine trees, well-conditioned greens and thoughtfully designed courses are adorned by luxury hotels and a five-star resort.
Slightly further northeast, golf hideaways can be found tucked away among lush, emerald-green woods of tall pines and old cypress trees intermingled with ferns and blooming dogwoods.
This heavily tree-laden area offers particularly impressive links such as Whispering Pines in Trinity, said to be the best golf course in the state.
GOLF LIKE A COWBOY
In the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the Four Seasons Resort and Club is another course to add to your list.
Other links and greens in the region have continuously entertained for generations including the Trails of Frisco, notably ranked as one of Texas’s top public courses, and The Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine, the world’s first NFL-themed golf course paying tribute to the five time world champion football team the Dallas Cowboys.
Historical markers blanket the course and provide an insight into some of the most notable and prominent Cowboys players, both past and present. Conveniently located between Dallas and Fort Worth sits Tour 18 Dallas, renowned for its replica of Georgia’s famed challenging Augusta course. Open to the public, this course offers one fantastic challenge after another, creating an unforgettable and unbeatable experience.
Densely populated cities and green forests are not what golfers will find on the courses in West Texas. Instead, you’ll find a slower pace, desert and mountains accompanying the games.
Breathtaking mountain holes and spectacular mountain vistas combine to make the Lajitas Resort and Golf Club a work of art.
Located near the Big Bend National Park, the 19th hole plays over the Rio Grande into Mexico, offering an unparalleled golf experience.
Additionally, Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course in El Paso has received accolades from Golf Digest, Texas Golfer, the United States Golf Association and the Dallas Morning News as being one of the most preeminent golf facilities in Texas and the Southwest. The beauty of playing the game in this region is that players don’t have to fight the crowds and can enjoy moving at a slower pace while enjoying the stunning views and landscapes.
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