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The 17th hole is most certainly a signature hole. It is a stunning downhill Par 3 with a lake and gorgeous flower beds guarding the right hand side of the green making or breaking many pars. The 18th hole is a fabulous finishing hole with an elevated tee box and dramatic lake and cascading waterfalls featured down the left side of the fairway approaching the green. This is a fun and challenging course that will have you happily checking off your bucket list of fantastic PGA Tour venues. Also on property is the Cottonwood Valley Course. This beautiful 18 hole layout was updated in 2006 and measures 7,120 yards from the tips. It is a private members club and is well maintained. There are several elevation changes and many strategically placed bunkers that snare tee shots and approach shots with good intentions. The first hole is the signature hole and is the handiwork of the course's original golf architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr. The green is in the shape of Texas with a bunker in the shape of Oklahoma and a lake resembling the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to 2008 this course was also used for the HP Byron Nelson Championship but with the new changes to the TPC layout the tournament is exclusively held there. The resort offers an expansive practice facility with 80,000 sq. ft. of tee space, a generous putting green and short game facility along with many lesson programs from certified PGA instructors. In addition to golf the Four Seasons resort has a 6,000 sq. ft. state- of-the-art fitness facility and 12 tennis courts. Many fabulous packages are available throughout the year. Go to fourseasons.com/dallas/ and click on "Offers" for all of the newest Stay and Play packages including unlimited golf. There are several courses in the DFW area that should be added to your itinerary. One is a relatively new track The premier golf resort in DFW is the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. It is a 400-acre oasis located minutes from the airport and boasts 431 exquisitely appointed rooms and suites featuring Spanish Colonial style architecture. It is also the only AAA Five Diamond resort in Texas. 89 parking stalls and indicate reserved spots for Dallas Cowboy players and staff. Vintage Cowboy games are played over the speakers as you enter the club house. garnering much acclaim, The Old American. Located in The Colony Texas, it is a half hour drive north of Dallas but well worth the trip. It is a classic American golf course featuring naturally formed bunkers and native grasses. Course architects Justin Leonard and Tripp Davis made an effort to be authentic with the course design with very subtle elevation changes, and taking advantage of rolling hills and spectacular lake views from almost every hole on the course. Davis has commented that both he and Leonard have an affinity for "the Golden Age of Golf Architecture" referring to classic courses created between 1910 and 1937. They wanted to stay true to the land. He noted their design philosophy was "guided and touched, but not manipulated". Also in accordance with this era of golf architecture, Tripp and Leonard wanted to make sand bunkers unexpected and a true hazard not the well groomed perfect lie many traps modern day courses offer. The traps are one of the most eye catching and memorable aspects of the course. They are beautiful and horrifying all at the same time. This course has a true links style feel which is authenticated by the role wind plays on many shots. The 18th hole is an incredible finishing hole offering stunning views and water up the left side of the fairway with many risk reward opportunities that can either yield a birdie or bogey in a hurry. Rates are $125 plus tax every day. This includes GPS carts and unique snack stations set around the courses that are unmanned and offer cold beverages and treats from crackers, to cookies and chocolate bars. This is a course that is guaranteed not to disappoint. For more information go to theoldamericangolfclub.com. Finally, a must play course in DFW is the Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine, Texas. This is the first NFL-themed golf course in existence and debuted in 2001.The course has won several awards for its playability, beauty and affordability. From the second you enter the parking lot you know you are in for a unique experience. Large blue single stars mark several Once inside homage is paid to the 5- time World Champions with a hall of honor that includes 5 replica Super Bowl trophies, classic Cowboys' cheerleader outfits and merchandise, and recognition of legends of the game both past and present. When you check in at the pro-shop you can watch the live feed from Cowboys Stadium which could be broadcasting a game or merely showing fans enjoying the field. Each hole on the course also proudly displays a stone marker that gives tid- bits of Dallas Cowboy history and shares some of the famous plays and prominent players who put the Dallas Cowboys on the map. Although this sounds like a gimmicky marketing trap, it is anything but. It is truly one of the best golf experiences you will have. The course takes advantage of its gorgeous North Texas location on 159 acres of lush densely forested areas that are different than any course you will play in the region. There are dramatic elevation changes and thick tree lined fairways Continued On Next Page IMAGE CREDIT ANTON VLOOSWYK