The Saga of Ram Rock

My usual posts  regarding Top 100 courses contain reviews of several courses but this post is only about one, Ram Rock (#96 Last Ranked 2003) at Horseshoe Bay Resort.  This is a 1981 Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design that was included on Golf Digest’s first Top 100 Public course rankings in 2003.  It has not been ranked since that time but has recently been renovated by his son, Robert Trent Jones, Jr.  Most of the courses we play are part of a one to three week trip where we play a ranked course each day.  This was the plan for Ram Rock as we were just 50 miles from this course last November when we made our way through Texas to play their other three ranked courses.  Unfortunately, when I called to schedule, I was told that the course was closed for the renovations.  This meant a return trip to the Austin area at a later time.  When we set up a family trip to Sedona, Arizona in July to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, we decided to divert to Texas on our way home to play and experience Ram Rock.  I planned on playing on a Tuesday and then we would fly back to Ohio on Wednesday.  I could not make a tee time when I booked the flight to Arizona since the course was still closed so I called in early July after the reopening.  I was then told that the course is closed every Tuesday for maintenance.  I then made a tee time for Wednesday and paid to reschedule our flight home for Thursday.  All seemed fine until we arrived at Horseshoe Bay for lunch on Tuesday and I saw on their literature that the course was closed every Wednesday.  After lunch we traveled to the course to check this out.  I was told at the pro shop that were indeed open on Wednesday and we were all set.  When I told him about having to change our plans because the course was closed on Tuesday, he looked at me in disbelief and said that the course was NOT closed on Tuesday and he did not know why the person told me that.  So even though Ram Rock had one of the lower green fees of all the courses we have played ($81), after adding the cost of changing our plane tickets and adding an extra night in a hotel, the misinformation we were given made it one of our more costly ventures.  Just another memory on our journey to play all 194 courses that have ever been ranked as a Top 100 public course.  Most memories are good ones, but this one not so much.

Now let’s talk about this fine golf course.  Ram Rock was only reopened for a month before we arrived and it was in terrific condition.  Surprisingly, the new greens were done with bent grass, normally a grass used in a more northern climate.  They were outstanding putting surfaces and hopefully they will stay in this condition despite the hot summers in this part of central Texas.  Ram Rock has a reputation as being one of the tougher tracks in Texas but although it is challenging, I do not feel that is too difficult for the average golfer as long as they pick the proper tee blocks.  A slope rating in the low to mid 130’s may seem difficult but this course is fair, interesting and fun to play.  Jones, Jr. took out a few bunkers and reduced some of the remaining bunkers.  They do not overwhelm you but require some strategic thinking both off the tee and approaching the green.  I particularly like the two par threes on the front, numbers 4 and 8, and also holes 9, 10 and 11.  There are several water hazards and a few forced carries but all are doable with a decent shot.  The conditioning of the entire course was top notch.  A small negative in my mind was the lack of yardage markers.  We did not have our GPS or laser with us so we were constantly looking for sprinklers but they did not have yardages marked on them.  There were flat markers at 200, 150 and 100 but were difficult to find from any distance away.  A much bigger design issue bothered me a lot.  Eleven of the fourteen driving holes were either doglegs to the left or bent to the left off the tee.  Being a fader of the ball, the course did not sit up well for me.  I much prefer courses that have a little more balance in their design.  There are quite a few homes around the course and they are not too imposing but this always works against a course when I try to determine my most enjoyable list.  Ram Rock does not make my list of Top 50 Most Enjoyable courses that I have ever  played but it is a worthy course and I would enjoy the opportunity to play it again.  If in the area of Austin, give it a try and you will enjoy the experience.