Starcke Park Golf Club

Max Starcke, former mayor of Seguin, has this great little municipal named after him. The course rolls along the Guadalupe River and is lined by giant pecans. John Bredemus designed the front nine in 1936 and Ralph Plummer added the second nine in 1979.

While the front is the easier of the two nines, it features one extremely difficult hole in the 457-yard No. 3: it plays uphill into a gentle dogleg left, with the left side also protected by a lake.

No. 18 is the signature on the back, but holes 11-13 offer a difficult stretch of golf. The par 5 No. 11 plays uphill, and is longer when facing the wind. Holes 12 and 13 both have elevated greens fronted by water. The 16th is known for its Texas-shaped (but not Texas-sized) green. The final hole plays 434 yards and demands an accurate tee shot down a skinny fairway that has a pond on the right side.

After post-round beers with the friendly locals, partake in the Starcke tradition of hitting wild drivers the practice range in a desperate effort to reach the galvanized metal-sided cart barn some 300 yards away.

Getting there : From I-10, take the Austin St. exit, then head south for 5 miles to the course. Look for S. Guadalupe St.