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Tenison Park Golf

The golf : Built by Dallas banker E.O. Tenison after World War I as a memorial to his son who died in the war, Tenison Park has a storied history as Texas; most infamous hustlers course--the place where guys like Titanic Thompson and Lee Trevino earned their livings and their reputations. The original West course was laid out by Jack Burke and Syd Cooper in 1925, and was followed by the Ralph Plummer-designed East course in the 1950s. Yet over the years, like the neighborhood around it, the course fell victim to neglect and its conditions deteriorated significantly.

However, in the 1990s the city renovated the musty old clubhouse with a fitting rock-walled design. The practice range across the road from the clubhouse was upgraded, and more signs of improvement were on the horizon. Then Dallas hired D.A. Weibring’s design firm to replace the West course, which opened for play in 2000 with a completely different look and name.
Now known as the Highlands Course, this track is the upscale, modern alternative to the budget-minded Glens Course, which is the new name for the old East course that has not been updated. Though the course is still hilly like the old days, many of the old trees were knocked down, water was added, and the greens were replaced. Many of the new greens offer wicked multi-level three-jack opportunities (especially holes 9 and 14).

Bunkers were added to spice up the design as well--a much-needed update to the old, bunkerless track. One of those bunkers fronts the elevated par 3 No. 5 green, which usually plays as a long iron and is tricky because of the huge oak tree that guards looms left. Another good hole on the front side is the 332-yard No. 7, which is reachable for big hitters from the more forward tees but is lined by a lake on the left. The play on No. 7 is to hit a mid-iron past the 150-yard marker.
On the back, the best birdie opportunity is No. 13, a relatively short par 3 that plays over a pond. Nos. 14 plays straight up one of the steepest hills in Dallas--it’s tough because of its three-level green and blind approach. No. 15 goes back down the hill, offering the chance to get a few strokes back with a long drive and short iron approach.

The ender is a great hole as well, doglegging right as a longish par 4. You’ll need a good drive long and left to set up the approach over the massive swale to the green that is fronted by steep-sided bunkers.
White Rock Creek is the predominant feature of the Glens Course, snaking across the route and a providing a haven for stragglers looking to cool off with a dip, bag a few spare balls to sell, or even catch a catfish or two for supper. It’s hard to believe but we’ve seen them, swimming around like it was Caddy Day at Bushwood.

The creek comes into play on the par 5 No. 2, which offers a challenging test of target golf, and is a nice complement to the opening hole--also a par 5 but much easier because it plays straightaway downhill and is void of hazards. This track also finishes with a par 5, a long push up the hill back to the new clubhouse.
For now the Glens, despite its confusing new name, is your chance to relive the old days of Tenison. It still sports the look and feel of the old hustler days while providing a cheaper alternative to the Highlands.

The details : 214-670-1402. 3501 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, TX 75223

• www.tenisonpark.com
• Glens: 1925. 18 holes. Par 72. Champ – 6,605 (71.2/122). Challenge – 6,287 (69.6/117). Standard – 5,877 (67.7/113). Forward – 5,107 (70.8/115). Price - $$.
• Highlands: 2000. D.A. Weibring. 18 holes. Par 72. Diamond – 7,078 (73.9/139). Gold – 6,610 (71.6/124). Silver – 5,905 (68.2/119). Pearl – 4,883. Price - $$$.

Getting there : From I-30 east, take the Dolphin Rd. exit and turn left. Drive over the highway to Samuel Blvd. and turn right, then make a left into the park/course entrance.