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Sharpstown Municipal Golf Course

The golf : After shutting down for most of 2002 for a $1.2 million renovation project, the Sharpstown Muni opened for play in August 2002 sporting new cart paths, an upgraded irrigation system based on lake expansion, less cross-fairway drainage, and an overall more natural look.
Originally known as the Sharpstown Country Club back in the 1950s and '60s, and former host of the Houston Open, the course shut down amid financial turmoil until the city of Houston scooped it up in the late 1970s and hired Jay Riviere to renovate the layout.
With its generous fairways, the course is primarily known as a hacker-friendly track. Wayward tee shots are recoverable because of the relatively sparse tree-lined fairways. Even though there are some rather long par 4s, you'll be able to fire away with your driver on the straightaway holes.
The final stretch of golf is the best, with a few short par 4s and 3s as well as a birdie-able par 5.
Note that they refer to the net along No. 6 as the Zindler Net-it's a wire contraption installed to protect the home of local newsman Marvin Zindler, who lived near the course in the 1970s and '80s. Houstonites know Zindler for his infamous association with the famed La Grange chicken ranch.

The details : 713-988-2099. 6600 Harbor Town Dr., Houston, TX 77036

• www.houstonmunicipalgolf.com
• Jay Riviere. 18 holes. Par 70. Back - 6,670 yards (69.7/113). Middle - 6,396 (68.2/112). Forward - 5,883 (72.0/113). Price - $$.

Getting there : From Hwy 59 south take the Bell Aire Blvd. exit and turn right. When you come to Harbor Town Dr., turn right and the course is just down the road on the left side.