The Tribute @ The Colony
Dallas, TX
'03 Fees: $90-$105
Golf.com Review: A half-hour north of downtown but a world away in ambience sits architect Tripp Davis' homage to some of the greatest holes in the British Isles, starting with a startlingly accurate depiction of the opening (and adjacent closing) hole at St. Andrews' Old Course. A superb clubhouse and lodging experience successfully manages to blend equal parts Texas and Scotland, right down to the Nairn Nachos appetizer dished out in the restaurant.
Golf Magazine Course Spy, 12/09
The Tribute Golf Links
The Colony, Texas
7,002 yards, par 72
$99-$129
www.thetributegolflinks.com
972-370-5465
Service
Solid and prompt all day. The knickers-wearing marshals even helped us look for errant shots. And we managed to stifle a laugh when the friendly starter explained that this course featured "exact replicas of St. Andrews."
Pace of Play
Not brisk, but acceptable. The cost—high for the area—weeds out some casual players, and the course itself won't beat you up. It's mostly open, with medium-speed greens and hardly any water. Beware the frequent corporate outings, however.
Quality
Having played most of the real versions of these holes, we'd say that architect Tripp Davis nailed the replicas. The St. Andrews holes are skillfully reproduced, and the lesser-known efforts (tributes to Nairn, Moray and Western Gailes) are seamlessly integrated.
Value
While it's among the pricier Dallas publics, Tribute is far from the highest. We paid the walk-in weekday rate of $99 and got our money's worth. The greens, while exceptionally true, were too slow, but the replica holes, service and clubhouse add up to a really good deal.
Verdict
Replica courses usually look and play like contrived gimmicks, but here they managed to get things right. Just avoid playing on dewy mornings, when lack of fairway roll makes the course play more like Sarasota than Scotland.
Best Bar Nearby: The on-site Old Tom Morris Pub made Golf Digest's 2008 50 Best 19th Holes list. "The Old Tom Morris Pub goes to "great lengths" to re-create a Scottish-pub atmosphere; the actual bar was hand-crafted in the 19th century and was imported from the U.K.; "very cozy."
GolfChannel.com recommends downtown Grapevine's Big Fish Grille for fish tacos washed down with a pint of Shiner Bock.
Best Bar, Fort Worth: The CBS golf crew likes Billy Bob's Texas, known as "The World's Biggest Honky Tonk", with a rodeo ring, mechanical bull riding, and enough space to host big country music acts.
Where To Grub: In and around Dallas, Golf Magazine recommends the BBQ at hole-in-the-wall Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse (open 10-3, get there early before they run out of brisket), the state's best Tex-Mex green chile enchiladas at Chuy's, or local upscale favorite Bob's Steak & Chop, with multiple locations in Dallas and Plano. At Bob's, expect crowds of beautiful people standing 4-deep at the bar for big drinks, big steaks, and a big bill to match. It may take your whole foursome to polish off an order of Bob's wicked onion rings, a fantastic bleu cheese salad, and a prime 20-ounce bone-in ribeye. For BBQ around Fort Worth, Southern Living magazine likes Angelo's, or Railhead Smokehouse BBQ, both BBQ legends.
Where To Stay: Golf Magazine says immerse yourself in the lap of TX luxury at several top-notch Dallas area golf resorts. Try the Westin Stonebriar in Frisco, or the Westin Creeks @ Beechwood, north of Fort Worth. Both hotels feature Westin's "Heavenly Bed"--the premeir choice for those who have trouble sleeping in hotels--and high speed modem connections. The Westin Stonebriar Hotel is built of TX limestone and features large, comfy rooms. Furniture is made of native oak and pecanwood. The lagoon-style pool and fitness center are big plusses, as is the proximity to high-end shopping at the glitzy new Stonebriar Mall. OR, the finest lodgings in the Metroplex are still found at 4 Seasons R&C @ Las Colinas, in Irving. Impeccable 4 Seasons service & comfort at cushy villas with TPC 18th green views, at a relatively bargain rate. Byron Nelson himself is a regular presence at the 4 Seasons, lunching with most of the classes at his namesake golf academy. Soak up the sun at the giant free-form pool, wind down with a hot rocks massage at the spa, or hit the 3-story sports club, with indoor hoops hosting surprisingly good pick-up games. Strap on the feedbag at the 4 Season's new Cafe' on the Green, with a sleek and elegant desiqn befitting the New American cuisine of Chef Christof Syre', wooed from the Regent Hotel in Hong Kong. Order the braised lobster at dinner, but the Must-Eat is the sumptuous breakfast buffet.
Other Tracks To Play, from Golf Magazine Apr 05:
Near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
REALLY CLOSE BY: Bear Creek G.C. (3500 Bear Creek Court; 972-456-3200; nine minutes, six miles; $50-$65) has 36 holes practically on the runway. If you can handle the noise of jet engines, it's definitely worth your time.
BEST VALUE: Grapevine G. Cse. (3800 Fairway Drive, Grapevine; 817-410-3377; 19 minutes, 13 miles; $23-$27) is a low-cost alternative to Cowboys that's right up the street. Another good value is Riverchase G.C. (700 Riverchase Drive, Coppell; 972-462-8281; 19 minutes, 10 miles; $39-$49). This course might not be as well-conditioned as Cowboys, but its wide fairways will help keep your drives in play and put a smile on your face for the flight home.
AIRPORT CONFIDENTIAL: Find out which terminal you're departing from. There are several, and they are a long way apart. Don't worry about finding a gas station to refill before you return to the airport; there are big ones on-site, three minutes from the rental-car return spots. There are PGA Tour golf shops in terminals A and E.