Pamcel Golf Course

Located on the grounds of the Celanese Chemical plant, this is a private course open only to employees of the company and their guests. In the event that you work your way onto the course–and there is a slight chance–bring enough golf balls because water is everywhere.

Built around 1960 by Celanese employees for their enjoyment, the course also functions as a means to rid the plant of wastewater. As a result, huge lakes that hold 20 million gallons of water await errant shots on holes 2-6. This impressive amount of water allows for the adequate irrigation of cool-season grasses, which is definitely unique for Texas. Even in the summer, golfers will find bluegrass fairways, gnarly fescue rough, and immaculate bent-grass greens. The course has bunkers on six of the nine holes and the fairways are tree-lined.

Hole 6 is rated the toughest, playing 510 yards into the wind with water along the left side of the fairway. No. 2 is another difficult hole: a par 4 featuring a big dogleg-left fairway and water impacting both the tee and the approach shot.

You might also want to note that if you hear a loud horn blow on No. 5, it’s not a weather alert–it’s a warning that heat radiation is resulting from the plant’s daily operations. So watch out for the “heat radiation zone” on No. 5.

Getting there : Located 5 miles southwest of Pampa on Hwy. 60.