Desert Pines Golf Course

Although you wouldn't expect many PGA Tour professionals to come from this region, Blaine McCallister, whose course record 61 scorecard sits prominently displayed in the pro shop, honed his game here and has proved his mettle on tour.

This traditional West Texas course is well maintained. There are mature trees, but they're spread out enough to allow the wind to be a major factor. The 18-hole layout looked quite lush during our visit on a 95-degree September day at the end of a summer of drought conditions.

Although not too terribly long, the course has several water hazards that front greens, and the bent-grass greens are triple-tiered and easy to three-putt.

For its location, this course is well kept and if you stay in the fairways, grass isn't a problem. The layout requires decent length on your shots, but it is a good test overall.

MORE GOLF Note that there is a simple little driving range just south of I-10, and east of the Hwy. 285 exit, as you pass through town.

Getting there : From I-10 west, exit N Hwy. 285 and head straight to the course.