DeCordova Bend CC Wins 2023 Texas League Play
Briefly: Granbury’s DeCordova Bend Country Club wins 2023 Texas League Play Playoffs. The club defeated Eagle Pointe Golf Club 8-4 during Sunday’s Championship matches.
Golf Course: Located about 15 miles west of downtown San Antonio, Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club boasts three nine-hole courses designed by Arthur Hills and Associates. The original 18 holes, the Lakes and Oaks Courses, opened for play in 1993. The Creeks Course was added in 2005. Encompassing more than 200 acres, the three nines blend together seamlessly, yet each offers distinct settings from links-style undulating grasslands to a parkland backdrop with tree-shaded plateaus and tranquil lakes and ponds. The Texas League Play Playoffs were played on the Oaks and Creeks courses, with the Oaks being the front nine and the Creeks being the back nine.
Weather: Starting on Thursday, and ending on Sunday, the Texas League Play Playoffs had ideal scoring conditions with near perfect golf weather. The field played through light Thursday morning showers before seeing blue skies and mid to high 80-degree temperatures throughout the weekend.
Championship Match: Sunday’s championship between DeCordova Bend CC and Eagle Pointe GC was all squared as the matches made the turn splitting points 2 to 2. On the back nine DeCordova Bend CC turned the momentum making a late charge, winning the back nine 3.5 to 0.5 and the overall 2.5 to 1.5. DeCordova Bend’s last two matches posted clean sweeps, winning six points between the two matches.
Semifinal Matches: Saturday’s semifinals started with a matchup between Brownwood CC and DeCordova Bend CC. The top overall seeds playoff run came to an end when DeCordova Bend CC defeated them 11 to 1 and secured the first spot in the championship. Eagle Pointe GC and red-hot Nutcracker GC squared off in the second group of semifinal matches. Previously winning their quarterfinals match 12 to 0, the club ran out of steam as they fell the Eagle Pointe GC. Eagle Pointe GC defeated Nutcracker GC 7.5 to 4.5 and punched their ticket to the championship match.
Quarterfinal Matches: Friday’s matches got started again with Brownwood CC as they matched up against Ridglea CC in Match 1. Coming down to the wire, both clubs had all eyes on Brownwood’s Chad Calvert as he lined his putt on 18 green to send the club to the semifinal matches. Under pressure, Calvert rolled in his putt to secure the 6.5 to 5.5 win and advance Brownwood CC to the next round. The second set of matches was between DeCordova Bend CC and Sweetwater CC. DeCordova Bend CC defeated Sweetwater CC with another strong showing from team captain Kevin Grimes and partner Chris Bayler. The duo again took all three points in their matchup leading to an 8 to 4 victory. Match 3 featured Eagle Pointe GC and The Sports Club of Las Colinas. Eagle Pointe defeated Las Colinas 9 to 3, securing their spot in the semifinals. Nutcracker GC won the fourth set of matches with an impressive 12 to 0 victory over Hackberry Creek CC, which had not been done before in the playoffs before.
Round of 16 Matches: Thursday’s first matches off were between top seeded Brownwood CC and Odessa CC – Links. Brownwood CC defeated Odessa CC 7 to 5, winning the West Texas showdown. In the second set of matches Ridglea CC defeated Green Tree CC – North 8 to 4. The third group of matches in the Round of 16 featured Tierra Verde GC and DeCordova Bend CC. DeCordova Bend CC won the match 8 to 4, with three of those points coming from team captain Kevin Grimes and his partner Chris Bayler. Matchup 4 was between Sweetwater CC and TPC Craig Ranch. Sweetwater CC won the matchup 10.5 to 1.5 while not giving up a single full point in the set of matches. In Match 5, Eagle Pointe GC defeated San Angelo CC 7.5 to 4.5. The Sports Club of Las Colinas advanced to the quarterfinals after an unfortunate withdraw from the club they were matches up against for Match 6. The second to last group of matches, Match 7, was between Nutckracker GC and defending champions Odessa CC – Old. Nutcracker GC got the better of the defending champions and won the match 9.5 to 2.5. Match 8, the final matches of the Round of 16, Hackberry Cree CC defeated Green Tree CC – East 6.5-5.5.
TGA League Play: Texas League Play is open to all TGA members clubs that meet the club eligibility requirements. Participating clubs establish a four-club conference and compete over an eight-week regular season. The regular season consists of six interconference matches including three home and three away matches. Eight players represent each club on match day and play Four-Ball matches. Points are awarded in a Nassau style scoring with each of the four matches being worth three points.
What’s Next: The Texas Golf Association will head to Hockley for the playing of the 114th Texas Amateur Championship. The 114th Texas Amateur will be the first major of the year on the men’s competition schedule.
More Info: The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the staff, members of Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club, for their integral part in making the Texas League Play Playoffs a memorable and successful event. For more information on the Texas League Play, click here.