Around the Green

Texas Shootout Set for Nov 6-8

The state’s top 24 amateurs from North and South Texas will gather at the Traditions Club at Texas A&M for the 17th Annual Texas Shootout from Nov. 6-8.

This will be the first Texas Shootout and third overall Texas Golf Association championship held at Traditions Club. Previously, the club was the site of the 2017 Women’s Texas Amateur, won by Maddie McCrary, and the 2014 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, won by Mike Peck.

“We are extremely excited to be able to host this year’s Texas Shootout at the Traditions Club,” said Ian Davis, TGA Tournament Director. “The golf course is extremely challenging and will test every aspect of a player’s game. The layout features many risk-reward options, which will add a great deal of excitement and suspense to the Shootout’s team match play format.”

Designed by Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II, Traditions Club opened for play in 2004 and serves as the home of the Texas A&M Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams. Nestled hard against the banks of Turkey Creek, the Nicklaus duo seamlessly incorporated the native hardwoods, rolling hillsides and natural water features into a stunning layout, one that demands precision tee shots and approaches, as well as a steady hand on the quick undulating greens.

First conducted in 2003, the season-ending Texas Shootout is by invitation-only and features the top 12 players (eight mid-amateurs and four seniors) from North Texas squaring off against their counterparts from South Texas in a Ryder Cup-style competition.

Players earn their way onto their respective teams by accumulating points throughout the year in designated TGA regional and statewide tournaments, as well as USGA national championships. North and South regions are defined as either being above or below the 31’ parallel (Salado, Texas).

Of the eight mid-amateurs selected from each region, five come from the TGA Statewide Player of the Year point standings and three from the Regional Player of the Year point standings. The top four North and South senior players are chosen based on the Statewide Senior Player of the Year point standings.

“Traditions Club is excited to open its doors for the 2020 edition of the Texas Shootout,” said Ryan Briggs, Tradition Club’s Head Golf Professional. “We are honored to host 24 of the top amateur golfers in the state of Texas for two days of intense competition. These players have pushed all year to qualify for their respective teams, and we will no doubt give them a great stage to battle for the title.”

The format for the Shootout includes foursome, four-ball and singles matches. A total of 24 matches will be played over the two days. Each match is worth three points – one point each for front nine, back nine and 18 – making for 72 available points. The first team to accumulate 36½ points is the winner.

At the 2019 Texas Shootout, hosted by Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler, the South Texas Team snapped a two-year losing streak by defeating the North Texas Team, 37-35. The overall series is now tied 8-8.