Whispering Pines Golf Club Named Best Course in Texas Again

Whispering Pines Golf Club has again been recognized as the best golf course in the state of Texas. In the annual rankings released earlier this month, both  The Dallas Morning News and Golfweek named the course the best in the state in annual rankings released earlier this month. In addition to the statewide honor, Whispering Pines was also recognized as the No. 19 modern course in America and the No. 55 overall course in the country by Golf Digest. 

The course was originally designed in 1998 by Texas golf course architect Chet Williams when he was with the Nicklaus Design Group.  In December 2019, Williams returned for the course’s new construction which was strategically planned during the course’s end-of-season closure. Whispering Pines reopened to members in the fall of 2020.

Under Williams’ guidance, the course was entirely re-grassed with Zeon Zoysia in the fairways and rough and TifEagle Bermuda on the greens. All of the greens were completely rebuilt, including several that were completely redesigned, and all tee boxes were leveled with several new tees added. The course’s bunkers were also rebuilt with some eliminated and others added. 

General Manager Tim Timlin, a 30-year veteran in club management with a track record of creating and delivering unique golf experiences, oversees the operations.

“Everyone at Whispering Pines has worked incredibly hard through our recent course construction to be ready for this year,” Timlin said. “This is the best place in Texas to play.”

The property which encompasses Whispering Pines Golf Club was purchased by local philanthropists Barbara and Corby Robertson Jr. in 1970 for neighboring Camp Olympia, a renowned summer camp. In 1998, Robertson’s vision for the property broadened when they decided to add a world-class golf course. Williams was asked to design the ‘best course’ in Texas. Twenty months later, in March 2000, Whispering Pines Golf Club opened its doors to rave reviews. 

“The experience at Whispering Pines over the years is truly special,” Corby Robertson said. “We are especially appreciative of all our contributors and Spirit sponsors who have enabled its positive impact on the global golf community. We’re also honored that Chet Williams’ creative genius and our Whispering Pines team effort continue to be recognized by the golf community in Texas and around the country. We devoted significant resources to new construction on the course in the last two years, so we’re thrilled to see that we continue to deliver a memorable experience to members and their guests.”

Whispering Pines has been recognized by The Dallas Morning News as the best course in Texas 14 times and has appeared in Golf Digest’s Top 100 five times and GolfWeek’s Modern Course rankings every year since 2011. 

The property features an 18-hole Championship Golf Course carved through piney woods, creeks, lakes, and natural dunes. The nine-hole short course – The Needler – is the best short course in America. 

In addition to the Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship (Nov. 1-7, 2021), Whispering Pines is the host course of the Spirit Charity Challenge featuring Spirit alumni and Spirit Hall of Fame Game which features local sports Hall of Famers and celebrities at the course. 

About the Spirit Golf Association:

The Spirit Golf Association, 501(c)(3), serves as the host for The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship. Contributors to the Spirit Golf Association, 501(c)(3), receive playing privileges at Whispering Pines Golf Club. In addition, SGA also hosts the Spirit Charity Challenge featuring Spirit alumni and Spirit Hall of Fame Game, which features local sports Hall of Famers and celebrities. Charlie Epps, PGA, serves as president and has been associated with the SGA since it was created in 1999. Mark Steinbauer, PGA, is vice-president.

About Whispering Pines Golf Club:

Whispering Pines Golf Club recently completed a course construction and re-opened in the fall of 2020. Just 80 miles north of Houston along the shores of Lake Livingston, Whispering Pines Golf Club is one of the best private golf clubs in the country. The club was founded not only to offer its discerning contributors a superior golf experience on an exceptional course but also was created to promote amateur golf. Whispering Pines is ranked #1 in Texas and was recently ranked #19 in the top 200 modern courses in the country by Golfweek. Chris Rowe, PGA, is the head golf professional and Tim Timlin is the General Manager at Whispering Pines.