The Tribute Golf Club, The Colony, Texas - a Links-Style Golf Course That Simulates and Pays Tribute to Where the Game Began

The Tribute Golf Club is located in Texas, which seems about as far from the birthplace of golf in the British Isles as one could get, culturally speaking. The Tribute Golf Club is a tribute to the great courses on the other side of the Atlantic, however, and, according to reviewers, has done a splendid job of it.

For golfers who have dreamed of playing the likes of St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Troon, The Tribute recreates the experience of Scottish links-style golf in the greater Dallas area. The Tribute is a true links-style course, designed by Tripp Davis, and patterned after those legendary courses, simulating some of the most famous and challenging holes found there.

The 18-hole, par-72 course, which opened in 2000, plays to 7,002 yards from the longest tees, with a USGA rating of 73.2 and a slope rating of 122. The course features wind-swept dunes, challenging water hazards and pot bunkers, as well as sea-washed grasses. And, since wind is fairly common in the Dallas area, the course simulates that as well, although the Texas heat often makes for a sharp contrast to the climate of Scotland.

In simulating the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf Club, considered the birthplace of golf, the first and 18th holes share the same fairway, so there's not much of an excuse for missing this wide, wide landing area on either hole. On the surface, the first hole looks harmless enough, but the Swilken Burn is a small stream that cuts in front of the green and has been known to drown many a golf ball, while the green is undulating and tricky.

Hole No. 2 of The Tribute takes golfers next to Carnoustie, which is considered one of the toughest and most demanding courses in Scotland. Just recall Frenchman Jean Van de Velde's meltdown on the final hole that squandered a three-shot lead in the 1999 Open. This par-4 hole is a tribute that simulates No. 5 at Carnoustie, considered one of the best on that course. There are pot bunkers in the fairway, a burn that runs across the fairway midway to the green, and plenty of heather, brae and gorse to either side of the short grass.

In addition, The Tribute also features holes that were inspired by the famous Postage Stamp hole at Turnberry, as well as holes from courses such as Prestwick, Muirfield, Western Gailes, and Royal Dornoch. And, of course, the famous Road Hole and the Valley of Sin found on the St. Andrews Old Course.

Since opening, The Tribute has received a number of honors and awards. Golf Digest ranked The Tribute as the #1 Public Golf Course in the Dallas area, and one of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses for 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The Tribute also features a 33,000-square-foot clubhouse designed as an English Tudor filled with Olde World d,cor and charm. Avid Golfer Magazine named it Best Clubhouse in 2002, and the clubhouse is home to a pro shop, 80 Guest Suites, and a restaurant with an award-winning European chef.