JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Representatives from the Valero PGA Texas Open unveiled a plaque recognizing the Fort Sam Houston Golf Course as a Valero Texas Open Historical Tournament Course Jan. 25.
The plaque, located near the putting green, provides the history of PGA tournaments held at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Course.
“This place holds a very special meaning to all of us at the Valero Texas Open, as we celebrate our 100th anniversary this year,” said Larson Segerdahl, Valero Texas Open executive director. “This golf course, these grounds, these tees, fairways and greens served as the host course for the Texas Open early in its history. To this day it remains the only military installation golf course that has hosted a professional golf tournament.”
Brian Hoffman, 502nd Air Base Wing vice director, attended the event and expressed his gratitude on behalf of Joint Base San Antonio.
“What a great way to commemorate the special relationship between the Valero Texas Open and the Fort Sam Houston Golf Course,” Hoffman said. “On behalf of Joint Base San Antonio, thank you to Valero and the Valero Texas Open.”
Texas Open organizers added Fort Sam Houston to the tour in 1950 when the field exceeded 300 contestants. The field was split between Fort Sam Houston and Brackenridge Park in 1950 and 1951.
The Texas Open was held at Fort Sam Houston in 1950, 1951, 1956, and 1960, and produced a distinguished list of champions. Sam Snead, Dutch Harrison, Gene Littler, and Arnold Palmer all won at Fort Sam Houston.
Fort Sam Houston was the sole site of the Texas Open in 1956 when Littler won. Arnold Palmer won the last Texas Open held at Fort Sam Houston in 1960.
“My wrists got cold on the back nine and I lost the touch,” Palmer explained. “I was still hitting the ball well, but maybe I was anxious to get in.”
Palmer went on to win the Masters Tournament and U.S. Open that year.