San Antonio, Texas. The Military City Golf Trip

San Antonio Texas is known as the Military City, with four bases in the area.   Three of the bases have golf courses and it is our goal to play every military golf course in the country and this is a great place to start.

Our trip started with three Army retirees, Col. Bill Logel, Ltc. Tom Wilczak and Msg. John Zook arriving on an early morning flight from Chicago.  The fourth golfer is a good old Texas boy named Earl.  He drove down from the Dallas area to pick us up at the airport and complete our foursome.  Earl has a vast knowledge of the area and had some great places to eat.

We checked in at the now closed Brooks City AF Base on the south side of town early, and decided to check out the golf course at Lackland AFB.  We thought it would be a great idea to play the front 9 holes, and come back next day to play the back 9 holes that was the plan.

A torrential rain storm turned the little creek at Lackland’s Gateway Golf Course into a large lake and all of the courses in the area were closed.  The storm shut down the Velaro Open, a longtime San Antonio PGA event.  So on to plan two, site seeing and shopping.

 

Sunshine on the 3^rd day enabled us to get in our first full round on the trip at Sam Houston.  There are two courses, the Salado-Del-Rio course and the La Loma course; we played the La Loma course.  This course is the shorter of the two courses with many scenic views.  That afternoon we stopped by the Gateway Course to complete the back nine holes we missed because of the storm.  Famous Texas BBQ was on the menu for that evening.

Next on the agenda were the Randolph AFB Oaks Golf Course and another golf treasure.  The course is a typical Texas course, flat, open fairways small greens and lots of Texas wildlife. The base is a major flight training facility of the Air Force, that means constant loud jet and propeller noise from aircraft take-offs, fly byes, and landings, distractions are normal.  Mexican food at Papasitos and a late night cigar ended the day for us.

On our last day we played the second course at Fort Sam Houston, the Salado-Del-Rio course - a real challenging course, with more beautiful scenery.  We ended the day with a great meal at a steak house in old town San Antonio.

The morning of our last day, after breakfast at a well-known pancake house we packed, thanked our friend Earl for all of his help, and checked in for our flight back to Chicago.

Our first military golf trip was to Wright-Patterson AFB, in Dayton, OH. This is where we thought up the idea to play all of the military golf course in the country, all185of them.   San Antonio, the “Military City” was our second and the beginning of the vision to play all of the military golf courses in the United States. As noted above, there are four very nice military courses in the greater San Antonio area.

There are many cities throughout the country that have multiple military bases and golf courses; this was just the beginning of many more trips to come.  We take advantage of our Retired Military benefits by using the military facilities as much as possible. They vary by base but generally include Distinguished Visitor Quarters (DV), Temporary Military Lodging (TML), golf courses, Commissaries, Exchanges and any other post clubs and activities.

Coronado Naval Base, North Island Naval Air Station, California

The Sea ‘N Air Golf Course located at the North Island NAS, California is an 18- hole par-72 course, at 6,382 yards from the back tees with a rating of 70.3 and a 117 slope.  The course was designed by Jack Daray and opened in 1959, the course was renovated by Jack Daray and constructed by his son Halsey Daray.

The Sea ‘N Air Golf Course is the only course in the San Diego besides Torrey Pines that sits right on the Pacific Ocean and is the only golf course to play at sea level.  The signature hole is #14.  We found the greens fast and undulating, soft, and a challenge.  The aircraft overhead add to the ambiance of the course.  It’s the sound of freedom to all ex-military everywhere.  As we played the course, we enjoyed the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean along the back 9 holes where you’ll practically play next to the shoreline.

This is a military golf course and is for military personnel and there guest only.

Head Golf Pro.        Matt Brumbavgh    619-545-9658

The Horseshoe Café, Wickenburg, Arizona

While traveling across the country in my pursuit to play all 185 military golf courses, I have stumbled into a variety of restaurants, dinner, and dives that served great food.  There was Odies Big Sky Café in Shelby Montana, Rudy’s real Texas Bar-B-Q in Houston Texas, The Coloumbia Restaurant in Ybor City, the old Cubin cigar making district. But one of my favorite places for breakfast is the Horseshoe Café in Wickenburg Arizona.

During our military golf trip through Arizona, Col Bill Logel and Msg John Zook stopped for some breakfast in Wickenberg.  It was the only place open so in we when.  After nursing bills skinned up knee, we asked what there known for, and without hesitating, a loud Biscuits & Gravy came out from the waitress and the customers, but you boys better only get a half order.  Every time I’m in the area of Wickenburg Arizona, a Horseshoe Café visit is on the schedule.

Yes it’s small, yes it’s hard to find,  yes you’ll see cowboys and bikers, yes it’s just a little diner, yes the portions are large, but the food is outstanding especially the biscuits and grave.  As you can see, I’m having a full order of biscuits and gravy with a Denver omelet with hash brown potatoes and Rusty, my golf buddy is having a half order.

Dick Hoyt was the big kahuna in the kitchen that morning that makes it all happen and sometimes its Steve or Anthony.  Amber and Leanne keep the food flowing and all the customers happy.    You won’t find any tofu, sprouts, or any of that California stuff here, just eggs, sausage, gravy, meat, potatoes, and all your deep fried favorites.  Rule number 1 at the Horseshoe Café, GREAT FOOD AND LOTS OF IT.

If you’re in the area, this is a must stop on your bucket list.  Just tell them Msg. Divot sent you, and enjoy the experience.

Deb & O.J. Thompson’s  Horseshoe Café  Wickenburg, AZ.  (928) 684-7377