SAN ANTONIO – Winning the Valero Texas Open and a pair of cowboy boots won’t ever be confused with the prestige that comes with slipping into a Green Jacket next week at the Masters. But don’t tell that to the WAGs and especially the children of players in the field in the Lone Star State for whom the Valero holds major status.
If there were a vote to determine the most family-friendly event for players, there’s a good chance the Valero would win in a landslide. This is a week not to be missed. It all starts with the J.W. Marriott, a resort located just steps away from the 36-hole TPC San Antonio facility that must host at least half the field. To Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, it’s a week that has a bit of a European Tour feel to it, where most of the players stay under one roof, eat at the same restaurants and are more likely to mingle.
The Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.
“You’re passing everyone. You go out for dinner and stuff,” he said. “It does somewhat feel a little bit different this week. Everyone’s not in houses and you’re not meeting everyone when you get to the golf course.”
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After the first round, J.T. Poston and Lanto Griffin could be found eating dinner at one the hotel bars, one of the six restaurants on property, not far from members of the NBC Sports/Golf Channel crew and caddies such as Joe Skovron and Andy Sanders.
The resort’s nine-acre River Bluff Water Park, which includes an 1,100-foot-long Lazy River that circles the entire park and slew of water slides are a big hit with Tony Fleetwood’s son, Frankie. But it’s not just for kids. Ryan Palmer floated with his wife, a Miller Lite in hand and living his best life while Rafa Campos skipped practicing putting to hang with his young child and wife, saying, “I can’t putt any worse than I did today so I figured why not.”
You might see Tony Finau’s son Jraice kicking back in the hot tub or Kevin Kisner’s boys at the ping pong table. Others were throwing a football on the grass between fire pits. Everywhere you turn your head you’ll see another player — from Bud Cauley pushing a stroller with his little one to Tom Hoge’s wife at the pool and playing at the sandy beach with her child. Chandler Blanchet’s mother-in-law relaxed with a glass of wine. Christo Lamprecht walked his puppy while Andrew Putnam played chess outside the sports bar with his son and Webb Simpson waited on line at the Starbucks. The gym is nice enough that several players passed on the Tour trailer and stretched and warmed up there as did NBC’s Dan Hicks and Curt Byrum.
Many caddies, who are known to be frugal and double up to save on accommodations, splurge this week so their families can come along and enjoy the perks. Caddies, swing instructors as well as Finau’s son got their golf fix at the sister course at TPC San Antonio – The Canyons Course – where they are welcomed like members.
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With this year’s tournament falling on Easter, players were greeted with a basket filled with chocolate and Legos for the kids and a coloring book along with a tournament gift. [There is a Sunday service and an Easter Egg hunt for the kids scheduled too.] San Antonio Spurs tickets? No problem. Finau, Fleetwood, MacIntyre and Johnny Keefer were among the pros that took in Monday’s game. There was a behind the scenes tour for family at Sea World, dinner and a movie at the Alamo Draft House to see Mario Bros. 2, and a magician performing.
“We’re spoiled,” said Putnam.
Andrew Putnam’s wife Tawny and their kids at Sea World in San Antonio.
Every tournament tries to spoil them rotten such as the John Deere Classic, which is a favorite for its Big Dig event in which pros get to play with some of the company’s big machinery. The Arnold Palmer Invitational offers trips to Disney World.
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It’s pretty good living to be the child of a Tour pro. But it’s here in Texas Hill Country that the families of the pros really feel the love and so as the Future Competitions Committee shapes the future of the Tour going forward, the families have one message for Brian Rolapp and the player directors on the board who will make the ultimate decision: Don’t mess with the Valero Texas Open!
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Valero Texas Open is a favorite for PGA Tour pros and their families
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