Whispering Pines Golf Club Named Best Course in Texas for 12th Time

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 in the country by Golf Digest.

The layout 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 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, the 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 continues 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.