Champions Golf Club: Cypress Creek

The Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, lives up to its name, founded by prominent Texans Jackie Burke, Jr., who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2023, and Jimmy Demaret. Together, they won a combined five major championships, including four Masters green jackets. The club features two courses, with the Cypress Creek course being one of the most challenging and revered. Despite its sibling course, Jackrabbit, ranking higher in state assessments, Cypress Creek has a storied history, hosting significant events such as the 1969 U.S. Open, a Ryder Cup, numerous PGA Tour tournaments including the TOUR Championship, and the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open.

When it opened in 1957, Cypress Creek was celebrated as one of the premier new courses of the post-World War II era, and it maintained a position among the top 100 courses from 1966 to 1988. Known for its tight, tree-lined fairways and large, well-guarded greens, the course requires precise shot-making. The fourth hole, which curves around a bend in Cypress Creek, has been historically noted as one of the country’s most challenging par 3s. A 2018 renovation led by Texan architect Chet Williams, known for his work at Whispering Pines, refreshed the course while preserving its distinguished character and demanding gameplay.