JTOG Day 15: Play the Newly Renovated Texas A&M Campus Course

Thank God it's a small Golfing World... I first met Mike Bailey by chance playing the beautiful and challenging Royal Isabela in Puerto Rico. Meeting travel golf writers like myself at the best golf courses in the world seems to be no coincidence. The second time I met Mike was fortuitous for me as I needed a place to stay in Houston. I called, he answered and offered a few nights. Then being the extraordinary (and well connected) person that he is, Mike invited me to come along for the Grand Reopening of the Jeff Blume-renovated Texas A&M Campus Course in College Station. This type of occurrence, no place to stay and then an invitation to stay and play golf, seemed to be my good fortune along the way to Rio! I love Texas and enjoyed living in San Antonio for 1-1/2 years way back when. I had never been to College Station  and the drive out with Mike was enjoyable as I was very excited to see this rebuilt golf course. We stopped at Rudy's BBQ for a breakfast burrito on the way. When we arrived there was a lot of excitement, golfers and a tent set for lunch by Outback Steakhouse. You eat a lot of meat when you are in Texas. I met a lot of people, even the architect Jeff Blume and his father Jay. Also the Club Manager Dave Elmendorf. an All-American his senior season in football for Texas A&M. Here are the video interviews: CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Golf Course Architect Jeff Blume and his dad Jay. CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Campus Course Club Manager Dave Elmendorf. I met a lot of Aggies except one young golfer. though I am not sure if Mike Bailey is an Aggie or not? The young golfer was Roman Robledo, a sophomore from the University of Houston. Now as a senior, I see he was rated No. 19 nationally by Golfweek/Sagarin for 2014 and was a  Quarterfinalist in the U.S. Amateur Championship. His invitation came from his Uncle Rene Rangel, the CEO of Sterling Golf, who formed a private-public partnership with Texas A& M University to get the golf course completely renovated. I even learned what 'Gig'em' meant and I feel for my friend Joe Starzec, a Horned Frog from TCU. Texas some rivalries within the state as well as its rivalry with the rest of the world. Mike and I played with Bobby and Ricky Heine who are both golf course superintendents with strong ties to the Campus Course project and the Texas A&M Turfgrass Program. They were great guys and reminded me of my brother-in-law Bill Von Matt, a dairy farmer from Upstate New York. As a kid I always liked milking cows and talking with Bill. Same with chatting it up with Bobby and Ricky while we were golfing. In fact, I was so relaxed, I avenged my loss to Mike at Royal Isabela and I have the signed dollar bill inscribed "Hope you're proud of yourself Andy! You earned it!" I am and look forward to the our tie-breaking third match! After the round there was more meat, no just kidding as Mike and I headed back to Houston. Before we did I had the chance to meet retired Aggie Golf Coach Bob Ellis. Coach Ellis was a delightful character with lots of stories from his days coaching Jeff Maggert, Ryan Palmer, Phil Parkin and David Ogrin. I found his involvement with the Department of Health & Kinesiology and the connection to The 8 Traits Of Champion Golfers: How To Develop The Mental Game Of A Pro written by sports psychologist Dr. Deborah Graham and Jon Stabler very interesting. We think of golf as a sport and physical game but it is not, it is all between the ears! CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with retired Aggie Golf Coach Bob Ellis. I enjoyed my day with Mike and being an Aggie for a day! I think I experienced the Spirit of Aggieland. I love Texas ever since my short visit there transitioning to Florida and my pursuits of golf writing, et al. I appreciated Mike's hospitality and was excited to be heading a wee bit north to enjoy three nights at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center. There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee... I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love. CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee. Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization. There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee… PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.

Thank You!