With the popularity of Netflix's Full Swing series, many have turned their attention to the Texas Children's Houston Open, which tees off Thursday through Sunday in Houston.
This PGA tournament is a warmup for many pro golfers who follow it up by playing in the famed Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Over four days, 138 players will compete for their share of a $9.1 million purse at Memorial Park Golf Course, which has recently seen a $34 million renovation spearheaded by Jim Crane and the Astros Golf Foundation.
Ahead of the serious tournament play, many players participate in the Texas Children's Houston Open Cadence Bank Pro-Am, where amateur golfers get to play a round with a professional. This VIP ticket comes with a hefty price tag of $10,000, which is donated to the Astros Foundation and several other beneficiaries, including the City of Houston, Memorial Park Conservancy, and Texas Children's Hospital.
Orbit tees off at the Cadence Bank Pro-Am. Photo courtesy of Texas Children's Houston Open/Instagram
The Pro-Am is a way for golf pros to prepare for the tournament, spend time on the course, and schmooze with sponsors. For amateurs, it is the chance to feel like a VIP, play in tournament conditions, and be treated to the perks professionals see regularly.
Tournament sponsors rolled out the red carpet for Pro-Am participants with several tents offering open bars and food ranging from barbecue and hamburgers to seafood. Players also had the opportunity to pick up tournament swag from select apparel and sports equipment companies. Personalized head covers, embroidered Astros gear, and other golf ware were all up for grabs.
Steak 48, a sponsor of the Pro-Am for the past three years, was one of the most sought-after spots during the day-long event. Set up on Memorial Golf Course's signature 15th hole, a par 3 with a sloping green and water views, players were treated to a fully stocked bar, tasty bites, and live music.
After teeing off, golfers snagged mini versions of Steak 48's crowd-pleasing bites, including New York strip with hash browns, lobster rolls, meatball grilled cheese, and vanilla and caramel cakes.
Meatball grilled cheese, anyone?Photo by Katherine Ross
Taking the opportunity for a more personalized approach to community giving, Steak 48 also partnered with golf star Wyndham Clark for a celebrity dinner at its locaiton in River Oaks District earlier in the week.
"Houston is a fantastic city, and it did not get that way by accident. There are so many philanthropic people and foundations that do amazing work to make it the special place that it is. The Astros Foundation and the Texas Children's Houston Open certainly fall into that category," Steak 48 founder and CEO Jeff Mastro tells CultureMap. "We are so fortunate for the opportunities and success that we have been provided here, and in turn, understand the responsibility and privilege that we have to give back to a community that has been — and continues to be — so supportive of us."
The 15th hole was also the only place on the course with customized live music to accompany each player. Kelley James of Tee Box Freestyle hopped on the mic and improvised a rap as each player had their turn on the tee box. Half jokes and half well-researched anecdotes about the players, James made sure each golfer got noticed.
Ben Griffin, a professional golfer out of North Carolina, said between great views, delicious food, and James' music, the 15th hole was one of his favorites during the Pro-Am. "It is fun and different from what anyone expects on a golf course. It's a nice twist and definitely adds some flavor."
Many players participate in the Texas Children's Houston Open Cadence Bank Pro-Am. Photo by Katherine Ross
Although much of the attention at the Pro-Am centered around big names like Scottie Scheffler, Will Zalatoris, and Houston's own Sahith Theegala, VIPs of a different kind also took center stage. A handful of patients from Texas Children's Hospital who have golf dreams of their own had their chance to learn from the best, including Wyndham Clark, who spent time with the teens and gave them pointers on their golf game.
Aside from the luxury treatment, large winnings, and celebrity sightings, the Houston-based tournament is all about seeing the Texas Children's Hospital patients starry-eyed and smiling on the course with some of the best golfers in the world.
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The Texas Children's Houston Open takes place March 28-31. For tickets and more information, visit the tournament's website.
