I think we can all agree that the worst conversation-starting words in the English language are “let me tell you about my latest round of golf.”
And since you know where this is headed, feel free to scroll away or click or whatever it is you do. (Don’t worry – I got my editor’s approval. Even he hates those words).
So …
Let me tell you about my latest round of golf.
But before we do, please understand that how I played (awful) or how many birdies I had (one) is not the focal point. What you need to know is that this happened at the best course you’ve never heard of. And it’s only 90 minutes away.
It might seem strange that Wild Spring Dunes is located in, of all places, Mt. Enterprise, Texas (population 505). And trust me; you’ve got to want it to find it off Highway 259.
That all goes away when you enter the property and realize what this place has already become and, more importantly, what it will become.
Back in 2024, I wrote about the development of this project by the Kaiser family, founders of famed Bandon Dunes, who had begun to expand their footprint in places other than Oregon with courses in Wisconsin and Colorado. At the time, I’m not sure I would have believed I’d ever stick a tee in the ground and actually play it.
They must have thrown a dart at a map and decided “let’s see if we can make it happen in Mt. Enterprise, Texas!”
I’ve got the answer to that: Yes, they did.
Keep this in mind – Wild Spring Dunes is exactly the same distance from downtown Shreveport as Squire Creek is (77 miles). But while Squire Creek, often recognized as the best course in Louisiana, is fully grown up, Wild Spring Dunes is still in its most basic stage – get the golf course up and running and then worry about the rest after that.
This week, they made the mistake of letting a few media types and other invited guests hack it around the course during opening week. I did not need to be asked twice.
The course is not tricked up at all – though there are a couple greens that make you question the designer’s sanity – and is fairly wide open. I lost two balls all day and it’s mainly because I was too lazy/embarrassed to walk over and get them. For a new course, the grass is remarkably smooth in all the places it’s supposed to be.
It’s hard to replicate the Pacific Ocean in Rusk County, but if you were to say a style of course Wild Spring Dunes is similar to you might say Pinehurst in North Carolina.
But here’s the kicker. The good news is there are no cart fees. The bad news is there are no carts. Yes, it’s a walking course and it’s not exactly flat.
When you play Wild Spring Dunes, you’ll be paired with a caddy, which was a first for me, and I’ll admit I was a little intimidated by the whole process. My man Justin was lugging around two bags at once in the 100-degree heat and I’m worried about where the next water station is. Didn’t seem right.
Plus, I have no clue on caddy etiquette. Fellow media hack Roy Lang III, who has caddied professionally, fit right in while I’m wondering if it’s OK to rake a trap while Justin was on the other side of the fairway.
I know it’s his job, but I’ll admit I felt guilty about this guy doing all the things I normally do during a round. But my biggest concern? When he hands me a club for the next shot, am I supposed to say “thank you” every time? Seems like he’d get the message after about the 40th time. After the first few holes, I figured we were BFFs enough to know that I appreciated it without having to say it.
In a strange way, walking a golf course sans golf bag makes you feel a little more important that you really are. Hey, I’m doing this just like the professionals do! Of course, that feeling goes away when you hit your next shot.
Wild Spring Dunes is a top-notch facility right now and it’s only going to get better. There’s another 18 holes already staked out. And the Kaisers didn’t just decide to do this on a whim because it might add a few more Whataburgers to the Mt. Enterprise business community.
This place is the real deal, especially right now if you are just in it for the golf. Everything that you need is already in place.
All you have to do is get there.
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com