Hancock Golf Course Celebrates Its 125th Anniversary
History of Hancock Golf Course (1899–2024)
Did you know that Hancock Golf Course holds a special place in Austin's history? Back in 1899, it was the first location of the Austin Country Club, thanks to the vision of golf enthusiast and former mayor Lewis Hancock and a group of passionate folks from the community. This nine-hole gem became the pioneer golf course in the city and has proudly maintained the title as the oldest continuously operated course in Texas.
Over the years, it's seen some changes – like adding another nine holes on an adjacent land parcel in 1913 and a new clubhouse in 1934. The clubhouse, which is now the Hancock Recreation Center, is a piece of history itself. Built after a fire, it was designed by the renowned architect Charles Page using influences of the Colonial Revival style. The construction used materials salvaged from the demolition of the UT Old Main building. No wonder the building became a Recorded Historical Texas Landmark in 2014.
1940 aerial photograph of Austin Country Club: Hancock Golf Course is at the center-left. At center-right are the original front nine (Holes 1-9), currently the site of Hancock Shopping Center.
As the years went by, the Austin Country Club grew and needed a change of scenery, so in 1946, they sold the property to the City of Austin. In 1951, Hancock opened as the City's second municipal golf course – Lions Municipal Golf Course was established in 1924. However, the City Council voted to dedicate only the original course as parkland, and soon, the City received several offers to sell the front nine property east of Red River. When the City sold the property in 1959, the decision was contested by citizens, who insisted its sale must be approved by voters. When the voters had their say in 1962, they gave a big thumbs up to the sale, and the Hancock Shopping Center was constructed on the site in 1963.
Harvey Pennick at Austin Country Club
One of the most famous people to golf at Hancock is Harvey Penick. In 1912, Penick began his golf career at the Austin Country Club as a caddy at the age of 8. He made such an impression on Lewis Hancock that he was allowed to play alongside the founder of the club. Penick moved through the ranks to assistant pro and then head pro in 1923. By the 1930s, the club was also the home to teams from Austin High School and the University of Texas, coached by Penick beginning in 1931. Penick led the UT team to 22 conference championships during his time as coach and also instructed individual students at the Austin Country Club, five of whom have also been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Later in life, Penick became a best-selling author. In 1992, he co-authored Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, which was filled with insightful, easily understood anecdotes. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2002, seven years after his death.
Harvey Penick and Tinsley Penick Collection, H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture & Sports, The University of Texas at Austin.
Even though some of the land changed hands, the spirit of the course remains intact with its unique features still standing proud. In 2014, Hancock Golf Course received a well-deserved spot on the National Register of Historic Places recognizing its role in shaping the local golfing scene and cementing its place in Austin's golfing history. So, the next time you're out on the green, remember--you're not just playing a round of golf. You're part of something special, a piece of Austin's vibrant past that continues to shape its future. Swing away and enjoy being a part of history in the making!