Louisiana would be the No. 2 seed in the region, while North Dakota State would be the No. 4 seed. Texas was listed as the second-to-last team in the tournament field, just ahead of Louisiana Tech, Xavier, TCU, Creighton and Ole Miss.
Texas has a conference series against No. 18 Oklahoma this weekend in Norman, which provides the Longhorns with an opportunity to bolster their resume heading into the home stretch of the regular season. Oklahoma was projected to host a regional in the updated brackets.
It has not been the season that Texas (25-17, 11-7 Big 12) has hoped for, but they took two of three against TCU last weekend and followed it up with a nonconference victory against UT Arlington on Tuesday. After playing Oklahoma, the Longhorns have series with Oklahoma State and UCF who were both in the projected field. It is fair to say the final verdict on Texas’ season is still far off.
“You look here at this setting like this … it’s going to be super dramatic.”
LAKEWAY, Texas — Beau Welling stood on a spot perched high above Lake Travis on Tuesday and talked very little about what will likely be a breathtaking golf hole.
The architect of the Travis Club, which officially broke ground this week near Austin, Welling insisted what drew him to this project was the idea that a golf course can do more than just determine a handicap. In fact, he said in his first meetings about the property, the conversation had more to do with experience than it did layout.
“We didn’t talk about golf holes. We talked about what this project could mean to the community, even the greater community of Austin and the Hill Country and I immediately was attracted to that,” Welling said during his introductory speech on Tuesday, noting that at 54 his best playing days are behind him, but he still finds happiness on the golf course.
“The light bulb that went off was that golf was something that attracts people together to have these human moments, create memories and be together. And I think we all learn kind of going through the pandemic that we as a species like we need to be around other people. Well, golf is an incredible fosterer of that. And that’s kind of what we talked about in some of our initial conversations.
“I think about my life and half the memories of my father on the golf course, half my friends come from the golf course. And I think what’s driven our practice really is trying to take our craft, the golf course design and create golf experiences that allow people to have these human moments.”
Although he hails from South Carolina, Welling is familiar with the Lone Star State, having crafted one of the two golf courses at Fields Ranch, the PGA of America’s new masterpiece in Frisco, as well as Bluejack National outside Houston and Escondido near Marble Falls.
Cloudy day, but this will eventually be the fifth hole at Travis Club, a new golf community to be shaped by @beauwelling near Austin, Texas. The official groundbreaking ceremony was Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/rOjMXFYcy1
And while he talked primarily about relationships, he did add that the piece of property where the signature fifth hole sits — the site of Tuesday’s groundbreaking — should be special. The hole will likely max out at about 221 yards from the back tee, offering a spectacular view of the lake and its surroundings.
“You look here at this setting like this, when the lake fills back up it’s going to be super dramatic. It’s super dramatic right now with this big ravine, this big canyon,” Welling said. “Alister MacKenzie, the designer of Augusta National, Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne, he said that the chief consideration of any good golf hole is this idea of drama or overcoming a hazard and that all good golf holes have that. And so we will have tons and tons of drama throughout the experience that will be the Travis Club.”
Architect Beau Welling speaks on what will be the fifth tee at the Travis Club in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Errich Petersen for Travis Club)
The first phase of the project, which includes 106 home sites, is about half-sold and the remaining sites, which range from a half-acre to just under three acres, start at about $800,000.
“We are thrilled to introduce this new lake and golf community on Lake Travis. What sets this project apart is the unique natural beauty and recreational opportunities that Lake Travis offers. We have designed Travis Club intentionally by taking great care to preserve and complement the local environment and surroundings, with over 50% of the property dedicated to golf, open space, or conservation areas,” said Leisha Ehlert, CEO of Travis Club. “We have integrated the stunning lakeside views and lush landscapes with the development of exceptional facilities, providing members and their families the ability to enjoy the serenity of lakeside living while having access to a world-class golf and recreation experience.”
Jay Toia is another defensive tackle USC won’t have on its 2024 roster.
Former USC Trojan Jay Toia transferred to UCLA. As a Bruin, Toia had announced his decision to enter the transfer portal earlier this month. Now, Toia has reconsidered. The defensive tackle is staying at UCLA. There was speculation that upon entering the portal, Toia might be in play for the Texas Longhorns as a possible pickup. Now that scenario is off the board.
The plot twists in the portal are emerging left and right. USC needs to find a way to ride the wave and catch a premium defensive tackle in this spring transfer portal window. The Trojans do not have the level of depth they need to flourish in the Big Ten. They need to add more pieces.
Crenshaw, Sergio Garcia, Kyle Chandler, Asleep at the Wheel and more were on hand for the event.
AUSTIN, Texas — Ben Crenshaw has worked on golf courses all over the globe, first as a two-time Masters champ and PGA Tour star and now as part of the illustrious Coore & Crenshaw golf course design team.
But one of the courses he’s worked hardest on, Lions Municipal Golf Course in this Texas capital city, still hasn’t seen the outcome he’s been hoping for.
On Sunday, Crenshaw and a cavalcade of stars were on hand at Austin City Limits’ Moody Theater, raising money as the Muny Conservancy attempts to purchase or lease the land and maintain it as a golf course and greenspace.
The land on which Muny sits is part of the 500 acres known as the Brackenridge Tract, all owned by the University of Texas. The course is considered the first fully desegregated municipal course south of the Mason-Dixon line and the city has leased 140 acres for Muny since 1936, paying UT about $500,000 a year. If the parties don’t come to an understanding, the university could be free to lease the property to another entity, develop it or sell it.
On Sunday, the group raised another $1 million for the cause, marking the third straight year the gala could be considered a major success. Musical talent included Asleep at the Wheel lead singer and Save Muny Board Member Ray Benson, Larry Gatlin, Jimmie Vaughan, and Gary P. Nunn.
But those on hand admitted some frustration as talks continue to lag, and university officials have done little to show which direction they might be leaning with the property.
“We’re hoping for a long-term resolution. We’d love to have a long-term lease,” Crenshaw said while flanked by his wife, Julie. “The city and the university need to get together somehow. And we need to extend it. It’s a hundred years, 100 years of success in our town. It’s not only a golf course, but it’s a great space. We’re growing so fast. In this town, we’re losing space rapidly. So it’s a multi-pronged asset. To me, it’s the health and vibrancy of the community. Because I think it raises good people.”
Among others on hand was actor Kyle Chandler of “Friday Night Lights” fame. Chandler has long been an advocate of the cause and he lives in Austin, where he has been known to play Lions with Crenshaw’s longtime manager and friend Scotty Sayers and others.
Chandler is hoping the fundraising and visibility will be enough to dissuade university officials from making a poor decision, but he’s also surprised this has carried on as long as it has.
“I’m always kind of shocked that it’s even an issue that this piece of property, this land, this piece of history would be an error on a piece of paper erased from the community,” Chandler said. “That is what it is. It’s community. It’s family. It is the history. It means a lot to people.
“And hopefully, the people involved in making these decisions can be a lot smarter than expecting people 20 years from now saying, ‘Man these strip malls are absolutely gorgeous, I hope they last another 80 years.'”
We’re looking at the seven most realistic 2024 NFL Draft options for the Baltimore Ravens in the first round
With the first wave of NFL free agency over, all eyes around the league will turn toward pro days and one final month-long push toward April’s NFL draft.
Baltimore has needs, but after a solid start to the free agency process, the first-round pick (No. 30) could be about nagging the best player available or a potential building block in the trenches.
Mock draft season is in full swing, and most draft experts and pundits will likely simulate 100s scenarios for all seven rounds, with realistic options starting to take shape.
With Top 30 visits increasing, we’re looking at the seven most realistic options for Baltimore at pick No. 30.
The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to come to OKC than the latter.
As the NCAA Tournament progresses, the top prospects are in the spotlight as they draw national attention for their postseason performances.
Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.
One possibility is Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht. He finished with 18 points on 5-of-18 shooting, 1-of-8 from 3 and nine rebounds in No. 2 Tennessee’s close 62-58 win over No. 7 Texas in the round of 32 on Saturday. He also shot 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.
The third-year player has enjoyed a career season at Tennessee after spending the last two years with Northern Colorado. The 22-year-old is one of the older lottery prospects, but the negative connotation surrounding age has slowly faded.
Knecht’s best skill is outside shooting; he has been a high-volume 3-point shooter. He’s averaged 21.1 points on 47% shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He has shot 39.7% from 3 on 6.2 attempts.
The Thunder could have a shot to draft Knecht in the lottery range. Considering they have their core set, the draft strategy now is about filling out the margins for OKC’s roster. He can help with that with his outside shooting, which is always in high demand in the league.
PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball defeats Texas in NCAA Tournament
No. 2 seed Tennessee (26-8, 14-4 SEC) defeated No. 7 seed Texas (21-13, 9-9 Big 12), 62-58, on Saturday at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tennessee defeats Texas and advances to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
No. 2 seed Tennessee (26-8, 14-4 SEC) defeated No. 7 seed Texas (21-13, 9-9 Big 12), 62-58, in the NCAA Tournament second-round at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Vols led, 28-19, at halftime. Tennessee advances to the Sweet 16.
Dalton Knecht totaled 18 points, nine rebounds and one assist for Tennessee. He converted four consecutive second-half free throws to lead the Vols to victory.
Knecht was one of three Tennessee players to score 10-plus points in the contest. Jonas Aidoo recorded 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Tobe Awaka finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
Josiah-Jordan James recorded nine points and nine rebounds for the Vols, who forced Texas into 17 turnovers.
Chendell Weaver and Tyrese Hunter scored 13 points each to lead the Longhorns.
The largest of the catches at O.H. Ivie Lake, weighing 15.82 pounds, is the 37th heaviest bass caught in state history.
A Texas reservoir this week yielded an astonishing four largemouth bass topping 13 pounds in four days.
The bass were caught at O.H. Ivie Lake and the largest – weighing 15.82 pounds – was landed March 18 by Kyle Hall of Granbury.
“I got on the water around 8 or 8:30 a.m. and really didn’t catch much until around 4 p.m.,” Hall said. “I reeled in a 10.20-pound fish and then about an hour later I did something random and ran up the river where I caught an 11-pounder.
“I then ran back down and by the dam I came across this fish. She about ripped the rod out of my hand.”
All four bass were kept alive and “loaned” to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for a hatchery spawning and stocking effort designed to enhance fisheries across the state.
The Toyota ShareLunker Program, as it’s called, accepts only “Legacy Class” bass weighing at least 13 pounds for the spawning portion. So far this year, 17 Legacy Class bass have been donated to the program.
Hall’s bass was the heaviest caught this year in Texas, and the 37th heaviest in state history.
According to the TPWD, Hall has donated Legacy Class bass in three consecutive seasons – all three of his catches coming at O.H. Ivie.
Said Natalie Goldstrohm, Toyota ShareLunker program coordinator: “This reservoir has established itself as a top destination for many trophy largemouth bass anglers and it is no surprise that Kyle Hall and others target these giants at O.H. Ivie year after year.”
The other Legacy bass caught at O.H. Ivie this past week included a 14.18-pounder by Bud Robey on March 17; a 13.62-pounder by Larry Walker on March 20, and a 13.22-pounder by Scott Hines on March 20.
O.H. Ivie is on the Colorado and Concho Rivers east of San Angelo.
The 2024 Toyota ShareLunker Program will run through March 31.
