The history of golf is steeped in stories and legends. Spend a little time in any clubhouse after a day’s round and you’re bound to hear a few—whether they’re entirely true or not. Tales of hallowed ground once walked by champions, of visionary architects who imagined what others could not, of the “miraculous shot,” or of who truly holds the course record.
One thing is certain: we love history. We love stories. And we love golf and everything it represents.
If you’re curious about our story, read on…
2000 The Early Years
Part of a 900-acre master-planned development adjacent to Texas Motor Speedway, The Creeks at Beechwood—as it was originally known—was designed by Greg Norman. It marked his first course in the DFW area and his ninth in the United States.
The intent was to preserve the site’s natural features: winding creeks, mature trees, and expansive waste areas. However, those very elements also created significant challenges. Chief among them was difficulty. Fairways were exceptionally tight, many of them crowned—much like the field at the old Texas Stadium—so anything less than a perfectly centered drive could quickly spell trouble to the right or left. Even a drive down the middle wasn’t always safe; the opening hole famously featured a tree standing dead center in the fairway.
Then there were the blind shots. After playing the course, David Feherty quipped, “I feel like I was led into a circular room and told to go stand in the corner.”
Perhaps the most intriguing hole was aptly nicknamed “Blind Man’s Bluff”—today’s hole No. 6 and part of No. 5 played in reverse. The 406-yard par four required players to drive up and over “the bluff,” aiming at the lifeless “hangman’s tree” toward a landing area they couldn’t see. A draw was essential. The second shot descended over yet another bluff, presenting a narrow strip of fairway straight ahead. Players tempted by a more direct line to the green, tucked left, had to carry rocky terrain and a creek. Miss the plateaued fairway and you’d find yourself right back in the creek bed. It was a hole that left first-time players utterly bewildered.
Legend has it that during the grand-opening ceremonies, Mr. Norman himself stormed off the course after losing a handful of golf balls, his scorecard headed into the 80s. Legend or truth? That depends on who you ask.
The second major issue was location. The course sat squarely in a flood plain. While many courses do, they are typically designed to accommodate it. Unfortunately, this one suffered repeated and significant flood damage, forcing multiple closures within its first few years—an ominous start for any new venture.
2003
Ownership changed hands, and in 2003 the course was closed. Renowned golf course architect Jay Morrish was brought in to oversee a $2 million renovation. Greens were elevated to better withstand flooding, fairways were widened and leveled, and notoriously difficult holes—like “Blind Man’s Bluff”—were either eliminated or completely reimagined. The goal was simple: create a more enjoyable and playable experience for the everyday golfer.
“When a golf course is too difficult, people will come out once and never return,” Morrish said. “A daily-fee course doesn’t have to be easy where everyone shoots lights out, but it does need to be fun. Golfers must feel they have a fair opportunity to shoot their handicap.”
With its rebirth came a new name: The Doral Tesoro.
So where did the name come from? Tesoro is Spanish for “treasure,” and longtime locals tell a story that just might explain it. Legend has it that infamous outlaw Sam Bass once held up a Burlington–Santa Fe railroad train that ran along the western edge of the property. The tale claims his gang made off with a shipment of gold bars—and that some of that treasure was buried on the land.
In 1945, then–property owner J. Cleo Thompson was approached by a former Huntsville inmate, allegedly a member of Bass’s gang, who asked permission to search for the hidden gold. Though well into his 80s, the man returned several times to dig and explore. Did he ever find anything? That, it seems, remains part of the mystery.
From 2004 through 2017, the course changed ownership several times and was consistently operated by third-party management companies. Then came 2018…
2018 to Present
O’Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC later acquired the entire property complex, including the hotel and golf club, and introduced its current name: The Golf Club at Champions Circle. For the first time in its history, the property was owner-managed. Since then, O’Reilly Hospitality Management has invested heavily in renovations, property enhancements, and new attractions. With those improvements—and the addition of the BigShots Golf entertainment venue—the course was slightly modified to arrive at its current layout.
“We are absolutely ecstatic to own and manage the Marriott Hotel and Golf Club at Champions Circle,” said Tim O’Reilly, CEO of O’Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC. “Its proximity to both Dallas and Fort Worth, the Texas Motor Speedway, extensive and well-appointed meeting space for business and social gatherings, and the beautiful golf resort campus all combine to make this one of the finest properties in our portfolio.”
Since that time, The Golf Club at Champions Circle has been buzzing with activity. Membership is thriving, the Men’s Golf Association is stronger than ever, and support from the surrounding community continues to grow. More than that, it is a club filled with pride, camaraderie, and a shared love of the game. Much like the iconic 1980s TV show Cheers, you’ll quickly feel like “everybody knows your name.”
Champions Circle showcases the natural beauty of North Texas and is known for its consistently excellent course conditions and outstanding value. It’s a fun and enjoyable track, with subtle hints of its shot-maker roots. Who knows—maybe your next great golf story will become legend here.