(Playing parallel to each other, both 1 and 10 feature elevated tee shots over the gorgeous Salado Creek.)
Mill Creek is in ideal location. It’s just off I35, and is accessible for golfers traveling the Dallas to San Antonio corridor. The property has beautiful natural features and the extra nine holes gives it plenty of flexibility. 
(The view of the seventh and eighth holes from the entrance to the club. The road goes over a low lying bridge and introduces the player to the main hazard before the start of the round.)
(The view of the seventh and eighth holes from the entrance to the club. The road goes over a low lying bridge and introduces the player to the main hazard before the start of the round.)
RTJ Jr designed a very player friendly golf course. The fairways are wide open although on a few holes position “A+” is guarded by a bunker. One thing about Jones Jr, if there’s water then rest assured there will be a hole that forces the player to challenge it. I did find it to be less confrontational than some of his other courses.
(The creek is well short of the green on this short to mid length par four. Note the huge stone blocks that line the water. It’s a picturesque hole that can be birdied with a good approach shot...
(...the following hole is a short par three with the stone blocked creek staring the golfer in the face. It’s a short iron shot with little room for error.)
Mill Creek’s strength lies in the variety of its terrain. It has the Hill country charm associated with Austin yet possesses a prairie feel that west Texas offers. All the things that make for a successful day of golf. (It was a nice way to begin my Texas golf trip.)
(The eighteenth hole is a mid to short par four where pin position dictates much of the challenge.)
The third nine plays along the creek before going out to the hillside. It has a prairie type feel to it, and the wind is unhindered by trees. The long views extend for several miles. RTJ Jr designed this nine with even more width than the first two.
(The fifth and sixth greens are only separated by a bunker. The fifth is a long par four down the hill, and the sixth is a long par three. Both holes play into the wind. Note how the player has to walk past the green all the way to the tee to play the par three. A design flaw in my opinion.)
(The last hole on the third nine is a good par four. Note the trees in the distance in what appears to be the middle of the fairway. A drive that draws around them will finish in perfect position for the approach.)
This is my third RTJ Jr course, and was designed in 1981, ten years earlier than both Heron Lakes Great Blue and The Orchards. This might explain why it’s more forgiving. It’s a good course and I give it a solid 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play).
Previous reviews of RTJ Jr courses:
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