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When it is time for heart-stopping basketball, awe-inspiring baseball, or even ear-ringing drag racing, Houston is the venue for professional, college, and amateur sports. Houstonians have always been wild about their NBA Houston Rockets, who brought home the world championship trophy in 1994 and 1995. The Central Division champion Astros will play in the Astrodome one more year before moving to their new digs downtown in April 2000. In the meantime, the Houston Sports Authority continues to negotiate with the National Football League to bring football back to Houston.
As much as it loves the NBA, Houston has been quick to get on the WNBA bandwagon that two years ago brought professional women's basketball to the city. The WNBA Houston Comets distinguished themselves early, bringing home back-to-back championship trophies in 1997 (their first season) and in 1998.
"The WNBA may be new, but if you're lucky enough to be in a game like this one, you know that women's basketball has arrived and is here to stay," said WNBA president Val Ackerman at last season's championship game. "To all of our fans around the league, especially the ones here in Houston, you are the greatest fans we could ever hope for."
Houstonians showed up in droves last fall to watch the fastest cars in the world zoom around the streets of downtown. The Texaco Grand Prix brought championship auto racing to Houston in October 1998 with the Championship Auto Racing Team. Downtown Houston was the backdrop for this action-packed event featuring a high-speed street race on a 1.68-mile, 10-turn, 100-lap course. Many of the top names in auto racing are already committed to the October 1999 race. For the next five years, Houston will host the event.
Houstonians also are passionate about horse racing, and they have access to one of the finest tracks in the world, in west Houston. The 230-acre Sam Houston Race Park celebrates the spirit and elegance of thoroughbred and quarter horse racing with live and simulcast racing at the elegant facility on the Sam Houston Tollway. Family-oriented programs include occasional Saturday-morning horse shoeing demonstrations and barn tours.
With more than 100 courses in the region and a mild climate that allows for year-round play, golf is immensely popular in Houston. World-class golf is played each spring by more than 150 professionals at the Shell Houston Open Tournament, on the scenic Woodlands Tournament Players Course. Among the biggest golfing events in Texas, the tournament has a purse exceeding $1.3 million.
BSL Corporation manages four golf courses in the Houston region, including Wedgewood Golf Club in Conroe, Weston Lakes Country Club in Ful-shear, Hermann Park Golf Course, and Jersey Meadow Golf Complex.
Designed by Robert VonHagge and Bruce Devlin, Wedgewood is a scenic, 28-hole, daily fee course that winds through the lush forests of the Brazos Valley. Managed by BSL since 1988, it has received statewide acclaim as one of the most challenging courses. Jersey Meadow Golf Complex was designed by Carlton Gipson and features a 27-hole course and state-of-the-art practice and instructional facilities. The complex also features a 36-hole miniature golf course and family fun center.
In the heart of Houston, near downtown and the Texas Medical Center, Hermann Park Golf Course is a historic 18-hole municipal golf course. It recently underwent a $3.65 million renovation that included the construction of a new clubhouse, concrete cart paths, and irrigation system.
Weston Lakes Country Club, an 18-hole course designed by Hale Irwin, is part of a 1,390-acre exclusive community. The beautiful 14,000-square-foot English-style clubhouse features two dining rooms, a grill, and a fully appointed pro shop.