Courtesy of Trey Kemp
In the heart of west Texas, the town of Rankin is celebrating the revival of one of its most cherished community spaces. Originally opened in 1953, Rankin Country Club served as a beloved gathering spot for generations. Over time, the 9-hole course faced the inevitable effects of age and the harsh desert climate.
In 2022, the Rankin Independent School District concocted a bold vision: to purchase and renovate the golf course, breathing new life into the historic facility. With overwhelming community support, the district enlisted noted golf course architect Trey Kemp, ASGCA, to lead the transformation.
A native of Amarillo, Texas, Kemp brought both professional expertise and a personal passion for 9-hole courses to the project. After working closely with the school board, the mission was clear — to create a course that was fun, community-focused, and capable of hosting district and regional high school tournaments.
Recognizing the challenge of limited water resources, Kemp Golf Course Design partnered with irrigation expert Larry Rodgers to develop a highly efficient system. Rodgers determined there was sufficient water to irrigate only 30 acres of turfgrass, prompting the design team to creatively route the course to embody the character of a true desert golf experience.
While the original clubhouse location remains, the golf course has been completely rerouted to better utilize the site’s natural topography. New additions include a driving range, short-game area and practice putting green, providing students and the community with high-quality practice facilities whether for competitive golf, physical education classes or family recreation.
Construction began in early 2024, led by VM Golf Services out of Houston, with David Arteaga overseeing field operations. As the course neared completion, superintendent Branden Phillips, formerly of Quicksand Golf Course in San Angelo, guided the grow-in phase. The course features Paspalum greens and TifTuf Bermudagrass throughout the tees, fairways and rough, ensuring exceptional playability in West Texas conditions.
RISD further strengthened the course’s future by hiring Terry Lester, PGA, as golf professional and manager. A Rankin native with more than 40 years of experience at prestigious Texas clubs including Midland Country Club and Ranchland Hills, Lester’s return home has been warmly welcomed by the community.
RISD is finalizing plans for a new clubhouse, a state-of-the-art teaching facility and a new maintenance building. Upon completion, Rankin Golf Course is poised to become one of the premier 9-hole facilities in Texas.
“I am very excited and proud of the golf course and how it has turned out,” Kemp said. “The Rankin Golf Course is unique for this part of Texas. The course is playable for golfers of all skill levels, and one that will serve the Rankin community for generations to come.”