Meetings and Events Houston | A Visit with Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center

A Visit with Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center

Columbia Lakes Golf Resort & Conference Center

The sport of golf has long occupied a special position in Houston’s social and business community. Nestled within 2,000 wooded acres in the heart of South Texas, Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center is a year-round destination located less than one hour from Houston. Hailed by the Dallas Morning News as one of the “Top Five Best Resorts in Texas,” Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center has cemented its’ position as a premier golf and meeting destination.

The widely-acclaimed Tom Fazio golf course has hosted numerous events, such as the Southwest Conference, the Southern Texas Sectional Championship and many other amateur events. Originally founded by Tenneco Oil Company, the eighteen-hole golf course and resort was opened in 1973 for the benefit of their employees and guests. It has traditionally been a hub for oil and gas companies and Chevron, Dow, and Phillips still have many members that belong to the club today.

Aside from Golf, the Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center attracts its guests with over 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including nine separate meeting and dining rooms, as well as a conference hall. The resort also lures guests with eight lighted tennis courts, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a sport’s bar, horseshoe pitching areas, a practice chipping area and a full-service fitness center, all amidst huge Spanish oak trees. There are also three major dining rooms that offer guests fresh cuisine on a daily basis.

Bob Putt, the first Professional Golf Association (PGA) Master Professional in Texas, is the President and Managing Member of the Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center. Putt’s credentials are impressive even to those who aren’t avid golfers. He was President of the Southern Texas PGA in 1993 and 1994 and was two time Professional of the Year, out of more than 800 PGA Professionals in Southern Texas. He was Captain of the Joe Black Cup Matches and held six course records at one time. He was the Sports Illustrated National Merchandiser of the Year, winner of the Horton Smith Award from the Southern Texas PGA and in 2008 he received the Dick Forester Quarter Century Award. He personally revived the Texas State Open and hosted it for Seven Years at Horseshoe Bay. He is a foremost authority on the sport of golf and is considered by many to be one of the best teachers of golf in the country.

Below Putt shares his thoughts on the Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center, golf, and the meetings and events industry.

What trends have you noticed recently in the meetings and events industry?
I have definitely noticed that corporate retreats are looking for the full-service facility that can offer the total package. Offering just golf, swimming and tennis is not going to cut it anymore. A great facility has to offer numerous rooms for breakout sessions, all served by one source in different parts of the facility.

What types of events are held at Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center?
Many events are held at Columbia Lakes Resort. We have held seven different church functions to the tune of 750 people at one time. We are also a favorite for corporate meetings because we offer so many different meeting rooms. Teleconferencing is also common at the resort because of the sophisticated speaker phones and WIFI service that is equipped in all of our rooms. We have a great wedding planner and a beautiful site for weddings, as well.

You always here about business deal that were accomplished on the golf course. Why is the golf course such a great place to do business?
There has always been a lot of business dealings completed on the golf course because it is a way that top executives care to execute their business. They want the outside quiet and relaxation of a golf course to meet and learn their potential business clients better. A corporate executive can learn more about his friend, potential partner, new employee or competitor on the golf course than any other place. On the course, character, integrity and honesty are on display just by playing a round of golf.

Is Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center a full-service facility?
Columbia Lakes is a full-service resort that caters to our guest needs. We offer meeting space, dining options and big-name entertainment like Billy Bob Middleton, Mark Anthony and Dogtown Blues. Decorating to any theme, hosting a wedding with all of the trimmings or having your favorite dish baked is possible at Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center.

What is one of your favorite events held at the resort?
One of my favorite events is the annual Rumble on the River. Golfers come from all over the country to host this annual golf tournament. Approximately 300 golfers and their guests party thru the night for four nights and then get up and play their stiffest competition in golf and tennis. Ladies have special tours to destinations like the Hogg plantation just a few miles from the club and many other antiquities. The guys often go bass fishing at the club in the morning and then run to the beach in nearby Freeport to do some saltwater fishing in the evening. Players from all over the United States come here for this popular affair held every May.

What is the most important thing clients should consider when booking events at Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center?
The most important thing that clients should consider when booking events at Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center is that they should schedule their time wisely so that they can take in all of the beautiful facilities that are available. The golf course is a true wonder with 40 acres of lagoons that offer peace and quiet for the whole family. Just schedule your time accordingly so that you can take in every one of the beautiful facilities that await you.

Bob Putt
President/ Managing Partner
Columbia Lakes Resort and Conference Center