College Teams Compete at New Halbert National Course

The championship-level venue hosts the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate this week in Texas.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Golf

College Teams Compete at New Halbert National Course

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Should private, member-only golf courses host competitive college sporting events?

Elite men's and women's college golf teams are facing off at the newly opened Halbert National course. The 7,500-yard, par-72 championship layout serves as the site for this week's intercollegiate competition.

Why it matters

The tournament marks a significant early test for major programs on a private course that highlights growing investment in collegiate golf infrastructure. The venue, built by renowned architect Tom Fazio, offers a high-level challenge for top-tier university teams.

The Halbert National course measures 7,500 yards and operates as a par-72 championship layout. Construction of the private venue cost $50 million.

The players

David Dean Halbert

He is the founder of Caris Life Sciences and the owner of the Halbert National golf course.

Tom Fazio

He is a prominent golf course architect who was hired to build the 7,500-yard layout.

The details

Designed by architect Tom Fazio, the course is located roughly 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth. The facility was established by David Dean Halbert, who is the founder of Caris Life Sciences.

Halbert National opened in 2025.
The Abilene Christian Intercollegiate takes place during the week of October 20, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The introduction of Halbert National reflects a broader shift toward high-end, private facilities in college golf. This venue positions the participating programs in a competitive landscape defined by elite, tour-standard training and tournament environments.

The participation of programs like Texas A&M and Arizona A&M signals the event as a key metric for early-season national rankings. Coaches and analysts are monitoring how these teams perform on the 7,500-yard layout to assess their readiness for spring championship play.

The takeaway

The debut of this high-cost venue offers student-athletes a glimpse into professional-grade course design and difficulty. Fans tracking the sport should watch how these elite teams adapt to the significant length and technical layout of the new Fazio design.