A new state of the art practice facility has opened in Houston on the site of an old par three course, and is offering a million dollar prize for the duration of its official launch.

The Swanson Golf Center facility has been designed by architect Mike Nuzzo on the site of the old Sellinger’s Classic Three course in the Champions area of the city. Renowned Houston-based teacher Matt Swanson bought the 25 acre site with the vision of creating the city’s best practice facility. “We were lucky to have many tall pines on the site,” said Nuzzo. “The range plays like a course, with ‘fairway corridors’ because of the pins, and eleven target greens with open approaches. Every location on the 55,000 sq ft tee provides interesting shots. I call it a country club for an hour!”

Nuzzo, assisted by contractor Heritage Links, irrigation installers Yousse Irrigation, and superintendent Don Mahaffey, who maintains his Wolf Point course, managed the project and shaped the short game area himself. This area includes two 8,000 sq ft greens and two bunkers. The project was completed in five months from the closing of the par three course to the opening of the new facility.

Swanson’s Million Dollar Hole In One Shootout will take place from 10-12 September. Golfers working their way to the finals will take aim at a finals green featuring 19 flags, one valued at a million dollars with the remaining holes being worth $10,000 or more. The finals take place from 150 yards for men and 135 yards for women.