Played Willie Nelson’s golf course in Spicewood, Texas. This is not to be confused with the luxurious Loraloma private course nearby.

Willie’s “Cutt-N-Putt” is barren, but functional. It’s scenic from a distance and hardly maintained. The friendly staff member told us golfing stories about the Hawaii-based crooner of hits such as On the Road Again and Always on Mind. Willie has a studio here where some of hits were produced after he bought it in the late 70s. The tour bus stays parked and is used when he performs occasionally in Central Texas.

The New Yorker magazine recently published an article about the 92-year-old who’s outlived every other legend from the peak of his career. Willie leaves no stone unturned in his life regimen and continues to perform.

There’s a lot of nostalgia in Austin about what it used to be —- a libertarian hub championed by creative artists and small businesses. Willie’s mantra has always been about the big tent and helping the little guy as noted in the article. Austin like much of America today answers to global markets and those with the deepest pockets. Willie Nelson along with Blues great Steve Ray Vaughn remain top of mind for the native Austinites who never left. This golf course deserves recognition on a national historic registry.