Valero Texas Open
Contents:
A New Tradition BeginsGranger Smith Concert – Next Saturday
Get To Know Your Defending Champion Free Tickets for Our Heroes
Dash to the VTO – This Saturday  
A New Tradition Begins
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This year the Valero Texas Open is proud to unveil its new trophy which was designed by Malcolm DeMille, a cousin of legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille and the son of renowned artist and sculptor Leslie B. DeMille. Malcolm DeMille, who has earned a following on the PGA TOUR for his unique trophy designs, has been sculpting professionally since the age of 21.

First played in 1922, the Texas Open is the 3rd oldest PGA TOUR tournament, the fifth oldest professional tournament in North America, and the longest running professional golf tournament to be held in the same city its entire existence. Therefore it only seemed natural to celebrate the rich history of the tournament which ushers in this new era of the Valero Texas Open.

The Valero Texas Open commissioned Malcolm DeMille to create a design which for the first time include a pedestal featureing the names of each champion starting with Bob MacDonald from the inaugural Texas Open. The plates circling the base list the champion names, winning scores and host courses for each of the tournament years. The trophy itself includes many of the iconic building of San Antonio’s downtown skyline in tribute to the city and the community that’s embraced this long-standing PGA TOUR event for nearly 100 years.

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StarDesign Phase:
Great care went into selecting the iconic buildings from the downtown San Antonio skyline. Those featured are: The Alamo, Frost Tower, San Fernando Cathedral, Riverwalk, Marriott Rivercenter, The Tower of Americas, Torch of Friendship and Tower Life Building.
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StarGraphic Arts Modeling Phase:
Graphic artists created line drawings of each buildings details, a stone bridge, flag with logo, and a riverboat. These line drawings were imported into a digital sculpturing program, Freeform Plus. Each building was created in “digital clay” within the software to resize and position the buildings, bridge, and riverboat to create the desired composition. Model and Mold Phase: 3D digital printers created plastic model parts from the digital artwork. All the component parts were then hand worked, carved, and sanded to give them the proper look. Silicone molds were made over each model part.
StarWax & Casting Phase:
The molds are cut open, model removed, then injected with molten wax to create a highly detailed replica part in wax. Each wax part is then surrounded with investment making a high temperature mold for lost wax casting. The wax is burned out at 1300° F overnight, then molten bronze is poured into the high temperature mold.
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StarBronze Finishing Phase:
Once cooled, the cast parts are removed from the investment. Each piece is then cleaned, sanded, detailed, and polished as needed. All buildings, bridge, sculpture base, and riverboat are fitted together and welded from underneath to make as one sculpture. The Crystal Texas backdrop has the Valero Texas Open etched into the glass and is filled with a bronze epoxy. The flag has hand cut and polished white, red, and blue glass precisely fitted into the flag. All bronze cast pieces have a dark patina applied and are then highlighted by hand by removing patina with a mild abrasive pad.
StarFinal Assembly Phase:
The Crystal Texas with flag is positioned on the bronze base after all other pieces are assembled and finished and secured with clear epoxy. The completed bronze and crystal sculpture is mounted to a dark stained oak wood base with a cast bronze finished Champion title plate. The perpetual base is made in textured oak wood with dark stain, the nameplates around the top have all the early winners for Texas Open starting in 1922. The modern age Champions beginning with 2010 are on individual nameplates going around the perpetual base.
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StarNumber of Man Hours:
  • Design Phase - 15 hours
  • Graphic Arts Modelling Phase - 100 hours
  • Model and Mold Phase - 40 hours
  • Wax & Casting Phase - 40 hours
  • Bronze Finishing Phase - 40 hours
  • Final Assembly Phase - 15 hours
  • Estimate 250 hours to create all design, models, molds, and finished perpetual trophy
  • Champions replica trophies will each take 90-100 hours labor to create
StarMaterials Used:
  • 3D printed resins, silicone molds, castable wax, crystal, art glass, oak wood, bronze, brass, patina coloring agents, epoxies, and welding.
  • Total of twelve (12) separate cast bronze pieces, one (1) large Crystal Texas, and one (1) oak wood base. All these separate pieces are hand fitted, finished, and combined to make each Valero Texas Open trophy.
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We hope you will be as proud of this trophy as we are for many years to come.

Click here see the new Valero Texas Open trophy unveiled.

Get To Know Your Defending Champion
With only a few days left before Andrew Landry is set to defend his title, he graciously shared some fun facts about himself for our readers and loyal followers.

StarWhat are your favorite drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic)?
Water, Dr. Pepper, Craft Beers, Scotch
StarWhat’s your favorite pastime or hobby?
Fishing
StarWhat’s your favorite thing about living in Dripping Springs?
Small town feel but still close enough to a big city. We love the hill country and being out from the city life where it is truly peace and quiet.
StarWhere is your favorite place to vacation?
Bahamas
StarWhat are your favorite golf courses (U.S. & International)?
Pebble Beach, Riviera, TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course), and of course, TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course
StarWho would play in your dream foursome?
I’d play with Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, and Lee Trevino

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Dash to the VTO presented by Humana Military
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The 3rd annual Dash to the VTO presented by Humana Military is this Saturday, which includes a 5k and one-mile run/walk race around TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course. This is your last chance to get a sneak peek at the tournament layout prior to the PGA TOUR competition beginning next week.

The race entry fee includes a chipped bib, race T-shirt, entry to post-race party and one general admission ticket to the Valero Texas Open.

Don’t forget to invite your cheering squad! Friends and family members are able to enjoy our post-race party by purchasing a Food & Beverage Spectator Pass. The $10 wristband for ages 5+ provides access to take partake in the post-race reception and enjoy the food, drinks and festivities after the conclusion of the race.

Learn more and register at: www.ValeroTexasOpen.com.

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Granger Smith Concert – Next Saturday
On Saturday, April 6 after the last putt drops, bar and concession service in the tournament’s Backyard will continue well into the evening along with backyard games and a concert featuring three native Texans: Kimberly Dunn, Luke Pell and headliner Granger Smith!

The 19th Hole Fiesta, an official FIESTA® San Antonio event is included in the price of admission for all Saturday ticket holders.

StarChildren 12 & under receive free admission compliments of Wells Fargo
StarCollege students receive free admission and free parking on Saturday, April 6 after 2 p.m. with college ID For those who choose to attend just the 19th Hole Fiesta, a $35 charge at the gate will apply
StarRideshare through Uber and Lyft are available and recommended

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LEARN MORE

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Free Tickets for Our Heroes
As this is Military City, U.S.A., we are pleased to continue our tradition of offering complimentary admission to service men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Servpro in partnership with Valero Texas Open is proud to offer all Bexar county First Responders complimentary admission as well – for the fifth year in a row. Both the Military and First Responders can enjoy the “Heroes Pavilion” which will be located behind the 17th green with easy access from the main spectator entrance.

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