By Mike Arcand
Tucked away along the winding roads around Lake Fork is the kind of place many first-time visitors don’t expect to find in East Texas. That reaction is something one owner and investor has heard countless times over the years.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Tom Keenan and take a tour of The Links at Land’s End this week, and it was truly something to behold. “People come out here and are really amazed sometimes when they first see it,” Keenan said during our tour of the property.
Inside the Land’s End community on the shores of famous Lake Fork, the course has quietly evolved into one of the most unique recreational destinations in Wood County. With rolling fairways, towering trees, sweeping lake views, artistic wood carvings, and a growing reputation among golfers across Texas and all over the U.S., The Links at Land’s End offers far more than a standard round of golf—it also offers a unique East Texas experience.
How It All Started
Originally constructed as a nine-hole course in 2000 before expanding to 18 holes a few years later, the course went through difficult financial years before Keenan and a group of local investors stepped in to preserve it. That effort eventually led to a 21-person ownership group that purchased the course roughly a decade ago. Since then, the group has invested heavily into improving both the golf experience and the surrounding amenities.
“We put a lot of money into it, a lot of renovations,” Keenan said.
Those upgrades have included extensive drainage improvements, renovated bunkers, clubhouse enhancements, new gathering areas, landscaping projects, and expanded facilities designed to make the course both more beautiful and more functional.
One of the most noticeable improvements can be seen after a heavy East Texas rainstorm. “The bunkers used to be the worst feature of the course,” Keenan said with a laugh. “Now they’re the best feature when it rains.”
What Sets It Apart
While many golf courses focus strictly on playability, The Links at Land’s End has developed a personality all its own. Throughout the course, visitors encounter detailed chainsaw carvings created by local artist Jimmy Hobbs. Eagles, bears, raccoons, owls, alligators, Bigfoot, and other figures are carved from trees throughout the property, giving the course a uniquely East Texas flavor. “It really adds a special feature to the golfing experience,” Keenan said.
Among the most meaningful pieces is a tribute sculpture honoring former resident golf professional Jackie Cupit, a PGA Tour player and protege of Jack Nicklaus. The sculpture serves as both artwork and remembrance, reflecting the deeply personal connection many residents have to the course.
But perhaps the course’s greatest feature is its connection to Lake Fork itself. “We have 14 holes on the lake, which certainly add to the visual appeal,” Keenan said. That relationship with the lake is now much more visible than it once was. Overgrown brush and vegetation that once blocked views of the water have been cleared, opening panoramic views across one of Texas’ most famous fishing lakes.
“When we bought it, you really didn’t see the lake much,” Keenan said. “So we cleared that out and opened up the views.” The result is a golf course where Lake Fork becomes part of the round itself. On some holes, golfers tee off with open water stretching alongside the fairway. On others, the quiet scenery creates the kind of peaceful atmosphere that has become increasingly difficult to find at crowded metro-area courses. “It’s so peaceful out here,” Keenan said. “That’s unbelievable.”
That atmosphere has helped attract golfers from well beyond East Texas. “We’ve got members from South Dakota, New Mexico, Louisiana, and more,” Keenan said.
Visitors often arrive expecting a simple small-town golf course and leave surprised by the quality of both the course and the setting. For many, The Links at Land’s End becomes part of a larger Lake Fork getaway that includes fishing, boating, dining, and relaxation.
The course has also become a major gathering place for events, tournaments, and community celebrations. Recent additions like the Gator Grill, a new pavilion, and beautiful restrooms continue to improve visitors’ experience while reinforcing the course’s role as a social centerpiece for the community.
“We wanted to do ‘wow’ things for the members,” Keenan said.
The Vision for the Future
That mindset continues to shape the future of the course. Keenan discussed ongoing beautification projects, new landscaping, additional carvings, and continued reinvestment into the property. In fact, despite the course now operating successfully, the ownership group continues pouring revenue back into improvements rather than treating it as a profit machine.
“None of the people involved have ever expected to get rich off this thing,” Keenan said. “We just keep reinvesting everything back into it.” That philosophy may explain why The Links at Land’s End feels different from many modern golf developments. There is a strong sense that the course belongs to the people who love it, not just financially, but personally.
For Keenan, the connection began the very first day he drove through the entrance while exploring East Texas lakes years ago in search of a retirement destination. “As soon as we came in here, I bought a lot that day,” he recalled.
Today, visitors making that same drive into Land’s End often discover exactly what Keenan saw years ago: A scenic hidden gem tucked away at the end of the road, where golf, lake life, and East Texas hospitality all come together in one remarkable place. You can learn more about The Links at Land’s End on its website and Facebook page.