East at Green Tree Golf Club

Green Tree Golf Club's East Course sits in Midland, a city in the Permian Basin of West Texas known more for oil production than lush fairways. The course was designed by Charles Howard, a Texas-based architect who worked primarily in the mid-20th century and built a number of layouts across the state's arid regions. Howard's designs typically emphasized strategic bunkering and routing that worked with the flat to gently rolling terrain common to West Texas, relying on wind as a natural defense rather than dramatic elevation change.

The East Course occupies land characteristic of the High Plains, where native grasses and mesquite give way to irrigated turf. Water management and maintenance in this climate require significant resources, and the course likely features Bermuda grass fairways and greens suited to the hot, dry summers. Wind is a consistent factor in play, often shifting direction and intensity throughout a round and affecting club selection on nearly every hole.

Green Tree Golf Club serves as a private facility for Midland's community, which has long supported golf despite the challenging environmental conditions. The club has historically been a gathering place for local business and social life in a city where country club culture remains strong. The East Course provides a traditional member experience with a layout that reflects both the constraints and possibilities of golf in the Permian Basin.