In 1936, visionary businessman Marvin Leonard founded what was then called the "Colonial Club," a private, family-focused club built around a championship golf course. It became the first course in Texas to feature bentgrass greens, a bold innovation at the time. Leonard chose the name "Colonial" to reflect the clubhouse’s architectural style. A decade later, in 1946, Ben Hogan claimed victory over Sam Snead with a final-round 65, marking the first of his five wins at the Colonial Invitational—an early highlight in the club’s storied legacy. In 2023, renowned architect Gil Hanse was brought in to lead an extensive course restoration, with the updates unveiled during the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge on the PGA Tour.