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The
Best
of
Austin Golf
2014
C O N N E C T I N G A T T H E C L U B A T H O R S E S H O E B AY R E S O R T I S M A D E E A S Y W I T H O U R
COMPREHENSIVE OFFERINGS OF LAKE, MARINA AND GOLF AMENITIES. ENJOY A
FA M I LY D I N N E R A T T H E YA C H T C L U B O N T H E S H O R E S O F L A K E L B J , A F U L L- L E V E L
L A K E . P L AY O N E O F T H R E E A W A R D - W I N N I N G R O B E R T T R E N T J O N E S S R . G O L F
C O U R S E S O R C H A L L E N G E YO U R G A M E O N T H E N E W J A C K N I C K L A U S S I G N AT U R E
C O U R S E . P L AY T E N N I S O N C L AY, H A R D C O U R T A N D S Y N T H E T I C G R A S S S U R FA C E S
O R S I M P LY R E L A X , A T T H E F U L L- S E R V I C E B AY S I D E S P A .
H O W E V E R YO U C O N N EC T, T H E C LU B AT H O R S E S H O E B AY R E S O R T I S T H E P E R F EC T
G AT H E R I N G P L A C E TO E L E VAT E YO U R FA M I LY ’ S R EC R E AT I O N A L A N D S O C I A L L I F E .
The main selling point at Spanish Oaks, though, is the golf
course, and they sure do have a great one. Weed beautifully carved
the Spanish Oaks layout up, around and through the scenic hills.
Thus, at almost tee box, you’re seeing either the breathtaking Hill
Country scenery or exceptional vistas. And when it comes to
memorable holes, Spanish Oaks has plenty of them including the
sweeping par-5 17th and resounding par-4 finishing hole.
Obviously, von Hoffmann, Brijalba and the strong playing membership are not just honing their games on the course. Spanish Oaks
has a fantastic practice area that features a double-sided range with
Titleist ProV1 practice balls, a short game area just a chip shot away
from the range and a putting green next to the first tee.
Other amenities at Spanish Oaks that make the $70,000 initiation fee worth it – the ultimate mixed bar/grille at the turn, wellstocked comfort stations on the course, a Member’s Grille that
serves outstanding fare and the coldest beverages, tennis courts
and valet service for both members and guests.
Yes, Spanish Oaks has everything one could ever want in a private golf club … and then some.
The Hills Country Club revamped their bar and dining area
a few years ago, and it was the place to be for the Emmitt Smith
Celebrity Invitational on a chilly day in March. Despite the cold
temps, everyone had a smile on their face when playing The Hills
Course, as it was in great shape. Members also raved about its
younger sister, Flintrock Falls.
The eyes of Texas (and the nation) have been on the University
of Texas golf programs, and one of the main reasons they’ve been so
successful lately is the hub for the teams, The University of Texas
Golf Club. Besides a stout and picturesque layout, UT Golf Club
boasts great amenities including a fabulous dining area and back
patio, a wonderful short game area, and Texas golf memorabilia
and trophies sprinkled throughout the clubhouse.
Austin Country Club
The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort
Best Country Club
Luxury Category ($40,000 and Over)
1. Austin Country Club
2. Barton Creek Country Club
3. The Hills Country Club
4. The University of Texas Golf Club
30-minutes west of Lakeway | For questions about The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort, call 830.596.CLUB (2582)
There’s a new leader in this clubhouse, and it’s one of the most
decorated clubs in town – Austin Country Club. Located on the
Colorado River just off the Capital of Texas Highway, Austin CC
is the home club of many elite Austin businessmen, and also is
a shrine to Harvey Penick, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and all the
other greats who were from the capital city. There’s been talk of
renovating the greens at Austin CC, but water restrictions might
put that on hold another year.
Barton Creek Country Club has had to deal with greens renovations recently, but the great private club experience still remains.
Four great layouts designed by three of the top names in course
architecture, five-star accommodations and an ideal location – it’s
obvious why this club ranks so highly.
32 A V I D G O L F E R
Best Country Club
Mid-Priced Category ($10,000-$39,999)
1. The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort
2. Cimarron Hills Golf and Country Club
3. Twin Creeks Country Club
4. Onion Creek Country Club
5. River Place Country Club
There were no changes to the rankings in this category. However,
The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort distanced itself from the others thanks to the plush conditions on the golf courses. In fact, never
have we seen all three courses in this great of shape. Plus, members
have access to all the great amenities that are offered to resort guests
– water activities on the lake, the spa and fitness center and the
relaxing lifestyle found in Marble Falls/Horseshoe Bay.
The lifestyle at Cimarron Hills Golf and Country Club in
Georgetown is also relaxing, and being a member here is such a
treat. Besides tackling a splendid Jack Nicklaus championship golf
course on a regular basis, members can relax and have festive times
at Cimarron Hills’ phenomenal clubhouse. It’s truly a gem on the
far north side of town.
The Dominion Group dominated the rest of this category with
three distinctive Austin-area clubs. Twin Creeks Country Club
is the newest of the Dominion trio, and this Cedar Park enclave
keeps getting better and better. The vibrant membership has all
the amenities on-site they can take advantage of, including a Brian
34 A V I D G O L F E R
Sometimes gets lost in the Northwest Austin golf shuffle
Unfortunately, this course only measures 5,400 yards
Traffic congestion around the club keeps increasing
Barn at Summit Rock is open, but we’re yearning for the clubhouse
Affordable club in a thriving part of town
Charming course has a river running through it
Director of Golf David von Hoffmann a top STPGA playing pro
Club has the best comfort stations in Texas
All-natural course gets its fair share of accolades and criticism
Blind shots, especially on Yaupon, a bit taxing
Next on the docket: relocation of the bar and pro shop
Live Oak Course features a par-3 with a stellar nickname: “Jaws”
Outdoor patio will be a nice hangout for the members
Certain golf and social memberships have a waiting list
Golf course is due for a revamp to give it added length, shot value
Underrated golf course is considered one of the toughest in town
Barton Creek cuts through property, creating a beautiful setting
Renovating greens during prime months a tough, but needed, move
Club needs more marketing to spread the word about all it offers
Lockers and the carpet in the clubhouse are very dated
Club showcases Senior Tour history and founder Jimmy Demaret
Arnold Palmer design sits on the shores of Lake Travis
Somehow need to jazz up the finishing hole and make it memorable
Elevated tee shots will fascinate all golfers
Club’s 19th hole makes clubhouse a dazzling hangout
Wayward shots to 18th green could land at short game area
Wish the club was a lot closer to Austin city limits
Tennis center for the UT teams just as top-notch as golf course
In the Troon Golf stable, so you know everything is on point
Palmer Lakeside course a long journey from the main resort
Men’s 19th hole needs to be spruced up
Each course has something special that makes them stand out
The seventh hole on The Hills Course is visually stunning
est. $80,000 If you’re a member here, you’re truly part of an elite club
Austin Golf Club
3
$70,000
$45,000
Spanish Oaks Golf Club
Summit Rock Golf Club
$600
17 Georgetown Country Club
1
$3,500
16 Balcones Country Club
$4,000
14 Lakeway Country Club
est. $8,000
$4,000
15 Berry Creek Country Club
$6,500
13 Lost Creek Country Club
$25,000
11 Lakecliff Country Club
12 Great Hills Country Club
$10,500
$10,000
Onion Creek Country Club
9
10 River Place Country Club
$10,500
Twin Creeks Country Club
8
$40,000
$20,000
The University of Texas Golf Club
Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club
6
7
$55,000
Barton Creek Country Club
$20,000
The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort
3
The Hills Country Club
$80,000
Austin Country Club
4
$125,000
Escondido Golf & Lake Club
2
2
Escondido Golf and Lake Club
Best Golf Course – Private
1. Escondido Golf & Lake Club
2. Austin Country Club
3. Summit Rock Golf Club
4. Spanish Oaks Golf Club
5. Cimarron Hills Golf and Country Club
6. The University of Texas Golf Club
7. The Hills of Lakeway – Hills Course
8. Twin Creeks Country Club
9. Austin Golf Club
10. The Hills Country Club – Flintrock Falls
1
During the 2000s, noted course architect Tom Fazio had an
inkling for the Lone Star State, as he designed such noted courses
as Dallas National Golf Club, The Vaquero Club and Briggs
Ranch Golf Club. He also made a stop in Horseshoe Bay and created the course at Escondido Golf and Lake Club. From hole
Golf Club
Country Club
Club
We’ve always been fans of the Great Hills Country Club
golf course, a rugged and difficult track that turns average golfers into gamers. But we found a greater appreciation for all the
other aspects of the club on our latest visit. For $6,500, the
Great Hills members get amenities that rival those found at
more expensive clubs.
Both Lost Creek Country Club and Lakeway Country Club
are under the ClubCorp umbrella, so nothing is left unturned at
those clubs. And both of these clubs are in an area full of golfers
(the northwest), which makes the membership at both of these
clubs, especially Lost Creek, very strong.
When it comes to down-home, family country clubs, it’s hard
to look past Berry Creek Country Club and Balcones Country
Club. Both offer worthy amenities for their members, with Berry
Creek being a more affordable option for those in the Georgetown area and Balcones serving those in northwest Austin who
enjoy a private club lifestyle at a budgeted price.
The “Golden Bear” has brought gold to those clubs where he
has built a golf course. That’s especially evident at Summit Rock
Golf Club, an up-and-coming club that sits across the street from
the Horseshoe Bay Resort and Escondido Golf & Lake Club.
Despite a glorious and picturesque layout and the best comfort
stations in Texas, Summit Rock got dinged in our rankings a year
ago because of the absence of a clubhouse and cart barn. While
they don’t have a full-blown clubhouse yet, they do have a hub
where members can check in, buy logo shirts/hats and food and
beverage. And the future looks golden for the club.
Located right off State Highway 71, Austin Golf Club is an
exclusive enclave where many of Austin’s power brokers and movers and shakers have a locker. It’s so exclusive that there’s no gaudy
entrance to the club; rather, the only beacon is a large flagpole
with the club’s logoed flag waving, and an iron gate that only
allows in those who know the super-secret code. Drive down the
club road, and you’ll notice that there’s nothing gaudy about the
golf club either – from the modest clubhouse to the rugged and
natural Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore design.
5
Best Country Club
Value-Priced Category (Under $10,000)
1. Great Hills Country Club
2. Lost Creek Country Club
3. Lakeway Country Club
4. Berry Creek Country Club
5. Balcones Country Club
Best Golf Club
1. Summit Rock Golf Club
2. Austin Golf Club
$42,000
Parking around the club, especially on weekends, is an arduous task
Hoping renovation work on Cap Rock clubhouse starts soon
All three courses are in magnificent condition
Greens weren’t up to the members’ standards
Grand views of Pennybacker Bridge, Colorado River at Nos. 3-5
Wounded Warriors tournament is one of the best events in Austin
What Can Get Better
Great Hills Country Club
Initiation Fee What is Great About the Club
2014 Best of Private Golf
Curley/Lee Schmidt/Fred Couples design that takes full advantage of the hilly terrain.
Onion Creek Country Club is the elder statesman of those
found in this category, and honors its history on the clubhouse
walls and throughout the property. The birthplace of the Champions Tour, Onion Creek has a Legends Wall, which shows pictures of golf legends who played Onion Creek during the early
years of the Tour. There’s also a bust of golf legend and club
founder Jimmy Demaret just outside of the clubhouse that looks
out toward the range and course.
Situated in northwest Austin, River Place Country Club
solidified their top-5 spot thanks to a remarkable renovation
done to its bar and grill area. Now being revamped: the bunkers
and greens on the course. We don’t see this club sliding out of the
top-5 anytime soon.
W W W . M Y A V I D G O L F E R . C O M 33
Nos. 1-13 Escondido will wow you with its shot value, but starting at the 14th, the course will amaze you with its shot value and
beauty. In fact, the finishing holes at Escondido rival those found
at Whispering Pines Golf Club, long considered the best golf
course in Texas.
Austin Country Club also has a special set of golf holes, Nos.
3-5, which head down toward the Colorado River and play alongside the body of water, all while offering breathtaking views of the
Pennybacker Bridge. The course also has some of Pete Dye’s famous
railroad ties, and jaw-dropping views of the Hill Country scenery.
Summit Rock Golf Club also delivers when it comes to dramatic beauty. Designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son, Jack Nicklaus II, Summit Rock also ranks high because of its shot value and
playability. Higher handicappers actually have a decent shot of
playing well here.
Well in-tuned golfers know the name Bobby Weed and the natural gems he has designed throughout the country (TPC Summerlin, TPC River Highlands, Olde Farm in Virginia). One of
his best is Spanish Oaks Golf Club. Weed beautifully blended
the terrain with this golf playground, traversing the holes up,
down and around the hills.
Austin Golf Club has its share of supporters and critics, but
one can’t deny the amazing natural beauty found on this Ben
Crenshaw and Bill Coore design. Perhaps after the successful U.S.
Opens at Pinehurst No. 2, the notion that “brown is beautiful”
will lure more to embrace this layout.
The other course at The Hills Country Club – Flintrock Falls
– is a Nicklaus Design Group layout that is more modern than
The Hills Course. Yet, like its older sister, you have to think your
way around Flintrock Falls to score well here.
The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort
Best Golf Course – Resort/Private
1. Barton Creek – Fazio Foothills
2. Horseshoe Bay – Ram Rock
3. Horseshoe Bay – Apple Rock
4. Barton Creek – Fazio Canyons
5. Horseshoe Bay – Slick Rock
Barton Creek Country Club
Besides Summit Rock, another Jack Nicklaus beauty can be
found at Cimarron Hills Golf and Country Club. Here, you
won’t find as many elevation changes or jaw-dropping views of
the canyons and bluffs; instead, you’ll get a great sense of the ruggedness and serenity of the Hill Country terrain.
Located in Steiner Ranch sits The University of Texas Golf
Club, a fantastic Randy Russell and Roy Bechtol design that
offers great thrills and great views of Lake Austin behind the 15th
green. Sure, everything is burnt orange, including the carts, but
fans of all schools will thoroughly enjoy their experience here.
Everyone knows about the beautiful seventh hole at The Hills
of Lakeway – one of the best and most picturesque par 3s in the
state. Yet, what many seem to forget is how wonderful and cerebral the rest of this Jack Nicklaus design is.
What exactly does resort/private mean? Basically these golf
courses are only available to guests staying at the resort.
Barton Creek has four golf courses affiliated with the resort, the
best of which is the Fazio Foothills located on the resort’s premises.
Long considered a top Texas layout, Fazio Foothills offers dramatic
elevation changes, tremendous shot value, and some memorable
holes include the par-3 ninth, the par-4 10th and par-5 18th. The
other Fazio course at Barton Creek, the Canyons, is a few miles
from the main resort, and while it doesn’t offer the amazing beauty
like Foothills, you do get to battle one of the course architect’s
more famous traits – Fazio’s large and tricky greens.
The Horseshoe Bay Resort boasts three distinctive Robert
Trent Jones Sr. golf courses, all of which are Texas Hill Country at
its finest. The best of the bunch – and without a doubt the hardest
– is Ram Rock. Widely thought of as the most challenging course
in Texas, Ram Rock never lets up from the opening drive, but the
scenery makes up for the inflated scores. Apple Rock is very underrated track that is also the most scenic at Horseshoe Bay, as it provides some nice views of Lake LBJ. At many other resorts, Apple
Rock would be the top dog. Slick Rock is more of the resort-style
track, and features a $1 million waterfall at the 14th hole. Take a
selfie here, and everyone will know where you’re playing.
W W W . M Y A V I D G O L F E R . C O M 35
34 A V I D G O L F E R
2014 Best of Private Golf
Club
Initiation Fee What is Great About the Club
What Can Get Better
Country Club
1
Escondido Golf & Lake Club
$125,000
Wounded Warriors tournament is one of the best events in Austin
2
Austin Country Club
$80,000
Grand views of Pennybacker Bridge, Colorado River at Nos. 3-5
Parking around the club, especially on weekends, is an arduous task
3
The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort
$20,000
All three courses are in magnificent condition
Hoping renovation work on Cap Rock clubhouse starts soon
Greens weren’t up to the members’ standards
4
Barton Creek Country Club
$55,000
Each course has something special that makes them stand out
Palmer Lakeside course a long journey from the main resort
5
The Hills Country Club
$42,000
The seventh hole on The Hills Course is visually stunning
Men’s 19th hole needs to be spruced up
6
The University of Texas Golf Club
$40,000
Tennis center for the UT teams just as top-notch as golf course
Wayward shots to 18th green could land at short game area
7
Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club
$20,000
In the Troon Golf stable, so you know everything is on point
Wish the club was a lot closer to Austin city limits
8
Twin Creeks Country Club
$10,500
Elevated tee shots will fascinate all golfers
Somehow need to jazz up the finishing hole and make it memorable
9
Onion Creek Country Club
Lockers and the carpet in the clubhouse are very dated
$10,000
Club showcases Senior Tour history and founder Jimmy Demaret
10 River Place Country Club
$10,500
Club’s 19th hole makes clubhouse a dazzling hangout
Renovating greens during prime months a tough, but needed, move
11 Lakecliff Country Club
$25,000
Arnold Palmer design sits on the shores of Lake Travis
Club needs more marketing to spread the word about all it offers
12 Great Hills Country Club
$6,500
Underrated golf course is considered one of the toughest in town
Certain golf and social memberships have a waiting list
13 Lost Creek Country Club
$4,000
Barton Creek cuts through property, creating a beautiful setting
Golf course is due for a revamp to give it added length, shot value
14 Lakeway Country Club
15 Berry Creek Country Club
16 Balcones Country Club
17 Georgetown Country Club
$4,000
est. $8,000
$3,500
$600
Live Oak Course features a par-3 with a stellar nickname: “Jaws”
Blind shots, especially on Yaupon, a bit taxing
Outdoor patio will be a nice hangout for the members
Next on the docket: relocation of the bar and pro shop
Affordable club in a thriving part of town
Sometimes gets lost in the Northwest Austin golf shuffle
Charming course has a river running through it
Unfortunately, this course only measures 5,400 yards
Golf Club
1
Spanish Oaks Golf Club
$70,000
Director of Golf David von Hoffmann a top STPGA playing pro
Traffic congestion around the club keeps increasing
2
Summit Rock Golf Club
$45,000
Club has the best comfort stations in Texas
Barn at Summit Rock is open, but we’re yearning for the clubhouse
3
Austin Golf Club
est. $80,000 If you’re a member here, you’re truly part of an elite club
All-natural course gets its fair share of accolades and criticism