Cordillera Ranch

Cordillera Ranch, the private community outside San Antonio near historic Boerne - announces its Jack Nicklaus Signature Course ranks in the top 50 "Best Residential Courses" in the U.S. by Golfweek.

Placed 46th among 100 courses in the 2014 edition, the property's sole course stands in elite company alongside some of the most exclusive layouts in the world.

The residential rankings originate from Golfweek's annual compilation of America's Best Courses, published since 1997. More than 350 raters throughout the country evaluate courses on the basis of 10 criteria, providing a final score calculated through a statistically rigorous process. The news was released in the publication's annual "Ultimate Guide" to subscribers this week.

"To be counted as one the nation's best private courses is humbling," says Charlie Hill, Vice President of Development of Cordillera Ranch. "Our members and staff take great pride in quality conditioning and the course's overall playability, and it's edifying to have those key factors recognized."

Opened in 2006, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Cordillera Ranch is set on pristine land in Texas Hill Country, meandering through valleys and oak-covered terrain. Many holes offer views of the Guadalupe River Valley and feature tough bunker placements, cascading waterfalls, limestone canyons and risk-reward shots.

Nearly 400 full golf members enjoy unlimited access to the course in the year-round. Many find its Zeon Zoysia fairway turf - the same to be used on the 2016 Olympic Games course - to be among the most player-friendly strains in the country.

The 8,700-acre private community was also recognized in the guide for its attractiveness to families, based on its breadth of home/lot options and wealth of on-site outdoor activities.

In addition to golf, the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch highlight six other lifestyle amenities on property including Tennis & Swim, Spa & Athletic, Social, Equestrian, Rod & Gun and River. Membership options exist for both residents and non-residents.

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Course Update - Wednesday 23 October 2013

In view of recent weather patterns a decision has been made to introduce preferred lies on 'closely mown' areas with immediate effect. On Friday 1 November 2013 the Mat policy outlined below will be introduced.

Mat Policy:

This year we are adopting a 'flexible' mat policy. From the fairway or closely mown areas a player will have the option of:-

1. Marking, lifting, cleaning and replacing their ball within 6" of where it lies or

2. Following the same procedure but playing from a mat.

If weather patterns dictate we reserve the right to revert to 'compulsory' mats. In this instance there is still the option of taking the ball to the nearest area of 'rough' and dropping the ball.

Temporary Greens

Unless in play, temporary greens should be treated as MANDATORY "Ground Under Repair", full relief must be taken. The only exception to this rule is that players may use a putter to play from a

temporary green.

BUNKERS

Players may lift their ball (not clean), rake the bunker and replace their ball before playing.

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Hurdzan Leads Renovation at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club

Architect Michael Hurdzan is leading a renovation project at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in Canada.

Work began over the summer on the club’s West Nine, and the course is set to reopen next summer. Work is then scheduled to begin on the South Nine, and the club is likely to back to its full complement of 27 holes in the summer of 2015. 

Originally designed by Willie Park, the course was more recently redesigned by Tom McBroom. The work McBroom carried out on the course’s greens were the cause of some controversy, as the heavy sloping rendered only 12 to 20 per cent of the green could be used for flag positions.

Hurdzan’s work has left the greens with a maximum 2 or 2.5 per cent gradient and with a minimum of 14 flag locations per hole. 

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the new fourth hole, built on what was formerly brush land located between the old third and fourth holes. Elevated tees look down to a new green which is surrounded by a newly built pond. The teeing areas of the fifth hole are now on the site of the former green of the fourth green, with the new fourth hole playing back to where the old fourth tees used to be.

Greens have also been relocated on holes one, seven, eight and nine.

Once reopened, the West Nine will play to a par of 35 rather than the previous 36, while the South and North course will remain at 36. Fourteen new tee decks will also feature on the West and South courses, and the two nines played together will measure from 4,000 yards on the front tees to more than 7,000 yards from the back tees.

Other improvements at the club include the relocation and expansion of the driving range and short-game practice area. The renovation is costing in the region of US$2.4 million.

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Aussie Architect Ryan Completes First Phase of Tehran International Course

Phil Ryan (left) on site in Tehran

Australian architect Phil Ryan has completed phase one of construction on the first golf course to be built in Iran for over thirty years.

Ryan's firm, Pacific Coast Design, was engaged by developer Iranian Land (TSI) in 2010 to design the course. Construction began in early 2012, but has been on hold for over a year as a result of the economic situation in Iran. With signs that the country's relationship with the outside world is improving, Iranian Land has restarted the build, and Ryan recently visited the site to oversee the grassing of the first holes.

The first phase of construction covers the course's back nine, and Ryan expects the remainder of the holes in this phase to be grassed next April, when the weather warms up after the winter. Roads and infrastructure are already in place, and a temporary clubhouse will open in the middle of next year. Iranian Land has already sold over 100 villas, which are currently being built alongside holes six and thirteen.

While in Tehran, Ryan gave a presentation to over 300 people who are interested in investing into the residential property. He expects to return early next year to complete the first phase. The site is near the town of Parand, approximately 25 kilometres to the south of Tehran and 15 minutes from the city's airport. The bulk of the site has elevations between 1055-1100m and is semi-desert land without a single tree. Irrigation will make use of treated effluent water. The entire site is 1,400 hectares, but the 340 hectare golf zone, which was masterplanned by PCD, includes the course and clubhouse, as well as villas, apartments, a hotel, schools and commercial property.

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Weiskopf Course in Jackson Hole to Reopen Under New Ownership

Snake River's eleventh hole

A new ownership group is poised to reopen the Snake River Sporting Club, and its Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Atlanta-based investment firm Cygnus Capital Real Estate Advisors has launched a multi-million dollar reinvestment plan for the 554-acre residential community, starting with the completion of a 26,000 square foot clubhouse facility, and plans for ongoing property enhancements, including a collection of luxury cabins in 2014.

The club has been in foreclosure proceedings since 2010. Cygnus acquired the property, first developed ten years ago, this February, and has already invested US$11.5 million in it. Weiskopf's firm has been reengaged by Cygnus to lead a US$2 million redesign at Snake River, including a new short game area. Superintendent Greg Ornowski has continued to maintain the course since its 2008 closure. It will reopen for play next May.

“Snake River Sporting Club is the perfect marriage of rugged nature and authentic Western lifestyle,” said Cygnus founding investor Christopher Swann. “With six miles of private access to the Snake River and 3.5 million acres of national forest in their backyard, our members and owners are presented with an array of engaging opportunities to immerse themselves into the wilderness and adventure of this place.”

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Gary Player Design Opens First Nine Holes at Signature Course in India

Gary Player Design opens first nine holes at signature course in India BY SEAN DUDLEY | 30 OCTOBER 2013 Gary Player Design has advanced its global portfolio with the opening of the first nine holes of the Gary Player Signature course at DLF Golf and Country Club near New Delhi, India. “I am positive our course at DLF Golf and Country Club will prove to be an extraordinary addition to golf in India,” said Gary Player. “There is a bright future for Indian golf, and I am happy that Gary Player Design and DLF have made a noteworthy contribution. 

We are committed to aiding the growth of golf around the world, and India ranks as one of our most important opportunities.” The second nine holes at the site are currently under construction, and are set to be opened late next summer, completing the 18-hole Gary Player Signature course. “I can assure you that this golf course will test the tour professional from the championship tees,” said Player. “But it is equally if not more important to give the member who lives here options for enjoyment.

I believe we have accomplished that.” Jeff Lawrence was the senior designer leading the project, and stressed the significant environmental approach taken in developing the site at DLF Country club. “In keeping with Gary Player Design’s longstanding policy of sustainable course design and environmental stewardship, geo-textile bunkers were utilised to reduce maintenance costs, thousands of trees were planted to reduce the overall carbon footprint, and irrigation needs are provided from a lake fed with recycled,treated water. These are exciting developments beyond the quality of the design,” said Lawrence. The Gary Player Signature course will be the second course on the site, complementing the existing 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Course, which has previously staged tournaments sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours. Gary Player Design worked alongside DLF, a leading real estate developer in India, to develop the course, and Scott Ferrell, president of Gary Player Design, said: “It is truly special to find partners like DLF who share our passion for creating a world-class golf course.” Gary Player Design is doing a significant amount of work in Asia, with 26 projects currently ongoing across the continent.

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