Destinations
Texas Legacy
Two Hill Country Clubs are Calling You Home
By Mike Bailey
In this tale of two Texas clubs, the best of times is yet to come. Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club and The Club at Comanche Trace are about 120 miles apart. They’ve both been around for a little more than 20 years.
Comanche Trace is located in Kerrville, Texas, in the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Ranked as one of the best places to live in America, this charming town still remains one of the best-kept secrets in Texas with its magnificent Hill Country views and laid-back lifestyle. Here, members enjoy 27 holes of world-class golf with 18 holes designed by Tom Kite/Roy Bechtol/Bill Russell and nine holes designed by Jay & Carter Morrish.
Cimarron Hills is just north of Austin in the suburb of Georgetown, Texas, one of the fastest-growing small cities in the country. It boasts a Jack Nicklaus Signature course that traverses some of the most diverse terrain in the state.
Until recently, the two clubs didn’t have that much in common — outside of each being rated as Top 20 golf courses in Texas — yet they are now closely tied together because in 2022 a new golf development company, Legacy Golf Properties, purchased first Comanche Trace and then Cimarron Hills.
The company, which is headed by golf industry veteran Steve Held, has a far-reaching vision for these two clubs, building upon their storied histories with new amenities that focus on the lifestyle enjoyed by their growing memberships.
COMANCHE TRACE
Comanche Trace boasts a rich history, having been founded by Bobby Shelton of King Ranch, who built the statuesque clubhouse as the Shelton Ranch headquarters back in the late 1970s. The land, once used by the Comanche Indians as hunting and camping grounds, is set on the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River, providing a spectacular setting for what today is recognized as perhaps the best-conditioned golf course in the state.
A key component of this are the course’s immaculate Bent Grass greens. As Comanche Trace’s Director of Golf, Bobby White shared, “Our unique setting provides the perfect environment for our greens, with a light breeze providing the air circulation that allows Bent Grass to thrive, as well as keeping the temperatures about eight degrees cooler than anywhere else in the area. And these slightly cooler temperatures are not only great for our course, but they allow our members to enjoy Comanche Trace throughout the summer.”
To find a Texas Hill Country course boasting pristine Bent Grass greens, and which is routinely heralded as one of the top courses in Texas, is obviously something special for any golfer, but Comanche Trace offers so much more.
With a new, state-of-the-art, 5,000-square-foot fitness center, and the addition of the locally inspired Hill Country “Tap House” that offers a selection of craft beers and everyone’s grilled favorites at the turn, Legacy Golf has invested heavily in the member experience at Comanche Trace.
As Chief Operating Officer Justin Jafarian shared, “While we have always been known for having a world-class golf course, our investment in the lifestyle of our members and the community is what is most important.”
These additions complement the club’s tennis and pickleball courts, beautiful pool, and the four miles of scenic walking trails and the additional biking trails meandering through the community, where one can work off the exceptional meals offered at the club’s renowned Pinnacle Grill, where members and guests enjoy spectacular views.
It’s also important to share that in addition to the club, Comanche Trace offers a vast variety of real estate options for those interested in enjoying this special community. From the newest enclave of luxurious villas that are ideal for those seeking the advantages of a “lock & leave” lifestyle, to estate homes, to recently released home sites overlooking the Jay & Carter Moorish golf course, Comanche Trace has truly focused on providing the best in Hill Country living for everyone,
CIMARRON HILLS
Cimarron Hills, renowned since its inception for its world-class Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, attracts golfers with high expectations, and it certainly does not disappoint. With a mature and secluded piece of property, the golf course feels intimate, and each hole provides a generous stage.
“There’s some gentleness to the land that makes the golf course more playable even if you hit shots a little off-line,” Jafarian said. “We’re at the gateway to the Hill Country, so there aren’t a lot of steep drop-offs or wild elevation changes like you see on some courses in the area. It’s very forested, and Mr. Nicklaus made great use of the water features. Nothing is overdone; truly a testament to the Nicklaus brand and one of his best layouts.”
Understanding that a world-class golfing experience encompasses not only the course itself but also top-tier practice facilities, the group has taken the first steps in a new practice facility enhancement project which will be completed in 2024 and is designed to provide members of all skill levels the opportunity for game improvement and to enhance their enjoyment of the game of golf.
Though golf is a mainstay, the lifestyle at Cimarron Hills is a far more expansive proposition. A full-service spa offers treatments, massages, and skin care. Activities for all ages include hiking and biking trails, organized activities and a bustling social calendar, a newly renovated fitness center with the latest equipment, and a pool.
The tennis and pickleball program is booming, and with a new executive chef, and his creative use of local ingredients, members have enjoyed the new dimension to the menus and his delicious preparations.
“At Cimarron Hills, the club and community have all the components of a world-class experience,” said Jafarian. “Our goal here has been to simply provide additional support for the seasoned leadership team and help them take service and hospitality to new heights.”
In conjunction with the opening of a new $1 million fitness center, the club recently hired Director of Racquets and Athletics Beverly Bowes, a mainstay and familiar name in the tennis world, to run all tennis and athletics operations.
“Ensuring that we have best-in-class leadership in every area of the club is critical to creating the member experience that our members have come to expect,” said Jafarian.
BUILDING A LEGACY
Both Cimarron Hills and Comanche Trace are home to world-class golf courses, designed by unparalleled architects, with exceptional amenities. However, Legacy Golf is focused on enhancing both of these properties by continuing to invest in the lifestyle and the member experience that makes each club unique.
While both have their distinct differences, each boasts a membership that is welcoming, and actually embraces new residents. The social programming provided is designed to help facilitate this and is another point of emphasis for Held and his group.
As Held shared, “When someone invests in a home and a private club, they are building a legacy for themselves and their families. We recognize that, and the importance of our role in providing the amenities and lifestyle that supports their decision. Investing in our people and our properties is a foundation of our company, as we work together with our members in building a legacy that can be enjoyed by all.”
In doing so, Held and his team are not only building a legacy for their members, and their Hill Country jewels, but one for their company.
AT-A-GLANCE
Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club
(512) 763-8700
www.CimarronHills.com
The Club at Comanche Trace
(830) 895-8500
www.ComancheTrace.com
