Horseshoe Bay just gets better

by ken macleod

Our Texas-based correspondents have been following the improvements and expansions at Horseshoe Bay Resort for years. It was past time for yours truly to make his way to Hill Country to see this burgeoning player in the Southwest golf resort market with his own eyes.

An hour northwest of Austin, Horseshoe Bay is an easy reach for Oklahomans by air or land. The Hill Country had been blasted by a prolonged drought when we visited in the fall of 2019, but it wasn’t apparent once inside the oasis of the 2,400- acre resort and community by the shores of Lake LBJ.

The three courses always open to resort guests – Ram Rock, Slick Rock and Apple Rock – were all creations of the renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr., and all have undergone recent upgrades and improvements.

Director of agromony Ken Gorzycki has been in restoration mode since November 2015, when Slick Rock, the original course built in 1971, was given all new greens, bunkers, irrigation and extended cart paths. That same process continued on Ram Rock, which closed in August 2017 and reopened in May 2018, and then Apple Rock, which shut down in August 2018 and reopened last July.

With all three courses now boasting new expanded greens with 007 bent grass, new bunkers and better irrigation, Gorzycki is glad to be concentrating on daily maintenance.

Not that improve - ments are ending. A new clubhouse is currently under construction that will serve Apple Rock and Ram Rock and should open by May. After that, a clubhouse will be added to serve the reSettle your bets on the 18-hole grass putting course.

While the three RTJ Sr. courses are open to resort guests, Summit Rock is private. However, those who are “considering” purchasing property or joining can get a round added to their stay. Our advice, figure out a way, because it’s one of the top courses in the region, built on wind-swept bluffs with spectacular views on prime Hill Country land that was purchased after the original resort was built.

Summit Rock takes full advantage of the best terrain in the enclave and Nicklaus did a wonderful job mixing holes of stunning scenery and swooping elevation changes while keeping the course playable. Good shots are rewarded and most holes offer some options on approaches. The conditioning is spectacular. It’s one of those courses that is such a treat you’re likely to elevate your game just from the

Whether you get an opportunity to play Summit Rock or not, the opportunity to challenge the three RTJ courses in one setting is a thrill of its own. Ram Rock, with its rock gardens, granite outcroppings and blind tee shots, was designed to be one of the most difficult courses in the state, but the recent renovation has softened some design aspects, increasing green size, reducing bunker acreage by 40 percent and

expanding landing areas. It’s still plenty tough from the tips but more playable for guests and members as shown by increased play.

Slick Rock is the mildest of the three, while Apple Rock is the middle son, more mature but with a bit of a wild streak. It offers great elevated views of the lake but also uses the elevation and folds of the land to wind its way around with a series of challenging, thought-provoking holes that will test your shotmaking skills. Horseshoe Bay is a great destination for a golf buddy trip or a company retreat. It has a unique grass putting course unlike any we’ve seen elsewhere surrounding the Whitewater 360 Sports Club. The club itself has indoor and outdoor seating and can set up stations for delicious barbeque, seafood and more, or the club’s regular menu has tasty sports bar food.

In addition to golf, the resort has pools, hot tubs, a marina with all manner of boats for rent, yacht club, clay tennis courts, video arcade, bikes and trails and a very nice series of elevated walkways through a wetlands area.

For those who may be interested in more than a vacation, Horseshoe Bay is also a community where thousands live and work or have second homes. One of the best benefits is the opportunity to join Summit Rock.

In addition to the Whitewater 360 Sports Club, foodies will love the varied offerings at the Yacht Club and the steaks at the Lantana Grill. Or hop a boat to other great restaurants nearby.

Go to www.hsbresort.com for more information or reservations. Slick Rock is known as the easiest offering at Horseshoe Bay. That doesn't mean it's easy.

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