Forest Creek Golf Course

Continuing my series this year on Austin's most challenging golf courses and outstanding golf communities--let's talk Forest Creek Golf Course and community. Located in Round Rock, just 25 minutes from downtown Austin, Forest Creek Golf Course is a semi-private/public course and this course is all about it's name sake--trees and water. With one of the higher slope ratings in Austin golf, this course has more than its share of signature challenges.

Forest Creek hosts one of the most important events in Austin golf each year--The Central Texas Amateur Open. Golfers with ambition to join the professional tour, have to clear the hurdles of the amateur tour first and in Central Texas that begins here.

This course has a few "signature holes" with lakes and beach front property, but if the water doesn't beat you--you may still not be out of the woods. Some of the deceptive holes to watch out for include #9. It starts out with a seemingly simple drive toward water and sand traps, but baring a perfect position in the drive, you are left with a short lay-up with water on both sides and a precise third shot to a very high elevated green. Very demanding green location. In fact, there are a number of holes with elevated or de-elevated greens. And many of the fairways cross the creek or encounter water just before the green. Double dog legs. Narrow gap entries to the green with forests on each side. Long charges up big hills that don't look so challenging on paper--but don't be fooled. There is a reason why the Amateur Open is held here every July.

The Player Development Program (PDP). Forest Creek is one of just a hand full of courses in Austin that offer an incredible program for individuals or families to learn how to play golf from the PGA Pro's. The PDP clinics are held four times a week. In the PDP you can learn how to use all the sticks in your bag--from putting, to driving, short irons, long irons, hill shots, sand--if you want to learn this game in less than 20 years, there is no better way than joining the PDP clinics. And if you live in Forest Creek, it is just that much easier.

It is the dead of winter out now and two things stand out here--golfers are playing golf in their shorts (most days) and this course is in great condition. Coming out of the great drought of 2011, you would never know it from playing at Forest Creek today. The greens are clean and the fairways are rich. If you have not played Forest Creek Golf, or you are looking for a great golf community to live--give me a call and let's go play Forest Creek this week!

River Place Country Club, Golf Course and Community

In Austin, we don't normally call it a River--it's Lake Austin, but River Place is the exception to this and many rules. Located on a large tract of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve on the Colorado River, aka Lake Austin, this stretch of land is arguably where the Texas Hill Country begins. Rolling hills. Running streams. Beautiful trees and a wonderful community built in the middle of natural beauty. And this golf course is one of the crown jewels in this community--taking advantage of all that the area has to offer. Designed by Architect Jay Morrish and Austin's own US Open Champion--Tom Kite.

When you play River Place, there are many pieces of the topography to take in. Deep contours. Elevated and de-elevated greens. Rock walls. Streams. Trees on both sides of the fairway. Small "ponds". Well groomed sand traps. Beautifully cultivated greens. Even at this writing, in the dead of winter, the greens are rich and groomed as if it is summer outside. Just incredible.

On most tees boxes you will not be able to see the flag stick from the tee box. It is a challenge the first couple of times you go out. And if you run into the Head PGA Pro, Chris de Keratry, on your way out, you will get one word of advise: "Lay up." It's good advise. Take it and run. This is a course full of surprises and adventure each time you load up your sticks.

River Place is fortunate to have one of Austin's best PGA professionals on staff. The Head Golf Pro, Chris De Keratry, is one of the brightest and best that you will find. A student of the Hank Haney School of Golf, I can personally testify that Chris is one of the best teachers in the business. (Confession time). I have taken lessons from lots of great golfers, but Chris is more than a great golfer--Chris is a great golf instructor. He understands how to teach a sport that requires the brain to execute a very complex set of hand-to-eye-to-brain events all at one time. Many golfer can make the difficult look simple, but Chris makes the difficult feel simple and understandable. He is truly gifted and a nice guy on top of it all.

Exercise. My doctor told me a few years ago that I needed to exercise more. "Does golf count?"--"Yes, if you are walking--not ridding." Well, my MD has never played this golf course. This is the Texas Hill Country. Take a cart and live to play another day. There is enough exercise involved in this course even when you are ridding. And you will love every minutes of it. (Click on photos for a bigger image and better view!).

Of course, River Place is not just a wonderful golf course and country club. River Place is one of North West Austin's finest master planned communities. When you walk the golf course you are surrounded by beautiful custom homes. On the peak of the hills--looking down onto the golf course. And in the valley along side of the course. Nicely framed outside of the line of a stray ball, but ever present reminders of families who live and love River Place. Homes in River Place range from the low ~$300's to $MM homes and Lake Austin water front property on Big View Drive. A community, not defined by it's homes, but by its neighbors.

If you are interested in finding out more about this community, homes in River Place or you would like for me to personally introduce you to the good people of River Place, give me a call. Let's Talk.