The Best of the Private Clubs

March 2011 $4.99
WWW.MYAVIDGOLFER.COM
The
Best
of the
Private Clubs
2011
Cover Story
Best Overall Country Club
The Vaquero Club
Y
ou can’t judge a book by its cover.
So many times this cliché is used ad nauseam in describing a person or a situation. But a golf course? Hardly.
Except when you talk about The Vaquero Club, our choice for
Best Overall Country Club for 2011.
Normally, when a private club boasts the highest initiation fees
and monthly dues among the country clubs, you would think the
club is filled with pompous and uppity members. Yet at Vaquero,
the members are a friendly bunch, and people you would probably recognize.
Texas Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg. Baseball star Vernon
Wells. Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow. Tiger Woods’ former instructor Hank Haney. Pro golfers K.J. Choi, Ben Crane
and Todd Hamilton. The heiress to the Swarovski crystal fortune.
And a certain head coach for a certain football team. Who dat?
You know.
It’s an absolute no-brainer why these folks call Vaquero their
home course. The club’s most attractive amenity is its Tom Fazio
layout that features Zoysia fairways and Bentgrass greens that are
52 A V I D G O L F E R
always in immaculate shape. Before tackling the course, members
can try out the latest golf clubs at its practice facility and get to
know their friendly caddie for the day.
As pleasurable as the golf experience is at Vaquero, that’s just
a snippet of the spoils offered at the club. There’s a valet service
in front of the main entrance of the opulent clubhouse that also
includes a detailed car wash for members. Inside the clubhouse,
members can relax in the plush men’s locker room and grille, get
a great workout at its state-of-the-art fitness center, wine and
dine inside its lavish dining rooms, or get a relaxing rubdown at
its spa.
Kids get to be kids at the on-site Kids Club and Tasty’s ice
cream parlor next door. Sons and daughters can join Dad at Fish
Camp, a lake that’s chock-full of large bass, catfish and crappie. Or
they can join Mom at the tennis center.
Again, all this sounds stuffy. But Vaquero, even with its
$175,000 initiation fee and $1,281 monthly dues (members actually pay their dues in one lump sum), is far from that.
It’s just the best.
W W W . M Y A V I D G O L F E R . C O M 53
$175,000
$55,000
$60,000
$60,000
$85,000
$125,000
$10,000
$85,000
$57,500
$45,000
$40,000
$35,000
$15,000
$20,000
$9,000
$17,500
$7,500
$5,000
$15,000
$6,000
$3,500
$3,750
$2,000
$4,000
$5,000
$2,000
$1,500
$1,500
$1,000
$2,000
$1,200
$2,000
$275
$1,500
$2,500
$200,000
$55,000
$20,000
$5,000
$10,000
$5,000
$3,000
$1,000
Country Club
The Vaquero Club
The Sports Club
Shady Oaks Country Club
Colonial Country Club
Royal Oaks Country Club
Brook Hollow Golf Club
Dallas Athletic Club
The Northwood Club
Lakewood Country Club
Bent Tree Country Club
Gleneagles Country Club
Stonebriar Country Club
Ridglea Country Club
Timarron Country Club
Stonebridge Ranch CC – Dye Course
Mira Vista Country Club
Las Colinas Country Club
Trophy Club Country Club
Prestonwood Country Club
Stonebridge Ranch CC – Hills Course
Hackberry Creek Country Club
Brookhaven Country Club
Walnut Creek Country Club
Canyon Creek Country Club
The Golf Club of Dallas
Eldorado Country Club
Thorntree Country Club
Diamond Oaks Country Club
Oakmont Country Club
Hurricane Creek Country Club
Denton Country Club
Shady Valley Country Club
Eastern Hills Country Club
Woodhaven Country Club
Rolling Hills Country Club
Golf Club
Dallas National Golf Club
TPC Craig Ranch
The Honors Golf Club Dallas
Lantana Golf Club
Gentle Creek Golf Club
The Retreat Golf Club
Harbor Lakes Golf Club
Great Southwest Golf Club
Initiation
Fee
$1,000
$643
$550
$355
$495
$225
$305
$299
$1,281
$645
$650
$470
$745
$660
$385
$545
$520
$639
$599
$619
$420
$501
$451
$505
$502
$430
$425
$385
$446
$393
$370
$372
$428
$405
$351
$220
$299
$163
$325
$249
$340
$220
$273
Clearly the best golf experience in town
Becoming the great test of golf we expected from a TPC course
The TGA has invested in the clubhouse and facilities
Reduced price makes this a great bargain
One of D.A. Weibring’s best designs is a delightful test of golf
Course has a very strong Hill Country feel to it
Dick Phelps design is always in great shape
When this course is in good condition, it still is a good test of golf
Why It’s So Good
The overall treatment both members and guests receive at the club
Every amenity possible is available for members
Only club on the list with a par-3 course
The golf and the club’s history
New clubhouse is expansive and awesome
Former President’s membership confirms club’s exclusivity
The best value in town became an even better value
An oasis in a concrete jungle
Solid overall club with only one weakness
Off-course amenities are solid and the course is always in top condition
New practice facility was worth the wait
Really good drive-up appeal
The clubhouse is expansive and very functional
Very family friendly and in the perfect community for it
Incredible challenge for better players
Rolling terrain and elevation changes make this course fun
Great value alternative in Las Colinas
New patio is enormous and a great place to hang out
The Hills Course
Easier alternative to its sister club
Dining experience is stellar for this level club
Something for everyone in the family to do
Best bargain if you want 36 holes of golf
Golf course doesn’t get the props it deserves
One of the few clubs that dropped their monthly dues
Least expensive option in the McKinney area
Very tight-knit membership
Superb test of golf for the money
Course is very playable for all skill levels
The course conditions and food are surprisingly good here
Best club to join if you are a UNT faculty member
Very committed to being family friendly
If you have to play bentgrass greens, this is the lowest cost alternative
New owner has grand plans for this club
Great entry level course for beginners
Note: Dallas Country Club, Preston Trail Golf Club and River Crest Country Club were not ranked this year.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Rank
The new entrance is long overdue
The dream of being a self-enclosed city is still in its infancy
Given the location, did the TGA make a good investment?
Hopefully the new owners will embrace club like the old owners did
For most, it’s a haul to get there
Development has grown very slowly; it sometimes feels desolate
Not too much buzz about them after they went private
Club has been neglected for a long time
What Would Make It Better
Shutting down the ongoing construction on Precinct Line Rd.
Deferred maintenance in the clubhouse is starting to accumulate
Amenities in locker room could be improved
The club’s layout is very unwieldy
Ranking took a hit due to difficulties with conditions
Hard to get in if you are a Democrat
This place would cost 10 times more in a better location
Clubhouse renovations seem like only a rumor
Practice facility is extremely limiting
The course still has some quirky holes
The thought of playing No. 16 on the King’s every week haunts us
Conditions continue to haunt the reputation of this club
Parking during lunchtime and other busy times is a pain
Clubhouse is cramped in many places
Clubhouse needs a nip and tuck in a lot of places
Pro shop should be roomier for this level club
Tired clubhouse needs an update
Ready for the practice area to be updated
The Creeks Course
For a few bucks more, might as well join both Stonebridge clubs
Replace the mesquite trees with something else
Brookhaven’s courses are rarely deemed must-plays
Courses can be difficult for beginners
Dining experience needs an upgrade
Location still makes this a viable option for very few
Not the place to join if you can’t hit your driver straight
Ease up the slope of the greens on some holes
Improve the high school level locker room
Sometimes clubhouse appears unkempt
Where’s the fitness center? Tennis courts?
Pretty far away from the rest of the Metroplex
Course length is only 6,400 yards
Locker rooms are the worst on this list
Members have been waiting a long time for improvements
Not much of a challenge for better players
The Best of the Private Clubs
Monthly
Dues
Cover Story
The List
Best Drive-Up Appeal • The Vaquero Club
Best Clubhouse • Shady Oaks Country Club
Best Clubhouse Renovation • Royal Oaks Country Club
Grandest Clubhouse • Ridglea Country Club
Best Pro Shop • Royal Oaks Country Club
Best Pro Shop for Guests • The Sports Club
Best Halfway House • Dallas National Golf Club
Best “Comfort Station” • The Vaquero Club
Best Locker Room • Preston Trail Golf Club
Best Practice Facilities • Dallas National Golf Club
Best Driving Range Renovation • Gleneagles Country Club
Best Caddies • The Vaquero Club
Best Fitness Center • The Sports Club
Best Playing Membership • Lakewood Country Club
Best Playing Staff • Preston Trail Golf Club
Best Lunch Buffet • Preston Trail Golf Club
Best Lunch Buffet for Everyone • Bent Tree Country Club
Best On-Course Service • The Vaquero Club
Gambler’s Paradise • Great Southwest Golf Club
Best Place to Wow a Client • Dallas National Golf Club
Friendliest Members • TPC Craig Ranch
Best Old Money Club • Brook Hollow Golf Club
Best New Money Club • The Vaquero Club
Most Historic Course • Dallas Country Club
Most Difficult from the Back Tees • TPC Craig Ranch
Most Dye-abolical • Stonebridge Ranch Country Club, Dye Course
Course That Will Make You a Better Player • Colonial Country Club
Best Walking Course • Royal Oaks Country Club (we should know)
Best Residential Community Course • Lantana Golf Club
Best Neighborhood Course • Gentle Creek Golf Club
Best Hole • No. 5 at Colonial Country Club
Best Par-3 • No. 14 at Bent Tree Country Club
Best Opening Hole • Mira Vista Country Club
Most Puzzling Opening Hole • The Northwood Club
Toughest Finishing Hole • The Sports Club, TPC Course
Most Thrilling Finishing Hole • The Retreat Golf Club
Best Invite • Dallas National Golf Club
Most Underrated Course • Canyon Creek Country Club
Best Place to See a PGA Tour Player • TPC Craig Ranch
Most Promising Future • The Honors Golf Club Dallas
Best Outlying Course • Gentle Creek Golf Club
Biggest Enigma • Hurricane Creek Country Club
Best Bargain in a Pricey Area • Hackberry Creek Country Club
Hottest Wives • Gleneagles Country Club
Best Cart Girls • TPC Craig Ranch
R.I.P. • Oakridge Country Club
Most Anticipated Renovation • Dallas Country Club
Best Instructor • Randy Smith at Royal Oaks Country Club
Best Short Game Instructor • Pat O’Brien at Lakewood Country Club
Yummiest Way to Clog Your Heart • The Northwood Club’s Vienna beef
hot dogs at the turn
Best Place to Know the Rules • Bent Tree Country Club
Cutest Membership Director • Allison Cardinale at Dallas Athletic Club
Golf Course Jekyll and Hyde • Prestonwood Country Club
Best Place to Settle Bets • Outdoor patio at Trophy Club Country Club
Most Female Friendly • Eastern Hills Country Club
Best Golf Perk • Par-3 Course at Shady Oaks Country Club
54 A V I D G O L F E R
Best Golf Experience
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Dallas National Golf Club
The Vaquero Club
TPC Craig Ranch
Colonial Country Club
Dallas Athletic Club
When it comes to golf course layouts, practice facilities and golf
course conditions, this fivesome is rock solid. Not only is Dallas
National the top layout in the Metroplex, it also has the best practice facilities bar none. There’s the spacious driving range with the
practice tee box right next to the first hole, and an amazing short
game area that one national publication voted as one of the best in
the country. Vaquero’s practice facility is no slouch, either. Besides
the extraordinary double-sided range, there are golf bags full of
golf clubs and training aids to help members prep for their round
on a spectacular Tom Fazio design. Also, Vaquero recently shelled
out $2 million for a water desalination plant so the golf course can
maintain its pristine conditioning.
Many PGA Tour pros thoroughly enjoy honing their games at
the TPC Craig Ranch. The McKinney club has everything they
could ever want – a double-sided range where they can practice
a variety of shots, a challenging Tom Weiskopf layout that tips
out at a monstrous 7,438 yards, and Tour-like conditions all year
round. Ever since Colonial revamped its bunkers a couple of years
The Vaquero Club
ago, this John Bredemus layout has been one of our favorites.
Everyone knows about the “Horrible Horseshoe,” but Colonial’s
18th hole is spectacular. The only letdown – it’s a schlep to get
from the clubhouse to the driving range to the first tee. No matter which course you choose to play at the Dallas Athletic Club
– Blue or Gold – the golf experience here is wonderful. This past
fall, DAC teamed up with SMU to build a short game area that
includes a four-hole layout.
Wayward Shots
By Rick Arnett
Livin’ The Good Life
As shown in our Best of Private Clubs list, there are plenty of worcall. Although there are holes I’d tweak (what golfer doesn’t want
thy country clubs for every lifestyle and budget. It’s hard to believe
to change something?), it’s still a good play. Vaquero was one of the
any public golfer wouldn’t aspire to join one. Everyone knows your
first tracks in town to offer Zoysia grass fairways to sit your ball
name and tee times are a breeze to reserve. However, one is simply
up nice and pretty.
off the charts for lavish accommodations and services offered.
However, a few years back, high salinity in the water scorched
I’ve had the pleasure to experience The Vaquero Club several
the grass causing some obvious grumbling. Shrug. Vaquero built a
times for our club reviews and it always makes me both happy
$2 million desalinization water plant on site, resulting in worryand envious. However, for some reason it felt different this time
free agua. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with several comwhen nosing around the opulent settings. On a postcard-perfect
mas in the war chest.
day with virtually no one on the course or range, it hit me that
The practice area is my heaven on earth. It’s immense, the hitting
Vaquero is a golfer’s Shangri-La – and I didn’t even play there
stations are perfect and you can swat all the ProV1 and ­­­­Callaway
this go around. Sadly, with seemingly the entire facility to myself,
Tour i ammo your back can handle. Every swing aid contraption
I had to bitterly head back to the office questioning my flawed
is at your disposal along with snacks galore. Each club is cleaned
judgment the entire trip.
immediately after use. I gotta remember to ask (plead?) how
The Vaquero Club is part of Westlake, a town
much just a range membership would run. I’d pitch a
recently listed in Forbes as the nation’s highest
tent on the tees.
median income neighborhood. Consider it
Speaking of snacks, I’d also have to double-up
Southlake on supplements. Club membership
the gym visits after gorging on the tasty vittles.
I gotta
will run you $175,000 to join and $1,281 in
The halfway house (sorry, “Comfort Staremember to ask
monthly dues. Its 360 members play 18,000
tion”) between hole Nos. 3 and 4 and 7 and
(plead?) how
rounds a year, or roughly once a week. The
8 is a mini Central Market. Every possible
much just a range
average age is 49 (damn, younger than me)
candy bar and ice cream is there for the takand 75 percent own lots on site.
ing. Individually encased hard-boiled eggs
membership would
Don’t you always wonder what folks buildwith miniature Tabasco bottles. Crackrun. I’d pitch a tent
ing 18,000 square foot castles do to absorb
ers. Nuts. Soft drinks. Energy drinks. Suds.
on the tees.
the lofty costs? Like, you still have to furnish
Homemade cookies – my downfall!
’em, buy exotic cars and fund the accompanying
Then there’s the grille at the turn. Members
lifestyle, no? Vaquero residents include your typimight sit in a spell grazing on sliders and those
cal celebs, pro golfers, athletes, coaches (including a
famous jalapeño sausages. Grab some marinated beef
famous swing coach) and various CEOs, doctors, lawyers and
jerky, veggies and probably any other requested delicacy
entrepreneurs. So what do ultra-successful folks who can easily pay
(“Sushi anyone?”).
the ample freight receive for their high expectations?
You’d certainly think all is good. But like any stellar establishBesides a superb clubhouse, locker room, workout area and
ment, expectations are constantly on high alert. As they say, “If
stocked pond, the real coup is Vaquero’s genie-like staff. Your
you’re not improving, you’re getting worse.” The constant struggle
wish is their command. Requests like delivering a toothpick to
for being No. 1 is staying atop the heap. So Vaquero invited back
a member on the course. Retrieving patio furniture or relocating
the Fazio designers to tweak some holes and improve the already
ducklings from a pool. Locating slacks in a closet and sending
superlative practice area. Even the lavish clubhouse is due for a
them to New York. Setting a TiVo to record “American Idol.” The
little renovating.
staff also coordinates complete home moves (in and out), shuttle
Yes, The Vaquero Club is worthy enough to bribe, borrow or
service to and from the airport, provides concierge car detailing,
beg an invite. The best part of an invite is receiving a pass to expeand delivers groceries, meals and party catering. There’s even a
rience all the addictive amenities. The worst is once smitten, waitNeiman Marcus custom tailor on staff. Essentially, no request is
ing impatiently to snag another. It can’t arrive soon enough.
denied – well, almost no request. The staff hasn’t yet rerouted the
flight patterns overhead.
OK, but what about the actual golf amenities? The 18-hole
Rick Arnett hosts the Teebox Golf Show Saturday mornings from 8-10 on SportsTom Fazio design is, of course, pristine. Caddies at your beck and
radio 1310, The Ticket. E-mail him at [email protected].
W W W . M Y A V I D G O L F E R . C O M 55
Cover Story
The Vaquero Club
2300 Vaquero Club Dr.
Westlake, TX 76262
817-379-4555
Designer: Tom Fazio
Year Opened: 2001
Initiation Fee: $175,000
Monthly Dues: $1,281
Greens: Bent
Equity Club: Yes
General Manager: Casey Paulson
Director of Golf: Richie Hare
Membership Directors: Cheryl Staley
& Jeff Watson
Web site: www.vaqueroclub.com
56 A V I D G O L F E R