Great Golf Drives Interest in Residential Developments
cascades, development, golf, real estate, recreation, residential, sports,
Showcasing an array of private clubs and upscale residential communities built around challenging courses, Tyler has earned a reputation as a golfer’s paradise. It’s a reputation that is expected to grow as savvy real estate developers key into the needs and desires of a large retiree population, many of whom are looking to relocate to warmer climates that are perfectly suited for the sport.
And there also is a fairly steady number of individuals who enjoy the amenities afforded by golf-resort living, regardless of age.
Among the newest stakeholders in Tyler’s golfing community is The Cascades, a 500-acre golf and residential community on Lake Bellwood. The Cascades offers homes and condominiums in a variety of styles and price ranges, as well as common areas and central buildings. The golf course, which opened in 2004, is the centerpiece of the development, says Steve Braley, president of Cascades Properties.
“We’ve made the largest commitment to golf ever made in this region of the country and, as evidence of that, are one of only three Jack Nicklaus golf academies in the United States,” Braley says. “We have students come from all over the United States to take golf lessons here.”
The Cascades also is the home of the Texas State Open, which Braley says is the largest non-PGA golf tournament in the country.
“That’s a big deal for us, and it’s a historic event,” he says. “It has launched a lot of famous Texans’ golf careers.”
Many of those Lone State golf legends have been immortalized in the development’s streets, which are named for them.
“In a place like Tyler, if you want to stand out in the crowd you have to really excel,” says Braley of the local golf scene.
“You have to do exceptional things, and that’s what we’ve attempted to do. Tyler has a rich golf history, and we’re trying to continue that.”
Resort-style lakeside living and high-quality golf are also the lure at Eagle’s Bluff, a 540-acre community on Lake Palestine. Eagle’s Bluff’s amenities include a French Country clubhouse, fine dining, a 24-hour fitness center, tennis courts, a pool with bungalows and much more.
GolfWeek magazine named Eagle’s Bluff as a Course of Distinction for three years running, and it also is included in the magazine’s America’s Best Residential Golf Courses listing. In 2004, The Dallas Morning News labeled the course the sixth toughest in the state, but the people showing overwhelming interest in the development’s villas and available property seem to be willing to tackle that challenge.
“The development has been very successful,” says Steve Rambo, general manager of Eagle’s Bluff. “Tyler is growing quickly, and we’re situated just south of the city, in the direction that it’s expanding. It’s a very hot market here, and we’re really well situated for people who want to be a short distance from town.”
Another top-notch stop on any Tyler golfing tour is Hollytree Country Club, which has been offering residents and visitors quality golf and more since 1983. The club’s course, which was designed by Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin, has four sets of tees from 5,102 to 6,805 yards. The club itself boasts 10 lighted hard-court and two lighted clay tennis surfaces, a family aquatics center, and a clubhouse.
Hollytree remodeled the golf course in 2005, replanting greens with Champion Bermuda grass, rebuilding some tees and upgrading the irrigation system. That work, along with recent improvements to the clubhouse, has kept Hollytree at the top of its game, says Casey Dirksen, membership director.
“We’ve just remodeled the entire club, and redone several of the greens,” Dirksen says. “We’ve redone the locker rooms, added a fitness room, remodeled the pool, redid the dining room … you name it, we did it.”
Although the club hosts several special events throughout the year, golf still reigns supreme, Dirksen says.
“Golf will always be No. 1 here, no doubt about that,” Dirksen says. “We have a lot to offer, but golf is the big thing around here.”
Story by Joe Morris
Photo by Antony Boshier
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