HORSESHOE BAY, TX – The newly-renovated Horseshoe Bay Resort, a tropically-adorned lakefront oasis in the Central Texas Hill Country, was recently selected for the 2019 Editors’ Choice Award by Golf Digest as one of the “Best Golf Resorts in the Southwest.”
The 2019 edition of the publication’s annual Editor’s Choice listings appears online at GolfDigest.com, featuring the Best Resorts in the Americas. The award recognizes resorts throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Canada.
Nestled along the gleaming shores of the constant-level Lake LBJ and just outside of Austin, Horseshoe Bay Resort is putting the final touches on a $90-million resort and multi-course renovation. The AAA-Four Diamond- and Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Award-winning property increasingly continues to be named one of America’s premier golf destinations.
“We’re honored to be awarded this distinction by Golf Digest,” said general manager Bryan Woodward. “Our staff is excited for the rest of the country to see the truly top-caliber golf and vacation destination Texans have been keeping a secret all these years. Now, the secret’s out.”
With four acclaimed championship golf courses and the innovative Whitewater Putting Course, Horseshoe Bay Resort offers an appealing array of unforgettable golfing experiences designed by World Golf Hall of Fame members Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jack Nicklaus. Horseshoe Bay Resort was recognized with other acclaimed resorts in the Southwest, including The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North and The Boulders Resort & Spa.
RENOVATIONS REINVIGORATE DISTINCTIVE LAYOUTS In 2016, Horseshoe Bay embarked on an expansive $7.5-million project to upgrade all three of its Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designs, Slick Rock, Ram Rock, and Apple Rock. The improvements to the courses and overall golf product has the resort community in position to earn nationwide attention and a rise in out-of-state rounds.
“The investment we have put into these renovations has elevated the quality of our golf to a national level and has made the overall golf experience more fun for our guests,” Woodward says.
Situated on picturesque constant-level Lake LBJ and meandering through a rugged 7,000-acre expanse of rolling Hill Country, the scenic Horseshoe Bay Resort is the only waterfront resort in Texas. Tropically landscaped with palm trees, bold water features and the most colorful vegetation this side of Hawaii, this resort stands apart, both visually and in the guest experience. The golfing experience matches that uniqueness.
Before there was ever a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Horseshoe Bay Resort was home to three very distinct courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The Ram Rock course, constructed in 1981, has made its reputation as one of the toughest courses in Texas. Slick Rock, the first golf course built (in 1971) at Horseshoe Bay Resort, features a pleasing parkland setting and quintessential elements of Jones’ renowned architectural sensibility. Wall-to-wall renovations to both courses have enhanced playability and fun from the forward and middle tees while maintaining each layout’s legendary challenge for scratch players.
Each of the course renovations included installing the latest 007 bent grass greens to improve quality of turf, expanded green sizes by as much as 50 percent in some areas, renovating bunkers, re-shaping and leveling tee-boxes, new irrigation, as well as adding beautiful rock retaining walls along all of the water-hazards to improve over-all course aesthetics. This was most significant with the awe-inspiring “Million Dollar Hole” where golfers follow a winding path across a 35-yard rock-walled waterfall.
SUMMER 2019 TO SEE FINISHING TOUCHES The final course and renovation project, Apple Rock, will see much of the same renovations completed as its sister courses and will re-open in June 2019. The course offers some of the most picturesque views in the region. Jones Sr. strategically routed holes to take advantage of the many higher elevation points that overlook Horseshoe Bay and Lake LBJ.
Punctuating the re-opening of the Ram Rock and Apple Rock courses will be the unveiling of the luxe, new Cap Rock Clubhouse. Members and guests of Horseshoe Bay Resort will enjoy the new Cap Rock setting with its expansive views of the courses and Texas Hill Country. It will feature a dining room and bar area along with a pro-shop, swimming pool, cabana, pavilion area for groups, and a practice/teaching facility.
In addition to the resort golf, Horseshoe Bay also offers a distinctive members-only experience with the Jack Nicklaus Signature design, Summit Rock (which opened in 2012). The course offers some of the most stunning scenery in Texas. Nicklaus routed holes along a high ridge, a setting that showcases spectacular views that stretch for more than 40 miles over the Texas Hill Country and Lake LBJ.
ONE-OF-A-KIND PUTTING COURSE Complementing the championship golf is the highly-unique Whitewater Putting Course, a tropically-adorned 18-hole day/night real-grass putting course that sits adjacent to the hotel and is routed around the energetic Whitewater 360 Sports Club, a full-service destination for pub food, cocktails and live sports on 16 HDTVs surrounding the bar. It is the perfect attraction for golf buddy groups, couples and families.
About Horseshoe Bay Resort
Horseshoe Bay Resort is one of the largest golf resorts in the country and is the original Texas lakeside resort destination. It is located 45 minutes from Austin on over 7,000 picturesque acres of the Texas Hill Country and along the spectacular shores of constant-level lake LBJ. The AAA Four Diamond resort is the only waterfront resort in Texas and is part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts management company’s distinguished Latitudes lifestyle hotels and resorts division. It features four championship golf courses designed by World Golf Hall of Fame members Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and Jack Nicklaus, as well as the exciting 18-hole natural grass Whitewater Putting Course.
Horseshoe Bay Resort has invested $90 million in a property-wide renovation and new construction. The work included new guest rooms, suites, and multi-room units, as well as renovation of the golf courses and facilities, dining experiences, meeting spaces, and more. The resort also features a world-class spa and health club, tennis facilities with 14 courts, bike rentals, hiking trails, lake activities with a full-service lake marina and boat valet service, a private airport and is located a short drive from several wineries. For more information and reservations visit www.hsbresort.com or call 877-611-0112.
