Summit Rock Golf Course in Texas Hill Country Offers Many Unique Features

Jack Nicklaus Signature Course Nears Completion
at Skywater over Horseshoe Bay

(Horseshoe Bay, Texas)—Summit Rock, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course located within the 1,600-acre luxury real estate development Skywater over Horseshoe Bay in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, is on schedule to be ready for play in early 2011.

Jack Nicklaus has made numerous site visits to Skywater, and the course offers many unique features the Golden Bear envisioned and directed himself, which set it apart from others both near and far.

“I think Summit Rock has the potential to be very special and I can say that I have thoroughly enjoyed designing it,” Jack Nicklaus said. “During the design of Summit Rock, my team and I were challenged to think creatively about how to incorporate the natural terrain, add plenty of spice to the course, while still making the holes playable for a variety of skill levels. The end result is a distinctive course that gives the player more options than most.”

One of the rare and more unique features of Summit Rock is the elevation change. The course has a clear upper section, with more rugged terrain and impressive views of the nearby lake and Hill Country, and a lower section, which features beautiful oak trees and other native plants. Of particular note is the substantial elevation change golfers will find between any two given holes, adding a dramatic effect to the course as a whole.

Another distinctive feature appears at the 12th hole, which contains eight separate tee boxes. Nicklaus saw several different angles that would be interesting, so rather than choose only the standard number of tee boxes, he decided to provide the hole with additional teeing options to keep it fresh, challenging and fun for players.

Yet another unique feature occurs at the 18th hole, which has two different greens to choose from, depending on the golfer’s ability and confidence. This hole was a design challenge because a large creek weaves through the middle of the fairway. To address this, one green was placed on the near side of the creek and the other—what some might consider a more challenging green—was placed on the far side of the creek. The closer green is designed to ensure the hole is more playable for higher-handicapped players by taking the creek out of play.

Holes 10 and 11 were also designed by Nicklaus to give the player options depending on his or her skill level. Both of these holes can be played optionally and alternately as either a par 4 or par 5. It will be up to the course operator to determine par on a day-to-day basis. It is rare to have a hole with different par options and even more extraordinary to have two holes like this on the same course.

Due to the expert design and natural landscape of Summit Rock, it will be a one-of-a-kind experience for even the most traveled and seasoned player. The course currently has 99 percent of the drainage system installed and 90 percent of the irrigation system is complete. Sod on seven holes has been installed, another five are scheduled within the next few weeks, and the remainder will be sodded by the end of October. When Summit Rock opens in early 2011 it will be green, lush and very playable.

Also, unlike many courses constructed in the past few decades with a more manicured look, Summit Rock was designed to have a more natural, rugged look in large part due to the use of the surrounding terrain.

When complete, Summit Rock will be owned and operated by Horseshoe Bay Resort.

“Summit Rock Golf Course, within the Skywater development, has been a partnership in the making and seeing this come to fruition is very exciting,” Douglas Jaffe III, chief executive officer of Horseshoe Bay Resort, said. “The home-sites available within this incredible Hill Country setting, overlooking Lake LBJ, cannot be experienced anywhere within the state. Jack Nicklaus has created a Texas Hill Country masterpiece, which is complemented by all that Horseshoe Bay Resort offers for a true Hill Country lifestyle.”

Other amenities at Skywater will include a private recreation center with a resort-style pool and fitness center, and more than seven miles of hiking trails. Skywater lot owners will be offered full membership privileges (with their initiation fees satisfied*) to the adjacent Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort. The Resort offers three renowned championship Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf courses, two clubhouses, a fitness center, a spa, a yacht club and full-service marina, extensive tennis facilities, a Marriott hotel, and a private airport and jet center.

For more information about Summit Rock or Skywater over Horseshoe Bay, visit www.skywatertexas.com.