Barton Creek Reborn

AUSTIN -The large and scenic Barton Creek Resort, on the western edge of the Texas Hill Country has always been the stuff of legends. Born with the dynamic vision of some of Texas' most powerful politicians and developers, it set the mark for all-inclusive golf resorts for Texas cities when it opened in 1987 with former first lady, Lady Bird Johnson at the opening.

Now in a new and much more crowded golf resort era and with a new owner, the fabled Texas golf resort HQ is proving once again the best is back and better than ever.

Dallas-based Omni Resorts poured $165 million dollars in a hotel renovation in 2019 and has been steadily working on improving all four of the premier course, the two by Tom Fazio, Barton Creek Canyons and Foothills, the first two the famed designer ever did in Texas. Alongside is one by native son Ben Crenshaw, Barton Creek Cliffside, and one by Arnold Palmer, Barton Creek Lakeside, located 40 minutes from the resort.

No less than a golfing authority than former Texas governor and US President George W. Bush once proclaimed the two Fazio courses the No. 1 & No. 2 courses in the state and recent upgrades has only gotten better.

"The commitment Omni has made to Barton Creek with the renovations ...gives us two of the best (Fazio) courses in Texas all together with one membership, four great courses and an experience second to none ," said Barton Creek CC general manager Dan Budzius.

The $165 million Omni investment brought a lavish new lodging tower to what was already an impressive facility which has added more meeting and convention space plus a prime Bob's Steak House to celebrate or commiserate your golf fortunes.

But most importantly to the golf travelers who come here by the thousands every year, a mere 30 minutes from the State Capital in Austin and the lively nightlight on 6th Street, is the continued investment in the golf courses.

The latest of the Barton Creek golfing foursome to be renovated, open to both hotel guests and Barton CC members, is Barton Creek Lakeside the only one of the four courses which is actually not located at the Barton Creek property.

It's a scenic 40 minute drive through the scenic natural views, past the Willie Nelson owned course, Perdernales CC, if that is an interest to golf or music fans, to the tiny Austin-area community of Spicewood.

It began life as Hidden Hills Golf Course, one of the first in Texas by Palmer, 1986, but owners soon discovered it was a bit too hidden and made the wise decision to sell to Barton Creek in 1989

The renovated course opened last fall with new greens and tee, upgraded fairways and still the same views of Lake Travis with the Perdernales River in the background.

The show stopper of the par 71 layout is the par 3 11th hole with a thundering waterfall which starts behind the hole, cuts down the left side of the green and sweeps in front, giving you multiple chances to rinse your tee shot or your approach to the tilted green.

The par 4 first hole drops nearly 70 free from back tee to fairway and water certainly comes into play on several front nine hole.

The par 3 17th is another watery challenge with the 18th featuring a blind tee shot and an elated green which brings you uphill to the pro shop and clubhouse.

If being stuck in a resort for golf, spa, meeting and food, nice through they may be, is not your thing, than it's certainly worth a drive out to Barton Creekside for a experience well worth taking.

The two Fazio courses, Foothills, which was the original directly behind the resort, and Canyons, about three miles away have also received renovation work to their course and practice facility and remain outstanding as Bush 45 once called it his 1-2 punch,

The Foothills was the site of the original Legends of Golf tournament, which birthed the Senior now Champions Tour. Nearly every hole is eye candy to the golfer and challenge to their score. The par 3 ninth hole with a waterfall and steep drop-off to the left was once aced by golf legend Chi Chi Rodriquez, but more likely to be a site for a watery ball search and a chance to reset for the back nine.

The par 4 16th hole has been selected as one of the one scenic in Texas and the par 5 18th hole has caves in front of the elevated green where bats have been known to escape from at night.

The Canyons, once know as Barton Creek II, has an outstanding back nine start with creeks and forest all along the right side with the fairway sloping left to right. There is more water, scenery and an upgraded Barton Creek teaching facility located on the property.

The Crenshaw Course, known as Crenshaw Cliffside, may not be as penal as the two Fazio layouts, but is certainly as scenic and may be more fun to your scorecard.

Benefitting one of the great putters in PGA Tour history, the Crenshaw has some of the largest greens on the property. In fact the locals say, it could be your best chance to hit every green in regulation, before beginning your series of putts.

If all that variety of great golf makes you a tad hungry, then a visit to Bob's, located just outside the front door of the resort, is a must and there is also a nice sports bar to watch professional golfers play and just about every other sports.

There is a coffee bar in the lobby along with a bar for something much stronger at night. The Blind Salamander, a great name for great food, is there plus a downstairs 3-meal restaurant where legendary Texas football coach and Barton Creek member Darrel Royal used to hold court.

Thanks to plenty of tender loving care, experienced leadership and millions of dollars, the Texas Hill Country resort of legends is truly legendary again.

While there may be newer or fancier facilities nearby, the original is still worth the visit with a four pack of great golf architect layouts, you won't find anywhere else.