No expense was spared in ‘finding’ the state’s newest must-play course
COLUMBUS, Texas — There’s a time in the final stages of a trip to Big Easy Ranch near the Texas town of Columbus that you think your GPS has gone wanky, that you’ve somehow missed a turn or two as you drive down a series of well-paved two-lane rural roads over rolling hills and past expansive ranches.
Then up pops a small sign and you turn into the property and check in at the understated security center. It’s then that the largeness and the serenity of Big Easy Ranch really grabs you and you understand just how much fun awaits.
If a recent trip to Big Easy Ranch is any indication, roads through Colorado County might have to be expanded – the demand to get here could be that high.
The recent opening of the Ranch’s full-blown 18-hole golf course, called The Covey, has added another primo amenity to the property that already sported a sublime nine-hole, par-3 course, fishing, sporting activities, wing-shooting and whitetail deer and exotic hunting on its more than 2,000 acres.
Located along the Texas foothills about 90 minutes from both Houston and Austin, Big East Ranch was once the personal playground of Bill Brown, a Louisiana-born former oil and gas executive. Brown often entertained clients and welcomed friends to the property for off-the-charts hunting and fishing excursions.
After selling his company in 2014, Brown decided to transform his haven at Big Easy Ranch into a semiprivate hunting and sporting club, complete with golf practice facilities, luxury lodging and lodge that featured casual fine dining and selection of fine wines.
The addition of The Covey, fashioned by award-winning golf course architect Chet Williams, has elevated Big Easy Ranch in the Lone Star State’s golf stratosphere.
“With our premier hunting grounds, sporting facilities and luxury lifestyle amenities, Big Easy Ranch was already in its own category when it comes to private clubs,” Brown explained. “The addition of The Covey really advances what we can offer our members and makes the ranch immensely appealing for those who want to enjoy big skies away from the demands and hectic pace of the city.”
Williams got it right, again
Williams, who worked with golf architect Jeffrey Brauer and then World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus for more than three decades, continues his string of stirring solo design work at Big Easy Ranch. Williams also fashioned Whispering Pines Golf Club in Liberty, considered one of the best courses in Texas, as well as the Golf Courses at Houston Oaks, and – most recently – captained the resurrection of the venerable Corpus Christi Country Club on the Gulf Coast.
He also designed and oversaw the building of the rollicking nine-hole, par-3 course at Big Easy Ranch, all the while looking over his shoulder at the property for a routing for The Covey should Brown ever decide to pull the trigger on a full-sized golf course.
Of the 2,000 acres which make up Big Easy Ranch, Williams only used about 250 for golf. “The property at The Covey is one of the best I have been able to work on,” he said. “It is blessed with many attractive natural features, and I believe we took the utmost advantage of all of them.”
The Covey plays at 7,511 yards from its back tees but is just as good and testing from the three other sets of teeing grounds. Zeon Zoysia fairways and rough and TifEagle greens allow the best playing and course conditions for this area, and The Covey is kept absolutely pristine. “I told Chet exactly what I had in mind and he created something spectacular,” Brown said.
The par-72 course sports rolling fairways lined by mature oak trees and is accentuated by meandering creeks and several waterfalls. There is more than 80 feet of elevation change on the routing and many dramatic views. Native grasses planted throughout the routing provide a natural habitat for quail and pheasant.
“When this course matures, it will feel like it has always been there,” Williams said. “I like to say it fits ‘into’ the property, not on it. The holes do not feel like they were manufactured but born from the land. They have the sense of place and character.”
Brown said players could see a 250-class buck running along the course, as deer and other animals are companions while playing golf as if they want in on the fun.
Some holes give the golfer an added bonus of elevation to help with the tee shot but there are just as many that ask for an approach that’s played uphill. Williams used the elevation to his advantage to highlight the property and to create a balance of challenge and playability. There are no two holes that are remotely similar.
As an added flair, each of the holes are carry the moniker that best describes their design and specific feature.
A dozen of the offerings on The Covey are attacked from elevated tees, and nine of the holes require a shot over water. You might see another golfer occasionally, or hear someone having fun at the pool, but homesites are set far back from the routing and the feeling of splendid (and rarely found) isolation is at a premium.
The first two holes are a demanding start, both relatively short par 4s that put placement at a premium as they move to the right and left, respectively. The par 4 fifth, called Infinity, is played over an expansive bunker at the fairway’s left dogleg and then down the hill before heading back up to a putting surface that looks like it’s hanging among the hills.
Williams designed the eighth as a drivable par 4 with dual fairways on opposite sides of a creek that splits near the green. It’s real teeth is in the green that’s mounded on the right, a consideration that could persuade the golfer to be more prudent off the tee.
No. 14 is a short par-5 called Twin Creeks and has a split fairway that comes back together as the golfer approaches the green. A burbling creek adds a dramatic touch at the hole’s finish.
The closer at Big Easy Ranch is true three-shot par 5, that plays along a large pond to a putting surface that’s guarded by the creek at the front. It’s carded at 622 yards from the back tees, so give it a real go on the drive.
According to Brown, the Texas Golf Association has already approached Big Easy Ranch about hosting future events, including the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Championship and Texas Amateur Championship. “It is a great honor considering we were selected for these events before the golf course was even completed,” Brown added.
The combination of Brown’s vision and deep pockets and Williams’ design expertise have created a must-play golf course at The Covey. Expect the course to quicky ascend the rankings of top courses in Texas, and rightly so.
If you can wrangle an invite to play – or hunt or fish or just relax – here, jump at the chance. Just trust your GPS, have a little patience and enjoy the drive.
