Right now is the perfect time to come out and enjoy one of the best golf courses in the State of Texas. Cordillera Ranch was recently rated the #5 golf course in the Dallas Morning News Best of Texas Golf edition for 2013. These rankings also peg our Nicklaus Signature Course as the #1 golf course in Texas in a residential community for the 5th straight year. This is quite an honor considering the rich tradition of great golf courses across the state. Golf Course Superintendent Mark Semm and his team have the course in wonderful shape.
May also marks an initiative called Welcome to Golf Month and PGA Free Lesson Month. The professional staff at Cordillera Ranch will be working on encouraging new golfers to come out and give the game a try throughout the month. We also are offering complimentary 10 minute lessons to all of our members on Saturday, May 11 from 9:00am – 12:00pm.
The tournament schedule is definitely in high gear and we have a number of great events planned that I hope you will be able to participate in. The MGA Men’s Night Out events begin in May, with two events scheduled, and will run throughout the summer. The Men’s Club Championship also takes place May 17-19 when 2012 champion Barry Denton will look to defend his title. One thing that will make the tournament extra special this year is that it will serve as a qualifier for the TGA Texas State Mid-Amateur Championship, which will take place here at the Club in late September. The top 3 finishers will receive exemptions from the Club into the tournament. The CWGA will be looking to build on the success of last year when they host the Cordillera Ranch Round-Up Member-Guest on May 22-23. They have worked extremely hard in putting together another special event and we look forward to hosting the tournament. There is not much time for rest when moving into June as we still have a few events on the schedule for you to enjoy. The Couples Stampede moves to June 8 this year and is the most popular Couples event of the year. We have a US Open One-Day Member-Guest planned for Friday, June 14. This is a great way to showcase the Club and all that Cordillera Ranch has to offer by enjoying a great day on the course with clients or friends in a fun, competitive environment. Finally, beginning in June we will once again host our popular Sundowners Couples events on the last Friday night of each month. Come out to the Club, play 9-holes and enjoy a wonderful dinner with friends.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to enjoy playing golf here at Cordillera Ranch. Even if you do not care to play in a tournament, just come out and enjoy the game and the beauty of the golf course.
See you on the course,
Marc DeWall, PGA
Director of Golf, The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch
mdewall@cordilleraranch.com | 830.336.4653
Product Feature
By Marc DeWall
PING’s New G-series Drivers
The first to go adjustable
The sixth generation in Ping’s G series of drivers is the first to go adjustable. Each loft can be tweaked half a degree up or down. The G25 comes with Ping’s high-balance-point shaft, designed to help golfers swing this slightly heavier clubhead faster. The large head has forgiveness, and the adjustability with every loft makes it easy to find anyone’s proper launch. Ping’s new G25, like its G20 predecessor, has a body that’s cast from a strong, light titanium alloy (Ti 8-1-1) and a clubface with variable geometry that’s machined from Ti 6-4. The G25 has a larger face than the G20, a lower, deeper center of gravity, and is more elongated from face to rear. These design features contribute to higher-launching shots that spin less, a higher MOI and more forgiveness. In addition, the G25 offers the same loft adjustments (+/- 0.5°) as Ping’s Anser driver. Compared with the Anser, the G25 is a higher-launching, higher-spinning driver with greater forgiveness. Comes in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 12° lofts with the high-balance point Ping TFC 189D shaft at 45.5”. Please feel free to stop by the Golf Shop and try the newest and greatest technology Ping has to offer.
PLAYING THE COURSE
Hole # 18 • 436 yards Par 4 • Handicap 6
This is the sixth installment in a series of articles describing course strategy for some of the best holes at Cordillera Ranch. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course was recently ranked 5th in Texas by the Dallas Morning News. Hole #18 is a tough finishing hole that requires the player’s full attention to finish off a great round. Here are a few tips on how to best play the hole:
#18 is an uphill dogleg right Par 4 that can play extremely long when the prevailing winds are blowing out of the South. Each player must determine whether or not they can carry the fairway bunker on the right side of the hole which stretches to 260 yards from the tips. For the player that can carry the bunker it really can be a big advantage as there is a “speed slot” where the ball lands on a downslope over the bunker and leaves the player with a short iron to the green. If not, it is best to hit your tee over the right edge of the oak tree in the middle left side of the fairway. Hitting it in the large fairway bunker will most certainly mean bogey or worse.
The approach shot to this green is what really makes this hole special because each player is required to leave the shot into the green in the right position. You can add at least a half-club to one full club for your second shot as it will play longer. Three front bunkers and one back bunker provide ample protection but you do have the ability to run the ball up on the green if your approach shot is running up the front middle portion of the green.
The green complex on this hole is what truly makes this hole unique as it is probably the most difficult on the entire course. The green is divided into three distinct sections. Left side is a little more friendly with back and side boards but you cannot go long. The center pin locations looks the easiest but hitting your ball above the hole does not guarantee a two putt as there is a strong back to front slope. The right side is fairly flat but is hard to hold your approach shot. The best advice here is to leave your second shot below the hole, especially with a front pin.
Walking away with a par on this solid finishing hole requires good execution and strategy. Once you have finished, take a look back down the fairway and admire one of the best views of the Hill Country. You are now ready for the 19th hole experience!
