Vaquero Club layout reopens following transformation by Andrew Green

The Vaquero Club in Westlake, Texas, has reopened its golf course following a renovation by Andrew Green.

The architect has rerouted some holes, widened fairways and added more teeing options. Bunkering has been reduced from nearly seven acres to around two-and-a-half acres, although the number of bunkers has increased from 61 to 92.

Greens have been redesigned to add more contour and give each a distinct personality. Most are now also more accessible via the ground.

“The goal was to encourage members to play the golf course more than they ever did previously, while making them better players,” said Green. “Members will constantly face different types of shots and will have to find new and different ways to navigate the golf course. Each day, the course should be a wonderland of variety, fun and challenge, so even if their score doesn’t reflect it, they’ll have a ton of fun.”

Among the most notable changes to the original Tom Fazio design is a new first hole, which plays in the opposite direction to the previous hole in its location. A wide fairway provides the option to take a challenging line to the right of a tree in the fairway, which shortens the hole significantly.

The fourth is now a driveable par four for those who can carry the bunkers and take advantage of a fairway that will feed balls to the green. On the par-five seventh hole, bunkers have been relocated to be more visually striking and provide more of a challenge, while reducing around 70 per cent of the sand area.

There is also a new “devilish” par-three sixteenth that plays 130 yards, slightly uphill, between two post oaks to a green with multiple levels.

Green says the redesign has “uncovered the potential of the property and utilised the amazing topography”.

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

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