Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Construction of new Chet Williams course in Texas to begin this week

Construction of a new 18-hole golf course by former Nicklaus Design associate Chet Williams will begin this week at Big Easy Ranch in Columbus, Texas.

“The property is ideal for a championship golf course, with 80 feet of elevation change, natural creeks, beautiful native vegetation and mature oak trees, providing the framework for what will be one of the best courses in the state and the country,” said Williams. “I couldn’t be more excited about this project and carrying out [the owner] Billy Brown’s vision.”

Playing as a par 72 that extends over 7,400 yards, the new course will be notable for several changes in elevation, including 80-foot drops from tee to fairway. It has tree-lined fairways, with natural creeks and waterfalls flowing through the landscape.

Fairways and rough will be seeded with Zeon Zoysia while greens will be TifEagle.

Williams’ routing includes nine holes that require a shot over water, one of which is the par-four eighth that features two fairways separated by a stream that runs from tee to green. There are several particularly long holes, including the 222-yard par-three ninth, the 493-yard par-four fifth and the par-five eighteenth, which measures 622 yards from the back tees.

“I have always had a passion for golf and dreamed of designing a golf course of my own,” said Brown. “Working with Chet, I am confident that we will have a top-rated golf course in Texas and beyond.”

The 18-hole layout will join the resort’s nine-hole course – also designed by Williams – practice facilities and golf academy. Work on the new course is expected to be complete by September 2022.

Set on the property’s highest point, a second clubhouse will be built and provide 360-degree views of both courses and nearby hunting areas.

Future expansion plans include real estate opportunities with Big Easy Ranch members having priority for reserving lots and villas.

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  • Big Easy Ranch
    Big Easy Ranch

    Construction of a new 18-hole golf course by Chet Williams will begin this week at Big Easy Ranch in Columbus, Texas

  • Big Easy Ranch
    Chet Williams

    Williams’ routing includes nine holes that require a shot over water

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Chet Williams
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