The Land
The Designers
The Course
The Details

The Land - up^
A championship golf course requires nothing less than a championship site. And Bear Ridge Golf Course has it. Situated on the northern boundary of the Villages, Bear Ridge winds along the meanders of the Middle Bosque River. High bluffs overlook the river. The land then evens out to meadows and trees. Bear Ridge's 205 acres will take advantage of it all, using the natural vegetation and terrain to create an 18-hole daily fee course that can challenge and entertain every level of play - from professional and collegiate to amateur golf enthusiasts.

Designed to provide the Villages at Twin Rivers with premium golf course lots and prime view corridors, the beauty of Bear Ridge spills over to surrounding homeowners. Enjoy the peaceful greens, perfect your swing or send your weekend guests next door for a game. Whether you're searching for songbirds or aiming for a birdie, Bear Ridge will be a winning neighbor for you.

The Designers - up^
The firm of Jacobsen Hardy Golf Course Design "is creating a stir in the golf world" according to golfcourses.com. PGA veterans Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy designed Bear Ridge calling on years of playing experience and previous design projects including the highly regarded Black Horse Golf Club in Cypress, Texas.

Jacobsen, a six-time winner on the tour, said his interest in design grew out of seeing courses that are too difficult for average players or have distinctive designs that are just not good for golf.

He sums up his philosophy simply: "Let the land be the hero." Whether here in Central Texas or at courses in Oregon or California, the company takes the star qualities of the terrain and creates holes that showcase these natural features.

Says Hardy, "We create one-of-a-kind holes that offer a variety of challenges and degrees of difficulty. Because within 18 holes, we want every player to discover 18 different holes."

The Course - up^
Bear Ridge is designed to challenge - but not utterly frustrate - all levels of golfers. While the course will be Baylor University's home course, where the Bears are expected to host three to four collegiate tournaments a year, daily fee golfers will also hone their swings at Bear Ridge year 'round.

A practiced golfer shooting off a longer tee will play 7,400 yards, while less accomplished players can tee off from shorter tees at about 5,000 total yards - allowing golfers of differing abilities to play together.

"Design success for me would be playing with my mother who is not a very good golfer," Jacobsen says. He would play from the back tee at 474 yards, while she plays from the front tee at 300. Ideally, their tee shots would end up side-by-side on the green.

Golfers will work their way through meadows and trees with water features enhancing many holes. Several stone-filled streams cut between large oaks and many holes feature elevation changes of up to 50 feet.

The Details - up^
Pay only when you play! Bear Ridge is open to the public for a daily fee. No club to join or dues to maintain. Leave guilt behind when you're off the links. Or play every day. Bring your friends - and make new ones.

Sneak in a quick round on your afternoon off. For Villages at Twin Rivers residents, it's the perfect set-up for out-of-town guests or a special event.

Make yourself at home in the 8,400 square foot pro shop and clubhouse, which includes a grill and meeting rooms. A driving range is lighted for practice day or night.

The course will be completed and ready for play October, 2001. Until then, check out views of Jacobsen and Hardy's other courses on the Web by clicking on their logo at right.