Preston Crossing (Brauer) Dallas

[mark chalfant]

I saw a nice write up about  Jeff Brauer's  new course, near DFW, in the excellent  current issue of Travel &  Leisure Golf. Sounds like its worth seeking out, Maybe Jeff can provide  a few details  !

[Jeff_Brauer]

I haven't seen the article, but we do have a course called Bridges of Preston Crossing opening in far north Dallas later this summer.  Fred Couples is the "signature."

Its a housing course for Bluegreen Developments out of Florida, set among largish lots on 1600 rollling, but largely unwooded acres.  It may be the longest course I have designed, with back tees (totaling no more than 20 x 20 feet each, stretching to 7600 yards.  It will open as semi private with public access and eventually go to a private club, when the lots sell and houses start being built in large quantity.

Was the article on line or just in print?

[Craig Van Egmond]

Wow, yet another Freddie Boom Boom Couples signature course!  Has any signature guy worked with more architects than Freddie? He's not just the king of the silly season anymore.   

[Bill_McBride]

I haven't seen the article, but we do have a course called Bridges of Preston Crossing opening in far north Dallas later this summer.  Fred Couples is the "signature."

Its a housing course for Bluegreen Developments out of Florida, set among largish lots on 1600 rollling, but largely unwooded acres.  It may be the longest course I have designed, with back tees (totaling no more than 20 x 20 feet each, stretching to 7600 yards.  It will open as semi private with public access and eventually go to a private club, when the lots sell and houses start being built in large quantity.

Was the article on line or just in print?

Jeff, how much time did Fred spend on site?

[John_Conley]

Bill, Jeff may not answer this one.  I have heard a rumor that he was not on-site and the course was already in the grow-in stage.

The website is something like www.bridgestx.com (from memory, sorry if wrong) and there was no mention of Brauer anywhere.

[Craig Van Egmond]

The website is http://www.bridgestexas.com/ 

The other one is for the Bridges surgical weight loss center..

And no mention of Senor Brauer.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Bluegreen has tended to use local gca's and Fred Couples as a signature as their market studies show he draws buyers.  Heck, they even used him in NC when they had Paul Cowley of Davis Love III office designing the course.  So, they have two signatures!

My contract was signed before he was officially brought on and did allow that he might be added to the team.  I am a bit dissapointed, but not surprised that they use only his name. Its the way the cookie crumbles in this biz.

The web photos do show some of the challenges - ie lack of trees- that I (we) faced.  However, like Sand Creek, which seems to be well recieved, it has some design intersest to compensate.

[Tony_Chapman]

Jeff -- Are you given any credit for this thing? Can you use the golf course in your marketing and so forth.

Also, could you describe the home hole? It appears to be a doozy.

[John_Conley]

My contract was signed before he was officially brought on and did allow that he might be added to the team.  I am a bit dissapointed, but not surprised that they use only his name. Its the way the cookie crumbles in this biz.

Jeff, it is admirable that you are able to check your ego.  There aren't many guys with a Tour card that you haven't worked with in the past 20 years!

Somebody else wondered if you can use this in your marketing efforts, I want to know the important stuff.  Do you get free-golf-for-life and are women impressed when you tell them you designed the place?  Maybe Couples is just on the website because some ad exec conducted a study and concluded he's better looking than you.

In a related note, I'm glad to hear you aren't mentioned on the weight loss website.

[Dan Kelly]

Maybe Couples is just on the website because some ad exec conducted a study and concluded he's better looking than you.

Not a chance.

(Insert emoticon of your choosing.)

[Greg Clark]

I know that in the spring they were talking about a July opening.  It looks like it has been delayed.  I live about 15 minutes away and am looking forward to playing it.  Any idea when it will open Jeff?

[Jeff_Brauer]

Tony,

Yes I can use it in marketing.

Greg,

They are now targeting August 30 or Labor Day weekend.  Like every other project in Texas last year, lots of rain followed by a cool spring slowed turf developement.

John,

I can honestly say Freddie and I never got into an argument over what design features to include.   No doubt Freddie is better looking and much more fit than me.....that's why he doesn't mind showing up on TV, while I confine my public appearances to internet sites!

I have worked with Couples, Colbert, Zoeller (Killian days), Nelson, Elkington, and Wadkins.  I have propsed on projects with Trevino, Litzke, Lehman and way back when, Ed Sneed.  I have been approached at different times by Mark Brooks, Gary Player, Amy Alcott and a few others.  Now, I am working with Notah Begay on an Indian project.  I think there are a few more tour pros out there than that!

I can say I have learned a lot I didn't know, had some fun, and have a few cocktail party stories to tell.

[Dan Kelly]

I can say I have learned a lot I didn't know, had some fun, and have a few cocktail party stories to tell.

And, if I'm guessing right, many to not tell.