Ballyneal is a very special place and a very special golf course.
Like Sand Hills it has a developer, Rupert O'Neil, who totally loves the land that occupies the golf course and is dedicated to giving members and guests a very special experience with every visit. A highlight of my trip was an ATV tour of the surrounding land that is possibly proposed for another golf course. Ballyneal can and will stand on its own as one of the best golf courses built in "modern times" and with its maturation it will only get better. I drive 1 hour or 1 hr. 15 minutes each way in CT traffic to go to Yale
25 times a year. Driving 2 1/2 - 3 hrs to get to Ballyneal from Denver is a pittance and once there the accomodations and food are top shelf all the way. It is NO BIG DEAL at all.
To compare it with Sand Hills, the #1 modern golf course and possibly the greatest course on the planet with terms like Sand Hills lite is a disservice to Ballyneal just as it would be to call Pacific Dunes, The Ocean Course, Whistling Straits or Victoria National
Sand Hills lite. I understand the comparison and it is frankly a compliment of the highest order just to mention them both together BUT it was not meant that way and so I too take some offense in that comparison. Frankly there are only two private club opportunities in the US that offer a totally secluded world class links experience with great accomodations, food and golf. One of them, Sand Hills has a fully booked membership. The other is Ballyneal. If I had the means I would join myself.
The members are lucky. Their guests are lucky.