Legends on Lake LBJ
Minutes from Kingsland, Texas in the middle of the fabulous Texas Hill Country sits the Legends on LBJ golf course, which is the centerpiece of the 2,700 acre master planned golf course community of the same name.
Tom Kite, along with Roy Bechtol and Randy Russell, created a 7,260 yard championship course that offers both links-style and hill country golf. Taking full advantage of the site, numerous holes weave thru the rugged bluffs and rolling hills indicative of the Texas Hill Country. From the higher vantage points of the course, one can see the spectacular scenic vistas of the Colorado River-arm of Lake LBJ provided the view is not blocked by the majestic 500 year old live oak trees located throughout the property.
Surprisingly, Legends on Lake LBJ contains some links-style golf too. In what was formally non-descript flat open farm land, Kite created some holes that look like they could be in Scotland or Ireland. The only difference is that instead of the tall fescue grasses in the UK, native Texas grasses were used. In the spring time, those native grasses bloom into a kaleidoscope of color featuring a multitude of wild flowers including bluebonnets, black-eyed Susans, and Indian paintbrushes. This makes Legends far more colorful than St Andrews or Muirfield could ever hope to be.
Kite used various elements to alter, restrict, reward and shape the shots played on each hole such as slope, hazards, trees, in addition to turns left and right, uphill and downhill. In order to instill strategic quality, each hole of Legends on LBJ is deliberately planned so it presents the player an objective to be reached and problems to be avoided. These challenges to the golfers' physical, emotional and mental abilities constitute the shot value of the golf hole. While some of the players may feel a particular hazard is unfair, when all 18 holes are put together, it all fits.
Kite also wanted to enhance the value of the real estate that surrounds the golf course. Instead of tying the contours of the golf holes right into those of the home sites, he chose to “submerge” the golf lower than the home lots. This resulted in homes that are elevated above the course creating spectacular views of the golf course, hill country, and Lake LBJ.
Legends on LBJ is a course that is challenging to the scratch golfer, yet forgiving for the beginner. It is a welcome enclave for all those who enjoy the great outdoors and are passionate about golf.
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