Works begins on new Austin course

Work has started on the Travis Club Austin, a 1,500-acre master-planned community west of Austin on Lake Travis featuring a Beau Welling-designed golf course.

The Travis Club is the latest among a collection of recent projects from Beau Welling Design that includes the new Fields Ranch West at Omni PGA Frisco and significant renovations at Atlanta Country Club and Ocean Forest Golf Club. The championship course at the Travis Club is scheduled to debut in late 2025 along with the accompanying practice facility, comfort stations and initial social outlet, the Golf House.

Based in Greenville, South Carolina, the BWD team has assisted in the creation and development of more than 120 courses around the world. Senior designer and vice president Scott Benson is assisting Welling on the par-72 layout.

“Our team and I are excited to have broken ground at the Travis Club and to start working on bringing the design to life,” Welling said. “Travis Club is going to be a truly special addition to the Texas golf scene and anchor to the outstanding Travis Club community. Our goals with the design were to honor the stunning Hill Country landscape along Lake Travis and create a course that people would enjoy playing time and time again, regardless of their skill level.”

Welling leads a team of experts who bring technical, creative and innovative expertise to his firm’s work. Bluejack National, Escondido and Dallas National are among the other Texas courses Welling has worked on.

“From the first tee to the final putt, this 18-hole golf wonder will never cease to amaze, whether it's green-ribboned fairways winding past oaks, low-cut green surrounds, or the abundance of panoramic vistas and technicolor sunsets,” Travis Club vice president of development Jimmy Terry said. “Welling and his team have walked the land countless times with a mind toward creating a golf experience that takes advantage of the drama the land presents and at the same time helps foster the human connections inherent to the game. This will be a place for spirited regular games, for tournaments, and for family outings that will create lifetime memories.”

Ben Lauber will serve as Travis Club’s director of agronomy.  

"I am ecstatic about the opportunity to play a significant role in the Travis Club’s golf course development and growth,” Lauber said. “Travis Club sits on an extraordinary property which serves as the canvas for our team to create a masterpiece facility right in the heart of the Travis Club community.”

Along with its golf amenities, Travis Club is widely considered the most exciting club and lake life development in Texas to date and will feature 10,000 feet of Lake Travis frontage with access to over 65 miles of water, 30-plus miles of private hiking and biking trails, a lakefront clubhouse with dining, along with a private marina, event lawn, pool and racquet amenities.

Every aspect of the master plan for Travis Club has been carefully considered to preserve the site’s natural and scenic resources. With a thoughtfully crafted and minimalist design, the golf course and infrastructure are designed to have minimal impact on the land across Travis Club’s expansive 1,500 acres. Every detail has been meticulously considered, including a range of amenities that are conceived with both responsibility and sustainability in mind. Travis Club’s goal extends beyond establishing the premier private club in the Texas Hill Country. It aspires to set the standard for golf course design excellence throughout Texas.

"We are thrilled to introduce this new lake and golf community on Lake Travis,” Travis Club CEO Leisha Ehlert said. “What sets this project apart are the unique natural beauty and recreational opportunities that Lake Travis offers. We have designed Travis Club intentionally by taking great care to preserve and complement the local environment and surroundings, with over 50 percent of the property dedicated to golf, open space, or conservation areas. We have integrated the stunning lakeside views and lush landscapes with the development of exceptional facilities, providing members and their families the ability to enjoy the serenity of lakeside living while having access to a world-class golf and recreation experience.”

Construction of the Phase I infrastructure, which includes 106 estate homesites, and golf course construction are underway. More than half of Phase 1 homesites have been reserved. Homesites range from 0.5 to 2.95 acres.