Talking Rock bucks the trend...and the golf is great

During the past year or so, there have been plenty of stories about the so-called end to the wave of successful golf course-based residential development, with naysayers opining that there are too many golf communities sitting unfinished or with goals unrealized thanks to overbuilding, underperformance and an unstable economy.

But there are such communities that are bucking that trend, and that’s a huge positive move on the road to the recovery of the golf course construction industry.

Comanche Trace in Kerrville, Texas had such a demand for property and new homes (both primary and secondary) that it built an additional nine holes of golf – designed by Jay and Carter Morrish – to augment its well-received, 18-hole original track fashioned by Tom Kite in conjunction with Roy Bechtol and Randy Russell. In Duncan, Oklahoma, a select handful of homes are under construction in Prospectors Ridge, the residential arm of development at The Territory Golf & Country Club, a club that has seen its membership boom where other clubs are scrambling.

And then there is Talking Rock. Located in the mountains about 15 minutes from vibrant Prescott, Arizona, Talking Rock is a private and tranquil high-country master-planned community wrapped around a splendid Morrish-designed golf course. With the Prescott National Forest in its backyard, little has changed at Talking Rock from the days native tribes lived on the land or when stagecoaches rumbled across its scenic trails.

See the story I wrote about my trip to Talking Rock at http://www.cybergolf.com/golf_news/talking_rock_bucks_trends_with_great_course_community_vibes.

A big part of the draw to Talking Rock is Morrish’s golf course, a 7,350-yard championship track which winds through more than 1,000 acres of preserved open space. With its rolling terrain and beautiful vistas, the course winds through meadows and majestic stands of trees, following the natural contours of the land.


Wide, generous landing areas, strategically placed bunkers and greens that are clearly visible from virtually every fairway shot define the course at Talking Rock. Five sets of tees offer golfers of every skill level a chance to enjoy a relaxing, yet challenging game. The 18-acre practice area has six acres of tees and dual putting and short-game practice areas at each end of the range.

Last spring Talking Rock began a stay-and-play offering inclusive of all the amenities enjoyed at a high-end resort yet within a more exclusive setting. The package includes a one-night stay for two in a fully furnished, 2,000-square-foot ranch cottage with golf and countryside views. A welcome basket with fine wine, gourmet snacks and vouchers for Coops - the community's coffee shop and café - help ensure a comfortable visit.

During their overnight stays, guests can choose between a round of golf and a massage at the community's private fitness center. Guests will also be treated to dinner at Morgan's Bar and Grill at The Ranch House, a recent recipient of Wine Spectator's Award of Unique Distinction. The package costs $450 for two.

The package also allows guests access to the other amenities at Talking Rock, including miles of hiking/biking/jogging trails, a fitness center, regulation lap pool, and various dining options.