Any current or former members of Black Hawk CC on the board that can provide feedback on the general condition of the golf course, now that it's been owned by Escalante Golf Management for a couple of years? I know there was quite a bit of turmoil early on and a lot of concerns regarding deteriorating conditions of the golf course and practice facilities. I've seen a few posts re Black Hawk in other threads, but nothing since about July of last year.

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Any current or former members of Black Hawk CC on the board that can provide feedback on the general condition of the golf course, now that it's been owned by Escalante Golf Management for a couple of years? I know there was quite a bit of turmoil early on and a lot of concerns regarding deteriorating conditions of the golf course and practice facilities. I've seen a few posts re Black Hawk in other threads, but nothing since about July of last year.

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It has definitely not been the same since Escalante took over. Traps have been awful and the ones that have been replaced have some new sand that's really tough to hit out. The rest of the course is in good condition but the range is still a problem. Shadow Hawk is really struggling. They decided not to replace the greens and the clubhouse has leaks all over. A big group of members dropped their membership after sending a lawyer up to Escalante demanding the changes and the heads at Escalante told them to go **** themselves, so in one day 15 members quit. Allegedly Escalante is using the revenue from Shadow Hawk to fund courses out west that are extremely negative and the members are pissed. I wouldn't be surprised if more leave this summer when the heat takes a toll on the greens. It's not the same anymore. Even the pool staff has gone downhill. But unfortunately there's not too many other good options on that side of town at that price point. We're going to wait it out and see what happens (I think they will open up Shadow Hawk to Black Hawk members who want to pay a higher monthly due, within the next 24 months)

Side note...They may be looking to buy Carlton Woods now.

Harry, many thanks. Mind if I PM you?

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Harry, many thanks. Mind if I PM you?

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I've been a member for a little over a year. Like Harry said, the condition of the traps has been a major problem for a long time. They're finally redoing all of them, but it's coming along awfully slow, partially due to the weather but they weren't exactly flying through them before that either. I would disagree about the new sand though. I think it's fantastic. The rest of the golf course is almost always in phenomenal shape. Right now is the worst I've seen it, but that's entirely the weather's fault.

Thanks for the insight, Grey. Much appreciated. I had read one of your earlier posts that I found searching for info on Black Hawk, and I could tell you were enjoying it about 9-10 months ago. Glad to hear you're still enjoying it.

Do you play in any of the member/member and member/guest tournaments? Do you attend any of the social functions? The list of activities out there seems impressive. Just wondering if they're well-attended and curious for your general thoughts on the makeup of the overall membership out there. Folks generally friendly?

I've played in every tourney they have except the member-guest, because it's $1000 which just seems ridiculous to me. But every tournament they have (including and especially the member guest) is very well attended. The team events (wooden fence, locker room challenge, member-member) are a heck of a lot of fun. Tournaments were how I initially met most of the guys that I play with on a regular basis now. I've never really done any of the social stuff because frankly golf was the one and only reason I joined a club.

I think the membership is great. Most of the members are between probably 45-60 yrs old, but you can find whatever you're looking for. As far as I know I'm the youngest member they have, but I've got groups that I play with that are in their early 30's, and other groups that are in their late 50's+ and they're all great guys.

If you decide to go out and play a round to check the place out and need somebody to play with let me know and I'll be happy to play with you.

Sounds like Shadow Hawk's days as a premier Houston clubare numbered?

With all the money at Shadow Hawk, I would think the members would just want to own it themselves. Maybe Escalante won't let that happen?

I'm at Carlton Woods. The club was put up for sale by Howard Hughes Corp about 2 months ago. Supposedly there are three current bidders, and a member meeting next week to discuss the prospects of a new owner vs. a member buy out. I can say definitively that the membership would not digest well an owner such as Escalante.


And one more thing, **** HHC.

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Sounds like Shadow Hawk's days as a premier Houston clubare numbered?

With all the money at Shadow Hawk, I would think the members would just want to own it themselves. Maybe Escalante won't let that happen?

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Yep. Escalante wont let it go to the members but theres other elements involved. If they sold to members then the members would lose access to redstone and houstonian and a lot of them come over to houstonian.

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I'm at Carlton Woods. The club was put up for sale by Howard Hughes Corp about 2 months ago. Supposedly there are three current bidders, and a member meeting next week to discuss the prospects of a new owner vs. a member buy out. I can say definitively that the membership would not digest well an owner such as Escalante.


And one more thing, **** HHC.

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Block that ****. You do not want escalante buying you out.

Really sad to hear.

I haven't had many good experiences with big golf course "management" companies. When I moved to Cinco Ranch in 1999, it was a very nice, well maintained course. Then it became trash after Club Corp got its hands on it. Sounds like those stories are pretty common.

I played Blackhawk for the first time a few weeks ago. Some of the traps were a little rough except I liked the ones that had the new sand. The rest of the course I thought was in great condition.

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Block that ****. You do not want escalante buying you out.

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I can state with confidence that Escalante will not own CW.

I heard Donald Trump was looking at buying CW...any truth to that rumor??

Trump bid. It will not be a factor.