Cordillera Ranch Living September/October 2018

Volume 11, Issue 5

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September/October 2018

+ RON AND KATHY FIELDING LEADING THE PACK BRINGS COUPLE TO CORDILLERA RANCH

THE LIFE OF BRYAN GATHR IG HT, DIR ECTOR OF INSTR UCTION TWIN SISTE R S PATIO EXPE R IE NCE

CO R D IL L E RARANCH L IVING. CO M

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Other Features:

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color with a balance between evergreen

• Lot Clearing, Cedar Tree Removal and Mulching

and deciduous foliage containing movement

• Outdoor Lighting

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• Hardscape (including Fire Pits, Seat Walls, Retaining Walls, Flagstone Patios, Stained and Stamped Concrete, Arbors, Pergolas, Split Rail Cedar Fencing, and more)

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Tel: 830.816.3200

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PREFERRED BUILDER IN CORDILLERA RANCH

WHY YOUR NEIGHBORS CHO OSE

G AR NER HOM ES :

• Each project is overseen by a team of careful and thoughtful

the education, guidance, and insight needed in order to make

• We use building science and industry best practices in all we do.

enjoyable experiences.

professionals. We aim to provide uncompromising customer service.

We aim to be thoughtful in the execution of these items, work with

decisions. We aim to have fun, think outside of the box, and create

precision, and deliver a home that will perform well over time, and look beautiful too.

• From the first handshake to move-in day, our objective is to provide

• Our Client Portal is a unique tool that allows us to manage the project

budget, schedule, details, and communication in one place. Similar to the

job binders of the past, the Portal keeps the project data organized, allows the team to respond quickly, and keeps clients informed in real time.

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48

THE LIFE OF BRYAN GATHRIGHT, DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION Advanced-level junior golfers shine under Bryan’s innovative golf instruction, enthusiasm and wisdom, which make him a powerful role model both on and off the course.

36

RON AND KATHY FIELDING LEADING THE PACK BRINGS COUPLE TO CORDILLERA RANCH As leaders in their respective professions, Ron and Kathy Fielding have traveled the U.S. and abroad, rescuing dogs and cats along the way to add to their extended furry family.

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With creative cocktails and new wines to explore, paired with a signature seasonal menu and breathtaking sunsets, unwinding on Friday evenings has never been better.

Preferred Builder Todd Glowka’s model home showcases quality construction and attention to detail with the marriage of distinctive Hill Country materials, ultra-sleek finishes and over-the-top amenities.

TWIN SISTERS PATIO EXPERIENCE

ALSO INSIDE: 14 WELCOME LETTER

NATURALLY LUXURIOUS

47 2018 GREENS SURROUND SOD PROJECT WRAP-UP

18 A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH

54 FROM WINE AND BEYOND....

28 RANCH SCENE

56 “BEHIND THE VINES” WINE TRIP

30 MEMBER TRADITIONS 32 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 34 MANAGER’S MESSAGE: FALL ON THE RANCH

WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON 61 SHOOTING SPORTS AT CORDILLERA RANCH

42 STAFF PROFILE: JEFF ELDRIDGE

62 CAST AND BLAST: A TEXAS TRADITION

46 NEW DIRECTOR OF GOLF, DAREN JOHNSON

64 CORDILLERA CLASS OF 2018 74 REAL ESTATE

8 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

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S WELCOME

Summer came and went in a blink and we’re already jumping into fall, even if the 90-degree temps say otherwise. It has been a busy summer here at Cordillera Ranch with several key new hires at the Club, and numerous other development projects kicking off and a few wrapping up.

As you read in the prior issue of Living, Marc DeWall has taken over as General Manager at the Club while Jeff Eldridge has settled in as the new Director of Agronomy for the Golf Course. The golf course continues to make great strides and has never been more lush in August – it’s coming into the prime fall golf season in perfect shape. Meanwhile, as you’ll read in this issue of the magazine, we are excited to announce the addition of Daren Johnson as the new Director of Golf Operations. You can read more in the Golf Section (page 46) about Daren’s impressive background, which spans places like Pine Valley, Mountain Top Golf Club and Adena Golf and Country Club, to name a few. He is looking forward to coming aboard after Labor Day and getting to know the membership over the coming months.

We wrapped up construction on the Springs of Cordillera Ranch Visitor Center and Springs Sports Park this summer and will be moving into the new Vista Office (Cordillera Ranch Visitor Center) in September. A few projects that broke ground this summer were the Lodges at Cordillera Ranch as well as the most recent release of Golf Frontage Estate Lots (Unit 207F) along hole #12, which will add the final section of golf frontage estates in Cordillera Ranch as well as some beautiful view home sites. Additionally, in September, the construction of Cordillera Ridge will begin (the hilltop where the existing Visitor Center is located), which will include 15 new premier hilltop estates (2 to 4+ acres) with expansive views across the Guadalupe River Valley and views to the south across the Cibolo Valley. Lastly, the new Golf Performance Center broke ground on the west end of the golf practice park, which will offer a state-of-the-art teaching academy where the acclaimed golf instructors at Cordillera Ranch can refine your game with the latest technology.

With all that’s happening around the ranch, it is no wonder that the summer seemed to be a blur. Take a moment to slow down and catch up in this issue of Cordillera Ranch Living.

Best Regards,

Charlie Hill President Cordillera Ranch

14 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

LIVING www.cordilleraranch.com 830.336.3570 www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch

PUBLISHERS: Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation Traveling Blender, LLC CORDILLERA RANCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Charlie Hill – President cphill@cordilleraranch.com DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Sara Hill 210.332.8628 shill@cordilleraranch.com EDITOR Trisha Doucette trisha@travelingblender.com EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM Monty Becton, Barry Denton, Shane Reynolds, Robert Rodriguez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tim Shaw – The Shaw Creative theshawcreative@me.com CORDILLERA RANCH SALES 830.336.3570 info@cordilleraranch.com Clubs of Cordillera Ranch 830.336.9000 Feature article photography by Mark Humphries Photography.

210.226.6275 :: www.markhumphriesphoto.com Cordillera Ranch Living is published bi-monthly through a joint venture between Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC. No reproduction in any form is authorized without the consent of both Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC. Cordillera Ranch Living is a registered trademark of Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation. 808 Highway 46 E, Boerne, Texas 78006. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved 2018. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions.

Manuscripts, photographs, and other submitted material can be acknowledged or returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The content contained does not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation, Traveling Blender, LLC, or Cordillera Ranch residents.

Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC assumes no liability for misinformation, omissions, or errors.

A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH

Photo by Terry Vine

9 :0 0 am | B rea king c l ay s

A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH

Photo by Terry Vine

1: 0 0 p m | A leisurely lu n c h a nd b re a t ht a king v i e ws

A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH

Photo by Terry Vine

7:00pm | A n I n d ia n sum m e r s u n s e t

INTERIORS

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Cordillera RAN

S

H

E N E

SUMMER CAMPS

Upload your own photos to www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch for a chance to be featured in next issue’s Ranch Scene.

CHURRASCO WINE EVENT

RED, WHITE & BLUE POOL PARTY Photos by Club Photographer Kelsey Guzman

CALENDAR

MEMBER TRADITIONS Our Ranch Menu is available every day with great new features!

Wednesdays

Wednesday Evenings

Every Wednesday we draw a member’s name from our membership roster. If that person or anyone in their immediate family is in the main Clubhouse at the time of the drawing, they will be awarded the current Club credit. $50 is added to the next week’s drawing if the winner is not present.

Our Prime Rib Buffet is the perfect accompaniment for Jeffrey’s wine picks of the week. Sample new wines to purchase and enjoy that evening or to take home.

CORDILLERA RANCH GOLD RUSH

Thursday-Saturday Evenings

WEEKLY WINE PICKS

CORDILLERA RANCH’S NEW SIGNATURE DINING MENU

Friday Evenings

Sundays

The Club’s culinary team has updated the Signature Dining menu to reflect seasonal products prepared and presented in a higher level of cuisine to deliver an unparalleled fine dining experience.

This elegant dining experience features live music from 6:30 to 9:30pm along with our chef’s finest creations, including our Texas Bounty of fresh, seasonal fish options. Advance reservations are strongly suggested.

Remember when Mom used to cook Sunday family meals? We do! Join us at The Club for some home-style cookin’! $15.95++ for adults and $8.95++ for children ages 10 and under, from 11:00am to 8:00pm.

SIGNATURE DINING AT THE CLUB

FAMILY MEAL FEATURE

To make reservations for any of these events, please contact The Club reception desk at 830.336.9000, or reserve your spot online at Clubsofcordilleraranch.com.

TEXAS INVESTORS TITLE Performance is our Priority

Commercial, Ranch and Residential Title Transactions

Steve Vallone President

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p. (830) 816-5888 • f. (830) 816-5889

CALENDAR

EVENTS September

September 1 The Crafted Dinner Experience

Location: Cabana Dining Room Executive Chef Isaac Cantu and Wine Specialist Jeffrey Cohen have created special wine dinners where you design your own personal dining experience from prix fixe menu selections complemented with wine pairings. Advance reservations are required.

September 3 Labor Day

The Club is open.

September 4

The Club will be closed.

September 11 Italics Wine Dinner

Join us for an intimate dinner featuring Italics wines from Napa. Chef Isaac Cantu has crafted a custom menu to pair with these remarkable wines.

September 14-16 Club Championship Weekend

Men’s Club Championship Date: Championship Flight September 14-16 All other Flights September 15-16 Time: Championship Flight Noon Tee-Times on Friday All Flights AM Tee-Times on Saturday and Sunday Format: Championship Flight 54-Hole Stroke Play flighted by handicap All other Flights 36-Hole Stroke Play flighted by handicap Gross and Net Prizes Sunday night awards banquet Junior Club Championship Date: September 15 Time: AM Tee-Times Format: Flighted Stroke Play based on age and ability Sunday night awards banquet Ladies Club Championship Date: September 15-16 Time: AM Tee-Times Format: 36-Hole Stroke Play flighted by handicap Gross and Net Prizes Sunday night awards banquet

September 27 WOW - Women of Wine Event

Location: Cabana Dining Room Wine presented by Frog’s Leap Vineyards.

October

October 6 The Crafted Dinner Experience

Location: Cabana Dining Room Executive Chef Isaac Cantu and Wine Specialist Jeffrey Cohen have created special wine dinners where you design your own personal dining experience from prix fixe menu selections complemented with wine pairings. Advance reservations are required.

October 6 MGA Cup Final

Time: 9:00am shotgun Format: Top 40 qualifiers competing in year-end final

October 11-13 C-Star Member-Guest

Format: 45 Holes Non-Elimination Four-Ball Match Play This event is the highlight of the entire golf calendar at Cordillera Ranch.

Please contact the Golf Shop for more information.

October 22-23 Greens Aerification The course will be closed.

October 25 Inglenook Wine Dinner

Inglenook wines will be featured and paired with a special menu created

by Chef Isaac Cantu.

October 31 CWGA Halloween Tournament

MANAGER’S MESSAGE

FALL ON THE

RANCH

By Marc DeWall

Welcome home to those that have spent time away during the hot summer months. I would just like to take a minute to thank so many of you for the support you have given me in my new role as General Manager here at Cordillera Ranch. I am very excited and we have some great things happening here on the Ranch with lots to look forward to.

Summer is coming to a close and kids are back at school. I am not sure where the last six weeks have gone but September is here and that means we are gearing up for a busy fall season.

The golf course is in outstanding condition after enduring the hot summer months. New Director of Agronomy Jeff Eldridge and his team have done a remarkable job in a short amount of time and the fairways and greens are in excellent shape.

I know Jeff has met many of our members already but if you have not yet done so and would like to learn more about him, he is the Staff Feature in this issue of the magazine. I hope you will get the chance to bring out some guests this time of year and enjoy a great day of golf at the Club.

34 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

Friday Nights are meant for the Patio!

September means the return of our Twin Sisters patio entertainment. It is a great atmosphere with fantastic views and can be such a wonderful evening with family and friends. Of course, football season is here and that means great games on the TV screens. Come out and enjoy this great spot!

Many of you have seen that we have broken ground on the new Performance Center at Cordillera Ranch. This is going to be a fantastic amenity for all golfers, especially those looking to improve their golf game. The facility is state-of-the-art and will have two indoor hitting bays with all of the latest technology. We hope to have the building completed by the end of the year and I know all of the golf professional staff are excited for it to open and utilize all of the bells and whistles to help you shoot lower scores!

Another exciting project that is well underway is The Lodges at Cordillera Ranch, which is just left of #3. Phase I will be two buildings with different room structures that will provide members, their guests and

Club guests great accommodations. Look for a spring of 2019 targeted opening date.

Two major events highlight the fall golf schedule. Club Championship weekend will take place September 14-16. This will mark the second year where the Men’s Club Championship, Ladies Club Championship and Junior Club Championship are all competing on the same weekend. The tournaments will conclude with the Sunday night Champions Dinner that last year was a big success. The C-Star MemberGuest will be taking place October 11-13 this year and is once again sold out with 60 teams participating. This tournament is the highlight of the golf calendar each year and should be another great event.

I look forward to seeing you around the Club and please let me know if there is anything our team can do to ensure you have a great experience each time you are here.

Marc DeWall, PGA, is the General Manager of The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at mdewall@ cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9000.

LEADING THE PACK brings couple to Cordillera Ranch

By Cheryl Van Tuyl Jividen :: Photography by Mark Humphries

High school sweethearts Ron and Kathy Fielding have always been leaders of the pack, both professionally and at home. The two Union, New Jersey natives, who’ve been married 43 years, enjoy not only a history of high achieving careers in the food and nutrition industries, but also pet parenting over the decades.

Since their first pet back in 1977, they’ve had six dogs and two cats. Ron says, “We don’t have children per se, but are avid animal lovers and consider them as kids.” The genesis of each pet is woven into the tapestry of the many cities of residence for the Fieldings and their assorted fur family.

36 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

The pack has included Felix — a cat named for the feline cartoon character — acquired in New Jersey, as well as a pair of full-bred German Shepherds, acquired in Seattle, named Liberty and Freedom in patriotic honor of the tragedies of 9/11. There was Lucky, a Collie/Shepherd stray they rescued from their Chicago neighborhood. Madison was a Shepherd/Australian cattle dog mix they adopted from a shelter in Minnesota. Now, two large canines call the Fielding’s abode in Cordillera Ranch home.

Bandit, their Husky/Retriever mix, was rescued from Minnesota where they keep a second home. He’s joined by B9, a German Shepherd, explosives-trained dog from the Czech Republic that was in route to the Middle East when they met him at the Kendall County Veterinarian Center and ultimately brought him home. “We fell in love with him and ended up out-bidding the Iraqi company to buy him. He’s become a wonderful security system/house pet,” says Ron.

38 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

But it wasn’t just the collection of their beloved pack of pets over the years that drew the Fieldings to these cities and beyond. It was their careers. Kathy, a Registered Dietician, studied at Indiana State and Montclair State Universities earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and graduating with honors.

After postgraduate work at Perth Amboy General Hospital in New Jersey, and with her RD in hand, she worked at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey as a dietitian. A year later she became the clinical coordinator for the Perth Amboy General Hospital Dietetics Internship. “It was a dream job for a newly minted RD,” says Kathy. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Kathy held various senior positions before joining UNICITY, a major research, development and marketing corporation of high-end nutritional supplements.

Ron earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from Rider College in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He was

awarded a scholarship from General Foods™ Corporation to attend Harvard Business School’s International Graduate Program. “It was a challenging but wonderful experience that featured a small class of 50 students from 15 countries and included studies in Cambridge, Massachusetts and at the London Business School.” In between his time in the classroom, he grew his career, joining Oscar Mayer® Foods Corporation in New York City, initially focused on sales and sales management before transferring to multiple locations around the country including Albany, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. Eventually, the couple moved to Madison, Wisconsin, the home of Oscar Mayer’s corporate headquarters, where Ron held various sales, marketing and business development positions. When the Phillip Morris Companies, then the owner of Oscar Mayer/General Foods, acquired Kraft Foods, his job led them to Chicago — home

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 39

of the newly formed Kraft General Foods world headquarters, where he moved into corporate strategic planning. A career move to Hormel Foods Corporation led the couple to the company’s headquarters in Austin, Minnesota. Ron was elected an officer of the company, responsible for the International Business Unit overseeing all export sales and marketing activities and providing oversight to joint venture companies located throughout the world, after which he managed both the company’s refrigerated and dry grocery business units.

Ron eventually became Executive Vice President of Corporate Development before retiring in 2013.

The Fieldings had the good fortune of visiting the Texas Hill Country over the years, primarily for business purposes.

In 2009 at an Oscar Mayer Alumni event in Wisconsin, they learned about Cordillera Ranch from Ron’s former business colleagues, Tom Keim and Jack Kelly, who had both relocated there. “Tom and Lee Ann Keim and Jack and Roni Kelly are largely responsible for our introduction to Cordillera Ranch.”

Within a year, they bought a lot and in 2013, moved from Minnesota into a rental property in Boerne. Nearly two years later, they moved into their newly built home.

Since moving to Cordillera Ranch, Ron has continued his career with director and advisory roles with The University of Texas at San Antonio and the Johnsonville Sausage Company

40 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He also serves as a board member of Hill Country Family Services in Boerne, a non-profit focused on helping Kendall County residents facing various issues in their lives. “We help over 1000 clients overcome challenges ranging from mental health through food and shelter aid,” says Ron. Kathy, licensed to practice in both Texas and Minnesota, continues her work with UNICITY. Her professional focus has shifted from geriatrics to preventative health and wellness and functional medicine. The benefit has extended beyond her job says Ron, “Her knowledge and continuing education in this area of nutrition has served us, family and friends well over the past several years.”

The transition to Cordillera Ranch came with ease. “We feel blessed to have had the opportunity to live throughout the United States, travel to more than 40 countries and are able to contribute to the local community. The decision to move to Cordillera Ranch was quite easy as we had friends living here,” says Ron. They also appreciate the planning and dreaming that went into its creation. Ron shares, “The Hill and Northington families, founders of this community, shared an exceptional vision that has since been brilliantly executed. Moreover, they have expertly ensured for its future development. While there is so much we enjoy about Cordillera, we believe the single

nicest aspect of living here is the complete freedom and encouragement to be just you!”

The couple are food enthusiasts and enjoy entertaining at their home. “Having spent a number of years traveling around the United States and the world, my favorites include Indian and other Asian cuisines,” says Ron. “Kathy is masterful — she cooks just about any cuisine. She is best known for her Italian cooking and generally gets raves for her spaghetti ‘Gravy’ — meat-based Italian sauce. My contribution to our culinary efforts is on the grill.” At the Fieldings’ home, dinner plans begin while having lunch! When not eating at home, the Fieldings dine at the Club for steaks and seafood, and appreciate the wines and Champagnes.

Together, they’ve been to so many places near and far. “I spent several years in Asia and for a period of three years had an apartment in Beijing as I was traveling to China very frequently as part of two Hormel Foods joint venture companies. I’ve had the good fortune of traveling to 43 countries across the world during my work as Hormel’s International head and as part of my M&A work for Hormel,” says Ron. “It is impossible to list favorites as they are all quite unique, but Colombia, Australia, Italy, South Africa, Japan and China are high on our list to revisit someday.”

Truth be told, the couple do have a favorite place to visit. It’s their second home in Southeast Minnesota. Their 26 acres of

wooded property outside of Rochester on Trout Run Creek in the bluff country is full of valleys and hills with abundant trout streams affording them great fly-fishing opportunities. With a main home and guest house, they generally spend early fall there enjoying beautiful weather and excellent fishing.

Back home, their affection grows, “Since moving here, we have become increasingly enchanted with Cordillera Ranch and the Hill Country largely because of the new friends and fabulous neighbors we have. Clearly, we feel fortunate to live in a very well-run private community and we’re thoroughly convinced that we made the right decision.” They also find there is plenty to do. Avid users of the fitness center and the various food and beverage amenities at the Club, the future holds some personal goals for the couple. “While Kathy and I have been golfing members since moving here, we’ve only played a few rounds.

Our goal is to play more going forward. Embarrassingly, I measure my current success by the number of golf balls I lose each round,” jokes Ron. “We’ve heard many other members refer metaphorically to Cordillera Ranch as a ‘cruise ship on land’ and we now share that point of view.”

Next up, Ron and Kathy and the rest of the pack are heading to Minnesota for their seasonal getaway, but this time their big boys, Bandit and B9, are flying for the first time on Jet Linx. At 80 – 90 pounds each, Ron knows, “It should be quite an adventure.”

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 41

STAFF PROFILE Jeff Eldridge Director of Agronomy 830.336.9179, jeldridge@cordilleraranch.com

What makes your colleagues an asset to The Clubs? Explain how you work together as a team.

Our employee partners are integral to the success of the golf course maintenance operation and without them we wouldn’t survive, period. This is a very labor-intensive course that requires qualified people to provide the conditions our members expect. I think that developing the right culture provides the foundation for teamwork and that, along with proper communication, are the key. On a daily basis, goals are well-defined and followed up with proper feedback ensuring expectations are being met.

What has been your most rewarding professional experience?

I would have to say the construction and grow-in of the Nicklaus Golf Club. Working daily with the folks from Nicklaus Design really opened my eyes as to what great golf course design is all about, and the amount of work that Mr. Nicklaus and his staff put in that property is really hard to put into words. It was amazing to watch how much attention to detail was put into every square inch of that property. I gained a new appreciation for the importance of designers’ intent while working on that property.

Hometown: Emporia, Kansas How did you become employed at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch?

I was employed at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate from 2000 to 2009 and during this time I had the pleasure of getting to know Monty Becton. At that time, he was a Regional Vice President and LionsGate was one of the clubs he oversaw. We had stayed in contact off and on over the years and, most recently, that contact was to inform me of a wonderful opportunity at Cordillera Ranch for the Director of Agronomy position.

What past work history prepared you for The Clubs?

I have been in the business since 1989, serving as superintendent for several different clubs for the majority of that time. I have also served as a Regional Agronomist and consulted for a few clubs as well.

42 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

What has been your greatest professional challenge?

While at the Nicklaus Golf Club, preparing for and repairing after PGA Tour events.

What do you like most about working at Cordillera Ranch?

So far it has been all the wonderful people I have met. Ownership, membership and staff have all been very welcoming and I look forward to working with all parties to make Cordillera the best it can be.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Pre-kids: Golf, hunting and fishing. Post kids: Coaching them in youth sports and then watching them play at higher levels.

Favorite quote or motto?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Or most meaningful personal experience?

The birth of my three children.

Your Hill Country

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Executive Director

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Angela Finley Director of Sales and Marketing

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Golf

GOLF

We are excited to announce the addition of Daren Johnson as the new Director of Golf for The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. Daren has served as a PGA Golf Professional at some of the finest clubs in the country. Most recently, Daren served as Director of Golf at Adena Golf and Country Club, a high-end private club in Ocala, FL. Daren earned a reputation as a complete golf professional that worked tirelessly to enhance the member experience at the facilities he has served.

Daren started his career as an Assistant Golf Professional at the Walt Disney World golf courses where he learned the importance of customer service and attention to detail. He served as an Assistant Golf Professional for two years at the famed Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, ranked as the #1 golf course in the country by many golf publications, before becoming the Head Golf Professional at Old Memorial Golf Club in Tampa for 10 years. Daren was given the opportunity to become the Head Golf Professional at Mountain Top Golf and Lake Club, a Discovery property in Cashiers, NC, that was previously nationally recognized as the “Best New Golf Course” in the country by Golfweek magazine. There he helped establish a golf operation from the ground up that was known for outstanding customer service and a truly unique golf experience for the members. Daren moved back to Florida to be closer to family and was the Director of Golf at Carrollwood Country Club for four years before going to Adena.

We truly believe Daren is going to fit very well with our membership and continue to enhance and grow the golf operation. He is very well liked by his peers in the industry, a good team builder and, most importantly, very highly thought of by the members at the places he has served.

Daren is married and has two daughters ages 10 and 6. His interests include football, family activities and running. He graduated from Stetson University in 1999 where he played Division 1 Golf for four years. He is working on getting to Texas and will begin work the first week in September.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Head Golf Professional Jacques LeBlanc, Assistant Golf Professionals Katie Dillard, Cabott Hanes, Roman O’Rourke and Merchandise Manager Camille Furgeson for all of their hard work over the last couple of months during the transition period.

Please stop by and wish Daren a warm Texas welcome once he gets started.

Marc DeWall, PGA General Manager Marc DeWall, PGA, is the General Manager of The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at mdewall@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9000.

AGRONOMY

2018 GREENS SURROUND SOD PROJECT

WRAP-UP

By Kris Negley, Golf Course Superintendent

For the everyday golfer, the term “Sod Project” brings about visions of bare dirt, workers to play around, groundunder-repair rules and the visual degradation of something beautiful. For the maintenance staff and its managers, it brings about ideas of dirty, sweaty work, long hours and chemical applications in sensitive areas, not to mention dodging errant golf shots and bare areas that degrade the visual appeal of the course.

Now, although all of these things are generally true and will come to fruition at some point during the project, the one thing they have in common is that they are all short-term problems. While sod projects are generally disliked in the short term, we must look at them as an opportunity to make things better. Once the project is complete and the areas are healed, we will have a better golf course than when the project started. This year is no exception.

To continue the beautification and playability of our course, golf maintenance personnel identified areas around the greens that were completely overrun with rogue bermudagrass. This grass lessens the visual appeal of our greens complexes, plays completely differently than our beloved Zeon Zoysia and, if left unchecked, will continue to get larger and become even more of an eyesore.

These areas were beyond normal chemical controls and needed to be killed and sodded.

In total, we identified 184 of these spots, requiring a total sodded area of just over 36,000 square feet. To put this in perspective, this would be the equivalent of resodding the four large Practice Tees on the east end

Rogue Bermuda Patch

Sod Truck

Un-topdressed Sod

Sod After 2 Topdressings

18 Green 7 weeks after Sodding

of the range! Now, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t sound like that much but try doing 200 square feet at a time, amongst golf games, around the greens, in June and July.

Once the sod was laid, we had to begin the actual “Sod Care” portion of the sod project. This included extra fertilizer applications to help with rooting, topdressing (applying thin layers of sand) to fill in any crevices or gaps, replacing small areas that just didn’t quite make it, and, of course, obsessively hand watering these areas with special tablets to help retain water until its root structure was strong enough to support the plant once again.

Just during the Sod Care portion of this project, we have tallied at least 470 man hours specifically dedicated to sod care since the sod had been laid.

In all, it has been another successful sod project. The areas are knitting together wonderfully and are already a definitive improvement to the turf that was there at the beginning of the season.

Golf Course Maintenance wants to thank you, the membership, for the understanding and support through this wild and crazy summer. We work hard every day to continue to not only maintain the course, but consistently improve upon it. Just remember that the next time you see someone running a sod cutter on the course — know that we are doing it to make things even more beautiful than they already are.

Thank you all, and I’ll see you on the course!

Kris Negley is the Golf Course Superintendent at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at knegley@cordilleraranch.com.

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GOLF

THE LIFE OF

BRYAN

It’s been a summer to remember for Cordillera Ranch’s Director of Instruction

By Robert Rodriguez :: Photography by Kelsey Guzman

It’s 95 degrees outside on a bright Saturday afternoon, and Director of Instruction Bryan Gathright is all smiles. A group of juniors at his advanced-level junior golf camp just arrived at the practice chipping green, and now it was time for his star pupils — Mitchell Meissner, McClure “Mac” Meissner and Levi Valadez — to shine.

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putting woes. That’s when Gathright suggested that the rightThe juniors are instantly amazed at how Mac and Valadez can handed Mitchell putt left-handed. A drastic measure, but not make their golf balls dance and stop on a dime next to the pin something new for Gathright. In the late 1990s, one of Gathwith ease. It’s one of the reasons why those two are standout right’s pupils was Notah Begay III, a Tour pro who hit the ball college golfers at Southern Methodist University and Sam Housright-handed and putted left-handed on certain putts. ton State, respectively.

When Gathright first approached Mitchell about this novel Then Gathright summoned everyone to the bunker, and after concept, there was a little apprehension. “I knew [right-handed] the juniors practiced escaping out of the sand, he asked Mitchgolfers putted left-handed as a drill, and I ell to take a turn. Only, Gathright was putted left-handed some during practice standing on the lip of the bunker and in “The best way to find out if you and it actually felt good,” Mitchell says. the direct line of Mitchell’s target. Some “But I didn’t think I would go through juniors were in awe, others were grimaccan trust somebody is to trust with it when Bryan first brought it up, ing as Mitchell opened the clubface and especially in competition. Figured it was clipped ball after ball out of the bunker them.” – Ernest Hemingway only a temporary band-aid and we would and over Gathright’s head with ease. go right back to work on putting rightThe lesson for the juniors: Trust the handed. Yet, Bryan convinced me to stick with it and I trusted shot and reap the rewards. The lesson for Mitchell and Gathhis wisdom. It gave me a lot of confidence on the greens and it right: Trust in each other and reap the rewards. made golf fun again.”

“Mitchell is the only person I will allow to do that,” Gathright The switch to southpaw on the greens made his final sealater jokes as sweat drips from his forehead, presumably from son at Rice University a memorable one, as Mitchell won two the heat, not the white-knuckle moment at the bunker.

It takes a lot of faith in someone to allow them to buzz Titleists tournaments including the Conference USA championship, and

over your head. One mis-hit could result in a lengthy stay on the disabled list, a scenario especially debilitating for an instructor as desirable as Gathright. Yet for Mitchell, it took a lot of trust in Gathright to go along with a suggestion that would radically transform his golf game, and his passion for the sport.

Heading into 2018, Mitchell was a senior on the Rice University golf team and struggling mightily on the greens. His putting was so bad, in one event he hit 49 out of 54 greens in regulation and shot 4-over par … and that was without making a doublebogey or worse on a hole.

Gathright and Mitchell’s dad, Kurt, were on the way to Dallas when the two began discussing how to alleviate Mitchell’s

finished tied for eighth at the NCAA Regionals in Bryan.

His strong play continued in the summer, as Mitchell won the Greater San Antonio Match Play Championship. Things were clicking on all cylinders for Mitchell heading into the Texas State Amateur at Whispering Pines Golf Club; however, he wasn’t feeling it during the practice rounds and struggled. The same could not be said for Mitchell’s younger brother or Valadez.

“I was playing pretty good heading into that week at Whispering Pines,” Mac says. “I was struggling a bit with my putting, but Bryan and I worked on it a lot leading up to the Texas State Amateur. It wasn’t bad enough to where I had to putt left-handed, but overall my game was pretty solid.”

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 49

Mitchell Meissner

McClure Meissner

Levi Valadez

Photography courtesy of Texas Golf Association

“It’s not just about the golf instruction; it’s about being a great kid and being a role model for the younger players.” – Bryan Gathright “For some reason, I felt very confident heading into the Texas State Amateur,” Valadez added. “My swing was finally coming together, I knew the golf course really well — I knew I was going to have a great week.”

The Texas State Amateur is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Lone Star State. Past champions include former Masters champions Charles Coody and Ben Crenshaw, PGA Championship winner Mark Brooks, Bruce Lietzke, and Scott Verplank.

Grouped with good friend Valadez in the last group during the final round, Mitchell made five birdies over the final 11 holes to finish with a 6-under 282 over four rounds and win the Texas State Amateur. Valadez was second — three shots back — and runner-up in the event for the second straight year. Mac finished tied for third at even-par 288.

According to the Texas Golf Association, organizers of the Texas State Amateur, the 1-2-3 finish by Gathright’s students marks the first time in any of their top events where an instructor had pupils all finish in the top-3. Other state golf organizations also couldn’t recall a major amateur tournament where one instructor accomplished such an incredible feat.

“An instructor friend of mine in Colorado told me that would be a great accomplishment in Rhode Island, but in Texas that is unbelievable,” Gathright says. “It’s not an accomplishment for me — it’s about three high school teammates who work hard and push one another to be the best.”

Right after the Texas State Amateur, Mitchell finished runnerup at the prestigious North-South Amateur at Pinehurst. He also shared medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur sectional qualifier at Oak Hills Country Club with his brother.

The Meissners and Valadez are just the latest in a long line of golfers who have found success under the watchful eye of Gathright. In addition to Begay III, Gathright also taught Jimmy Walker throughout his amateur and early professional days.

Another star pupil, Toni Hakula, won the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica’s Bupa Match Play Championship earlier this year. In all, Gathright has taught numerous other PGA, Champions and LPGA Tour professionals, and over 200 high school golfers who have gone on to play collegiate golf.

A GOLF Magazine “Top 100 Teacher in America” for the past

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18 years, Gathright came to Cordillera Ranch in 2016 from Oak Hills. He is quick to point out that working at Cordillera Ranch has done wonders for his instructional programs and students.

That was evident at his recent camp, where on that hot Saturday afternoon juniors were learning more than just chips and trusting their bunker shots. Several stations featuring professionals from around the nation were scattered around the Cordillera Ranch practice range covering all facets of the game, including fitness and the mental aspect.

“Two students from Alabama said this was the best camp they’ve ever attended,” Gathright says. “Every student was attentive and absorbing all the lessons they received from the instructors and the advice the college golfers gave them about balancing golf and life. And the members who helped with the camp and the membership who allowed us to conduct a camp like this at the Club, I can’t thank them enough.”

Yet, for all the lessons Gathright has given his pupils over the years either on the range or on the course, it’s what he’s taught them about life that has been so impactful. McClure was the San Antonio Express-News Boys Golf Player of the Year a year ago. More importantly, he finished his freshman year at SMU with a 4.0 GPA. “It’s not just about the golf instruction; it’s about being a great kid and being a role model for the younger players,” Gathright says. “That’s what I try to instill in my juniors.”

Gathright could not recall a year where his students have had this much success, or when he’s been this happy with his work.

That’s saying something given all his incredible accomplishments throughout his teaching tenure. Yet, that also speaks volumes on the amount of belief each student has in Gathright to help them succeed on and off the golf course.

“Bryan is the most underrated teacher in golf,” says Valadez, who was a sixth-grader when he first met Bryan at The First Tee of San Antonio. “He’s the best at what he does — a Class A pro on everything that he teaches — and someone you can trust.”

Bryan Gathright is the Director of Instruction at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at bgathright@cordilleraranch.com.

PAINT solutions EXPERIENCED AND PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES INTERIOR • EXTERIOR • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

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DINING

TWIN SISTERS PATIO EXPERIENCE

September brings us relief from the summer season and opens the opportunity to relax outside during the evenings on the Twin Sisters Patio. With breathtaking 25-mile views of the gorgeous Texas Hill Country unfolding before you, this is your time to recharge on Fridays with sunset crafted cocktails, a culinary tasting station, live entertainment and a community of friends. Every Friday at the Club, during September through November, brings back the Twin Sisters Patio experience.

COCKTAILS & WINE Our amazing mixologist Crystal Stemple creates inventive signature cocktails elevated by fresh seasonal ingredients and her own creativity. Popular patio cocktails include the Peach Raspberry Julep, Tequila Old Fashion, Bacon Bourbon Bloody Mary with Smokey Chili Paprika Salt, and Red Plum and Pineapple Bellini. The heart and soul of Crystal’s cocktails invoke a sensation of respite — this place is truly special.

Wine Specialist Jeffrey Cohen provides an enlightening intro-

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duction to a variety of wines, encouraging you to try something outside your normal boundaries of flavor and terroir. His insight into winemaking around the world, coupled with his generous hospitality, will guide you in finding a wine in which you are emotionally enamored. There is a romance with wine, and Jeffrey offers you a personal wine experience that complements the sweeping vistas from the patio and the evening spent gathering around the firepit.

CULINARY TASTING Upon your arrival on the Twin Sisters Patio, our culinary team members will be preparing crafted tastings that will pair perfectly with the signature cocktails and wines of your choice. Tropical Watermelon-Citrus Shrimp Tostadas, Warm House-Made Sweet & Sour Chicken and Crisp Firecracker Shrimp are a sample of selections featured in the spring, and the fall menu will not disappoint.

The Twin Sisters Patio also features dining from our Ranch and Signature menus. Friday is known for the fresh fish feature and you will find our Clubhouse and Lodging Manager Graham House announcing via email the fresh catch of the week. The process starts with Executive Chef Isaac Cantu spending time sourcing the freshest fish available.

When the dock receives the fish from the boat, it is flown overnight to the Club where Chef Isaac personally fillets the

fish in preparation for Friday night. Another item, when seasonally available, is our selection of cold water oysters. Blue Points and Prince Edward Island oysters are very popular and a perfect way to begin your patio experience.

LIVE MUSIC As the sun begins to set, live music sweeps over the patio. During the fall season we will feature musicians with local roots, beginning with Austin singer/ songwriter J Wagner who starts off the season in September. Fans and followers

say J Wagner writes songs like the novel you long for after the last page is turned.

He has been dubbed “A number one best bet” by the Austin American-Statesman, and The Dallas Morning News has called him “A Texas folk music staple.”

The Austin Chronicle gives his album, “The Runaway Kid,” a perfect “Four Stars” and refers to Wagner as “A commander of words and Ideation,” awarding him with their pick for best Local Singer Songwriter for 2014. Wagner’s minimalist approach has been described as a relief, new like spring after a long, hard winter, sublime as the summer sun rising — and add to that, the fall sun setting on the Twin Sisters Patio for a great takeaway.

Every patio has a story and this is ours.

Graham House is the Clubhouse and Lodging Manager at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at ghouse@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9164.

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 53

CELLAR CLUB

From Wine

and Beyond….

By Jeffrey Cohen

As we have dealt with the Dog Days of Summer, looking for something cold to drink, let’s start thinking of the cool fall days and even colder winter days. It is time for the rosés that have been so wonderful during the 90+ degree days to take a back seat to the big reds. For this edition we are going to jump right in … Cabernet Sauvignon.

Call it the Lamborghini of cars, the Super Bowl of pro football, The Cordillera Ranch of Golf Clubs, the Everest of mountaineering, or something more clever that you come up with on your own, but I think we can all agree that cabernet sauvignon is at the top of the heap. The big kahuna. The king of reds.

It is all of these things and many more, because it is so many different things itself. It is the complete package. Full-bodied and expressive, this is the wine that brings it all home. You don’t warm up with cabernet sauvignon; you finish with it. This classic, international grape variety transforms into wines ranging at their best from mysteriously profound to majestically powerful. Even the cabs that don’t reach those heights are fairly dependably high-quality. That is the nature of this grape. It produces, time after time. With the potential for fruit, elegance, power, complexity, consistency, acidity and aging, cabernet sauvignon’s got it all. Name recognition, too.

This was one of the wine styles, along with chardonnay and merlot, that made non-wine drinkers in the United States stop and take notice in the 1980s. “Hey,” said people in turtlenecks,

54 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

a glass of California cabernet sauvignon in hand, “I could get used to this. This is a wine style I can get behind.”

Long before those epiphanies, cabernet sauvignon was lending itself to mind-blowing wines in the Bordeaux region of France. Those cabernet-based blends were more reserved with their fruit and had an alternate sort of depth and elegance to them. They still do. Just because the world woke up to the power and potential of cabernet sauvignon, doesn’t mean they stopped growing and producing it in France.

Today it is the most widely planted wine grape on earth, prominent in everything from the world’s premier wines to the serviceable, reliable bottles that crowd grocery store shelves and sell for less than $15. You can surely find decent bottles of cab for less than $10, too. The so-called cult wines of California will set you back quite a bit more. So will the best wines that come from the grape’s home, the Medoc region of Bordeaux. (Ironically, despite being the world’s most-planted wine grape, cabernet sauvignon is not the most-planted wine grape in Bordeaux. That distinction is enjoyed by its frequent collaborator, merlot.)

Cab grows well pretty much everywhere you find sunlight and warmth, from Chile to China. The jury is still out on the Chinese wines themselves, but cabernet has acquitted itself convincingly in other parts of the world, such as the aforementioned Bordeaux, Napa, Chile, Italy, Australia, Washington state and several other parts of California, including Sonoma and Paso Robles.

Winemakers around the world blend cabernet sauvignon with all manner of red grape varieties (in Australia, it is often blended with Shiraz, the country’s signature grape), and when called on to do so, cab is made into varietal wines, sometimes 100 percent. (Remember, in the United States, for a wine to carry a single grape variety on its label, it must be composed of at least 75 percent of that grape.) So you could say that cabernet sauvignon is a versatile team player, while also being the MVP of the league, and a perennial fan favorite.

Chalk it up to good parenting, and give credit to cabernet sauvignon’s famous parents, cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc. Hence, the name. (Aren’t you glad they didn’t call it franc blanc? That would be confusing anyway, since it’s not white.) Scientists have made many new varieties by crossing two grapes, but cabernet sauvignon appears to have been created organically, the product of plantings close to each other. It was only in 1997 that researchers at the renowned University of California at Davis got to the bottom of the grape’s parentage, DNA-style.

Cabernet sauvignon grapes are relatively small, with thick, dark skins, which is why wines made from them are so often dense and rich in color. The wine does well in oak barrels, too, a treatment that often adds to its complexity. Look for the signature aroma of black currant, and from there, depending on the wine’s age and how much time it spent in barrels, aromas and/ or flavors can include plums, blackberry, black cherry, blueberry,

raspberry, mint, violet, eucalyptus, anise, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, tobacco, green pepper, black pepper, leather and smoke.

When cabernet sauvignon grapes are under-ripe, the resulting wine can be a touch vegetal, and over-ripeness can lead to a raisiny, pruney wine. Cabernet sauvignon is also a highly tannic grape, and some younger versions of it can send forth a mouthdrying pucker. But more often, a cab’s mouthfeel is a delight all its own, ranging from rich and chewy to decadently silky.

Finally, food. Cabernet sauvignon does nicely with just about any grilled or roasted meat. Lamb loves more-reserved Bordeaux-style wines, while fruitier, power-packed New World cabs stand up well to juicy steaks. Burgers and pizza love cabernet sauvignon. So do cheddar, Gouda and firmer blue cheeses.

Cabs often land in the 14- to 15-percent alcohol range, so consume them accordingly, especially if you’re on your cheese-asdessert course, when wine tends to flow more freely.

Being the biggest, or the most visible, does not always translate to being the “best” or earning the respect of those who are looking on. But cabernet sauvignon manages to remain in the spotlight while also basking in the adoring glow of wine lovers worldwide. All wine styles should be so lucky. But of course there can be only one big kahuna.

See you at the Club……

Jeffrey Cohen is the Wine Specialist for The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jcohen@cordilleraranch.com.

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MEMBER SERVICES

Cordillera Ranch “BEHIND THE VINES”

WINE TRIP Cellar Club

Willamette Valley, Oregon

By Debbie Pepper

Ponzi Vineyards

56 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

Our sixth annual Cordillera Ranch Cellar Club trip ventured away from the wineries of California as we explored the wines of The Willamette Valley — better known as “Pinot Noir Country” — or as an editorial in Wine Spectator more aptly quotes, “A taste of Burgundy in rural Oregon.”

Although in previous years we focused our tours in Napa Valley, Sonoma and one trip to central California in Santa Barbara, this year we decided to step out of the box and explore a different, more Burgundian style of pinot noir with a change of pace in the beautiful, rural countryside of Willamette Valley.

Wine lovers who visit today will find northern Willamette is expanding in culinary breadth, as well as approaching its inspiration, France’s Burgundy, in wine focus, and the region is coming into its own as a fine-wine destination. Willamette Valley covers a lot of ground at 5,200 square miles and it’s the sixth-largest AVA (American Viticulture Area). However, the hotbed for pinot noir is the relatively compact north valley area where we were fortunate to visit and experience the best of the best!

This year’s trip was led and organized by Debbie Pepper, Membership Director and “Unofficial Wine Tour Operator,” along with the Club’s Wine Specialist, Jeff Cohen, who shared his expertise, made wine selections and pairings as needed and assisted as co-host for our members. This year’s attendees included 18 “wine trip veterans” who have been on multiple wine trips with the Club: Warren and Lettie Goehringer, Chuck and Keitha Schofield, David and Gail Sanders, Chris and Cathy Cheatwood, Tim and Jennefer Reardon, Kurt and Amy Pennington, Benjamin and Selina Pena, Todd Dunn, Gary and Jeanie Lynd and guest, Teri Wenglein. First time attendees

Multnomah Falls Lodge

were Bruce and Joni Sloan, Constance Barone and Thom Saunders, and Ron and Martha Doornink.

S SATURDAY S Although our official group trip started on early Saturday morning, everyone flew in a day or two before to explore Portland on their own. Since our wine experience would be centered on Willamette Valley wineries, we changed the focus on Saturday to explore other area highlights, starting with a visit to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. We enjoyed a bountiful breakfast at The Multnomah Falls Lodge with spectacular views of the falls behind the lodge, followed by a short hike to the bridge beneath the falls. Unfortunately, views from Vista House along the river gorge were a bit hazy from fires far away in the south, but still beautiful and expansive.

Afterwards, we headed back to Portland for a “Beer Before Wine Tour” on the funky Brewvana Beer Bus and had fun stopping at three different brew pubs. We had Beer 101 education, plentiful beer and cider tastings, a delicious lunch and a final Beer 101 quiz where our sweet Lettie Goehringer scored a perfect 100 and is now known as the “Beer Queen!” Especially fun and unique were the pretzel necklaces we had to wear, which are designed to nibble on between beer tastings to cleanse our palette. Dinner that night was at Jake’s Grill at the Sentinel Hotel where we were staying.

We celebrated and toasted Tim Reardon’s special big birthday.....I think it was #39!

Pretzel Necklace Fun!

Brewvana Beer Bus

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 57

Columbia River Gorge

S SUNDAY S We had another early start as we packed our bags and loaded our bus to McMinnville in Willamette Valley for a very, very special day!

Once on the bus, everyone was given their Spruce Goose Cockpit select Voodoo donut (known in Portland for their quirky and unusual donuts). Before the trip, everyone had to check out their website to choose a special donut and provide a “secret fact” and favorite song.

Our hour-long trip to McMinnville went by quickly as everyone participated in the song/secret fact trivia game, which was very amusing, interesting and helped everyone get quickly acquainted. We arrived at 9:00am to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum where we toured the renowned Spruce Goose, and many in our group enjoyed a private cockpit tour. The museum docents were extremely knowledgeable and, besides the Hughes H-4 Hercules Spruce Goose, the museum displays a number of military and civilian aircraft and spacecraft which were very interesting.

The second highlight, and possibly the most talked about lunch, was at the quaint French “Bistro Maison” where we enjoyed a 12-course family-style meal with numerous wine pairings selected by Jeff. Owners Chef Jean-Jacques and his wife Deborah delighted us with personalized attention and a full description of how each course was prepared. It was a true culinary experience!

Just five minutes away, we went to Bistro Maison

58 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

the International Pinot Noir Celebration taking place in the beautiful Oak Grove of Linfield College. This was the last day of the festival and it featured a relaxed outdoor tasting with over 70 wineries and 15 local Northwest chefs preparing culinary treats to pair with pinot. The pinot showcase was wonderful but, unfortunately, after enjoying a long, leisurely lunch with several courses and wine prior to arriving, our visit to the festival was shorter than expected. We had a great day but it was time to head to the luxurious Allison Inn and Spa in Newburg to check in for the remainder of the trip. Our day ended later that evening with a lovely reception dinner at The Allison.

S MONDAY S Our first tasting of the day began at Soter at their North Valley Vineyards, followed by a delicious family-style Provisions Tasting (lunch & wine) at Soter’s Mineral Springs Ranch in a beautiful “deconstructed contemporary barn style” space overlooking the valley. Next, we headed to Evening Land Vineyards for a vineyard tour. We learned about the different vineyard terroir while tasting their fabulous wines and nibbling on charcuterie on our hillside perch overlooking the valley floor. Our day ended in downtown Newburg at Chehalem’s tasting room, housed in a restored historic building.

We enjoyed a seated library flight and a great catered pizza dinner prepared by Red Hills Market with their vintage wood-fired oven pizza truck. We loved watching them make pizzas outdoors while playing country music and some Texas favorites — a treat for all of us Texans!

S TUESDAY S Off again to the rural countryside of Newburg, we enjoyed our first morning tasting at the rustic Beaux Freres where we toured the barrel room and had a seated tasting while learning about their biodynamic farming methods used in the vineyard for creating their fabulous wines. We enjoyed hearing the story about the vineyard’s rustic beginnings as an 88-acre pig farm and how it was purchased by owner Michael Etzel and his brother-inlaw, Robert Parker, Jr. — thus the name “beaux freres” (meaning brother-in-law) came to be. Winemaker Mike Etzel, Jr. also stopped by for a brief chat and to welcome us.

Our next stop at Sokol Blosser featured a sit down “Farm & Forage” pairing lunch with farm-to-table selections from the vineyard and local purveyors. Another fabulous lunch pairing with a lovely sparkling rosé, chardonnay and pinot noir!

Domaine Drouhin

At Domaine Drouhin, we enjoyed our favorite outdoor tasting under a shady grove of gigantic evergreens on the beautiful hillside overlooking the vineyards. Domaine Drouhin’s unique story begins with the history of the Drouhin family from France who came to Oregon to create wines with a French soul on Oregon soil. Our comparative tasting focused on what makes pinot noir and chardonnay from Oregon and Burgundy similar, yet so distinctly different. Winemaker Veronique Drouhin-Boss is a fourth-generation winemaker from the Drouhin family and also oversees the winemaking at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, producing some of the world’s finest pinot noir and chardonnay wines on both sides of the Atlantic. Her brother, Philippe Drouhin, is responsible for the management and care of the Drouhin vineyards in Burgundy, Chablis and Oregon. A unique story with lovely wines and a truly spectacular, leisurely setting.... we hated to leave!

After a long day, we headed back to The Allison for a brief change before heading to our dinner and wine tasting at Ponzi Vineyards — another beautiful setting at the top of the valley. We enjoyed a relaxing end to another great day.

an elegant lunch pairing at Dusky Goose tasting their limited production pinot noirs in their beautiful hilltop open-air dining room. These special pinot noirs are velvety soft and vibrant, yet have a complexity and depth found only in the Dundee Hills.

Ahh .... a truly memorable experience for our last day in Willamette Valley!

A “Prestige Tasting” at Domaine Serene featured their single vineyard chardonnays and pinot noirs and ended our official wine touring before heading back to The Allison to rest before dinner.

We celebrated our farewell dinner at The Joel Palmer House in Dayton, dining al fresco on their terrace with a five-course dinner revolving around wild mushrooms and truffles, which are gathered locally and are the mainstay of their cuisine. We celebrated the end of our Willamette Valley and Oregon wine experience, making new friends and lasting memories.

I hope you will join us in the future on our next wine adventure!

Debbie Pepper is the Director of Membership for The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch.

She can be reached at dpepper@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.3544.

S WEDNESDAY S

Our final day began at Bergstrom Vineyards with charcuterie and tasting in the barrel room followed by a vineyard tour and tasting featuring their artisanal winemaking biodynamic methods used in creating their world-class pinot noir and chardonnay.

Our final trip luncheon, and another group favorite, featured

Joel Palmer House

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 59

Evening Land Vineyard

Gary and Jeanie Lynd with Jeff Cohen

“THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES” 6TH ANNUAL MEMBER CELLAR CLUB TRIP TO WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Chris and Cathy Cheatwood

Todd Dunn and the boys

Thom Saunders and Constance Barone

Benjamin and Selina Pena

David and Gail Sanders

Chuck and Keitha Schofield

Tim and Jennefer Reardon

Teri Wenglein and Debbie Pepper

Ron and Martha Doornink

Bruce and Joni Sloan

60 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

Kurt and Amy Pennington

Warren and Lettie Goehringer

OUTDOORS

SHOOTING SPORTS at

By Shane Reynolds

Cordillera Ranch

People often ask me what I enjoy about working at Cordillera Ranch in the outdoor recreation areas. My first response is always the wonderful members we have on the ranch, and one thing I most enjoy about our members is their conservative outlook and appreciation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. The spectacular Texas Hill Country and premier location of Cordillera Ranch makes our Gun Club and Sporting Clays Course one of the most beautiful in Texas.

The Sporting Clays course includes a variety of shooting scenarios and target presentations, and offers instruction, practice or competition. The course is designed for either walking or cart use. In addition to the ten station Sporting Clays course, we have a wobble trap station with five shooting positions, a 5-stand, a handgun range, rifle range and 3-D archery range.

Our Gun Club operates year-round.

Teaching people about gun safety and how to shoot are both important aspects of what we provide at our Gun Club. We offer members and their guests opportunities to learn to shoot shotguns, provide personal safety classes using handguns, help people scope in rifles and offer the Texas License to Carry course. Protecting the environment is just as important to us as is safety, therefore, prior to designing and opening our Gun Club in 2007, we developed a comprehensive Environmental Stewardship and Management Plan.

Our traditional 10-station Sporting Clays course launches targets in a variety of ways, approximating a different hunting scenario at each station. Shooters rotate through the ten different stations, and clays of varying sizes are used, approximating the different sizes of birds and targets found in hunting. The course is a great training tool for shooters who enjoy wing shooting. A trapper accompanies every squad of shooters that enters the Gun Club to ensure safety and appropriate operation of the traps for consistency of targets. The course features novicefriendly targets since the fun is in breaking targets, not missing them. For competition shoots, the traps are adjusted to separate the great from the good shooters. Our wobble trap, 5-stand and flush station consist of fun targets that spring out of the oscillating trap in a direction unknown to the shooter.

Cordillera Ranch maintains a network of local shooting instructors for beginning to advanced shooters. If you need instruction before beginning your next hunting trip, are interested in learning about advanced self-defense handgun techniques, or if you’d like to learn to shoot your rifle off shooting sticks, our friendly staff and instructors are here to help.

Shooting sports are also a fun and economical way to entertain a large group of shooters. We offer packages for our members and their guests that can be developed for shooting events that include instruction, a competition course, prizes, meals and beverages.

For any questions about the Gun Club at Cordillera Ranch, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Shane Reynolds is the Outdoor Recreation Director at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at outfitter@cordilleraranch.com.

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 61

OUTDOORS

Cast and Blast:

A TEXAS TRADITION

By Shane Reynolds

With the fall weather within sight, the Texas outdoor enthusiast is now busy preparing for winter activities.

For many Texans, this includes waterfowl hunting and fishing. This article will focus on waterfowl hunting, and highlight a few hunting and fishing trips The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch will offer this winter.

Of all the fowl that can be hunted, ducks are the most popular. Some of my most vivid memories that I have as a child are going on duck hunts with my father and his friends. Duck hunting starts extremely early in the morning, and there is much work to do prior to sunrise, or what duck hunters refer to as LST (legal shooting time), which is actually a half hour before sunrise. Prior scouting of your chosen duck hunting location is must. You must be familiar with the area, have access to your blind, and know the terrain and underwater features with your chosen location.

Duck hunting is not about the thrill of the kill. It’s about marksmanship. It’s about precision. And most importantly, it’s about class. Waterfowl should never be shot on the water, but rather while in flight. Attracting ducks that are in flight to come within firing range is accomplished through the use of decoys and call-

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ing. Decoys are manmade ducks, teal and geese, usually made of plastic, wood or some type of synthetic rubber. The larger the spread of decoys, the more attractive your spread will look to groups of ducks passing by. Ducks have excellent vision! Another important aspect of duck hunting is a blind. Blinds are vital for the sport. Ducks are very wary of traps. Blinds help cover you as you sit or lie in wait as they approach. Blinds are made of branches, stems and leaves over a tent-like structure where you could comfortably stay while waiting for a flock to come within sight.

Another way of attracting the attention of ducks is by calling. This is done by mastering the blowing of a duck call. It is advised, however, that if you have not mastered this art, you should not dare try it. You might end up scaring the ducks away instead of inviting them towards where you sit or lie in wait.

Duck hunting is a very addictive sport. It combines manual dexterity, physical agility and a sharp mind. Because of these requisites, some people have come to label it as the ultimate test of the human will. Indeed, all the faculties of our bodies will be exercised and our minds will get a much-needed practice as well. Duck hunting is also a relaxing and invigorating pastime. Do give it a try, and chances are, you won’t regret the experience.

Why cast and blast? Again, I look back to the youth adventures with my father, grandfathers and the countless friends they ran with. After a long morning of duck hunting, we usually headed in for a second breakfast or early lunch, before heading out to fish for the middle part of the day. We needed something to do to kill time before heading out to the duck blinds in the afternoon. We usually

found ourselves chasing largemouth bass or crappie if hunting on lakes or rivers, or going after Speckled Trout if we were hunting the coast. The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch will offer a few trips this winter that feature duck hunts in the morning and fishing in the afternoon. We’ll be visiting Captain Aubrey Black and Captain Sally Black in Baffin Bay. Aubrey specializes in lure fishing for trophysized Speckled Trout in Baffin Bay, while his wife Sally specializes in fly casting for redfish and specs. They both guide duck hunts in the winter and have trained dogs to help find your downed birds.

We will visit the Eagle Lake area for some outstanding waterfowl and sandhill crane hunting, and we’ll also hunt some stock ponds north near Santo where we’ll hunt duck in the morning and fish for bass in the afternoon.

This hunting season is sure to offer some memorable experiences!

Shane Reynolds is the Outdoor Recreation Director at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at outfitter@cordilleraranch.com.

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 63

COMMUNITY

CORDILLERA

2018

Recognizing the High School Seniors of Cordillera Ranch JARED BLAKE

CONNER DARNELL

Son of Sharon and Dan Blake Champion High School Attending Texas A&M University

Son of Beth and James Darnell Boerne High School Attending Stephen F. Austin State University

Why did you choose A&M? I plan to study History and Business with a focus on Pre-Law studies.

What career will you pursue?

I want to work in business, perhaps as a lawyer.

What else would you like to do?

I look forward to traveling and I’d like to visit the Northeast with some friends. I recently returned from a WWII focused journey across France and Germany.

MACKENZIE COLLENTINE Daughter of Susan and Brian Collentine Champion High School Attending the University of Texas at Austin Why did you choose UT? I chose UT because of the eclectic culture

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Why did you choose Stephen F. Austin?

They were one of two schools in Texas with the major I wanted — Sound Recording Technology.

What career will you pursue?

I want to record and mix music in a studio, create and apply score music to movies, and produce sound effects for movies.

What else would you like to do?

I would like to be part of a jazz combo/ ensemble and play music for people.

of the campus and high academic standards.

What career will you pursue?

I would like to become a Speech Pathologist.

What else would you like to do?

I look forward to traveling and exploring the world!

WALKER HALE Son of Lisa and Greg Hale Champion High School Attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville Why did you choose UTK? I wanted to get out of the state and experience new things, and there is no better place to do that than in the SEC. Along with great location and football, UTK is an amazing place to be.

What career will you pursue?

Corporate Attorney What else would you like to do?

I would like to successfully get through college and law school, along with keeping up with my golf game.

LANCE HANSE Son of Libby and Lee Hanse Boerne High School Attending the University of Texas at Austin Why did you choose UT? I have grown up loving the University of Texas and Austin. I am pursuing a business degree and the McCombs School of Business is a highly reputable program.

What career will you pursue?

I am hoping to get into the financial or commercial side of the oil and gas industry.

What else would you like to do?

I would like to get more involved with my church and community, seek out volunteer opportunities and give back.

AVERY LEMMONS

ELLA SIERRA HIRSCH Daughter of Dianne and Lance Hirsch TMI, The Episcopal School of Texas Attending Virginia Tech Why did you choose Virginia Tech?

I fell in love with Virginia when I was younger and I fell in love with the campus when I visited; it was very welcoming and reminded me of how Boerne was when I moved here as a toddler.

What career will you pursue?

Large animal Veterinarian, specializing in Equine Services.

What else would you like to do?

I’m already doing it! I am the Southern Region Area 3 Venturing President (which includes Virginia) and currently the President here in Boerne/San Antonio for Venturing, Troop 18 at St. Peter the Apostle, and a lifelong scouter. I will be able to mentor younger scouts and be of service to the BSA and Bechtel Summit area while I’m attending VT. I plan to pursue being President at the National Venturing level.

LAUREN JARVIS Daughter of Carol and Todd Jarvis Geneva School of Boerne Attending Texas A&M University Why did you choose A&M? I love the community at A&M! What career will you pursue?

Something in marketing or sales.

What else would you like to do?

I would like to do a study abroad.

JENNIFER OWEN

Daughter of Angie and Billy Lemmons Champion High School Attending Texas A&M University

Granddaughter of Roberta Martin Boerne High School Attending Schreiner University

Why did you choose A&M? I chose Texas A&M because, coming from an Aggie family, I was immersed in the traditions and core values of the school from a young age and always dreamed of going there when I grew up.

What career will you pursue?

I hope to pursue a career in business working for an international ministry that focuses on providing aid and education to orphans and vulnerable children.

What else would you like to do?

I hope I will have the opportunity to travel internationally, serving in ministries and photographing other places and cultures along the way.

JAYCIE MOORE Daughter of Amy and Trey Moore San Antonio Christian High School Attending Baylor University Why did you choose Baylor?

I chose to attend Baylor because I feel God is calling me there.

What career will you pursue?

I will enter the Pre-Med program at BU and plan to pursue a career in medicine, specifically surgery.

What else would you like to do?

I also plan to continue my work in foreign missions and worship ministry after high school.

Why did you choose Schreiner?

I liked their Education Program.

What career will you pursue?

Education / Education Administration What else would you like to do?

Travel

GABRIELLA RAMIREZ Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. René Ramirez Boerne High School Attending the University of the Incarnate Word Why did you choose Incarnate Word?

I felt called to attend UIW because of the way they’ve woven faith into their teachings, even in my major, theatre.

What career will you pursue?

If I don’t pursue the acting side of theatre, I would like to be a playwright or a professor.

What else would you like to do?

Aside from college, I would love to do mission trips abroad.

BENJAMIN CHRISTOPHER SIMMONS Son of Valerie and Gary Simmons Boerne High School Attending the University of Oklahoma

Why did you choose OU? I chose the University of Oklahoma because my parents are alumni and it felt like a good fit.

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 65

JACK VON ROSENBERG

Benjamin Christopher Simmons continued What career will you pursue?

I plan to study Construction Science.

What else would you like to do?

I hope to work on large construction projects and run a business someday.

MICAH NOEL SIMMONS Daughter of Valerie and Gary Simmons Boerne High School Attending the University of Oklahoma

KAYSEN TURK Son of Kim and Danny Turk Bracken Christian School Attending Trinity University

Why did you choose OU? I chose the University of Oklahoma because it felt like home when I visited.

Why did you choose Trinity?

I was offered a spot on the Trinity Golf Team! Thanks to the coaches and friends within Cordillera who have encouraged, instructed and believed in me!

What career will you pursue?

I hope to be a Pediatrician someday.

What career will you pursue?

I will be playing golf and studying marketing.

What else would you like to do?

I would love to work with Doctors Without Borders and travel.

What else would you like to do?

I would like to pursue my passion for songwriting and playing golf.

Son of Sharon and Joe von Rosenberg Champion High School Attending Clemson University Why did you choose Clemson?

Clemson is a southern mid-sized school that provides a great education combined with super sports teams and a fun college environment. Plus, I’m looking forward to the outdoor activities at the nearby lakes and mountains.

What career will you pursue?

Executive for a professional sports franchise or investment banker.

What else would like to do?

Travel the world.

when making the extra phone call or sending a follow-up email may seem meaningless but it often opens a door for success.

I believe you can never learn too much and I have tried to be a versatile as possible…even with things I may have not been entirely interested in at the time. Also, never say no to an opportunity even if you don’t feel completely confident.

Luke Hendry with David Feherty

Cordillera Ranch resident Luke Hendry was a featured Class of 2015 graduate in Cordillera Ranch Living. Currently at UT (with a 3.97, no less), Luke is well on his way to pursuing a career in Broadcast Journalism with an impressive resume (www.lukehendry.com) showcasing his talent and drive. Internships at Golf Channel and Texas Golf Association, plus regular campus gigs and much more made us think he could have plenty of advice for upcoming classes. So, we asked him.

With such a long list of accomplishments, one would think you are naturally at ease in all situations. When and how do you step out of your comfort zone?

I try to never limit myself. Life is always presenting opportunities.

I’ve strived to take advantage of those. There are certain times

66 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

For new freshmen, what advice can you offer for a successful college experience that will prepare them for the work force?

Strive to build relationships with people who can help you network. Professors are willing to get to know their students if they take the opportunity to engage. Get to know the professor you connect with and apply for those scholarships that are posted.

All of my opportunities have been bolstered by knowing someone. Networking is key for success both during and after college. But, never lose sight of building relationships and having fun. I have made some amazing friendships and try to make time to just hang out. College is a great time to develop friendships and learn all you can.

How’s your golf game?

I have a passion for golf and will always love playing. Due to my internship at Golf Channel this summer, I haven’t had a whole lot of time to work on my game, but I understand that is something you have to adjust to as you enter the professional world. I look forward to what opportunities will come from playing the game of golf in the future.

HOME TOUR

TODD GLOWKA BUILDER, INC.

NATURALLY

LUXURIOUS

By Julie Catalano :: Photography by LRes Marketing

Sendero Ridge in Cordillera Ranch is a special kind of spectacular. Estate homes are set on picturesque 12-14 acre lots where privacy and proximity to nature are unparalleled, and homeowners enjoy a wildlife tax exemption to boot. In an area that boasts luxury homes of breathtaking design and impeccable build, this magnificent model is right at home.

Sleek and ultra-chic, 116 Sendero Ridge was built by premier luxury home builder Todd Glowka, CGB, CGMB, president of Todd Glowka Builder, Inc., in Kendalia. With decades of experience in luxury projects, along with being a Cordillera Ranch Preferred Builder, Glowka holds certifications from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as a certified Master Builder, certified Graduate Builder and certified Green Builder.

The 4-bedroom, 4.5- bath, one-story house was designed by Oscar Flores, AIBD (American Institute of Building Designers), owner and president of Oscar E. Flores Design Studio LLC in San Antonio. The home is 8,470 square feet (covered) including 5,881 square feet (HVAC).

Exterior limestone is dry-stacked coupled with a light handtroweled stucco. Steel and wood are juxtaposed strategically, says Glowka, for a distinctively Hill Country modern look capped with an aged bronze American-made Berridge standing seam

68 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

metal roof. Architectural steel elements were blended with Ipe (“eepay”), “a phenomenal Brazilian hardwood,” says Glowka.

The back porch, for example, has steel trellises and columns. “In a traditional house these would have been all wood.”

A minimalist landscaping scheme evokes a Zen garden-like ambience, with limestone pavers and stay-in-place lava rock blended with river rock, a vast improvement over mulch “that washes away and decomposes over time and becomes a maintenance issue,” says Glowka.

Inside, the first striking feature is the freestanding fireplace in the living area, constructed of buffed, dry-stacked Lueders limestone with a chimney chase wrapped in Vaal engineered red oak 3D wallboard. The same wall paneling system is used on the chimney face on the master suite fireplace.

The open floor plan of living/dining and spacious kitchen is ideal for entertaining or relaxing under soaring vaulted ceilings

featuring massive Douglas fir timbers. Immaculate wood flooring throughout the house is European white oak from Germany that has been smoked, wire brushed and oiled, resembling reclaimed wood.

Warm woods are a perfect complement to the home’s abundant stone and glass. Michael Edwards Custom Cabinetry of San Antonio used alder in the bathrooms, poly-lacquered cabi-

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nets with a barn-wood look were used in the game room and more alder in the study built-ins with a catalyzed finish.

A professional appliance package consisting of Sub Zero/Wolf® are clad in beautiful maple cabinetry with ample storage that graces the 32 x 22-foot kitchen. Throughout the entire residence, Michael Edwards used their topof-the-line “Signature Series” cabinets, featuring self-closing drawers and doors that come with an industry leading best 10-year warranty. The cabinets are topped with Quartzite countertops in the kitchen and game room bar and leathered marble in the bathrooms.

A sure-fire conversation piece is the 45-square-foot climate-controlled wine room near the game room, with a dramatic LED backlit onyx wall. The HVAC system has its own temperature probe that actually senses the temperature of the wine in the bottle selected to uncork and serve from.

Bathrooms rival anything in a luxury resort, with honed travertine floor tile and gorgeous leathered marble countertops.

A tiled feature wall in the master bath has a freestanding tub

on one side and shower on the other, reminiscent of an outdoor setting but enclosed for comfort and privacy while enjoying a garden view.

Smart as well as beautiful, the house has a Lutron lighting system that manages all of the interior and exterior lights in a controllable, programmable and dimmable system. In addition, a state-of-theart Crestron AV system controls roughly 28 pairs of prewired speakers and seven cameras. For added security, the property is completely fenced and gated and the gated entrance is connected to the residence via fiber optics, which allow for the resident to not only talk to the guest entering but to also see their face on a TV, iPad or iPhone within the house, prior to granting access. The home features four zoned TRANE HVAC systems, complete with HEPA filters and UV lights.

Green features include wood clad windows with Cardinal® lowE glass and spray-in Bio-Foam wall insulation, a soybeanbased product that includes a fire-retardant additive. Three tankless Instahot hot water heaters supply the home in zoned sections. The kitchen has two reverse osmosis spigots (“the

purest form of filtration,” says Glowka) that extends to the ice maker and refrigerator, “so you’re getting the purest of the pure.” Additionally, Glowka used a commercial Hague water softener system for ultra water conditioning. The garage floors are also finished in an epoxy flake sealed finish.

Indoor/outdoor living reigns here, with beautifully unobstructed views of the pool and native live oaks, elms and cedar trees

CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 71

beyond, even from the main living area. “All of the windows and sliders at the back of the house sit at floor level to maximize the view,” Glowka explains. “We’re basically bringing the outside in.”

An east-facing back porch was essential in a central Texas climate. “That way the house has the proper sun orientation and we capture the prevailing summer breezes that will come up from the south and the east right up that back patio in the summer,” says Glowka. An outdoor kitchen and fireplace seating area bookend the long space at each end. Limestone slabs surround the pool by Artesian Pools of San Antonio. The hot tub and planters are clad in Ipe siding to match the house.

Glowka has been a Cordillera Ranch resident since 2005 and has high praise for the community. “We have such rocky soil here that it really helps to control foundation costs because engineers want to build on limestone rock,” he says. “I think Cordillera Ranch, with its setting and amenities, is the finest subdivision in the Hill Country by far and one of the finest in the state. There are a variety of lots to choose from, whether it’s a view lot, a golf course lot or an estate lot like this one.”

For Sendero Ridge to qualify for wildlife exemption and its substantial tax breaks, a biologist conducts annual game and deer surveys. Of his luxury custom builds, Glowka says, “We’re trying to preserve the natural setting as much as possible. When you’re out here you’re not looking at your neighbor’s house.

You’re looking at Mother Nature.”

TODD GLOWKA BUILDER, INC.

Todd Glowka - President O:830.229.5565 :: F: 830.229.5569 :: www.tgbuilder.com

72 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

“

Just a word of thanks and appreciation for your great work on 84 Sendero Ridge. I am so impressed with your ability and

professionalism. It was a real pleasure working with you and I could not have found a better business partner. You may not realize how different you are from the regular builder... Always on the job, always available to answer questions, always with the right answers, and a superior scheduler, building houses to the highest standards, never cutting quality.” – STEVE JENSEN

Todd Glowka is a Certified Graduate Master Builder and Certified Master Builder as well as a Certified Green Builder by the National Association of Home Builders. With almost two decades of luxury residential experience, he is a solution-focused professional, accustomed to leading and directing employees and subcontractors in the planning and execution of large-scale residential projects and custom renovations. As his clients’ first point of contact, Todd oversees all quality control and is highly skilled in resolving project obstacles, managing construction schedules and adhering to design requirements.

todd glowka builder, inc

A Cordillera Ranch Preferred Builder PO Box 478 | Kendalia, Texas 78207 | 830.229.5565 | tgbuilder.com

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Cordillera Ranch Realty Homes for Sale

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1 - 38 Vaquero Pass 2 - 46 Ledgestone Trail 3 - 84 River Crossing

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4 - 206 Riverwood 5 - Lot 13, Oakland Hills 6 - 3 Mayacama Ridge 7 - 26 Di Lusso 8 - 522 Clubs Drive 9 - 25 Augusta 10 - 115 Legend Hollow 11 - 219 Greystone Circle 12 - 1804 Cordillera Trace

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3 1

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The #1 resource for Cordillera Ranch Real Estate

Realty

Charles Mueller

Carey Yeager

John Kuhry

Licensed Real Estate Agent cmueller@cordilleraranch.com

Licensed Real Estate Agent cyeager@cordilleraranch.com

Licensed Real Estate Agent jkuhry@cordilleraranch.com

Vance Waller

Barry Denton

Licensed Real Estate Agent vwaller@cordilleraranch.com

Director of Real Estate Sales bdenton@cordilleraranch.com

WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570

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38 VAQUERO PASS $859,000

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4,003 Square Feet

MLS# 1307387

4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 car garage 2 bonus living areas Transitional finishes Covered outdoor living 1.02 acre tree covered lot Upscale appliance package

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Stone, stucco and metal exterior elements Large windows for natural light Generous landscaping Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase

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A family home placed within majestic Live Oaks on a level, one-acre lot, this Hill Country transitional design is complete and ready for immediate move-in! Exterior materials include a metal roof, metal siding accents and native stone with brick accents. Clean architectural lines follow to the interior, where simplicity is intentional and appreciated. This home has four bedrooms, including a downstairs master, guest suites and game room.

Upstairs features two full bedrooms and a bonus room that can be adapted as a playroom or media room.

Additional areas include a dining room, spacious study, laundry room, upstairs study alcove, covered outdoor living space and side-loaded, three car garage.

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46 LEDGESTONE $1,330,000

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3,702 Square Feet

MLS# 1318480

An inviting grand foyer provides an option to retreat to the luxurious Master Suite or proceed into the expansive living space. The vast great room features a fireplace focal wall, wood beams, a wall of windows to maximize natural light. The gourmet kitchen steals the show with a premium appliance package, custom cabinetry and sophisticated modern finishes. Other areas include four bedrooms, each with ensuite bath and walk-in closet, a flex room, a large pantry and a utility room. The Master Suite features a luxurious spa-like bathroom with his and her vanities and a freestanding tub. This Modern Farmhouse combines a rustic feel with an industrial vibe and showcases the sleek elegance of modern design to create an inviting space you’ll love to call home.

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Authentic Farmhouse character with sophisticated modern finishes Grand open concept great room with a vaulted beam ceiling Spa-like Master Suite Flex room with barn doors Gourmet kitchen and large walk-in pantry • Spacious mud and utility areas • Outdoor kitchen • Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase

84 RIVER CROSSING $979,000

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4,607 Square Feet

MLS# 1320036

Sisterdale cream limestone and a standing seam metal roof portend interiors with complementary limestone facades, travertine and wood flooring, warm earth tones and exquisite ceiling treatments throughout. The living room features a high ceiling and oversized, frameless/glazed windows that bring the outdoors in. The thoughtfully crafted kitchen is full of doubles… double island, double ovens and double dishwashers, plus granite counters, Alder cabinets, a gas stove and adjacent breakfast room overlooking outdoor living complete the open areas. The Master Suite includes a luxuriant master bath to idle your hours away if the direct access to the outdoor amenities doesn’t beckon your call. A covered outdoor kitchen and dining area will provide evenings of entertainment with the accompanying spa, fire pit, towering oaks and abundant open space adding to the ambiance.

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4 bedrooms, 4 full baths/2 half baths, 3 car garage Private rear living on this 2.06 acre estate setting Fenced in backyard, room for a pool Huge upstairs bonus room Multiple climate controlled storage areas Nicely landscaped for low maintenance

WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570

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206 RIVERWOOD

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$1,299,000

4,914 Square Feet

LOT 13 OAKLAND HILLS

4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 car garage Sophisticated custom details throughout Open concept with dramatic fireplace, beamed ceilings and multiple sitting areas Gourmet kitchen with premium appliances Walls of glass bring the outdoors in Pool spa and park-like grounds Great cul-de-sac location Boerne ISD Schools and lower Kendall County taxes

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4,837 Square Feet

This distinguished design from the award-winning team of Garner Homes and J. Terrian Designs is to be built to achieve the best of what Cordillera Ranch has to offer: dramatic views of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, closeness to Cordillera Ranch’s Clubhouse and isolation from the chaos of city living. The plan has 4,837 square feet of living space and 621 square feet of outdoor living space to take best advantage of the views and environment that this lot produces. The home has both traditional Italian and modern Hill Country elements including a large and inviting floor plan with four bedrooms, four-and-one-half bathrooms (including an attached Casita), a study, large kitchen, working pantry and oversized game room, complete with a wet bar.

• Gourmet kitchen • Climate controlled wine storage • Outdoor kitchen • Design details: Tile roof, high ceilings, timber beams, interior stone accent walls, designer details throughout • Centralized utilities (water, sewer, propane) • Hand-scraped wood and natural stone floors throughout • Large windows and doors flood the home with natural light • Landscaping package ($50,000 allowance) • Pool allowance of $100,000 • Master Membership - Full golf available for purchase

3 MAYACAMA RIDGE SO LD

MLS# 1330184

Quality abounds in this warm and sophisticated home located on a cul-de-sac with close proximity to Cordillera Ranch private parks and the Guadalupe River. The interior boasts custom millwork, reclaimed wood beams, interior stone elements and walls of glass maximizing natural light from covered patios. Other features include a dramatic fireplace, multiple living areas, a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, premium appliances and an adjoining spacious dining area. Two Master Suites feature spa-like baths. The 3.1 acres draws you to the outside to enjoy the pool, spa and park-like grounds. Covered patios provide the perfect space for entertaining and outdoor family living.

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Contact for Pricing

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$1,638,000

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4,451 Square Feet

MLS# 1322474

Behind the exterior alabaster walls of this classic Spanish Revival home, lies an unexpectedly contemporary interior. Soaring ceilings and walls of glass encompass a dramatic living space filled with natural light. An open, efficient floor plan unveils a design that is both elegant and intimate with just a touch of glamour. The home offers an expansive great room, four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a stunning gourmet kitchen, a wood-beamed formal dining room plus an office and upstairs flex space. This exquisite home is the very first collaboration between Garner Homes and Cheryl Ladd Signature Homes. Ladd’s inspired design with MSA Architecture and hand-selected finishes are rendered to an exacting standard by Trey Garner, one of the Hill Country’s top builders.

• 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3 car garage • High ceilings and timber beams • Wood window package • Hand scraped oak and natural stone flooring.

• Thermador appliance package, including built-in refrigerator/freezer • Pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, dozens of Live Oak trees on lot • Master Golf Membership available for purchase

WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570

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26 DI LUSSO $1,100,000

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2,678 Square Feet

Rarely available and highly desired, 26 Di Lusso provides a move-in ready opportunity to live the Di Lusso lifestyle today! Hard wood floors, solid wood beams, travertine baths, granite counters, custom cabinetry, artisan masonry and prestigious appliances provide a luxuriant inner space. A walled courtyard with stone pavers, covered patios, a soothing water feature and total privacy allow for countless hours of relaxing, outdoor living. The convenience of The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch amenities are accessible via a private path exclusive to Di Lusso residents. And the adjacent Lodges at Cordillera Ranch (opening Q2 2019) will provide additional accommodations for those rare occasions of multiple guests.

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2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage Walled courtyard entry with additional dining room access High ceilings with varied treatments Utility provides secondary access to kitchen and pantry Covered patio off Master Suite Aluminum clad wood, divided light wood windows Enjoy sunrises and sunsets from outdoor living areas

522 CLUBS $1,125,000

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3,788 Square Feet

This Texas Tuscan classic in coveted Clubs Village provides great access and convenience to The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch clubhouse and amenities via golf cart.

Single story, open floor plan living with large rooms and neutral colors provides for immediate move-in to enjoy the fabulous Hill Country fall, winter and holiday months ahead. The bonus room is great for exercise, play, music, media or game room. Live Oaks pepper the property and, along with mature landscaping, provide total privacy from Clubs Drive and neighboring homes.

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Private office Spacious family room accented by stone fireplace Private, generous covered outdoor living Masterfully equipped kitchen with pro appliance package Natural stone counters throughout Serene master suite with luxurious bath Secondary bedrooms with private, en suite baths

25 AUGUSTA $2,295,000

9

7,300 Square Feet

Model shown by appt.

This sprawling Stadler Custom Home has sweeping views of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and Hill Country beyond. It includes a fabulous kitchen with everything for the culinary enthusiast, and a spa-like master wing with a luxurious bath, enlarged changing areas, fitness room, coffee bar and private study. A media/game room, golf simulator, elevator, large guest suite and spacious secondary bedrooms complete this special home. Outdoor ambiance includes multiple decks and patios, a beach entry pool, cascading waterfall and putting green.

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4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 1 powder room, 1 pool bath 3 separate garages with additional golf car garage Two-sided salt water aquarium Electronic/audio/visual home automation Three fireplaces Oversized corner lot Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase

WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570

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115 LEGEND HOLLOW $879,000

10

3,860 Square Feet

This traditional Hill Country design is located at the end of a cul-de-sac on a 3.68-acre estate and is convenient to the many amenities of The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. An isolated Master Bedroom/Office suite provides great privacy. Two additional bedrooms and a lounge area downstairs provide nice separation for an active family or guests.

A bonus room with a full bath upstairs offers the opportunity for a game room, media or fourth bedroom. The open floorplan features the family room, dining and kitchen, with a separate wet bar off the kitchen and stained concrete floors throughout most of the home. Many points of access lead to covered outdoor living with a large adjoining patio, pool and spa. The full pool bath also serves as a powder room.

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4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 car garage Exterior - native stone, stucco and standing seam metal roof Peaceful setting - backs up to adjacent ranch.

Rear, south exposure invites prevailing breezes Large, fenced-in backyard Horses allowed

219 GREYSTONE CIRCLE $979,000

11

4,643 Square Feet

MLS# 1258301

Nestled among towering Live Oaks, solitude awaits on this on 4.04 acre privately gated and fenced Hill Country estate. Timeless Hill Country architecture features an open floor plan with a large living room and multiple dining areas, and hardwood and tile throughout the main level. The backyard oasis is complete with a new swimming pool and waterfall, a large covered porch with motorized screens, and panoramic vistas to the North.

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4 bedroom, 4.5 baths, 3 car garage Open floor plan, stone fireplace and wet bar Extensive woodwork and glazed kitchen cabinets Roman inspired master bath showcases columns and bath 2 main level guest bedrooms, each with en-suite bath Recently updated media room opens to viewing balcony Large covered rear patio complete with motorized screens Oversized 3 car garage with epoxy flooring finish Fully fenced perimeter with privacy gate

SO

LD

1804 CORDILLERA TRACE $1,165,000

5,432 Square Feet

12

MLS# 1299409

Classic Mediterranean architecture, designed by Gustavo Arredondo and built

by Stadler Custom Homes sits on a 3.94-acre, oak covered, gated estate and is sited for long, panoramic views. Immerse yourself in prevailing breezes that cool outdoor living areas including a covered grill/kitchen, patios, an extensive balcony and refreshing pool with waterfall grotto and adjacent fire pit. Interiors consist of stone, intricate tile work, hardwood and marble floors, artistic hand-painted finishes and ceilings of varietal design. The spa-inspired Master Suite includes a fireplace and rejuvenating bath, and a Thermador appliance package completes a spacious double island kitchen. With spacious living throughout, there is a great separation of private areas.

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5 bedroom/6 baths/3 car garage Variety of ceilings - soaring, barrel, beamed, vaulted, stone, up-lit and tray Large windows to panoramic views and outdoor living Flex room in Master Suite could be used for fitness, nursery or office Extensive game room upstairs with balcony spanning back of home Additional space upstairs could be used as sixth bedroom, office or media Beautiful Live Oaks throughout the property Private gate on property for limited access

WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570

Live Beautifully Representing only the finest manufacturers, our design rooms and professional in-home design services offer endless options for ready-made and custom home furnishings. Over 30,000 square feet of showroom and warehouse space, between both the Boerne and Fredericksburg locations, provide an extensive inventory of exceptional products for your home.

ElegantandInteriors

Double R Drygoods Boerne Location | 412 River Road Boerne, Texas 78006 | 830-331-2412 Fredericksburg Location | 237 ½ E. Main Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 | 830-997-9438

CORDILLERA RANCH LIVING

808 Hwy 46 East Boerne, Texas 78006

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