Kelly Ranch Aledo: $100M Golf Course Takes Center Stage in New Upscale Community

Renowned golf course designer Tripp Davis and Kyle Downs survey what will be Hole 11 at the Kelly Ranch Golf Club, a future championship private golf course near Fort Worth.
Renowned golf course designer Tripp Davis surveys what will be Hole 11 at the Kelly Ranch Golf Club with Kyle Downs. (Courtesy Photos)

Kelly Ranch Golf Club: A Premier Private Golf Destination Unveiled Near Fort Worth

Fort Worth is set to become home to a new benchmark in luxury golf, as Escalante Golf proudly announces the development of the Kelly Ranch Golf Club. This ambitious $100 million project introduces an 18-hole championship private golf course and a state-of-the-art practice facility, serving as the crowning jewel of the expansive 2,400-acre Kelly Ranch master-planned community. This visionary development will seamlessly integrate 2,500 exquisite homes, a vibrant 50-acre commercial hub, and an exclusive athletics and wellness club, all designed to foster a lifestyle of unparalleled comfort and sophistication.

Strategically situated at US Highway 377 and Kelly Road in Aledo, the Kelly Ranch development offers convenient access, merely 20 minutes southwest of downtown Fort Worth. This prime location ensures that members and residents can enjoy the tranquility of a private retreat without sacrificing proximity to urban amenities. The much-anticipated golf course, masterfully designed by the acclaimed Tripp Davis, is on track for completion in the spring of 2025, promising to usher in a new era of golf excellence in North Texas.

An Exclusive Oasis for the True Golf Purist

The Kelly Ranch Golf Club is meticulously crafted with the discerning golf purist in mind, distinguishing itself through an unwavering commitment to the game. “Kelly Ranch Golf Club’s key differentiator is that it is being designed for the golf purist; it will be a golf-only environment free of distractions often found at traditional country clubs,” states Jeff Kindred, EVP of Clubs & Resorts at Escalante Golf. This philosophy means members can immerse themselves fully in the golfing experience, free from the peripheral sounds of pickleball courts, tennis matches, bustling swimming pools, or large social events that characterize many conventional country clubs.

At Kelly Ranch Golf Club, the atmosphere is one of serene dedication. It’s more than just a course; it’s conceived as an “oasis of sorts,” providing an unparalleled sanctuary where golfers can concentrate entirely on their game amidst breathtaking natural beauty. This unique dedication to a pure golf environment promises challenging play in a tranquil, awe-inspiring setting that stands apart from any other club in the wider Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Kelly Ranch Golf Club will feature an 18-hole championship course and a state-of-the-art golf practice facility set amidst the rugged hills of Aledo, Texas.
Kelly Ranch Golf Club will have an 18-hole championship course and state-of-the-art practice facility.

Tripp Davis’s Masterful Design: Embracing the Texas Landscape

The 18-hole championship course at Kelly Ranch Golf Club is a testament to harmonious integration with nature. Tripp Davis’s design artfully weaves through rugged rolling hills, featuring dramatic 200-foot elevation changes that evoke the spectacular scenery of the Texas Hill Country. The course is framed by distinctive stands of majestic Live Oaks and indigenous Cedar Elm trees, creating natural corridors and defining many of its holes. Creeks wind their way through the naturalized terrain, adding both strategic challenge and visual splendor, all while preserving the land’s existing wildlife, water resources, and delicate ecosystem.

Davis’s signature scalloped-edge bunker design will be a prominent feature, seamlessly blending with the existing undulating topography. These strategically placed bunkers, combined with varying wind conditions inherent to the landscape, demand both precision and power from low-handicap players, yet are thoughtfully designed to remain enjoyable and approachable for mid-to-high-handicap players. Every shot requires careful consideration, making each round a unique and engaging experience. Don’t forget to bring your golf club groove sharpener to ensure your clubs are always in top condition for optimal spin and control!

Course Specifications and Premium Playing Surfaces

Spanning an impressive 7,600 yards from the championship tees, Kelly Ranch Golf Club offers a formidable challenge designed to test even the most skilled golfers. The greens, averaging a generous 6,000 square feet, provide ample putting surfaces that allow for diverse pin positions and varied approaches. Golfers will appreciate the flexibility to play from five distinct sets of tees, as well as several combo tee options, ensuring a customizable and enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels and preferences.

The choice of turfgrass further underscores the club’s commitment to excellence. TifEagle Bermuda grass has been meticulously selected for the greens’ surfaces, renowned for its exceptional putting quality, fine texture, and remarkable resilience in the Texas climate. The remainder of the course, including fairways and roughs, will be sand-capped and grassed wall-to-wall with Stadium Zoysia. This premium grass choice offers a luxurious playing surface that is both visually appealing and highly durable, providing excellent lie conditions and requiring less water, aligning with the club’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Tripp Davis and David McDonald discussing sight lines for Hole 1 at Kelly Ranch Golf Club, a future private golf course and community near Fort Worth.
Tripp Davis and David McDonald scope the sight lines of Hole 1 at Kelly Ranch Golf Club.

Unrivaled Practice Facilities and Clubhouse Experience

Complementing the championship course is a sprawling 26-acre state-of-the-art golf practice facility, a significant component of the overall project. This comprehensive facility is engineered to feature best-in-class technology, providing golfers with the tools to refine every aspect of their game. It boasts a spacious 400-yard driving range, allowing for full swings with every club in the bag. A dedicated short game area includes multiple practice bunkers, chipping greens, and putting greens, meticulously designed to simulate on-course conditions. Additionally, a thoughtfully crafted short course offers an ideal environment for honing approach shots and managing strategic play in a relaxed setting.

Further enhancing Kelly Ranch’s pure golf pedigree is its exquisite golf clubhouse, an architectural marvel designed to harmonize with the natural landscape. This central hub will house a meticulously curated golf shop, offering premium apparel, equipment, and accessories. Members will enjoy a sophisticated restaurant, a welcoming bar, and an expansive outdoor terrace with breathtaking, elevated views of the championship course and the surrounding rolling terrain. The clubhouse’s design philosophy embraces the land’s inherent flow and captivating vistas – a seamless blend of modern aesthetics with a refined elegance that both engages with the golf course and reveres the unique context of this quintessential Texas landscape. It will serve as a perfect venue for post-round camaraderie, fine dining, and enjoying the club’s serene ambiance.

Exclusive Membership Opportunities at Kelly Ranch Golf Club

Access to this extraordinary golf experience is available through several exclusive membership tiers. A limited number of highly coveted Founder Memberships for Kelly Ranch Golf Club have already been released, offering an unparalleled opportunity to be among the club’s inaugural members. In the near future, two additional membership types will become available: Resident Golf Memberships, tailored for those living within the Kelly Ranch master-planned community, and Invitational Golf Memberships, designed for individuals seeking to join this elite club. Each membership tier is crafted to provide a unique level of access and benefits, ensuring that every member finds their perfect way to experience Kelly Ranch’s world-class golf offerings. Interested parties are encouraged to inquire soon, as demand for this premier destination is exceptionally high.

Escalante Golf’s Vision: A Crown Jewel of Texas Golf

David McDonald, partner and president of Escalante Golf, articulates the profound vision behind this development: “Our vision for Kelly Ranch Golf Club is to redefine the golf market in North Texas and create a course that exudes excellence, thoughtful design, and unparalleled scenery. There will be no other private golf club in the DFW region that can match the challenge and natural beauty of Kelly Ranch. It is truly in a league of its own, and will not only be the crown jewel in our property portfolio, but the crown jewel of Texas golf.” This statement underscores the commitment to establishing Kelly Ranch as a preeminent golf destination, not just locally, but across the entire state.

The Kelly Ranch Golf Club is poised to become more than just a golf course; it’s an experience, a lifestyle, and a testament to luxury and thoughtful design. With its strategic location, a course crafted by a design legend, cutting-edge practice facilities, and an exclusive clubhouse, Kelly Ranch is set to elevate private golf to new heights in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Anticipation is building for the spring 2025 opening, promising a world-class golfing haven that truly lives up to its ambition of being the “crown jewel of Texas golf.”