Blaketree National = 2 thumbs down

[xplyboy]

Heard alot of good things about the course so friends and I went out there this past tues. for the very first time and it was horrible. Layout of the course was nice but the conditions was horrible esp. the greens. I can't believe that they can get away with charging $60 for a round there?!?! Luckily, we had the golfq special for $40. Still not worth it. And what's up with no cart paths? I don't mean no cart path because of rain but the course had no cart paths period. Just dirt roads. Played there in the morning then went to West fork links for the afternoon round. Liked that course alot better. The greens on the front nine were good but it did start deteriorating on the back nine. But still, liked it much better.

[illinikyle]

I played Blaketree this spring and loved the routing/design (with the exception of the last couple of holes). It's too bad that it is in such poor shape as it could be a great course.

 

And what's up with no cart paths? I don't mean no cart path because of rain but the course had no cart paths period. Just dirt roads.

 

I wish more courses were set up this way.

[matt411]

i love no paved cartpaths, hasn't texas been getting ridiculous amounts of rain??

[xplyboy]

I guess i'm not used to 'no cart paths' as I believe that every other course in Houston does have paved cart paths. Well at least all the ones I've played. It just was so bumpy and on some of them, they were on a slant as felt awkward going down on them. But I do agree that the layout is nice but not nice enough to warrant a trip back at least until we definately know the shape is good.

[xplyboy]

i love no paved cartpaths, hasn't texas been getting ridiculous amounts of rain??

 

It has but with almost a week of almost no rain, it's drying up pretty well.

[spittdoggy1]

I love the routing and the hilly layout, which is obviously hard to come by down here. As a North Jersey native, I get sick of playing courses with no elevation changes. Nonetheless, most of the times I've been there, it was in pretty abysmal shape.

 

I spoke with the pro about it the last time I was out there, and he said the poor maintenance was simply due to the fact that they are budget constrained. Because it's located so far from town, they simply don't get any traffic. Consequently, they charge a pretty high green fee for the few players they get.

 

It's really a shame, because if somebody with deep pockets were to take it private and put some serious money into the course and facilities, I would probably drop my current membership to join.

 

Unfortunately, we'd be talking about a several million dollar investment.

[xplyboy]

I love the routing and the hilly layout, which is obviously hard to come by down here. As a North Jersey native, I get sick of playing courses with no elevation changes. Nonetheless, most of the times I've been there, it was in pretty abysmal shape.

 

I spoke with the pro about it the last time I was out there, and he said the poor maintenance was simply due to the fact that they are budget constrained. Because it's located so far from town, they simply don't get any traffic. Consequently, they charge a pretty high green fee for the few players they get.

 

It's really a shame, because if somebody with deep pockets were to take it private and put some serious money into the course and facilities, I would probably drop my current membership to join.

 

Unfortunately, we'd be talking about a several million dollar investment.

 

I understand their delimma but it makes it even worse when they charge so much when their competition is much cheaper and takes away the business even more with the cheaper prices. I don't have a solution so it sounds like they might be done for. Eventhough a tues.(the day we played) is not busy, all the other courses around town still have few players. But at Blaketree, i believe our group was the only group there during the duration of the round except for a single we saw when we were to tee up.

[Texsport]

The course was recently bought by a big real estate developer I've heard.

 

I guess they don't care about the condition until they start trying to sell houses.

 

Blaketree has been one of my favorite courses, an unknown jem, but the conditions have deteriorated to the point that I won't go there until it's fixed.

 

A real shame, because it's a great layout and an extremely challenging course!

 

Texsport

[achu28]

i think blaketree has one of the best layouts around town...however, the conditions have ALWAYS been hit or miss. one time we went it was in perfect shape (azaleas everywhere, greens crazy fast, etc.) so i got a big group to go 2 weeks later and i wouldn't even have paid $20 to play it in the shape it was!

 

i think crown ranch purchased it and hopefully the course will make a comeback.

[taylormadefan]

i think blaketree has one of the best layouts around town...however, the conditions have ALWAYS been hit or miss. one time we went it was in perfect shape (azaleas everywhere, greens crazy fast, etc.) so i got a big group to go 2 weeks later and i wouldn't even have paid $20 to play it in the shape it was!

 

i think crown ranch purchased it and hopefully the course will make a comeback.

 

That's kind of scary, because hasn't Blaketree been in their possession for a while? I heard they promised great things but looks like they haven't delivered.

 

I agree with everyone, it's a great layout, but the hit and miss conditions of the course make it a hard sell, especially at 80+ miles away from Sugar Land. Oh yeah, not to mention High Meadow Ranch is about 15 miles closer and in consistently fantastic shape for the same price. ;)

[xplyboy]

One more funny tidbit I forgot to mentioned was when we called to see how the course was(since none of us ever played there), the person in the pro shop said it was in great condition. He even compared the course to 'Blackhorse' . He said if we ever played Blackhorse, this course was just like it. Got got all excited. Imagine our displeasure when we got there.

[Andujar]

I have enjoyed the course very much, but it can be in very rough shape at times. As that 1488 corridor through Magnolia to the Woodlands fills up, it is just a matter of time until it reaches greatness.

 

An old issue of Texas Golfer mentioned that it was originally built by a rich oil man that used the course to entertain clients and friends.

 

It sounds like the deep pockets that had been offsetting the revenue shortfall may have lost interest, sold, passed away, etc... Who knows?

[hksaikung]

I Received a promotional mail

 

"Welcome to the New Blaketree National!

Dear Golfers,

 

Welcome to the new Blaketree National, we are under new ownership and are looking forward to giving you a unique golfing experience.

 

With new management comes new golfing, whether you are looking for an outing with your buddies or looking for online specials"

 

 

Was there any improvement from August ??

[stevestrike]

Anyone been recently? We were thinking about going back later this month.

[liongolf_ike]

From what I have heard from some inside sources, including the Blacke family. the course was purchased and the new owners are putting alot of money into the golf course to bring the conditions back to the way they should be. The golf course is excellent, and tough, when it is in good shape it is one of the best around. Also, I heard that they were more than likely going to develop the land around it. Look for Blaketree to be something special in the near future.

[Riogolfer]

Played it for the 1st time this past Thursday with an online special for $23. It felt like I was playing a major....lol, we played the tips and man this course is a beast. The layout is great (the best ive played IMO) the greens were fast. Really good shape even with the lack of rain. Maintenance guys would hit the sprinklers throughout the day. I definitley want to get back out there and make a whole day of it. The online special runs through August! Get after it.

[JJGold]

[quote name='Riogolfer' timestamp='1309629673' post='3359383']
Played it for the 1st time this past Thursday with an online special for $23. It felt like I was playing a major....lol, we played the tips and man this course is a beast. The layout is great (the best ive played IMO) the greens were fast. Really good shape even with the lack of rain. Maintenance guys would hit the sprinklers throughout the day. I definitley want to get back out there and make a whole day of it. The online special runs through August! Get after it.
[/quote]

Thanks for the update. I've seen their specials on GolfNow and would like to check it out but it's a loooong way from Clear Lake.

[kgk]

I was a Blaketree member for years; I quit 2 months ago as I just don't have much time to make it out there. The course has a special place in my heart, and my dad is still a member out there. You won't find a more challenging course in town, especially from the back tees.

Oh, and they made 9 a Par 5 again. The tees are back behind the now-nearly-dry pond.

[kgk]

Apparently the big fire in Magnolia is very close to Blaketree now. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that the place doesn't burn!

[BigMik1]

How is Blaketree looking now? It's been years since I played out there.

[Fish-N-Chips]

[quote name='BigMik1' timestamp='1317263441' post='3601041']
How is Blaketree looking now? It's been years since I played out there.
[/quote]

I played it about 3 months ago. I enjoyed it alot and thought it was in great shape.

[kgk]

[quote name='Fish-N-Chips' timestamp='1318229374' post='3651115']
[quote name='BigMik1' timestamp='1317263441' post='3601041']
How is Blaketree looking now? It's been years since I played out there.
[/quote]

I played it about 3 months ago. I enjoyed it alot and thought it was in great shape.
[/quote]

I play there a couple times a month. It's Blaketree, same as always.

[Reidman]

wanted to bump this one....will be in the area this weekend. Any update on course conditions? I expect good things, will all the rain you guys have been stealing from Austin

[swbyps]

By "in the area" do you mean Houston or Magnolia? If you are going to be out in Magnolia you would be better off playing Woodforest. They have three 9s there and some of the best greens in the area.

[Johnny Hack]

Texasgolfon.com Blaketree for $27.50 not worth much more than that but still a fun layout

[daco81se]

Played Blaketree today, our regular courses are Oakhurst, Tour 18, Kingwood CC, and Cypresswood but we try to get out atleast once a month and play a new course around Houston.
Was it worth the $35 we paid? Absolutely. Great layout, nice holes, great views, greens were not as fast as what I heard they were, they were in decent shape though, and were definately small and had plenty of undulation and surprising breaks to keep it challenging. I have to admit I was expecting allite more from some of the reviews but it was a fun course to play, the condition and layout was somewhat similar to Tx National, imo.
Would I make the drive (took us alittle over an hour from Kingwood) to play it again, probably not, especially since we passed several great courses on the way, Highmeadow Ranch, Woodforest, Grandlakes (I'm one of the few in our group that really likes to play GL) ect. but definately worth the trip if you've never played it before.
Here's a pic of 10, a sweet little par 3.

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