Heritage Ranch GC
Fairview, TX (Near Plano & Dallas)
Arthur Hills
'03 Fees: $40-$70
Golf Magazine Review: Playing every inch of it's 7,040 yards from the back tees, Heritage Ranch is "a special track" per head pro Tony Trevino (brother of Lee). The waterfall-festooned 208-yard 16th is considered the signature hole, but the front 5--which dances creekside through a forest of towering pecan trees--is a series of great holes.
Where To Grub: In and around Dallas, Golf Magazine recommends the BBQ at hole-in-the-wall Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse (open 10-3, get there early before they run out of berisket), the state's best Tex-Mex green chile enchiladas at Chuy's, or local upscale favorite Bob's Steak & Chop, with multiple locations in Dallas and Plano. At Bob's, expect crowds of beautiful people standing 4-deep at the bar for big drinks, big steaks, and a big bill to match. It may take your whole foursome to polish off an order of Bob's wicked onion rings, a fantastic bleu cheese salad, and a prime 20-ounce bone-in ribeye.
Where To Stay: Golf Magazine says immerse yourself in the lap of TX luxury at several top-notch Dallas area golf resorts. Try the Westin Stonebriar in Frisco, or the Westin Creeks @ Beechwood, north of Fort Worth. Both hotels feature Westin's "Heavenly Bed"--the premeir choice for those who have trouble sleeping in hotels--and high speed modem connections. The Westin Stonebriar Hotel is built of TX limestone and features large, comfy rooms. Furniture is made of native oak and pecanwood. The lagoon-style pool and fitness center are big plusses, as is the proximity to high-end shopping at the glitzy new Stonebriar Mall. OR, the finest lodgings in the Metroplex are still found at 4 Seasons R&C @ Las Colinas, in Irving. Impeccable 4 Seasons service & comfort at cushy villas with TPC 18th green views, at a relatively bargain rate. Byron Nelson himself is a regular presence at the 4 Seasons, lunching with most of the classes at his namesake golf academy. Soak up the sun at the giant free-form pool, wind down with a hot rocks massage at the spa, or hit the 3-story sports club, with indoor hoops hosting surprisingly good pick-up games. Strap on the feedbag at the 4 Season's new Cafe' on the Green, with a sleek and elegant desiqn befitting the New American cuisine of Chef Christof Syre', wooed from the Regent Hotel in Hong Kong. Order the braised lobster at dinner, but the Must-Eat is the sumptuous breakfast buffet.