JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
DAN AND TRACI HANSEN IN VINO VERITAS, IN CERVESIO FELICITAS
+ FIRE IN THE HOLE: GOLF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FROM OUR HOME, DELIVERED TO YOURS INSPIRED AND ENGAGING RETREATS
CORDILLERARANCH.COM
IT’S PEAK PRUNING SEASON!
Whether you’re new to town or a lifelong Texan, we’ve got your canopy covered. Start the new year off right with our ANNUAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM for year-round tree preservation.
www.burkettarborcare.com 830.229.5700 Contact us for a FREE ESTIMATE TREE PRUNING TREE REMOVALS STUMP GRINDING TREE MITIGATION TREE PLANTING AIR SPADE TREATMENT DEEP ROOT FERTILIZATION BALL MOSS REMOVAL
FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE NEEDS Lawn and Landscape Maintenance Landscape Installation • Tree Trimming Irrigation Installation and Repair All Types of Brush Removal Custom Outdoor Living Areas Outdoor Kitchens • Outdoor Fireplaces Fire Pits • All Types of Flagstone Patios All Types of Fencing
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The Golf Club’s Player Development Programs continue to implement innovative instruction models for golfers of all ages and skill levels, such as Operation 36® and Monthly Clinics that cover everything from maintaining focus to proper equipment fittings.
The Clubhouse’s To-Go and Delivery Services have expanded beyond chef-prepared meals to provide HeartBrand® Beef, retail wine, fresh produce and household staples, specialty desserts, in-home catering and convenience for members.
What better way to host business conferences and team building activities than with luxury accommodations, private meeting spaces, custom catering packages and outfitter excursions, all within the breathtaking natural surroundings of Cordillera Ranch.
FIRE IN THE HOLE
INSPIRED AND ENGAGING RETREATS
FROM OUR HOME, DELIVERED TO YOURS
ALSO INSIDE: 14 WELCOME LETTER 18 2020 YEAR-END REVIEW 26 THE CLUBHOUSE CALENDAR 28 STAFF PROFILE: DANIEL WAGEMANN 36 GOLF DIRECTOR’S LETTER AND CALENDAR 38 FALL GOLF TOURNAMENT RECAPS 44 LIFE IS BETTER ON THE COURT 48 CELLAR CLUB 50 ARE WE THERE YET? 52 A VENUE FOR ALL OCCASIONS 58 KAUAI – THE GARDEN ISLAND 60 LUXURY LIMO VAN SERVICE 62 ELEVATED LIVING WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS 68 BOERNE ISD ACQUIRES SITE IN THE SPRINGS OF CORDILLERA RANCH FOR FUTURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 70 CORDILLERA RANCH PREFERRED BUILDERS: UNDISPUTED LEADERS IN RESELL VALUE AGAIN 74 GET TO KNOW THE CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM 76 REAL ESTATE
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IN VINO VERITAS, IN CERVESIO FELICITAS DAN AND TRACI HANSEN Like the saying goes: In wine there is truth, in beer there is joy. As an engineer in the wine and beer industry, a career move for Dan brought his family, wife Traci and kids Julia and Justin, to Cordillera Ranch where life is even more joyful.
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Performance is our Priority #1 Title Company in Cordillera Ranch
$2.7 Billion in Texas
plus over $600 Million nationwide in Real Estate closings over the last 3 years Agents for Stewart, Chicago and First American
We buy and sell over $100MM in real estate deals each year across the country and rely on Texas Investors Title to close them. We have worked with a number of title companies including large national firms; in my opinion, Texas Investors Title Company is among the best in terms of customer service. They go above and beyond compared to their peers. I highly recommend Texas Investors Title. Jason Signor, Caddis Healthcare Real Estate
Steve Vallone
C.E.O. steve@texasinvestorstitle.com
Becky Edmiston, CESP President becky@texasinvestorstitle.com
116 W. Blanco Rd., Ste 101 Boerne, TX 78006 | p. (830) 816-5888 • f. (830) 816-5889 10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 100-N | Houston, TX 77024
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.
PO Box 478
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Kendalia, Texas 78027
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830.229.5565
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tgbuilder.com
WELCOME
www.cordilleraranch.com 830.336.3570 www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch
What a year that was. By now, I think we have all had family, friends or coworkers affected by COVID-19. Unfortunately, some reading this endured tragedy unimaginable to the rest of us, and for that we are sorry. But with every great challenge, we learn more about ourselves and each other, and grow from the experience. 2020 also brought us positives that changed us for the better. Through medicine, we learned a greater appreciation for our health care workers; saw manufacturing re-tool for supplies and life-saving equipment; and through research and innovation, a vaccine was created in record time. Although we are social by nature (perhaps more so at Cordillera Ranch than anywhere?), we learned new ways to do things and found efficiencies online, giving us more time in our day-to-do lives for a greater impact on our well-being. We discovered that many of us can work remotely, reducing or eliminating commutes and travel, allowing us more time for family and pursuits. And we saw an outpouring of charity and willingness to help those close and others less fortunate. I’m guessing that for all of us, this past year resonated that Life IS better OUT here. Many from outside of Cordillera Ranch are escaping their current situation, seeking what we have. We all did the same, we were just fortunate to get here sooner. Our cover story on Dan and Traci Hansen couldn’t communicate this any better. They came, they engaged, they’re pillars of the community. So, to all, let’s show newcomers how inclusive Cordillera Ranch is. And for those from outside
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 Barry Denton, Marc DeWall, Debbie Pepper, Shane Reynolds, Robert Rodriguez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tim Shaw – The Shaw Creative theshawcreative@me.com CORDILLERA RANCH SALES 830.336.3570 info@cordilleraranch.com
the great state of Texas, let’s give them a hearty Texas WELCOME (“Howdy”), embrace them, include them and share with them the Texas (and Cordillera
The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch 830.336.9000
Ranch) mindset, traditions, principles and better way of life. We wish you a 2021 full of great health, happiness and prosperity. Make it your best year ever!
Barry Denton Director of Real Estate Sales Cordillera Ranch
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Feature article photography by David Teran Photography 210.650.2428 :: www.davidteran.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 2021. 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.
MANAGER’S MESSAGE
2020 Year-End Review By Marc DeWall
Well, where do I start when taking a look back at 2020?! It certainly was one of the most difficult years any of us have ever seen with COVID-19 and how it has affected so many families across the world. However, with all of the chaos taking place with the pandemic and recent presidential election, we saw The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch continue to thrive and even saw record-setting participation levels and growth throughout the year. Here are some highlights from 2020: The game of golf once again became popular! We had not seen anything like this since Tiger Woods came on the scene, won the 1997 Masters and the game exploded. Members realized that golf was one of the few things they could do safely and enjoy outside of the home so we saw a huge increase in rounds played, with many new players taking up the game as well. The golf course and Practice Park were busier than ever and it was great to see so many people playing golf. We opened our second unit at The Lodges in March and have received wonderful reviews from our members and guests who have stayed there. The new Georg unit has four deluxe, private rooms and a great room in the middle of the complex that is perfect for families and groups that are looking for a central gathering area to enjoy time together. We continue to focus on The Lodges and are always looking for new ways to make it a great experience. If you have not yet taken advantage of this awesome amenity, I encourage you to pick a weekend and come and stay with us. The pool area was once again very busy this year and remains a popular area for families during the summer months. As that facility is now almost 15 years old, we recently completed all new resurfacing of the four pools and they look fantastic. Thanks to so many of you who have continued to sup-
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port our Food and Beverage operation at the Club. This year brought lots of new challenges with limited seating and constant changes from state officials regarding what restaurants could and could not do. It was great to see our team adapt and look for new ways to serve our members. This past year, for the first time, we introduced home delivery to residents that live in the community. This was huge at the time because so many of our members just wanted to stay in or had very few other dining options. We also started a program called the C-Star Marketplace that allowed our members the ability to purchase staple grocery store items right here at the Club rather than fight lines at the local grocery store. We still have a few members that take advantage of this service today. Chef Isaac and the culinary team, as well as Graham House and the service team, have done a remarkable job and are continuing to create great dining experiences for our members. Finally, our Director of Fitness and Wellness, Tamra Christiansen, was hired in September and is doing a good job of getting to know our members’ fitness needs and desires. It has been great to see some of the new things she continues to introduce and, most importantly, her Personal Training presence on the floor each day. Despite all of the numerous challenges of this past year, I am very proud of the team for hanging in there during what seemed to be constant operational change. They have had a great attitude and we have been fortunate to keep so many of our key employees during these strange times. Thank you to all of our members who have supported the Club in so many ways and continue to utilize the wonderful amenities that Cordillera Ranch has to offer. We wish you a very Happy and Blessed New Year in 2021! 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.
A YEAR IN
PICTURES
Texas Rangers Speaker Series
Junior Tennis Play Day
Rock On’ WOW Dinner
Roaring 20’s Daddy-Daughter Dance
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Couples Putting Tournament
Daddy-Daughter Dance
Kid’s Valentine Painting Workshop
Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Parade
Yappy Hour on the Patio
Prisoner Wine Dinner
Spring Style Fashion Show
A Night in Tuscany Wine Dinner
Spring on the Course
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Spring Break Tennis Camp
Spring Break Golf Camp
Memorial Day Pool Party
Giddy Up Horse Camp
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Operation 36® Junior Golf
Summer Olympic Camp
The Georg Unit Opens in The Lodges at Cordillera Ranch
Chicks & Sticks
July 4th Pool Party
July 4th Pool Party
Patriot Partnership Golf Tournament
Snow Cone Tuesdays!
Pahlmeyer Wine Dinner
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License to Carry Handgun Course
C-Star Member-Guest Golf Tournament
C-Star Ladies’ Day Out
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Imago Mundi Wine Dinner
C-Star Member-Guest Golf Tournament
C-Star Awards Party
Camping at the Cordillera Ranch Parks
Halloween Trunk or Treat
Cordillera Cup Golf Tournament
Gingerbread House Decorating Party
Cordillera Tree Lighting & Ugly Sweater Night
Breakfast with Santa
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 25
CALENDAR
The Clubhouse The Clubhouse provides spectacular settings for special occasions, cocktails, entertaining guests and enjoying family dinners. To-Go orders are available by calling the Club receptionist.
C-STAR RANCH MENU
SIGNATURE DINING MENU
BREAKFAST MENU
Available in the Main Dining Room, Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 9:00pm Friday-Saturday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:00pm Sunday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 8:00pm Dining from 2:00pm to 5:00pm is available in the Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio
Available in the Main Dining Room, Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio Friday-Saturday, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Available in the Main Dining Room Saturday-Sunday, 9:00am to 2:00pm Available in the Twin Sisters Lounge Saturday-Sunday, 11:00am-2:00pm
Friday-Saturday Evenings
Sundays
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays
Join us for an unparalleled fine dining experience spotlighting our chef’s finest steak and seafood features. On Friday evenings, enjoy live entertainment from 6:30 to 9:30pm. 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.
Delicious family dinners are a convenient and affordable way to enjoy a variety of menu options, including fish specials, that feed up to four people for $28.95++. Place orders through the Club receptionist or Cordillera Mobile App for curbside pick-up or delivery, 11:00am to 8:00pm, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays.
SIGNATURE DINING MENU
Tuesdays-Fridays
C-STAR MARKET The C-Star Market provides quality meats, fresh produce, baked goods, household items, beverages and more for curbside pick-up or delivery, Tuesdays through Fridays, 3:00 to 8:00pm. Simply place your order online or email to the Club receptionist with 24 hours’ notice.
FAMILY MEAL FEATURE
FAMILY MEALS TO-GO
For dining and special event reservations, please contact the Club receptionist at 830.336.9000 or receptionist@cordilleraranch.com, or you may reserve your spot through the Cordillera Ranch mobile app or online at Clubsofcordilleraranch.com. For golf events, please contact Camille Ferguson at 830.336.9165 or cferguson@cordilleraranch.com. For tennis events, please contact the Tennis Club at 830.336.4823.
EVENTS January 1 The Clubs will be closed.
January 7 Lunch & Learn: New Year Nutrition Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm Location: Cabana Dining Room Lunch and learn with Tamra Christiansen, Director of Fitness and Wellness! Enjoy a two-course lunch of an entrée and dessert and learn all about healthy habits for the new year. Register online at Clubsofcordilleraranch.com or through the Cordillera Mobile App.
February 4 Lunch & Learn: Heart Healthy Helpings Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm Location: Cabana Dining Room Lunch and learn with Tamra Christiansen, Director of Fitness and Wellness! Enjoy a two-course lunch of an entrée and dessert and learn all about healthy habits for a healthy heart. Register online at Clubsofcordilleraranch.com or through the Cordillera Mobile App.
February 13 Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Menu Time: Reservations are available beginning at 5:30pm Join us for a romantic evening at the Club featuring live entertainment and a special Valentine’s Prix Fixe menu for you and your special someone! Specially selected wines and champagnes will be available to complement your dining experience. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
February 13 Kid’s Valentine Painting Workshop January 14 Rocca Delle Macìe Wine Dinner Time: 6:30 to 9:30pm Location: Cabana Dining Room Join us for an intimate dinner featuring Rocca Delle Macìe wines from Chianti and Maremma. Executive Chef Isaac Cantu and his culinary team will craft a custom menu to pair with these remarkable Italian wines. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
Time: 6:00 to 8:30pm Location: Cabana Dining Room Join us for a fun Kid’s Valentine Painting Workshop to celebrate Valentine’s Day! We will paint a lovely Valentine masterpiece while enjoying pizza and games. This event is recommended for ages 5 - 10. Space is limited. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
February 18 Wine Dinner TBA Time: 6:30 to 9:30pm Location: Cabana Dining Room Join us for an intimate dinner featuring wines paired with a custom menu crafted by Executive Chef Isaac and his culinary team. Advance reservations required through the Club receptionist.
January 28 LADIES’ WOW Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm Calling all ladies! Come enjoy this food and wine pairing experience with food demonstrations by Executive Chef Isaac and selected wines by Jeff Cohen. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
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STAFF PROFILE
DANIEL WAGEMANN
Sous Chef 830.336.4653 dwagemann@cordilleraranch.com
HOMETOWN: Castroville, Texas FAMILY: Wife-Cristina, Kids-Tristan, Ashton, Aaliyah WHEN DID COOKING BECOME A PASSION? Cooking with my grandfather as a little kid and watching my mom in his kitchen, as well as being a chubby kid who loved to eat — all of this influenced me. Even as a teenager I was constantly cooking food to take to school for lunch and making dinner for the family. My passion for cooking has continuously grown since then. WHAT PAST WORK HISTORY PREPARED YOU FOR THE CLUBS AT CORDILLERA RANCH? I was previously employed by Briggs Ranch Country Club so I had worked at a very nice high-end country club that introduced me to finer foods than what I was accustomed to. But nothing truly prepared me for our kitchen here or the culture that Chef Isaac has instilled. We are almost a full-scratch kitchen and we pride ourselves on producing almost everything in-house while maintaining a positive educational kitchen where everyone can learn a variety of techniques and skills. WHAT MAKES YOUR COLLEAGUES AN ASSET TO THE CLUBS? Working together with our FOH managers, servers, bartenders, the receptionist team, our event coordinator Amanda Carlisle, our amazing wine guy Jeff Cohen, and our dining room leaders Krissy Cruz and Jessica Swingler is of the upmost importance. They are our link to our valued members, our most important tool for communication and the means of delivering our food to our members. We are a yin/yang-type relationship that has to be in a perfect balance to excel in delivering wonderful food and amazing service. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE? Being named Sous Chef a couple of years ago. It is a continuous, arduous, rewarding grind. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGE? Transitioning to a better managerial mindset as well as trying to look at our business from a bigger-picture mentality, and learning to better manage my time throughout the day and at home. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND INTERESTS? I enjoy working out, cooking, hiking and spending time with the family. We really enjoy traveling and visiting new places. We
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have taken some epic vacations and we really look forward to planning our next adventure when life normalizes again. ANY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS OR GOALS FOR 2021? Resolutions, not so much. I believe if you notice something that needs changing, you should not wait until the new year to start. I do however want to continue working on being a better husband to my new wife and father for our kids. We also are looking forward to upgrading our house in the new year. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL TO PREPARE AT HOME? Hmmm, that is a tough one. I enjoy making comfort food: King Ranch Casserole; grilled steak and potatoes. We also make A LOT of tacos: al pastor, carnitas, asada, you name it, garnished of course with cilantro, onions, limes and a really hot green salsa. I also really enjoy making our food for family gatherings and holidays. I make a mean roasted spiced sweet potato with toasted marshmallow, natural maple syrup and roasted pecans. My wife’s favorite has always been when I cook whatever she wants for breakfast... happy wife, happy life, they say. IF I COULD HOP ON A PLANE TOMORROW…. We have several places pinned on a map as possible adventure spots — Hawaii might be at the top though. I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT… What the future holds for our food and beverage team next year. I am excited to see where we can push the envelope in terms of our food and variety of ingredients as well as seeing how our team continues to grow and become stronger.
In Vino Veritas, In Cervesio Felicitas For Dan and Traci Hansen, golf brought them together, but beer brought them to Cordillera Ranch. By Trisha Doucette :: Photography by David Teran
It was a pivotal moment for Dan Hansen and longtime golf partner George McKean, who also happens to be Traci’s brother.They were one of 10 Flight winners who made it to the Lonestar Shootout, vying for the 2020 C-Star Member-Guest Championship trophy. Dan was encouraging the spectators to sing along with the mariachi band as he teed off on #11 — and drove the ball right into the ground! They didn’t win the tournament, but in good fun, Dan was awarded “longest” drive.This is a perfect example of how the Hansens have happily made Cordillera Ranch their home for the past three years. Like many other residents, they got here in a roundabout way.
Dan grew up in a small rural town in Minnesota, and after graduating from high school, he joined the military. For two years he was stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a military policeman with deployments that took him to Alaska, Grenada and Egypt. It afforded him the opportunity to attend college at South Dakota State University when he completed his service. Throughout his college years, Dan worked at a local golf course and played on the SDSU golf team, and his love for golf began. With a degree in Electrical Engineering and his first job at Nestle, Dan moved to central California to help them build an evaporated milk plant. This led to a promotion and relocation to Hermosa Beach where he worked as a corporate engineer in the pet food segment and traveled all over the U.S. overseeing capital projects. Dan’s love of golf continued, carving out time for early morning and weekend games. But he didn’t love the Los Angeles lifestyle, so in 2000 when E&J Gallo Winery offered him a position at their corporate office in Modesto, he jumped at the opportunity and moved back to northern California where he began his career in the wine industry.
Traci received an accounting degree from California State University, Fresno, near the small town where she grew up. After graduation she chose to stay close to home and family and began her career working for a public accounting firm. While Dan began playing golf in college, Traci grew up playing golf on the weekends with her family and it has always been a big part of her life. So, it seems serendipitous that their love story began on a golf course. The couple met at an amateur golf tournament in Fresno that Traci’s brother and Dan were competing in. Traci was there to cheer on her brother, and hosted a BBQ the night before the final round for all the golfers. Dan joined the party. “Dan was leading the tournament going into the last day. He didn’t play so great on the final day, and the joke has always been that he might not have won the tournament, but he won a wife instead!” Traci laughs. They were married in 2006 after a short courtship and set up their home in Ripon, California. Dan had already been with Gallo for about five years when they got married. Part of his job was to automate the winemaking process by building state-of-the-art red wine produc-
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 33
tion facilities in Sonoma and Livingston. “The new automated process combined the art of wine making and the science of engineering, which provides winemakers more control of the final product and ensures consistency throughout each vintage,” explains Dan, adding that the new process involves “gravity feeding” where grapes are laser and video sorted, and inspected by machines instead of humans, which creates a much more consistent, quality product. During his time at Gallo, he also replaced 30-year-old equipment on 17 bottling lines while simultaneously continuing production. Gallo is the world’s largest wine producer, with production in excess of 70 million cases annually, and the majority of their bottling is done at the corporate location in Modesto. These packaging lines can produce anything from 187 ml bottles (airplane size) to an 18-liter bag-in-the-box (the equivalent of two cases of bottled wine for restaurant sales). “My job was to upgrade the technology on these lines to increase production capacity and technology to accommodate the volume,” says Dan. After being with Gallo for seven years, Dan was recruited by The Wine Group, the second largest wine company in the world. “I was Director of Operations for a couple of years when Constellation Brands recruited me to run their operations at Robert Mondavi by Woodbridge and Turner Road Vintners. This included everything from grape receiving, to wine production, to packaging and distribution,” he says.
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While at Constellation Brands, Dan took winemaking certification classes from the University of California, Davis School of Viticulture and Enology to better understand winemaking in order to improve the process through engineering principles. After being in operations for eight years, Dan realized that his real passion was in engineering and transitioned back to corporate engineering. With the division based in Napa, Dan managed all the wine and spirit engineering for 15 facilities in the U.S. and Canada. “Some of the projects included winery expansion, process improvement, new packaging lines and the remodel/ redesign of the new tasting facility for Prisoner wine,” he says. Meanwhile, Traci was building her career as well — and they were also busy building their family. Traci took a job with Foster Farms, spending 13 years advancing through the ranks of corporate finance. They had two children, Julia and Justin, now 13 and 12 years old, respectively, and she was always involved at their schools, serving as Parent Faculty Club President and organizing fundraisers. Naturally, golf remained a constant in their lives. For four years Dan and Traci were part of a golf group called the Ripon Cup, where 10 teams from Ripon, California and 10 teams from Ripon, England became friends and golfing companions. “The men played in a Ryder Cup-style tournament. Every other year our teams would go ‘over the pond’ to stay with a couple from the England team to play golf, and on the off year they would
come to California and we would host. It was a fun group to be a part of that fostered friendship and tradition,” says Traci. Dan’s job with Constellation required travel to Napa every week, but they also enjoyed “adult” weekend trips to Napa, exploring different wineries at least every other month. Wondering if Dan’s career in wine turned them in to collectors? Traci says, “I would say we are more wine drinkers than collectors! All kidding aside, yes, we do collect wine and yes, his career has definitely fostered this hobby for us.” Life was good. Then, Constellation Brands purchased Grupo Modelo (Modelo, Corona, Pacifico, Victoria and others) from Anheuser Busch, so off to Texas they went. “Now life is even better in Cordillera Ranch!” laughs Traci, though completely serious. In 2017, Dan transferred to Constellation’s beer division, based in San Antonio, in the engineering department. “Part of the purchase of Grupo Modelo included the Nava facility in Mexico which is now the largest brewery in the world. Constellation produces 300 million cases of beer annually compared to about 40
million cases of wine annually,” says Dan. It was a relatively smooth transition from wine to beer for Dan. He explains that the processes are actually very similar, “The main difference is beer is more consistent in its cycle because there is no aging process. The brewing cycle is more consistent because of the availability of materials and shorter production, typically 30 days. Wine production is seasonal and typically takes anywhere from one to three years from harvest to bottling and distribution.” As they began looking for a home near San Antonio, access to golf was their first priority, and a close-knit community was a close second. Since both Dan and Traci had grown up in small towns, the larger city of San Antonio didn’t seem like a good fit for their family. They were introduced to Cordillera Ranch through Dan’s co-workers who also live in the neighborhood, and after a tour of the property and amenities, they knew they had found their home. “We immediately knew this was the Club we wanted to join — not only for the golf, but also for the river, pool and shooting facilities. It was the best of all worlds right in our backyard,” says Traci. With their move to Texas, Traci decided to take a step back from her corporate career to focus on getting their family settled in their new home. She still did financial consulting from home for about two years but was able to spend more time ensuring a smooth transition for Julia and Justin, now attending Voss Middle School in Boerne, and volunteering at their schools. Once the kids were comfortable in their school with new friendships and activities, Traci went back to work full time as the Chief Financial Officer of Nuevo Garcia Foods. “Contrary to California, Cordillera Ranch was easy to become immersed in,” Dan says. They moved in and immediately started participating in events at the Club. While golf still remains at the core of their family, Dan and Traci also enjoy the wine dinners — a perfect connection to their former lives in California, and have nurtured many new friendships with other young families through Club events. The kids participate in the tennis and golf programs, and Julia has even played in some tournaments coordinated through the Club. They spend many Sunday afternoons golfing as a family, and Dan and Justin also enjoy the shooting range. “We spent most of our first summer hanging out at the river, letting the kids play on the rope swing and fish,” says Traci. Cordillera Ranch has been a blessing to the Hansen family. As Dan and Traci both agree, “It created a sense of family when we didn’t have one here in Texas.”
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GOLF By Corey Roberson A good friend of mine coined 2020 as “the year of the audible.” I think that about sums it up. Regardless of industry, we’ve all had to shift plans around and try to figure out how to operate and function in the unique environments of 2020. On the golf side, our members played 37% more rounds in 2020 than our previous 4-year average. We’ve heard the golf industry has seen an increase of 15% to 40% depending on region and restrictions. We are proud to say, golf at Cordillera Ranch was available throughout 2020. We were able to keep the golf course open all year while following all the necessary safety guidelines and taking a few extra steps to keep our members and staff safe. While “the year of the audible” brought many unique challenges, it’s almost in the rearview mirror and our team is excited about the golf opportunities in 2021 at Cordillera Ranch. We have four categories of golfers to serve with our events – men, ladies, couples and juniors. Our men’s and ladies’ events have been very successful at the Club and we are excited to expand our offerings for couples and juniors. In 2021, we will have nine events dedicated to couples’ golf. The kickoff event, Couples Putting Tournament, started in 2020 and was hugely successful. Mark down February 13 on your calendar — it’s a fun day to enjoy a little golf with your spouse while enjoying an adult beverage. From there, we’ll have eight Sundays throughout the year dedicated to enhance couples’ golf. In 2020, we introduced the Operation 36 development model to our membership through junior and ladies’ player development programs. This model focuses on instruction, testing and actually playing the game to progress through various levels — the goal is to shoot 36 for 9-holes from different
distances. These offerings will be expanded in 2021, so we’ll have learning opportunities throughout the year. On the men’s side, our C-Star Member/Guest will be played in the spring and Cordillera Cup will be played in the fall — essentially, these two events will be flipped. We intended to start this new tradition in 2020, but we had to call an audible due to restrictions. In addition, the Cordillera Ranch MGA is adding a new event in 2021 — Salute to Summer on May 22. The CWGA saw growth in 2020 and we are prepared to handle more lady golfers in 2021. Historically, the CWGA had weekly playdays on Wednesdays and had three big tournaments — Mardi Gras, Fiesta and Halloween. In 2021, four “regular” playdays will be transformed into Special Events — Lone Star Cup, Turkey Shoot, Race Day Final and Holiday Hoopla. These events will accommodate more players and will feature an elevated experience like the big tournaments. In March of 2020, the Club invested in a Trackman launch monitor for the Golf Performance Center. This state-of-the-art launch monitor significantly enhances the club fitting experience at Cordillera Ranch. Early in 2021, many of the club manufacturers are launching new products. Our goal is to help our members play better golf — sometimes equipment can help with that and at times we can make a simple adjustment to your current clubs to enhance performance. If you’re interested in improving your game, reach out to one of our golf professionals to experience the Golf Performance Center. Corey Roberson is the Director of Golf at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at croberson@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.4653.
2021 GOLF CLUB CALENDAR
JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP, June 12-13 PATRIOT PARTNERSHIP, July 3
MGA KICKOFF, January 30 CWGA - VALENTINE’S, February 10
•• AERIFY/VERICUT FAIRWAYS & TEES, July 19-22
COUPLES PUTTING TOURNAMENT, February 13 MEN’S MATCHPLAY, starts March 2 COUPLES DAY, March 7
COUPLES DAY, September 12 LADIES CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP, September 15-16 MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP, September 17-19 CORDILLERA CUP, October 2-3
•• AERIFY GREENS, March 15-17
•• AERIFY GREENS, October 11-13
AZALEA INVITATIONAL, April 9 CWGA – FIESTA, April 14-15 COUPLES DAY, April 18 C-STAR MEMBER-GUEST, April 22-24 EL COMPADRE MEMBER-MEMBER, May 7-8 RANCH ROUND-UP LADIES MEMBER-GUEST, May 11-13 COUPLES DAY, May 16 MGA EVENT, May 22 CWGA – LONE STAR CUP, May 26 COUPLES DAY, June 6 SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP, June 12-13
COUPLES DAY, October 17 CWGA – HALLOWEEN, October 27-28 MGA CUP, October 30 CWGA – POINTS RACE FINAL, November 3 LA FAMILIA, November 6
36 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
COUPLES DAY, November 14 CWGA – TURKEY SHOOT, November 17 MGA TURKEY SHOOT, November 20 CWGA – HOLIDAY HOOPLA, December 1 THE GAUNTLET, December 3 COUPLES DAY, December 5
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GOLF
Fall Tournament
Recaps
Tournament season was strong in 2020, and November began with the Club’s friendliest rivalry — the Cordillera Cup. This annual tournament pairs Teams Northington and Hill to determine whose flag will fly over the Champions’ Gallery for the following year.The MGA Cup and CWGA Finals followed.
CORDILLERA CUP The 2020 Cordillera Cup was held on Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8. This Ryder Cup-style event between Team Northington and Team Hill started in 2007 and is the biggest member event at the Club. Going into this year, Team Northington led with 11 wins to Team Hill’s two victories. Day 1 consisted of a 9-hole fourball match followed by a 9-hole foursome’s match. Team Northington took the lead after the fourball match by earning 14.5 points while Hill only got 8.5 points. Team Hill rallied in the foursome’s match by snatching 15 points to Northington’s 8 giving them a 1-point lead going into singles matches on Day 2. Team Hill was up early in a lot of matches on Day 2 and clinched a demanding victory by winning 27 points over Team Northington’s 19 points in the singles matches. The final tally was Hill 50.5 v Northington 41.5. Team Hill will fly their flag in the Champions’ Gallery for a year and have their name etched into the perpetual trophy for eternity.
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By Corey Roberson
CORDILLERA CUP
CORDILLERA CUP
TEAM HILL
TEAM NORTHINGTON
MGA CUP
CWGA FINALS
The MGA Cup Final and Fall Stableford Open were held in conjunction on November 7. Bob Curtis was the season long leader going into this final event, but underperformed allowing Mac Northington to lap him and become the 2020 MGA Cup Champion. David Cottrell finished second, falling only 377 points behind Northington. Mac Northington also won the Fall Stableford Open by earning 41 Stableford points which lead to a 2-point victory over Ron Denny and David Dusenbury.
The CWGA Championship was reformatted this year to a points race. Ladies had the opportunity to earn points throughout the year in designated points race events. There were four divisions where players independently earned points. In the 18-Hole Gross Race, Yana Dommert was crowned the champion by earning 890 points over the course of the year. Sue Bielstein and Maria Sayers came in a close second, only 215 points behind Dommert. It’s important to note, Sayers was unable to compete in the final race day so Bielstein was crowned second place in the tie breaker. For the 18-Hole Net Race, Mary Callahan captured first place over Jamie Angelich. Mary earned points in all 11 events this year. The 9-Holers also had a Gross and Net division where Kathy Schommer won the Gross Race even though she was unable to compete in the final event. Beverly Carter was crowned Net Champion with a narrow lead of 60 points over Polly Gatto.
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 39
GOLF
FIRE
IN THE
HOLE
By Katie Dillard
Golf Player Development Programs at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch are hotter than ever, providing innovative instruction for all ages and skill levels.
Over the past few years, we have seen an increased need for Golf Player Development Programs at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. 2020 was no exception as more people flocked to the course for a safe way to socialize and remain active. Last year the golf professional staff were able to implement a new junior golf program called Operation 36®, begin the Monthly Clinic Series and expand on the already popular Chicks & Sticks program.With greater participation across the board, we are excited to be able to offer more to our membership in 2021.
OPERATION 36 FOR JUNIOR GOLFERS As more young families move to the Ranch, the need for junior golf has been brought to the forefront. In 2020 the Club introduced Operation 36, which is taking the nation by storm. The development model of Operation 36 focuses on getting golfers on the golf course and playing golf. Each semester covers 12 areas of golf curriculum that get progressively more difficult as students advance through all six levels. Semesters also include multiple 9-hole challenges, where players start just 25 yards from the hole and attempt to shoot 36 or lower. As players hit their goal, they slowly move back, eventually all the way to the tee box. This program grows with our junior golfers from beginner all the way to scratch and is designed to build life-long golfers who enjoy every aspect of the game. Growing in popularity, 42 students have participated so far and we anticipate greater attendance. In 2021 we will offer spring, summer and fall
40 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
semesters, with classes on Wednesdays for children between the ages of 6 and 14. Future 36ers will be a new addition to our junior golf program in 2021. Over the past year we have met multiple families with younger children with the desire to play golf, but who are not quite ready to play a full 9 holes. The Future 36ers program is for children ages 3-6 and will run on Thursdays. Participants will cover the same golf curriculum and playing structure as the Operation 36 program but in a condensed time frame. Classes will be 30 minutes long and playing events will be 3 holes. Our goal is to build a great foundation and to allow our youngest golfers to ease their way into the Operation 36 program. We invite all of our junior members to attend the Operation 36 and Future 36ers orientation on Wednesday, February 3 at 6:00pm in the Cabana Dining Room. Families will enjoy games and appetizers all while learning about the program and meeting other families.
36
OPERATION 36
FUTURE 36ERS
Orientation & Family Night: Wednesday, February 3, 6:00 to 8:00pm, no charge
Orientation & Family Night: Wednesday, February 3, 6:00 to 8:00pm, no charge
Spring Semester: Wednesdays, March 17 - May 26, 5:00pm, $450 for the semester
Spring Semester: Thursdays, March 18 May 27, 5:00pm, $250 for the semester
Summer League: Wednesdays, June 9 August 11, 4:00pm, $50 a session
Summer League: Thursdays, June 10 August 12, 4:00pm, $30 a session
Fall Semester: Wednesdays, September 1 - November 3, 5:00pm, $425 for the semester
Fall Semester: Wednesdays, September 2 - November 4, 5:00pm, $225 for the semester
As always, our junior golf camps will continue during Spring Break and throughout the summer in 2021. These camps provide a four-day experience for junior golfers of all skill levels. Players learn about all aspects of golf while enjoying a mixture of games and playing. Summer Camp dates will be announced in the spring. Spring Break Golf Camp: Tuesday, March 9 - Friday, March 12, 9:00am to 1:00pm, $300 including lunch
MONTHLY CLINICS FOR ALL GOLFERS
SATURDAY, MARCH 20: BALL FITTING
The Monthly Clinic Series was another new addition to golf programming in 2020. The goal of these clinics is to help our membership develop their skills by covering a wide array of subjects related to the game. The past clinics from June through December covered The Importance of Gapping, Wedge Control, Speed & Distance; The Putting Guru; Preparing for your Round; On Course Green Reading; and Golf Fitness. The staff have had the pleasure of collaborating with some of the best professionals in their field including Hunter Gathright, co-developer of TruSpeed, Marius Filmalter, world-renowned Putting Guru and the Club’s own Director of Fitness and Wellness Tamra Christiansen. The Monthly Clinic Series will continue throughout 2021 with a fun mix of subjects. Clinics through May have been scheduled and the remainder of 2021 will be released in the spring.
• The golf ball is the most used piece of equipment in every golfer’s bag so it is important that players are using the ball most suited to their game. Players will have the opportunity to compare golf balls side by side from the big manufacturers both on TrackMan and in an on-course situation. Participants will leave with a golf ball recommendation and trial sleeve based on their needs and performance. • 1-hour individual time slots, 9:00am to 4:00pm • $50 per person
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23: THE MENTAL GAME • Dr Julie L. Wiernik is a Licensed Clinical Sport and Performance Psychologist and owner of the Texas Center for Sport Psychology. She will be working with our membership to assist in better understanding their approach to sports, teaching how to maintain focus and how to achieve goals in the competitive environment. • Group session 2:00 to 3:30pm • $50 per person
SATURDAY, APRIL 17: SHORT GAME MASTERCLASS • Marius Filmalter will be joining us again for a Short Game Masterclass. He will host three sessions throughout the day, each lasting approximately three hours: one on putting and two from around the greens. If you missed the opportunity to participate in his putting clinic in September, now is your chance to learn from the Putting Guru himself. Marius is a colorful character, full of information, with the one goal of making you a better player. • 2.5-3-hour small group time slots, 8:00 to 10:30am, 12:00 to 2:30pm, 3:30 to 6:00pm • Invitation for dinner with Marius the night before • $400 per person
SATURDAY, MAY 29: WEDGE CLINIC SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27: YARDAGES AND BAG ANALYSIS • This is the perfect opportunity for golfers to dial in their yardages before the golf season really kicks off. The professional staff will also help players find any gaps in their equipment or point out any possible adjustments. All players will leave with a yardage chart that can be referred to at any point. • 30-minute individual time slots, 9:00am to 3:30pm • $50 per person
• This clinic is a perfect complement to the April clinic and an opportunity for players to ensure that their wedges are compatible with their playing style. Players will enjoy one hour of oneon-one instruction and wedge fitting with our professional staff. Each participant will receive two new wedges of their choice as part of this clinic. • 1-hour individual time slots, 9:00am to 4:00pm • $350 per person, including two wedges
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 41
JUNIORS’ AND LADIES’ MONTHLY ROLL-UPS The off-season proves a challenge with unpredictable weather conditions here in Texas, so we will be hosting Monthly Roll-Ups for our Juniors and Chicks & Sticks golfers during these times, weather permitting. These sessions will be two hours long and cover the main areas of the game, including a playing component. They are designed to be the perfect refresher until we can get back into a routine during peak playing season. Roll-Up sessions are open to all skill levels and provide a social learning environment. Junior Roll-Up: Saturday, January 16, 2:00 to 4:00pm Chicks & Sticks Roll-Up: Tuesday, January 19, 2:00 to 4:00pm Junior Roll-Up: Saturday, February 20, 2:00 to 4:00pm Chicks & Sticks Roll-Up: Tuesday, February 16, 2:00 to 4:00pm Junior Roll-Up: Saturday, December 11, 2:00 to 4:00pm Chicks & Sticks Roll-Up: Tuesday, December 14, 2:00 to 4:00pm
LADIES’ CHICKS & STICKS One of our most popular programs at the Golf Club is Chicks & Sticks. This program was created by Membership Director Debbie Pepper as a way to introduce more women to the game of golf. It provides an opportunity for our female members to learn about different aspects of the game in a judgment-free social environment. 2020 saw some changes to the program as we started running multiple sessions to accommodate as many ladies as possible. We also recognized the benefits of implementing some of the Operation 36 principles into the program, and in the summer we started the Chicks & Sticks Development Program. Each week golfers have 30 minutes of instruction on a particular area of the game and then head to the golf course for a 9-hole challenge. All players start 25 yards from the hole and, like our junior golfers, work their way back as they are able to shoot 36 or below. Throughout the fall we incorporated instruction with the playing component and have seen considerable progress. This program was a huge success as we saw 39 ladies participate throughout the summer, many of whom were new to or just getting back into the game. Chicks & Sticks will continue on Tuesdays in the spring, summer and fall of 2021, and we encourage our female members to participate whether they are new to the game or more experienced. This program has something for everyone and players are taught based on their individual skill levels. Spring Sessions: Tuesdays, March 23 - May 25, 10:00am & 4:00pm, $30/$50 a session Summer Sessions: Tuesdays, June 8 - August 31, 4:00pm, $50 a session Fall Sessions: Tuesdays, September 14 - November 2, 10:00am & 4:00pm, $30/$50 a session
42 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
As a professional staff, we are delighted to witness the excitement surrounding the game of golf and are proud to be able to assist our membership in developing their skills and, most importantly, their enjoyment of the game. If you would like more information or to register for any of our upcoming Player Development Programs, please contact Katie Dillard. Katie Dillard is the Player Development Coordinator at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at kdillard@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.4653.
TENNIS
L IF E I S B E TT E R
ON THE COURT By Joe De Luna
As we ring in a new year, I would like to thank all of our members for their loyalty and support throughout the past crazy year. Despite the challenges 2020 presented, the tennis staff was able to create and maintain a healthy and safe environment for our members, their children and grandchildren. Our Club championships continued as well as the USTA League ladies’ teams, Summer Camps were a welcome outlet for kids, Pickleball’s popularity stayed strong, our Junior Programs flourished and families flocked to the courts for safe, outdoor recreation.
2020 LADIES’ DOUBLES CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Leah Garner and Molly Glauser
44 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
Tuesday, November 5 was a beautiful morning for the Ladies’ Doubles Club Championship. Eight members were signed up and ready for competition. The round robin qualifying was a new format for this event. Each member would play a total of seven rounds with a different partner, consisting of four no-ad games and a nine-point tie break. The top four game winners would qualify for the championship match. The qualifying started at 9:30am and continued until almost noon, with many great points and close scores. When the dust settled, Leah Garner had earned the most games. Molly Glauser, Amy Gonzales and Kelsey Whitmire were all tied for the other three spots. After sorting through a series of tie break scenarios, it was determined that Leah Garner and Molly Glauser would play Amy Gonzales and Kelsey Whitmire for the championship. Theresa Butler, Lisa Bowling, Bobbie Sanborn and Jennifer West all competed well but fell short of qualifying. The championship began with Leah and Molly taking an early two-game lead. Amy and Kelsey roared back by winning three straight games to go ahead. While being up, Amy and Kelsey earned a match point. Failing to convert allowed Leah and Molly a second chance and they were able to take advantage of some steady nerves and solid shot making to earn their own match point. Leah and Molly did convert to win the match and earn the Ladies’ Doubles Club Championship. When it was all said and done, the competitors joined each other on the back patio of the Clubhouse for mimosas and lunch. Awards were presented and Leah and Molly were congratulated for their win. I would like to thank everyone who participated. It was a great day at the Tennis Club and I look forward to next year’s Club Championship.
Ryan Rice and George Gross
2020 PICKLEBALL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP The 1st Annual Cordillera Ranch Men’s and Women’s Doubles Pickleball Club Championship was held on Saturday, December 5. It was a great day of competition, shot making and fun. The field of eight men and eight women was strong with several experienced players. The men’s competitors included Mike Tracey, Nick Schommer, Robert Patterson, Mike Noggle, George Gross, Rodney Rice, Ryan Rice and Richard Lytle. The women’s group included Martha Steele, Jane Pelley, Lisa Holderness, Madeline Cottrell, Susie Patterson, Margot Spitsnaugle, Cathy Geib and Jill Briggs. The Men’s Doubles Pickleball Champions were George Gross and Ryan Rice. The Runners-up were Rodney Rice and Nick Schommer. The Women’s Doubles Pickleball Club Champions were Jane Pelley and Lisa Holderness, with Runners-up Jill Briggs and Martha Steele.
TENNIS CLUB JUNIOR PROGRAMS What an amazing year we had with our juniors here at the Tennis Club! The Junior Program offers clinics, camps and events for all ages and skill levels, as well as private and semi-private lessons, and we saw record numbers of junior participation. The season started on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with our Back-to-School Play Day. Twenty kids participated and the event incorporated drills, games, prizes and pizza. We also hosted another event in the fall with over twenty kids in attendance. This is a great way to kick off the Tennis Club’s Junior Program every spring and fall. The Cordillera QuickStart Program for kids 4 to 7 years old meets twice a week. The goal of this clinic is to introduce the game of tennis in a safe and fun environment. Hand-eye coordination and motor skills are the main focus, as well as the basic fundamentals of the sport, including but not limited to basic grips, stroke production, movement, parts of the court and team building, all with a low compression red ball which increases success and fun! The QuickStart Program is the foundation of our Junior Program at the Ranch. The 8 to 10-year-old clinics are an extension of our QuickStart Program. Here the kids graduate to a low compression orange ball which allows them to grow at their own pace and continue to develop their hand-eye coordination and tennis skills. This clinic includes fitness, drills, technique and interactive games which begin to give our young members a path to learning scoring and match play. The 10-12-year-old clinics offer more technical instruction through drills and live ball situations, with more emphasis on point play, strategy, court positioning, fitness and mental toughness. This is a perfect bridge to middle school tennis for our Cordillera Ranch juniors and continues to emphasize team building, confidence and self-esteem.
Jane Pelley and Lisa Holderness
The 13 to 18-year-old clinics have continued to grow. This series is for middle school and Junior Varsity tennis players, and emphasizes fitness, technique, play based drills and match play. Match play is great for player development; it allows the professional staff to teach strategy, court positioning and mental toughness — all critical skills for a player’s transition to varsity high school tennis and USTA tournament competition. The Cordillera Ranch Tennis and Swim Club summer camps were very popular this summer. It was awesome to see the kids be able to enjoy the Tennis and Swim Club as protocols were in place to create a safe environment during uncertain times. The professional staff and camp counselors were able to introduce QuickStart Tennis, pickleball and a variety of other sports and games at the courts and pool. We added a Little Tennis and Swim camp for ages 4 to 7 and continued our Junior Program for ten weeks. I look forward to welcoming more members to the Tennis Club in 2021 and introducing them to the wonderful games of tennis and pickleball. Joe De Luna is the Director of Tennis at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jdeluna@cordilleraranch.com or 830.363.9004.
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 45
DINING
FROM OUR HOME,
DELIVERED TO YOURS By Graham House :: Photography by Kelsey Grudle
The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch have embraced the dynamic shift in services offered during these times. The past year certainly changed the way we must provide services for our members and it isn’t only food to-go from the Ranch Menu that has been conveniently available. We expanded our services to also include items from the Butcher Retail Shop, Specialty Cakes and Desserts, RetailWine, groceries from C-Star Marketplace and In-Home Catering, all available for home delivery. 46 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
Besides the safety considerations for many of our residents, delivery is now the norm on the Ranch. Receiving door-to-door service and carving out extra time for yourself is certainly a key advantage. Instead of lugging heavy grocery bags home, our grocery delivery service is not only convenient but the food selections are unsurpassed. This same level of fresh ingredients that members have come to expect from the culinary team at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch are now available for purchase, and the value of getting quality food and other products delivered to your door is worth the cost.
TO-GO AND DELIVERY SERVICES When you place your order to-go and would rather not leave your car, our team members will be ready with your order curbside! You also never have to leave the comfort of your home to
enjoy a delicious meal from the Club with the C-Star Delivery Service. We are very excited to continue to serve you with this benefit of membership, and we are still working hard as ever to make sure that you have the outstanding service and food quality you would expect from your Club.
RETAIL WINE STORE Specializing in great value-oriented wines, the Retail Wine Store is designed for individuals who have an appreciation of fine wine. Jeff Cohen, your wine specialist, can also search and find wines for your home cellar or home events.
BUTCHER RETAIL SHOP Don’t let the meat shortage in stores get you down. Cordillera Ranch is still taking orders for fresh hamburger meat and steaks from the Club’s Butcher Retail Shop. To be precise, this is the most amazing Akaushi beef you will ever have, raised right here in the state of Texas by HeartBrand® Beef. It’s a perfect steak with the most incredible color, texture and marbling. Whether it is prepared by a famous chef or by you, the master of your own BBQ, you will agree when you take a bite that it is something you will always remember. HeartBrand Beef is one of the nation’s largest family-owned branded beef companies in the U.S. and is the largest producer of Japanese Akaushi cattle in the world. HeartBrand prides itself in producing beef that creates the best eating experience you will ever have. Whether it is a ribeye, a strip or hamburgers, you’ll remember eating it and it will leave you wanting more. The Club has available to order and butcher for you: • 8oz Ground Akaushi Patties or 5lb chubs • 6oz Filet • 8oz Filet • 14oz New York Strip • 16oz Ribeye Steaks
SPECIALTY CAKES AND DESSERTS Specialty Cakes and Desserts are, well, the icing on the cake for any celebration or dinner party. And who doesn’t have a favorite dessert? Select from standard cakes like silky Red Velvet or request a custom cake from a favorite picture. Individually wrapped sugar cookies or cupcakes are perfect for parties. Other options include creamy Éclairs, cheesecakes, pies, tarts and other sweet delights, all perfect for any special occasion.
WE’LL DO THE SHOPPING FOR YOU Stay at home and we’ll do the shopping for you with our C-Star Marketplace. Available online, simply shop for essentials like dairy, fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry and bread, including those hard-to-find household goods. Our supplier delivers daily for guaranteed freshness. We offer curbside pickup — we’ll bring your groceries out to your vehicle and you’ll be on your way. Or with home delivery, get your groceries delivered right to your doorstep.
CATERING TO-GO OR IN-HOME Catering To-Go is ideal when hosting smaller dinner parties at your home. No prepping or cooking. Just sit back and relax while our culinary team prepares a delicious custom meal. Available for pickup or delivery, you can enjoy our classics or create your own custom menu. You will receive your meal, hot and ready to serve, packaged in disposable containers that can go straight to your table or transfer to your own serving platters. In-Home Catering takes the stress out of entertaining. For catered events of all sizes, we provide staff, food and beverage equipment, set-up, service and clean-up at your home in Cordillera Ranch. We can also help outsource extra rentals, such as tents, tables, chairs, floral, and more. Breathe. We’ve got this.
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 | 47
TA S T E !
CELLAR CLUB
taste noun /tãst/
:the sensation of flavor perceived in the mouth and throat on contact with a substance.
This will be the new look to my column. I will try and keep everybody updated with wines from around the world. I will be showcasing these wines with detailed tasting notes from vineyard and wine experts and then give prototypical food pairings. I hope you enjoy! 48 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
By Jeffrey Cohen
The inaugural wine will be ... drum roll please. This year’s Wine Spectator’s #1 wine of the year:
Marqués de Murrieta ‘Castillo Ygay’ Gran Reserva Especial 2010 OVERVIEW: The Cebrián-Sagarriga family, who in 1983 acquired the Marques de Murrieta winery established in 1852, has a distinct winemaking philosophy that is founded on the pursuit of quality and excellence through tradition and innovation. Only the finest vintages from the 741-acre Ygay Estate in Spain are used to make Castillo Ygay. The Gran Reserva Especial is made from Tempranillo and Mazuelo grapes from vineyards located at 485 meters above sea level. It is limited in production and sought after all over the world.
TASTING NOTES: by Thomas Matthews. Maturing well, this round red is a lovely example of the traditional style. Orange peel, dried cherry, forest floor, vanilla and black tea flavors mingle harmoniously over round tannins and citrusy acidity. Generous but gentle, lively, balanced, and harmonious. Drink now through 2030. 680 cases imported.
with hints of truffles. Then finish it off with some Calabrian chiles. For a more dinner approach, you can start out with your favorite short rib recipe. Save some of the sumptuous braising liquids and then deglaze with a touch of aged Madeira. Finish with shavings of truffles or a tiny dash of truffle oil. Remember, a little goes a long way. For dessert, a dense chocolate torte finished with a tart cherry drizzle and orange zest.
FOOD PAIRINGS: The wine is quite versatile and can be enjoyed with a nice charcuterie board consisting of Iberian Ham, Jamón Serrano, Ibérico Chorizo and without a doubt some Manchego cheese. You can also try and find a creamy yellow
I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH WITH ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT OUT QUESTIONS BEING ANSWERED: Yes, we will be offering our fantastic C-Star logoed wine glasses again for purchase. Unfortunately, the tumultuous times that we are in have put a delay in receiving our shipments. I would like to do this by pre-order. They will be sold in six-pack boxes for $18 a stem. The limit is 12 glasses per household. You can simply send an e-mail to Jcohen@cordilleraranch.com. I will need your Name, Member Number and Quantity you wish to purchase. From my family to yours, I wish you the absolute greatest holiday season and memorable new year! See you at the Club… Jeff Jeffrey Cohen is the Wine Specialist at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jcohen@cordilleraranch.com.
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WELLNESS
ARE WE THERE YET?
Well, Hello There, 2021!
There has never been a more anticipated or more welcomed new year than the year 2021. As we transition into a new season on both the calendar and in life as we know it, now is the perfect time to reset, recharge and reevaluate your health and well-being. By Kris Cracknell :: Photography by Kelsey Grudle
The rise of uncertainty and dismantling of regular routines for a good part of 2020 had us all off track. We wondered if and when our kids would go back to school. Is football season happening? And what day is it? Add to that home schooling, home offices and home-bound families, and it’s not surprising that workout routines fell apart, even for the most committed fitness enthusiasts. Whether you’re rebuilding your workout routine or building new habits, being consistent and specific about your intentions is a great first step into the new year. Life keeps moving and so should you! At The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, the Spa and Fitness Club is here to partner with you on your quest for wellness. Each of our team members have extensive training in our specialized areas and all of us are dedicated to helping foster a healthy community. No person escaped the challenges of 2020. It’s taken a toll on our collective mental and physical health. So, if your motivation to exercise during the pandemic has been as elusive as toilet paper or antibacterial wipes, you are not alone. If you’ve been thinking about getting back to that spin class, put on your shoes. Kevin is ready for you. If your heightened emotions have you in need of a recalibration of the mind and body, join us Saturday mornings for a Gentle Yin Yoga class.
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Looking for a good time, great music and a guaranteed smile while you sweat? Come to Dance Fitness class! To un-wreck your neck and the rest of your spine, get realigned with an ELDOA class with Kelly. And speaking of alignment, if you’re still wondering if Pilates is right for you or even how you do it, please, for the love of 2021, reach out to me or stop me in the hall. It is my absolute pleasure to talk with members about my favorite subject (yes, it really is Pilates). The Club offers group Pilates classes five days a week and a variety of other classes six days a week. There are many ways to sustain our health and well-being. If private workouts feel like a better fit for you, each of us are here and available to help guide you through safe, effective and inspiring workouts. These personalized, one-on-one sessions can be done in person or virtually. Well-being doesn’t end with physical health. Maintaining a healthy mind is necessary to round out your wellness journey. Lisa and Amanda provide therapeutic massage that reduces stress and anxiety along with pain and stiffness. If you need a customized skin treatment, our new esthetician JoAnn can create a skincare regimen unique to each member. Changes in daily routines, coping with added anxiety, boredom and isolation can all negatively impact diet, physical health and mental well-being. When considering your 2021 goals,
maintaining optimism may be more important than ever before and factors heavily into your motivation to move. The next time you feel like you don’t have energy to exercise, try shifting your focus to how you’ll feel once you’ve completed your workout. Although it may take a little more than the usual effort to either ramp back up to pre-pandemic pace or to create and adjust to new fitness routines, know that you have all the resources and support right here at the Club.
We look forward to a healthy and much happier 2021! We are stronger together! The fitness and spa professionals at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch are ready to help members and their guests achieve their goals and cater to their needs. To learn more about the benefits of adding group exercise, Pilates, personal training, massage therapy or skincare to your wellness program, contact our fitness and spa professionals below.
TAMRA CHRISTIANSEN
KRIS CRACKNELL, NCPT
LISA GEIMAN
Fitness & Wellness Director :: 210.878.5367
Master Pilates Instructor :: 210.860.7322
Masseuse :: 830.596.3831
KELLY VIZZONE
MIKE MILLER
AMANDA REBOLLAR
Yoga Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor :: 210.442.9061
Personal Trainer :: 573.201.5381
Masseuse :: 773.701.1797
KEVIN DURIO
JOANN RANGEL
Personal Trainer :: 214.232.8603
Esthetician :: 830.850.0023
NATALIE SALES Group Exercise Instructor :: 956.455.3145
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SPECIAL EVENTS
A Venue for
ALL OCCASIONS The Equestrian Center at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch By Shane Reynolds :: Photography by Kelsey Grudle
Shaded by a canopy of heritage oaks and surrounded by the beautiful Texas Hill Country landscape, the area remains a pristine, undeveloped setting that transforms with the seasons, from wild flowers peppered with oak leaves in the spring through fall and winter foliage in colors of orange, gold and sage. The natural environment, when paired with lovely, customized décor, lends a rustic elegance to any special occasion. The Equestrian Center is available for our members to utilize for weddings, reunions, fundraisers, retreats, group meetings, corporate events and individual reservations. With plenty of room to roam and the capacity to accommodate groups as small as 100 or fewer and as great as 750, it is ideal for any situation. The facility has held special events as large as the Cordillera Ranch Shindig with 750 guests in attendance. Many weddings have been celebrated and it’s been the backdrop for filming Cavender Chevy commercials with George Strait and the music video for country artist Scotty Alexander’s new release, “Cowboy’s Daughter.” Several Club events take place annually at the Equestrian Center such as the Easter Eggstravaganza with 250 members in attendance, and the Clays and Crawfish event that begins with a Sporting Clays Tournament at the adjacent Gun Club, followed by a good ol’ Cajun crawfish boil.
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Nestled on 100 acres at the west end of Cordillera Ranch, the Equestrian Center is a popular destination for horse enthusiasts with lessons, programming and boarding, year-round.The Equestrian Center is also a great place to host a private event.
Whatever your vision for your special day may be, our professional staff are here to make planning your event as elegant and effortless as possible. Or host a retreat that incorporates a wide variety of recreational opportunities available on the Ranch. Regardless of the theme or event size, our culinary team can prepare casual meals or a higher level of cuisine. And guests can enjoy an overnight stay in the new luxurious Lodges at Cordillera Ranch. Really, the possibilities are endlessly fabulous. Shane Reynolds is the Recreation Director at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at sreynolds@cordilleraranch.com or 210.616.6051. Amanda Carlisle is the Private Events Director at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at acarlisle@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9176. Brianna Botine is the Member Relations and Lodging Concierge at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at bbotine@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9177.
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MEMBER SERVICES
INSPIRED AND ENGAGING RETREATS Cordillera Ranch takes “offsite” business meetings to the next level. By Brianna Botine
When booking a company retreat, team building exercise or business conference, what better way to make connections and share ideas than in Cordillera’s captivating natural setting.With luxury accommodations, custom catering and amenities, outfitter excursions, transportation services and private meeting spaces, the professional staff at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch will coordinate the perfect group package to ensure a successful corporate gathering. 54 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
Begin your retreat by hosting your guests at The Lodges. Two units provide luxury accommodations for small business retreats. The Elmax includes four Deluxe Suites and two Deluxe Rooms, while The Georg features four Private Rooms and a spacious common area that is ideal for meetings, dining or enjoying a happy hour. A full kitchen provides additional convenience, and a beautiful patio overlooking hole #3 of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is a great place to unwind. Attack your agenda around the dining table and hook up to the smart TV for business presentations. All rooms are designed for comfort with personal fine linens and toiletries, and our housekeeping crew is on stand-by, ready to deliver any additional amenities as needed, but will only refresh rooms upon request.
The Georg
The Georg
The Elmax
The Elmax
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Set high standards for your team with special food and drink packages — imagine being welcomed to your room with a personal charcuterie tray or treating your team with a “5 o’clock somewhere” margarita package. Or create gift packages from the Golf Pro-Shop with items such as a Peter Millar golf shirt, cozy Cordillera blankets, Titleist® golf balls and more. Each room includes a personal golf cart for easy transportation to the Clubhouse. Speak the love language of food! The culinary team uses only the finest ingredients whether your retreat includes a casual meal or more elevated cuisine, and the catering team is adept at understanding your requirements and building enjoyable meals throughout the day. You can choose to have breakfast, lunch and dinner catered directly to your group in The Georg, reserve a private dining room, or host a gathering at other unique venues on the Ranch such as poolside or at the Equestrian Center. The Ranch is also the perfect place for your team to enjoy the outdoors. With relaxing evenings under a starry sky, morn-
ing sunrises across the Guadalupe River Valley and wildlife peacefully traversing through the property, guests can fully embrace Cordillera’s beautiful landscape. After wrapping up your meetings for the day, grab your colleagues for a round of golf, test your skills at the Gun Club, or enjoy a relaxing trail ride. In this Hill Country haven, you will truly find it all. Your options are endless when booking at Cordillera Ranch. Contact Brianna Botine, Member Relations and Lodging Concierge, or Amanda Carlisle, Private Events Director, to begin planning your company retreat at The Ranch. Brianna Botine is the Member Relations and Lodging Concierge at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at bbotine@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9177. Amanda Carlisle is the Private Events Director at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at acarlisle@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9176.
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SIGNATURE VACATIONS
KAUAI The Garden Island Golf & Adventure Trip May 2 - 7, 2021
For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Shane Reynolds, Director of Recreation at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, at 210.616.6051 or sreynolds@ cordilleraranch.com. 58 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
We invite you to join us as we explore the island of Kauai for an unforgettable week of golf, adventure and sightseeing. Kauai is the oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian Islands chain and is known for its amazing tropical vegetation and flowers, hidden beaches and cascading waterfalls. Kauai also has one of the wettest spots on earth — Mount Waialeale, which receives around 431 inches of rain per year and feeds seven rivers on Kauai. THE TRIP FEATURES: • 6-day / 5-night stay in 5-star accommodations at the St. Regis Princeville and the Grand Hyatt in Poipu. • 3 rounds of golf on 3 spectacular courses. • Ground transportation for duration of island stay. • All food, drinks and spirits from Sunday night, May 2 through breakfast on Friday, May 7. • All gratuity at hotels, golf courses and adventure outings. • Spectacular adventure activities including kayaking, snorkeling, helicopter tour, sunset cruise on Na Pali Coast and more. • Luau at the Grand Hyatt Resort on Thursday night. • Personal guide and concierge for the entire trip. • Flight NOT included. Participants must arrange their own air travel arriving no later than Sunday, May 2, 2021 into the Lihue (LIH) airport and departing no sooner than Friday, May 7. The exclusive member fee for this Cordillera Ranch Signature Vacation is $4,850 per person based on double occupancy for each room. Airfare is not included. This trip requires a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum of 10. A $200 non-refundable deposit due by January 31, 2021 to hold a spot — a non-refundable balance due by March 15. The GO/NO GO date is March 15 — there are no refunds after 5:00pm on March 15.
MEMBER SERVICES
LUXURY LIMO
VAN SERVICE The Club provides members with a shuttle van service to and from San Antonio and Austin utilizing two 11-passenger Mercedes Luxury Limo Vans in our fleet. This service has proven to be extremely popular with our members for their transportation needs. Whether it’s a night out on the town, a drop off or pick up at the San Antonio airport or a shuttle service to a wedding, our friendly Club staff drivers are on standby to take great care of your family and guests. To reserve transportation, contact Shane Reynolds, Director of Recreation at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, at 210.616.6051 or sreynolds@cordilleraranch.com.
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Locally-owned, on-demand air charter service and aircraft management. 830-755-2376
w w w. b u e n a v i s t a a v i a t i o n . c o m
114 Boerne Stage Airfield Road, Boerne, TX 78006
HOME TOUR
BURDICK CUSTOM HOMES
ELEVATED LIVING
WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS New Available Home planned for a Clubs Village lot on hole #12 of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Cordillera Ranch. By James Frierson :: Photography by Lauren Keller :: Rendering by Oscar Flores
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For the award-winning Burdick Custom Homes, becoming Cordillera Ranch’s Preferred Builder is a huge honor.“Burdick has always built in the best neighborhoods in San Antonio,” said Chairman and CEO, Art Burdick,“I know of none that are superior to Cordillera Ranch.”
THE BURDICK CUSTOM HOMES PORTFOLIO reflects an attention to architectural detail, creative and innovative features, thoughtful site placement and, most importantly, a commitment to accommodating each homeowner’s lifestyle through a collaborative process from start to finish.
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Being a Preferred Builder gives Burdick the opportunity to create truly unique and timeless homes thanks to their nearly four-decade history of excellent client satisfaction, an uncompromising commitment to quality and impeccable taste in design. “The Ranch has some of the most gorgeous land and vistas in all of Texas,” added Burdick, who sees this partnership as a natural progression for the group’s continued reputation as the premier builder in Boerne and Kendall County. A sign of Burdick’s intuitive design style — which has earned decades of loyal clients — Burdick’s first spec home since
re-joining the Preferred Builder program sold quickly after starting construction. This has prompted the Burdick team to begin plans on their next home, also in Clubs Village. Situated on a spacious one-acre homesite overlooking the creek-lined hole #12 of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, this spectacular four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath smart home is slated to be under construction in early 2021 with a list price of just under $2.4MM. The architecture blends both modern and classic, marrying sleek finishes with cozy, natural materials that all exist harmoniously in this approximately 4,525-square-foot home. The home includes a three-car garage, a study off the foyer, a game room with a wet bar, and an open great room and kitchen that connects to covered back patios. An ample supply of natural light is filtered through clerestory windows strategically placed
throughout the home. “Over the years, Burdick has been known for their detail in construction finish out and that will definitely be seen in this contemporary clean lined home,” said Monika Morris, Vice President of the building group. The home is full of designer touches that take advantage of its contemporary style. For example, the kitchen’s smoother drywall texture and flat front cabinets disguise appliances and adhere to the bold lines on the large format tile backsplash and flooring. “The kitchen is a professional cook’s dream,” said Morris, “With a 48” gas stove with six burners and a griddle, a 30” freezer and 30” fridge, and high-quality ovens, cooks of all skill levels will love entertaining friends and family.” But Morris said “it’s the master suite that really sets this home apart from others,” with sliding glass doors leading to the patio and floor-
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to-ceiling windows that display Cordillera Ranch’s incredible views of the Texas Hill Country. “The back of the home is ideal for entertaining with multiple patios to provide several gathering spaces,” continued Morris. An indoor/outdoor space lets guests and conversation flow naturally, perfect for hosting afternoon parties or evening cocktails, and an outdoor kitchen located off the deck makes summertime barbecues a breeze. With a pool and spa, a sunken sitting area with a fire pit, and even a professional putting green, there’s entertainment for everyone. Or simply relax and enjoy the views from the 1.037-acre, elevated lot overlooking the fairway of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course with a breathtaking panorama of three holes and picturesque natural landscaping. “The home, when completed, will have both a smooth stone and split face stone facade,” said Morris, “specifically Lueders limestone and Boral Cultured Stone®, along with stucco and a metal roof with accents here and there.” In front, glass garage doors enforce the home’s clean, streamlined aesthetic and a courtyard shields the front entry, designed to create privacy and beauty. What has always set Burdick Custom Homes apart is their client service and the personal touches that instill confidence, whether one is looking for a first-time home or to further
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expand their real estate, in a way only the No.1 Custom Home Builder in the San Antonio area can. “The residents of Cordillera represent my second family,” said Tracy Harris, Burdick’s Director of Client Relations, “I have a strong relationship with the team at Cordillera and many fond memories.” For many on the team, being bestowed the honor of Preferred Builder is like a return home. “I take pleasure in helping find the perfect home in my old stomping grounds,” said Harris, who previously sold homesites in the community for Cordillera Ranch Realty for many years. To make the deal sweeter, Harris is an avid golfer, and to be able to place this home on the fairway of his favorite golf course is a privilege. Burdick Custom Homes’ portfolio of over 30 years showcases a variety of beautifully designed homes that mix styles, locally sourced materials and quality craftsmanship, while their company reputation reflects their determination in helping clients realize their vision. This home is no exception and has the advantage of being in Cordillera Ranch, one of the most sought-after areas for home buyers in Texas, with its Club amenities, natural serenity and proximity to San Antonio.
BURDICK CUSTOM HOMES 210.497.2200 :: www.burdickhomes.com
DEVELOPER’S CORNER
BOERNE ISD ACQUIRES SITE IN
It’s no secret that Boerne ISD has been booming for the last several years; in fact, it’s considered one of the fastest growing school districts in the state of Texas.Thanks to
THE SPRINGS OF CORDILLERA RANCH
diligent planning by BISD staff and the Board of Trustees
FOR FUTURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2020 HEB Excellence in Education Award for Best Small
By Charlie Hill
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in recent history, they’ve managed to handle that growth while still earning numerous accolades, including the School District in Texas. In their continued long-range planning efforts, Boerne ISD recently purchased 19 acres in the Springs of Cordillera Ranch to prepare for the continued growth in this community and the nearby communities that would feed a school in this location.
54 new large estate homesites offer stunning Hill Country and Panther Creek views with unique topography unlike any other units in the Springs of Cordillera Ranch.
The site, located on FM 3351 and Cordillera Springs, is positioned at the entry to Cordillera’s hottest neighborhood. While no firm timing is set for the potential new elementary school, the purchase secures BISD’s long-term position in the eastern portion of the school district. “With our district being fast-growth and our enrollment expected to increase rapidly we are preparing for the future by looking at purchasing land sites in several areas, including Bergheim,” says Dr. Thomas Price, Boerne Independent School District Superintendent. “Projections from our demographer show that Kendall County’s population is increasing in that area and the southern part of Kendall County and Boerne. “We continue to work on a comprehensive plan to manage the growth in our district and this land purchase is a large part of that plan. We have been excellent stewards of our taxpayers’ dollars, and because we were so diligent and saved money on our last bond, we have the opportunity to be proactive and purchase sites ahead of time for if and when the time comes for a new school in those areas.” BISD’s 2019 demographic study by PASA revealed that BISD enrollment has been growing by 4% to 5% per year for the past several years and its current enrollment of roughly 10,000 students is projected to grow by 33% to over 13,000 students
by the 2024-2025 school year. Further, those same projections indicate that Herff Elementary (in Esperanza) will have an enrollment of 831 students by that time, nearing capacity, without any re-zoning or additional elementary schools beyond the seven currently in place. The Springs of Cordillera Ranch has experienced record growth this year as the 2nd phase of home sites is under development. This 2nd phase, in which construction will be complete in the first half of 2021, includes three new units: Unit 301C, Unit 302 and Unit 302A, which offer 54 new large estate home sites (typically 2 acres) and are nearly halfway sold out already. “These are the most unique home sites we’ve offered in the Springs thus far, they’re a little larger, and many have beautiful Hill Country views as well as a select few with stunning Panther Creek views. Based on the early success in this phase, we’ve just released a new selection of 10 lots on a bluff overlooking Panther Creek, which has a stunning cliff-lined canyon marked by towering Cypress trees. It has a lot of similarity to the bluff lots on Riverwood along Swede Creek,” says Charlie Hill, President and Chief Operating Officer for DH Investments, developer of Cordillera Ranch. For more information, contact the Cordillera Ranch Realty Team at 888.66.RANCH and visit www.cordilleraranch.com.
The potential addition of a Boerne ISD elementary school adds to the history of this land serving as a location for schools over the past couple centuries. In fact, this would be the third school on the land that is now the Springs of Cordillera Ranch. Two schools, both called Panther Springs, were located on different sites within the Springs. The first schoolhouse dates back to the 1870’s and also served as a voting place for Precinct No. 2. Panther Creek School, Illustration by Bettie Edmonds
The second school was built closer to Highway 3351 right at the turn of the 20th century and stood there until it was moved in the 1950’s. CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 69
PREFERRED BUILDERS
UNDISPUTED LEADERS in Resell Value Again By Barry Denton
Cordillera Ranch Preferred Builders have combined to build most of the 900+ existing homes. Although it is not a requirement to use a Preferred Builder, their reputation for delivering the highest quality homes, superior customer service and best resell value has allowed them to build most of the homes in Cordillera Ranch.Their extensive experience in building custom homes in Cordillera Ranch, their familiarity with the topography and surroundings, and their knowledge of the uniquely comprehensive and detailed Design Guidelines is extremely valuable.“It saves everyone time and provides great comfort to clients when I can confidently guide a client through the site layout process by understanding what has worked for me previously in the community on a similar lot,” says Gabe Garcia of Pasadera Builders. Furthermore, Preferred Builders are the only builders that are preapproved to build a home in Cordillera Ranch — all other builders must get approval on a home-by-home basis. 70 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
THE VALUE PROPOSITION So often the search starts by seeking a comfort level that you are getting a great value: after all, for many families, building a custom home is their most significant investment, as well as a lifetime dream. The first question that pops into everyone’s mind is, “What does it typically cost to build a house per square foot?” That is the “million-dollar question,” and the answer can vary widely based on the
programming of the home’s features, detailed specifications, site characteristics and, not to be overlooked, the community in which the home is being built. Cordillera Ranch has such a high quality of architectural requirements and covenants that it is not realistic to compare home building costs to other communities. For example, a builder less familiar with Cordillera Ranch’s Design Guidelines that answers the price per square foot question based on past construction experience in a community with weaker restrictive covenants and Design Guidelines will most likely underestimate the cost for a home in Cordillera Ranch, particularly if your expectations are for the quality of finishes and details comparable and consistent with homes recently built in Cordillera Ranch. These thorough Design Guidelines, and the diligent enforcement of them, is one of the key factors for appreciating home values in Cordillera Ranch and the truly distinct feel of the community. One myth about the Preferred Builders at Cordillera Ranch is that they are more expensive than other builders because of the marketing fee they pay to Cordillera Ranch. This is simply an inaccurate assessment of how all builders (and frankly all businesses) operate. Though non-Preferred Builders sometimes market their value to you by indicating you’ll save money by not paying the “marketing fee,” that’s misleading because they undoubtedly have marketing expenses
Photo by Doug Gaidry
cost-efficient marketing operation and thus can allocate less dollars per home to marketing. Todd Glowka of Todd Glowka Builder explains, “Our marketing relationship with Cordillera Ranch allows me to focus on operating a building company and delivering the best possible home for my client. I’ve effectively outsourced a major part of my marketing and branding to Cordillera Ranch — there’s not a successful company in any industry that exists without some marketing budget.” Simply put: The Cordillera Ranch Preferred Builders have a marketing economy of scale that allows better cost-efficiency than some equally sized custom builder competitors. Photo by Lauren Keller The Preferred Builders’ cost efficiency does not end with marketing. The Preferred Builders are consistently building more homes in Cordilbuilt into your home construction costs and are paying the Reallera Ranch than other builders. This leads to economies of scale tor who brought them the client a fee as well. with trades, suppliers and project management that is difficult to Don’t let the principal reason for choosing a builder be based achieve otherwise. You can figure the math easily: if your builder on a few percentage points. Focusing on such diverts your attention away from more profound principles — quality, dependability, has five homes currently under construction in the community (versus one) that leads to more efficient material and labor costs customer service and value. Focus on making a far greater return because of buying power. on your investment when you sell your Preferred Builder-built In addition, each of the Preferred Builders have most, if not home tomorrow. Year after year, homes previously built by Cordilall, of their construction jobs within Cordillera Ranch which allera Ranch’s Preferred Builders sell for more than homes built by lows for much more cost-efficient job supervision. Ray Stadler of non-Preferred Builders. In fact, 2019 homes built by Preferred Stadler Custom Homes explains further, “The more homes we Builders sold for a 16% premium (dollar per square foot sales are building in Cordillera Ranch means more time we are spendprice) over non-Preferred Builders and that resale value was even ing in their home instead of driving between neighborhoods. more pronounced in 2020 with homes built by Preferred Builders More time in their home means greater attention to detail, reselling for a 34% premium versus competitors. quality and timeliness of the build.” Concentration of activity is Cordillera Ranch Realty and the Cordillera Ranch Preferred also important for customer service. Immediate availability of Builders are transparent about this marketing relationship and remain confident it allows Preferred Builders to keep overhead costs lower than non-Preferred Builders, which in turn saves clients money. “The Cordillera Ranch Preferred Builder program provides a more cost-efficient, scaled approach to marketing for the Preferred Builders. They can focus their resources on personalized service to clients and staying focused on a high-quality construction process, versus spending extra expenses on marketing or diluting their time with marketing operations that other builders have to do,” says Charlie Hill, President of Cordillera Ranch. It is likely that because of the scale of Cordillera Ranch’s annual marketing budget and the ability to create a consortium of marketing power with the builders, that the Preferred Builders have a more
Photo by Blue Bruin Photography
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TRUST, EXPERIENCE AND LONGEVITY One word that is used over and over about our Preferred Builders is “trust.” As Ken Nibling described when discussing his decision to choose Ray Stadler, “We had to do this [build] long distance, and we needed to be able to trust the person on the other end of the phone. We just felt we could put our faith in Ray.” The longterm commitment these builders have to the community adds an intangible value. “I live here in Cordillera Ranch,” says Stadler, “and we are all members of The Clubs so we, as Preferred Builders, have an elevated sense of obligation to protect our reputation! I’m going to see my clients for years to come at The Clubs and I’ve enjoyed conPhoto by Lauren Keller tinuing these positive relationships beyond the building process,” says Ray Stadler. resources during construction and after the home is complete In summary, choosing your custom builder can make or is another reason Burdick Custom Homes has never built on break the ease and enjoyment of your building experience. remote, single sites. “We focus on a very few luxury communiDon’t be fooled when a builder tries to convince you they have ties,” says Alexia Herber, President of Burdick Custom Homes. lower overhead costs because they don’t have a marketing fee “Prompt customer service is paramount for the happiness of our or expense; it’s built into their price too and if you’re not using homeowners. There is great probability that since we have mula Preferred Builder it’s probably costing you more than you tiple builds inside Cordillera Ranch at any one time, we’ll have a realize. There is a reason that the vast majority of the homes plumber, electrician or other tradesman to you within hours of a in Cordillera Ranch have been built by a Cordillera Ranch Prerequest rather than days or weeks.” ferred Builder: they have earned their reputation as the highest The value proposition of a Preferred Builder extends beyond quality builders, most dependable, best in follow-up and best their cost-efficient model. How valuable is your time? Do you in resell value. Don’t forget what Warren Buffet says: “Price is want to partner with a builder that knows the architectural what you pay, value is what you get.” review process like the back of his hand and can expedite that process for you, or one that must sort through the nuFor more information, contact the Cordillera Ranch ances leading to costly delays or change orders? With today’s Realty Team at 888.66.RANCH and visit escalating materials prices, days and weeks trimmed from the www.cordilleraranch.com/preferredbuilders. process can amount to thousands of dollars saved for the owner. It is easy to understand how much smoother your building process can be with builders who have built hundreds of homes in Cordillera Ranch versus somebody that has just one under his belt. “We have some unique opportunities to capture stunning views and other nuances that you don’t have in other communities,” adds Trey Garner of Garner Homes. “There is an art to laying out your home site here, and if you approach it any other way then you probably haven’t maximized the beauty of your lot and ultimately the value of your home. That is one of the things I enjoy the most here is the flexibility and artistic approach to building,” continues Garner. Photo by Blue Bruin Photography
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Relax and Rejuvenate The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch Spa Services invite you to relax and rejuvenate with an array of services including massage therapy, facials, and personal training. Tamra Christiansen Fitness & Wellness Director 210.878.5367
Kevin Durio Personal Trainer 214.232.8603
Kelly Vizzone Yoga Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor 210.442.9061
Lisa Geiman Masseuse 830.596.3831
Natalie Sales Group Exercise Instructor 956.455.3145 Kris Cracknell, NCPT Master Pilates Instructor 210.860.7322 Mike Miller Personal Trainer 573.201.5381
Amanda Rebollar Masseuse 773.701.1797 JoAnn Rangel Esthetician 830.850.0023 Kelsey Grudle Recreational Coordinator 830.336.9172
For more information about the state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa services, please call 830.336.9000 and visit
www.clubsofcordilleraranch.com
TESTIMONIALS
Get to Know t h e
CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM in Texas for more than 20 years. I was the co-owner and founder of the property management group that operated in Austin and managed a concierge and management company for golf course and lakefront homes.
VANCE WALLER Vance Waller is the poster child for why people move to Cordillera Ranch. While living in Houston and involved in the corporate world, he wanted to settle down in a place that was more laidback, had milder weather and beautiful surroundings. Once he moved to Cordillera Ranch, Waller decided to do something different — he went to work for the place he lives. Waller provides a unique perspective to his clients in that he went through the process of finding a home within Cordillera Ranch, so he can relate to what they’re going through and the questions and concerns they have, all while giving them the answers and benefits they’re seeking. The vast and scenic Texas Hill Country views found throughout the community are incredible, but Waller also prefers exploring what’s found beneath the ocean. He’s also known to toy around with some classic cars, and befriended a member of the “Pony Express.” HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY, AND WHAT WERE YOU DOING PRIOR TO THAT? Since the summer of 2016. Prior to that, I was an executive in the global consulting and risk management industry. I also owned a property management company and had invested in real estate
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WHAT INTRIGUED YOU TO JOIN THE CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM? I went through the process of working with Cordillera Ranch Realty, selecting a homesite and building a custom home in the community. I learned a lot about the process, and I looked at it both from an emotional standpoint and a business perspective. It made sense to me and was very appealing. WE KNOW THERE’S NO SECRET SAUCE TO SELLING REAL ESTATE, BUT WHAT IS A KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS? I can relate to the client. I ask a lot of questions because it’s all about them and how they can reap the benefits of this unique property. I take a very systematic approach and it’s quite simple — every discussion and every meeting that I have with a client is to help them make a good decision. We establish an end in mind for each meeting, and each event is to allow them to decide. The first meeting — is Cordillera Ranch the right place for them? The second one centers on what type of home do they want — a custom-build or an existing home. The following meeting, should they build, is to look at the key features of the different homesites and what works best for what they want. Then we will narrow it down to a few properties that meet their criteria, and then it becomes an emotional decision. Leading up to that point, it’s all business. That final decision is all emotional, and that’s where I step back and let them do what’s right for them.
In each issue, we spotlight a member of the Realty team to learn what motivates them, personally and professionally. By Robert Rodriguez
WHAT’S THE MOST APPEALING ASPECT OF CORDILLERA RANCH? The people here have a common denominator, and it’s not necessarily where they’re from, their passions or their businesses. It’s a common denominator of a relaxed friendship and trust and camaraderie that makes it unique. All the members and residents have come from somewhere else, so it’s a very welcoming atmosphere. There is a very understated atmosphere here where egos are left at the front gate. It’s the most unpretentious community of its type that I’ve seen. YOU WERE BORN IN CONNECTICUT AND LIVED IN LONDON FOR SEVEN YEARS AS A YOUTH. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO TEXAS? My dad was in the oil and gas business, so we traveled the world. I went to SMU and did graduate work at St. Thomas University in Houston. I was at SMU during the Death Penalty days. I knew Eric Dickerson and Craig James was a fraternity brother of mine. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I’m a classic car enthusiast. Every year I go to several classic car auctions — anything motorized or mechanical is a fascination of mine. I’ve got a three-car garage and I’m running out of room. I’m also a former scuba diving instructor — my son and I are avid scuba divers. We dove a shipwreck in the British Virgin Islands and that was one of our best dives. We’ve also done dives in Hawaii and all over the Caribbean, but BVI was the most exciting dive. I want to dive some more deep shipwrecks off the coast of Florida. There are so many off the coast — some of them are artificial reefs (freighters or shrimp boats) and others are legitimate shipwrecks.
CORDILLERA RANCH HOME LISTING INVENTORY IS AS TIGHT AS EVER If you’ve thought about listing and selling your home, now may be the perfect time. We’re seeing new listings sell quickly and for top dollar. LET OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM OF HOME SALES PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE AN ANALYSIS OF YOUR PROPERTY TODAY!
Charles Mueller
Vance Waller
Carey Yeager
John Kuhry
Barry Denton
210.710.6359 Licensed Real Estate Agent cmueller@cordilleraranch.com
830.388.2828 Licensed Real Estate Agent vwaller@cordilleraranch.com
830.388.6363 Licensed Real Estate Agent cyeager@cordilleraranch.com
512.424.9924 Licensed Real Estate Agent jkuhry@cordilleraranch.com
210.827.8384 Director of Real Estate Sales bdenton@cordilleraranch.com
CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 888-66-RANCH
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
LOT 13 OAKLAND HILLS Contact for Details
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5,449 Square Feet
This distinguished design from the award-winning team of Garner Homes and J Terrian Designs overlooks the 8th and 9th holes of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, with oversized windows and doors throughout to enjoy the view. 5,449 square feet of living space include a spacious home office and separate bonus space ideal for remote working; an open concept dining space with a climatecontrolled wine storage closet and direct access to the outdoor living area; a large game room with a walk-behind bar and access to the patio; an open kitchen and great room with an abundance of natural light; an attached casita adds flexibility to the home’s layout. Outdoor living includes heritage Live Oaks and views of the golf course, a swimming pool and spa, and over 800 square feet of covered space. The oversized 4 car garage is ideal for a car collector or family with young drivers.
Rendering/Design subject to change
• Under construction fall 2020 • Gourmet kitchen • Climate-controlled wine storage • Outdoor kitchen • Centralized utilities (water, sewage, propane) • Large windows and doors flood the home with natural light • Master Full Golf Membership Available
20 OAKLAND HILLS $1,830,000
4,257 Square Feet
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Non-MLS
Lifestyle by Stadler presents this two-story, three bedroom, five-bath transitional style home meticulously sited on 1.15 acres of golf frontage and surrounded by stands of Live Oaks with beautiful sunset views. Luxury touches abound. An open floor plan with huge sliding glass doors and windows bring the outdoors in, and diffuse abundant natural light throughout the home. Construction begins fall 2020 with a completion date of late summer 2021. • • • • • • •
3 bedrooms/5 baths/3-car garage Large master suite with dramatic accent wall Flex Room with its own bath and covered balcony Spacious media room with covered deck Elegant kitchen featuring granite countertops Backyard pool with pool bath and shower Master Full Golf Membership Available
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
Rendering/Design subject to change
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2280 CLUBS DRIVE $1,350,000
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3,896 Square Feet
MLS# 1496702
Located on hole #5 of the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, this single level Stadler custom home features three oversized bedrooms each with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. An open floor plan, custom ceilings, abundant natural light and travertine and hand-scraped hickory floors highlight the exceptional craftmanship and finishes. Relax and enjoy the sounds of the waterfall adjacent to the hole #5 green from the peaceful covered patio with outdoor fireplace. Mature oaks enhance the beauty and privacy of this stunning home. 3 bedrooms/3 and a half baths/3 car garage 1.33 acres with golf course frontage Isolated Master Suite and home office Great separation of secondary suites Front courtyard and covered patio for outdoor living
CHARLES MUELLER Listing Agent :: 210.710.6359
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30 MAYACAMA POINT $2,175,000
6,527 Square Feet
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MLS# 1494972
There are panoramic 15-mile views from all living areas, outdoor living and the pool of this stunning Stadler custom home. A gourmet kitchen opens to the family room, breakfast room and outdoor living space. The opulent master suite on the first floor offers distant views, a spa-like bathroom, his and hers closets and a separate workout room. Large secondary suites include baths. Outdoor living features long range views, covered sitting areas, a grill and fireplace. Additional rooms include a home office, media, game room and utility, with options to easily create a second home office. • • • • • •
4 bedrooms/4 full and 2 half baths/3 car garage 1.25 acres in Clubs Village Wolf appliances, furniture-style cabinets Infinity edge pool with spa Elevator complements two-story living Master Full Golf Membership Available
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
CAREY YEAGER Listing Agent :: 830.388.6363
25 AUGUSTA $2,182,700
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7,300 Square Feet
MLS# 1414722
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. • 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
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347 PARK RIDGE $2,999,000
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5,905 Square Feet
MLS# 1494901
This unique Equestrian property includes 23 underbrushed acres and hundreds of trees. An open floor plan centers around a large kitchen, adjacent breakfast area, family room and bar. A bonus room can easily be converted to a fifth bedroom. Other rooms include game, utility, dining and a changing room for the pool. Outside living features an island grill/bar, covered patios overlooking the pool/spa, a Koi Pond and a fire pit. Equine facilities include six stalls with turnouts, a rotating tack wall, soaring ceilings sited for prevailing breezes, a wash rack, feed room, full bath and storage. The property is sectioned to manage grazing. • • • • • •
4 bedrooms/5 full and 1 half bath/3 car garage Master bedroom separated from secondary bedrooms RARE Ag Exemption – Great grazing Multiple wells Priefert round pen walker Master Full Golf Membership Available
BARRY DENTON Listing Agent :: 210.827.8384
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
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Cordillera Ranch Realty Homes for Sale 1 - Lot 13 Oakland Hills 2 - 20 Oakland Hills 3 - 2280 Clubs Drive 4 - 30 Mayacama Point 5 - 25 Augusta 6 - 347 Park Ridge
1499 S. Main Street
Next to the Dog & Pony Grill
830.331.1391
CORDILLERA RANCH LIVING
28 Cordillera Trace Boerne, TX 78006
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID FULTON, MO PERMIT #38
