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Trooning Up: Cordillera Returns to Glory
To say Cordillera is one of North America’s toniest golf developments is like saying Augusta National hosts a golf tournament. The 12-square-mile enclave’s meteoric rise to prominence as the Vail Valley’s preeminent golf community and resort destination began in 1987 when plans were unveiled to construct the 28-room Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, and continued with the introduction of four golf courses: the Hale Irwin-designed Mountain Course in 1994; Tom Fazio’s Valley Course and the Dave Pelz-designed Short Course in 1997; and The Summit Course, a Nicklaus masterpiece, in 2001.
DISCORDILLERA
But in recent years, Cordillera, like so many golf communities, proved it wasn’t immune to the impact of an imploding real estate economy. Exacerbating its woes was a contentious spat between members of the Club at Cordillera and then-owner David Wilhelm. Not long after Wilhelm bought Cordillera in 2009 from owner and founder, Felix Posen, relations soured when Wilhelm allegedly made decisions unpopular with members, such as opening only one of the community’s four golf courses. Collateral damage also included the shuttering of two of the club’s restaurants and its golf instructional facility, which remained closed for two seasons. So disgruntled were the members by the closures, many stopped paying dues in protest or resigned altogether. Members filed a class-action lawsuit, Wilhelm countersued, and the club was eventually granted Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.
“There was a hatred like I've never seen between the ownership and the members, and I'm sad that ever occurred,” explains John Lemak, a Cordillera resident. “There were a number of clubs across the country that got into trouble financially; ours was one of them. A lot of mistakes were made here, but everybody in this community banded together. I'm hopeful that things will get better.”
That certainly appears to be the case. Righted from its tailspin in December 2012, the club emerged from bankruptcy after being sold for $14.2 million to Wind Rose Holdings LLC, an investment group from California. The sale settled the lawsuits and also called for the hiring of a professional management company to run the club.
TROONING UP
At the beginning of 2013, Troon announced it had been chosen to manage of the Club at Cordillera. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon is the largest third-party golf management company in the world.
To re-boot membership, Troon launched a program under Troon Privé, the company’s private club operating division.
“The special membership opportunity began in January and ended in early March,” commented Patrick Wilhelm, managing partner with Wind Rose and one of four Wilhelm siblings in the investment group. “It was available to people who were previously members of Cordillera as well as any homeowner inside the gates of Cordillera who had not previously been a member.”
Thanks to deeply discounted membership deals and meetings with residents and past members, more than 300 former members rejoined, 14 property owners became new members and six new members signed on from “outside the gates.”
While the window for that deal closed in March, the club is offering full golf memberships at a fraction of what they cost in 2011. Considering it wasn’t that long ago when the initiation fee to be a full golf member was $175,000, you can understand why people are jumping at the current initiation fee of $30,000, plus monthly dues just north of $1,000. The club is also offering Legacy and Young Professional memberships where the initiation fees are $40,000 and $15,000 respectively. Young Professional members, who are required to be under the age of 45, pay only half the dues of regular full golf members. A social membership costs $3,000 and with any of the membership levels there are no requirements to be a resident or property owner within Cordillera’s gates.
“We look forward to the opportunity to build The Club at Cordillera into what is, once again, a magnificent private mountain golf club,” says General Manager Mike Henritze, a Troon veteran who formerly served as GM of Colorado’s Ridge at Castle Pines North, and also for Troon Golf’s flagship property, Troon North Club in Scottsdale. “I think the start of a good foundation has been laid successfully and my goal is to create a vibrancy where the members engage and visit the club again and again. It is our job to create that atmosphere and vibe.”
As part of the Troon Privé portfolio, the Club at Cordillera not only benefits from Troon’s management expertise, but its full golf members also enjoy access to more than 30 private clubs. Among them, The Boulders and The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Arizona, Silverado Resort and Spa and Marin Country Club in California, Shark’s Tooth Golf Club and BallenIsles Country Club in Florida, and Pronghorn in Oregon. Through the Troon Advantage program, Club at Cordillera members benefit from preferred rates at more than 85 daily-fee and resort properties under Troon’s umbrella.
“I'm very pleased with Troon’s level of enthusiasm and what they're bringing to the table,” explained Nancy Groff, a member going on 18 years. “They weren't turned off by the circumstances here and, in fact, they were incredibly positive and they’re going to make it work. I’m absolutely looking forward to playing the Troon Privé courses as well.”
Of Cordillera’s four golf courses, three are available for play by Club at Cordillera full golf members—the Valley Course, Mountain Course and Summit Course. The Short Course was conveyed to Cordillera property owners as part of the new transition with Wind Rose. However, only two courses will operate this season.
Troon’s involvement assures that the courses are going to benefit from the company’s extensive knowledge in agronomy, which translates into lush fairways and tournament worthy greens. Slated for June 1, the re-opening of the training facility and the two restaurants ought to go a long way towards pleasing members.
“We plan on having a Troon Golf Academy this summer and the instruction program will be revamped,” Henritze says. “Tim Mahoney, one of our top 50 golf instructors, will be here for a few weeks and we’ll also have a director of instruction giving lessons.”
The Troon transition not only means the return of a stellar golf experience, but members can once again pull up a chair at Timber Hearth Grille at The Mountain Course, The Summit at The Summit Course and Chaparral at The Valley Course. The club has hired a new executive chef and food and beverage director, and revamped menus will debut June 1 at its restaurants.
“We’re very focused on the future and creating member satisfaction,” comments Henritze. “The resources at Troon are being employed to accomplish that. I’m looking forward to June when people are out here and having a good time.”
Kim McHugh, a Lowell Thomas award-winning writer, is a Colorado AvidGolfer Contributing Editor and a resort real estate marketing and advertising consultant.
For more information, visit cordillera-vail.com or call 970-569-6460.
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Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.
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