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From an outdoor barbecue to a black-tie and ball-gown affair; from an evening of live music to a lineup of magnificent automobiles; and from family functions to the fairways, the elaborate and entertaining events surrounding the five-day grand opening of Carlton Woods’ Tom Fazio Championship Golf Course showcased the lively and luxurious lifestyle that accompanies ownership in this private club community. The grand opening at Carlton Woods Creekside, located in The Woodlands — the largest master-planned community in Texas — included five full days of festivities, proving that the saying is true: Everything really is bigger in Texas. “The event was an opportunity to show that the club can be all things to all people,” said Bill Langley, general manager of The Club at Carlton Woods. “May was the best month we’ve ever had in terms of membership sales in the history of the club. We generated a lot of excitement about membership.” The celebration kicked off on Thursday, April 20, with an evening “Party with the Pros” event, giving Carlton Woods members a chance to mingle on the stone patio of the Italianate clubhouse along the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, with almost a dozen IMI-sponsored PGA Tour players including Lucas Glover, Tim Petrovic and Brett Quigley, fresh from the greens of their PGA Tour stop in Houston. The reception was topped off with a private performance by singer, songwriter and storyteller Edwin McCain. Golf naturally played a key role throughout the celebration and drew a huge audience — for both Sunday’s family feud nine-hole scramble, complete with prizes and a picnic for all, and for Friday’s “Bearfights,” a play on an old term for a golf match called a “dog fight.” Club members and their guests filled up the morning rounds so quickly that a second round had to be added for the afternoon. “We had such a tremendous response within two or three days after the invitations were mailed out,” Langley said. On Saturday night, guests enjoyed a black-tie optional Night of Luxury, with a live jazz band. The festive gala was hosted by Golf Connoisseur magazine, as Club members and friends wined with Far Niente vintners and dined on elaborate buffets featuring steamed crab legs, fresh vegetables, juicy prime rib and mountains of shrimp. Throughout the clubhouse, guests explored booths featuring a variety of luxury merchants. Tuxedo-clad gentlemen scrutinized the Mercedes sports cars on the lawn while elegantly dressed ladies shopped for jewelry, watches and other accessories. Glasses of Scotch were served from the clubhouse patio, and golfers tested their skill by competing in a closest-to-the-hole prize event. As full and contented guests left the clubhouse at the end of the night, they were presented with personalized bottles of wine commemorating the event. The final day of the festivities offered members a truly unique opportunity to gain the upper hand on mastering the new course — Tom Fazio himself gave guests insight into his planning of the course, even offering pointers on specific holes. Along with Golf Director Mark Steinbauer, Fazio emceed the Monday celebrity skins game featuring Roger Clemens and Johnny Bench. These two baseball greats, along with several PGA golfers, wore mics on the course and bantered back and forth as they competed to win each hole in order to raise money for the charity of their choice. “Some clubs are stuffy,” Steinbauer said. “Our events are classy, but fun.” At the end of the day, more than $30,000 was given to charity. The public’s response to the elaborate five-day grand opening was overwhelmingly evident. Tommy Koops, one of Carlton Woods’ charter members was among those who boasted of the community’s outstanding service. “All my guests are wowed when they come to the club,” he said. This event only raised the high expectations associated with Carlton Woods’ first-class lifestyle, Koops explained. The staff make it a point to “touch every aspect of what club members want,” not only on Grand Opening day, he said, but every day. |
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