Articles

Published in The Sun, March 14, 2008.

Black Bull is a private, single-family residential community designed around a world-class golf course. While being just minutes from Downtown Bozeman, the course is set on the historic Leachman Angus Ranch, making you feel as though you’re nestled in the middle of Montana among the mountain ranges that surround the area. The views are different from those in the mountains themselves, but equally breathtaking because of the vast expanses of land and the imposing stature of the mountains that grow to the sky in all directions.

The centerpiece of Black Bull is the 18-hole Tom Weiskopf signature golf course that sprawls through the property. The course comes in at about 7215 yards from the back tees and just over 5000 yards from the front. Between the two yardages are 6 distinct tee boxes that allow the course to be playable for any caliber of golfer.

Golf Professional, David Baucom, describes Black Bull as a “modified links course” with its rolling terrain and menacing bunkers. Combine these with the prevailing breezes through the valley and you will feel like you could be standing on a fairway in Scotland.

The course won’t have many trees lining the fairways to stick to its history as a cattle ranch, so, as an additional hazard, tall native grasses have been planted beyond the rough. The seeds have been placed far enough apart, however, to give players the chance to not only find their ball should it fly off course, but an opportunity to recover and save par.

Baucom notes that, in many of his designs, Weiskopf likes to challenge the players’ thought process to take a risk and make a low score. At Black Bull he has designed holes 8 and 14 to be short, reachable par 4s. They are short enough that, from the appropriate tee box, many players would be able to drive the green. In the way, however, lie imposing bunkers and water hazards ready to capture any balls should they not be right on target. Those who aren’t trying to be heroes, however, can lay up with their drive and hit a short approach shot at the flag.

One of the most distinct features of the course is the 19th hole. Rather than a typical 19th hole that consists of a friendly bartender to help you settle your bets, this 19th hole is a short, less than 100 yard par 3 with multiple hitting locations. It sits behind the 18th green on a peninsula into the large lake that separates the 10th hole from the 18th fairway next to the Clubhouse. Should your Nassau end all-square, step up to this tee box, pull out your wedge, and try to stick it next to the pin to settle the round before heading into the Clubhouse to collect your winnings.

Practice facilities are one of the most important amenities to many golfers, especially those in a club setting. Black Bull’s designers have gone to great lengths to develop large and smart practice facilities. They start with a 16 acre grass range that has tee boxes on both ends. The far side will have demo stations to try different clubs as well as different yardages to the holes places throughout the facility.

For those looking to improve their short game, this side will also have a green, bunkers, and undulating fairway shots for people to work on their skills.

The side closest to the clubhouse allows players to both practice “driving for show” and approach shots. There will be an area cut to fairway length so golfers can use their short irons to simulate approaching a plethora of pins placed within a long, thin green angling away from the golfer. There is even a bunker so you can work on hitting those pesky fairway bunker shots, something people dread mostly because they never have the opportunity to practice until they have the misfortune of finding themselves in the sand with 150 yards left.

Though Black Bull is set up to eliminate tee-times, should you find yourself running a bit late, there is another large practice green and chipping area close by the first tee to help you find your touch before heading out to the course.

Black Bull has completed what will become their swim and tennis center, and are currently using it as the temporary clubhouse. It is complete with men’s and women’s locker rooms, a restaurant and a bar. There is also a drive-thru option for those making the turn after nine holes so they can grab a bite and keep moving through their round.

The clubhouse itself is planned for completion by 2010 with casual dining, elegant dining, a full service spa and workout facilities, as well as an extensive golf shop and locker facilities. In keeping with Black Bull’s commitment to its women, all the facilities will be equal between genders, making the club friendly and accessible to everyone. Next summer pool and tennis facilities are scheduled to be completed. They are also planning on multiple passive and active parks and at least 2 tennis courts for members, with room for expansion.

Besides your typical club amenities, Black Bull will have an outfitter service so members can rent equipment and guides to spend the day fishing the lakes and streams that run through the property or head to the nearby Gallatin and Madison Rivers. The waterways on the property are already full of native species of fish, so it’s a great place to get out and throw in a line.

There are different kinds of homesites available now, with more coming in the future. The master plan calls for large, custom lots around the golf course and lakes and Club Homes surrounding the social centers. The Club Homes are turnkey homes that are designed by Locati Architects who is also designing the clubhouse. Two of these are completed and are used as model homes. The rest of the sites are larger and perfectly setup for custom homes.

To learn more about Black Bull, stop by their model homes just off Love Lane in Bozeman. You’ll know you are here by the enormous Black Bulls that guard the entrance to the community. You can also visit their website at www.blackbullbozeman.com or call 406-556-5011.

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