You know you’ve arrived in the special place that is Brasada Canyon when you pass under the restored trestle bridge just off the 18th green, on your way to the clubhouse. Used as an irrigation flume on what was once a working ranch in the high desert of central Oregon, the bridge is truly a link between the property’s past and its future as the “greenest” of golf and recreational communities. The development has been lauded for its sustainable building practices, including the use of salvaged wood and materials, natural heating and cooling sources, as well as for its preservation of open space. Among other environmental honors, it’s the first new destination resort to receive a gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy also treaded lightly when it came to designing Brasada Canyons Golf Course, completed in July, 2007. “There’s so much to see during a round at Brasada, that we had to make some strategic decisions about when to create visual drama and when to simply get out of the way,” said Jacobsen. Hardy elaborates: “Folks have latched onto the 15th”—a drivable par-4 across a canyon in full view of the Cascades—“but the ninth might be our favorite hole out there. You play across a baranca, to a hugely generous landing area. There is no fairway bunkering—there is no need for it when you consider the natural roll of the terrain. The green sits out at the terminus of this ridgeline with the white-capped mountains as a backdrop. Just stunning.”

Stunning, indeed. Brasada Ranch is located on juniper- and sage-covered slopes of the Cascades, some 16 miles northeast of Bend. In time, a total of 900 residences will be built on 1,300 acres. The clubhouse—a 24,000 sq. ft. facility complete with a private swimming pool for members—opened last fall, and will be followed this year by the completion of the Athletic Club and, after that, an elaborate equestrian center.

The Cliffs Communities
North and South Carolina; 866-435-5123
CliffsCommunities.com

Having already raised the bar for premier golf living with its first seven master planned communities in the southernmost  Blue Ridge Mountains between Asheville, N.C. and Greenville, S.C., The Cliffs Communities raised the bar higher still with its eighth,  The Cliffs at High Carolina, which will feature Tiger Woods’ first American golf-course design. Together, The Cliffs now span 20,000 acres over hundreds of thousands of acres of protected forests.

The gently rolling meadow on which Woods will design his landmark layout sits at 4,000 feet and features 50-mile views. “It’s a beautiful piece of property,” he says. “You really can’t mess this up.” Woods and his lead designer, formerly Tom Fazio's top man, are fine-tuning the routing, with construction likely to begin this summer. Walking will be strongly encouraged on the course, highlighting an emphasis on fitness and health shared by Woods and the Cliffs, whose wellness program is a major amenity for residents.

Tiger’s design will bring the The Cliffs’ line-up of championship courses to eight. It’s the only club in America with two Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses and two Fazio designs, along with courses by Gary Player, Ben Wright and Tom Jackson. All are located within a short drive of one another and accessible via one membership.

And that membership extends beyond the incredible range of amenities, including marinas, equestrian centers, wellness centers and spas. Cliffs property owners and members are part of a private residential club with access to a stunning collection of properties, from the Bahamas to British Columbia to Patagonia, Chile.

The Cliffs Golf Membership provides unlimited access to all its courses through a reciprocal play program, plus preferential tee times and club-sponsored member golf events at your home course. Members are provided with full use of The Cliff’s many sports, wellness and fitness centers, clubhouses, dining facilities, equestrian and marina facilities.