Bonham -- The folks at Legacy Ridge Country Club are fond of saying that the land they are shaping into one of North Texas’ most scenic golf courses has a story to tell. The story that began with the squeaky wheels of early settler’s wagons will soon be told by the laughter of friends gathering on an 18-hole championship golf course designed by veteran PGA golfer Bill Johnston. Johnston’s previous designs include two of the top-ten golf courses in Texas, The Dominion Country Club in San Antonio and Tapatio Springs in Bourne, Texas. Now North Texas golfers are on the verge of stepping out onto a challenging course designed by a man that many describe as the best in the business. And Johnston has taken note of the fact that a lot of people in the area are thrilled to see him and the developer, Dan Glaser, working together on this project.

"Everyone seems very delighted,” Johnston says with his trademark, easy-going smile. “At first glance the course may seem intimidating, but it will be fair. We feature grass, not sand. I think Bonham is going to get something very special from Dan and the Glaser family.”

“Bill is extremely talented,” Dan Glaser replied, “and this has been a great learning experience.”

Located on U.S. 82 along the north side of Bonham, Texas, Legacy Ridge will combine cozy, small-town hospitality with the amenities of a larger city. Just over an hour’s drive northeast of Dallas-Ft. Worth, the development will include; 218 home sites, 50 villas, 20 condominiums, driving range and practice facility, clubhouse with restaurant, men and women’s locker rooms, a pro shop, plus a community center with a resort-type swimming pool. The Legacy Ridge Golf Course will present a challenging golf experience unlike any course in the region, with a combination of several picturesque landscapes. The front nine is considered traditional, featuring a waterfall and wandering lakes before leading you into a serene grove of stately pecan and oak trees. As you play through that beautiful section of the course, it will be hard to imagine that the best is yet to come. The scenic but challenging wetlands will make Legacy Ridge an enjoyable, one-of-a-kind golfing experience. Infamous Bois d’ Arc Creek awaits you on the back nine, where natural reed and wetland grasses line the canals. Keep your eyes open for the abundant wildlife that is making this part of Legacy Ridge their home. Regardless of your level of play, the par three island green will be a memorable experience. Take a deep breath and steady your nerves for over-the-water approach shots. Yes, the wetlands will truly set Legacy Ridge apart from any course in the region.

Director of Sales Jim Simpson.“The word is out,” Director of Sales Jim Simpson says as he looks out his office window at the designated lot sites that are now on the market. “Initially we advertised locally because we wanted them to have the first opportunity, and I am pleased with the response we have had so far. I appreciate the level of interest Legacy Ridge is creating in this area and as we approach our fall opening the support is building almost daily. Lot sizes vary from 15,000 square feet to 35,000 square feet and we have three separate zonings. Our first phase will include 52 home sites; S-1 lots will be a minimum of 1900 square feet of living space and feature an exterior of at least 75% brick. The S-2 lots will be a minimum of 2500 square feet living space with a 90% brick exterior. Legacy Ridge’s S-3 zone will be comprised of homes with a minimum of 3000 square feet of living space. The S-3 homes will also have a 90% brick exterior. To protect the integrity of our lot-owner’s investment, an Architectural Control Committee will ensure compliance. Utilities are going in now and I expect the streets to be in by late September. Nine holes are well on their way to being the unique and challenging golf experience that the developer, Dan Glaser, and our talented architect, Bill Johnston, envisioned and they should open in November. The other nine holes are sprigged and we have them scheduled to open in the summer of 2003.”

In addition to a wonderful response from the City of Bonham and the surrounding counties, Simpson is excited about the one-of-a-kind swimming pool that will soon be the focal point at the Legacy Ridge Community Center and also the Legacy Ridge Park that will be located near the clubhouse.

“The developer envisions a scenic park that will give our lot owners the perfect place for that enjoyable evening stroll,” Simpson stated, “so now we are trying to find a suitable low-impact surface.

The Director of Golfing at Legacy Ridge will be Mike Wiggins. Wiggins grew up in Bonham and brings valuable experience from being the club pro at The Dominion as well as McKinney’s Stonebridge Country Club. The Course Superintendent is John Williams, a graduate of Texas A&M University.

Legacy is more than a name for this project; it is a theme that the developer and architect have remained true to throughout the design of Legacy Ridge. That concept will be obvious from the time you pull onto Rayburn Circle, named for Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn and Bonham’s most famous resident. Ray Creek is another fascinating idea. The creek’s name comes from John Ray. Mr. Ray grew up in Orangeville, lived in Bailey, and went on to become a professor before being named consul to Russia and the Ukraine. So you see the land does have a story and the legacy lives on today in a development designed with quality and comfort. For more information, visit the Legacy Ridge web site at www.LegacyRidge.com. Or give Jim Simpson a call at 903-640-4500 and let him show you around one of the region's most exciting developments.This stonework will soon be a beautiful waterfall.