Granbury, Texas – The newly completed Halbert National golf course will host its inaugural Abilene Christian Intercollegiate this week, bringing a high‑profile college golf event to the community. The tournament runs Monday through Wednesday and will be televised live on the Golf Channel from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET each day, offering local residents a chance to watch top collegiate talent on a world‑class private course.
According to Golf Channel, Halbert National is a $50 million Tom Fazio design built for billionaire David D. Halbert, founder of the A.I. genomics company Caris Life Sciences. The 185‑acre, 7,542‑yard, par‑72 layout sits on the opposite side of Lake Granbury from Halbert’s original lake house and was completed last year. Halbert, who is 70, funded the entire project himself and has chosen not to establish a membership system or set tee times. He told Forbes that “if you don’t have a hole named after you then you’re not a member.”
The course’s origin traces back to the early 2000s when Halbert’s wife, Kathy—whom he met while both attended Abilene Christian University—expressed a desire for a private place to play golf without onlookers. While Kathy imagined a modest three‑hole, par‑3 layout, Halbert enlisted longtime friend Tom Fazio to create “the most beautiful golf course in Texas.” Since its initial design, Halbert has added several tee boxes, aiming to extend the course to 7,777 yards.
Beyond Halbert’s family and friends, the venue has opened its doors to a strong collegiate field. The men’s side includes Texas A&M, Arizona, SMU and Houston, while the women’s side features Oregon, Arizona State, Tennessee and Baylor. Several PGA Tour professionals have also received invitations, most notably Dallas native Jordan Spieth, who recently filmed a Caris Life Sciences commercial on the property.
Halbert’s broader vision for the property includes additional development beyond the golf course, though specific plans were not detailed in the report. The upcoming intercollegiate tournament provides a first public showcase of the course’s capabilities and sets a precedent for future high‑profile events.
What’s next: The Abilene Christian Intercollegiate will conclude on Wednesday, after which Halbert National plans to continue expanding the layout toward its 7,777‑yard target. Residents can follow the live broadcast on the Golf Channel and watch for future announcements of additional tournaments or events at the venue.
Sources: golfchannel.com
