Pro golfer J.J. Henry, developer Andy Mitchell and Tiger Woods partnered to create Bluejack National and Bluejack Ranch in Texas.
Tiger Woods is helping launch a new gated golf community outside Fort Worth, Texas, where homes will start at $1 million. As per Realtor, Bluejack Ranch spread accross 914-acre, is planned as a $2.5 billion community with 500 custom and semi-custom homes, an 18-hole golf course and a range of resort-style facilities. The community is located in Aledo, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Fort Worth. It is the second Bluejack golf community created through a partnership involving Woods, developer Andy Mitchell and professional golfer J J Henry. The first, Bluejack National, is in Montgomery, Texas, about three hours away. Bluejack Ranch is expected to open this autumn. Its planned homes will vary widely in size, from 1,282-square-foot two-bedroom casitas to large estate homes. Estate properties will sit on sites of up to one acre and will have at least 4,000 square feet of living space. Some larger houses are expected to exceed 19,000 square feet and could cost tens of millions of dollars. While residential properties will start at $1 million, buyers can also purchase half-acre lots starting at $775,000 and build on them. All lot buyers will have to use a Bluejack builder. The average home is expected to cost between $2 million and $4 million.
A golf community designed around families
The development is being built around more than golf. Its plans include a private golf club, a working dude ranch, an entertainment hall, podcast studios, multiple pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a bowling alley, restaurants, a spa and wellness centre, and a recreation centre for all ages. The community will also have 24/7 gated security. The golf facilities are being designed by Woods' TGR Design in collaboration with land planner Beau Welling. There will be a championship 18-hole course, a 10-hole short course and a practice facility with a driving range and three putting greens. The main course will stretch almost 8,000 yards from the longest "Tiger tees". It has been grassed with Stadium Zoysia. Together, the golf courses will cover about 135 acres. Developer Andy Mitchell said the aim was to make the community useful for people who may not play golf. "You live on 900 acres with every form of entertainment imaginable," Mitchell told Realtor.com. "You don't need a big home, necessarily. It's like going to a resort, you don't have to build your own game room." The project is also expected to have a commercial area near the front "greeter's barn". Mitchell said it is intended to include "high-end lifestyle brands" that fit the community's "laidback luxury" theme.
Woods and Mitchell's partnership
Mitchell first met Woods in 2013. At the time, Woods was starting his golf-course design business. A mutual friend introduced the two, leading to a collaboration that became Bluejack National, Woods' first US golf-course design project. Mitchell said the two have remained close through their work together. "We're both fathers, our kids are similar age," he said. "We're literally one month apart. We're a lot alike. We both love to win. I can't hide it, he can't hide it." He added, "If we're going to do something, he wants it to be the best."
The community will have an 18-hole course and a shorter 10-hole course.
The partnership on Bluejack Ranch also includes Henry. Mitchell said the second community was not something he had originally planned. "It wasn't like I was looking to do another course," he said. "It just organically happened." For Mitchell, the project is also connected to his interest in golf and family activities. He said the development is not simply a golf project, but a real estate venture built around families across generations. "I love Tiger and I love golf," he said. "But this real estate play is about multigenerational family club." That focus can also be seen in the facilities being planned for residents who do not play golf. Mitchell said his wife and business partner, Kristin, had a major say in features intended to appeal to everyone from grandparents to grandchildren.
Ranch life alongside golf
One of the unusual parts of Bluejack Ranch will be its dude ranch. It is planned to have 10 horses, miniature Highland cows, donkeys, a Labrador retriever and a small herd of longhorn cattle. Mitchell said the development initially bought three longhorns, but two were pregnant. The cattle are "protected", he said, and will not be used as food. The ranch will be open to both experienced riders and beginners who need lessons. Staff will take care of the animals, while residents can spend time around them. Mitchell said ranch workers even joked about the quality of the animal facilities. "They'd say, 'Hey, Andy, nice horse mansion,'" he said. Mitchell also pointed to the different interests of Woods' children while explaining the idea behind the community. Woods' daughter, Sam Alexis, is studying at Stanford University and is focused on premed courses, while his son, Charlie, is pursuing golf. "She might want to bring her friends out, sit at the spa, do yoga, hang out and run and jog," Mitchell said.
Costs extend beyond the homes
The price of buying into Bluejack Ranch goes beyond the cost of a home or lot. Monthly homeowners' association fees will run into the thousands of dollars, helping pay for the upkeep of the community's shared areas and amenities. The private golf club also has separate costs. One-time initiation fees can reach $225,000, while monthly dues can be around $3,000, depending on the membership tier and level of golf access. However, buying a home does not automatically guarantee club membership. Prospective members still have to be invited and vetted. Mitchell said this was intended to protect the private club even if a homeowner later sells their property. "I can't control who you sell your home to," he said. "The way I protect the club is if you sell your home to somebody who should not be in the club- imagine the biggest villain you know- he will never get into the club." Despite the high costs, Mitchell said the project is ultimately meant to offer a place where residents can step away from their usual routines. He also wants Woods to be able to spend time there without being constantly approached by fans. "You're free to be Tiger Woods," Mitchell said. "Nobody is going to solicit you or ask for your autograph." He said the larger idea behind Bluejack Ranch is not only luxury or golf, but time with family and friends. "Bluejack is, 'Why don't you unplug?'" Mitchell said. "Come on out, turn your phone off, go hang out with cattle, be close to nature." He added, "I love it when members get here and say, 'Andy, I need a little more Bluejack.'"
