A lot has happened during the past two years near the quaint, progressive town of Duncan. Namely, an economic development initiative and project called the The Territory – a Golf & Residential Community. The Territory was the brainchild of Rick and Barbara Braught, owners and lifelong Oklahomans.
The seed of their vision for the region began to take shape out of their desire to build something of quality and economic merit which would be a building block for years and generations to come.
First came the golf course with its rolling terrain and modified target-golf style. The Randy Heckenkemper-designed course hosted the Oklahoma State Amateur last year – in its first full season – an NCAA Division II Super Regional this spring and will host the Oklahoma State Senior Amateur in August. The Territory golf course is being compared with the finest tracks across the region – including Oak Tree and Karsten Creek in Oklahoma and Prairie Dunes in Kansas.
Next came The Prairie House, which is a stunning piece of architecture reminiscent in its earthy tones and materials of legendary Frank Lloyd Wright’s “organic architecture.” At the Prairie House, members can enjoy the culinary creations of Chef Tristan Peck, who studied at the prestigious San Francisco School of Culinary Arts.
“Development is occurring across the country and we feel an obligation to see this area grow and evolve into a place you will be proud to call home,” Rick Braught says. “The Territory not only respects the land and the region, but also helps position it for longevity and prosperity.”
The Territory utilizes native grasses and breathtaking flowers to seamlessly integrate into the countryside. The pristine, sun-washed hillsides allow golfers to leave the city behind and indulge themselves with a round of golf on the course that stretches to more than 7,100 yards from the tips.
Heckenkemper, an Oklahoma State University alumnus, says a course of this magnitude in Southwest Oklahoma was long overdue.
“The land is so beautiful and was a natural fit for this course,” he says. “The gentle undulations and striking native vegetation lent themselves to our vision and really set The Territory apart from anything this region has seen.”
Mark Felder, Tournament Director for the Oklahoma Golf Association, says the decision to bring a major state championship to The Territory in back-to-back years was an easy one.
“It’s all the golf anyone needs. It’s a great golf course and it’s only going to get better,” Felder says. “The thing that got me was the way we were taken care of by their staff. They’re the kind of people you want to be around.”
The Braughts say they were looking for something special when they set out to develop The Territory into a first-class golf course and residential community.
“We’ve come a long way in two years and have faced more than our share of challenges,” Rick Braught says. “Our crew, led by Director of Golf Tim Johnson and Superintendent Brad Babek, has done a tremendous job and has gotten the course in pristine shape. I’m really looking forward to the future as we continue to grow.”
As part of the possible growth, the Braughts and Heckenkemper are looking into the addition of cottages which would lend themselves to stay-and-play packages – something that would open the course to an additional group of golfers looking to enjoy the world-class layout.
Ross Hankins, a resident of nearby Lawton, and formerly a member at Lawton Country Club, decided to make the extra drive for what he knew was going to be something incredible.
“It is very special to able to watch something develop like the Territory,” he says. “I bought in on the dream and was able to watch it come to fruition. That is why I joined – a world-class golf facility with great ownership, great architect, great director of golf, overall great staff and the nicest bunch of members you can imagine.”
Located on the historic Chisholm Trail, The Territory is within a short drive of lakes for boating and fishing and mere minutes from a pair of schools, shopping, dining and churches. In addition, Duncan Regional Hospital was named to the Solucient Top 100 Hospitals list.
For more information, visit the Web site at www.territorygolf.com.
About The Territory
The Territory is a golf and country club community located in Southwest Oklahoma. The course, which opened in 2004, has hosted the Oklahoma State Amateur and will welcome the Oklahoma State Senior Amateur tournament this year.
With five sets of tees – ranging from 4,845 to 7,110 yards – the modified target-golf course offers playability and enjoyment to players of all ages and skill levels. The greens are an A1-A4 creeping bentgrass blend, the tees, fairways and roughs are Tifsport Bermudagrass and native vegetation frames the playing corridors.
Prospector’s Ridge, the first planned phase at The Territory, is in the early stages of development. One home is completed and now occupied and more custom homes are under construction. In addition, on 16 of the 47 lots, Tuscany style homes are being developed by Majestic Builders of Lawton, Okla. Prices of lots available range from $68,000 to $135,000. Were a similar, high-quality property like The Territory located in the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth area it would likely cost three times as much.
