Unique Member Experience, New Amenities and Enhanced Agronomy Define Vision for the Home Club of Icon Golf
(FORT WORTH, Texas) – Escalante Golf – a boutique owner and operator of luxury golf properties across 17 states – continues its significant investment in Canyata as the club enters its second full season under Escalante ownership.
Widely regarded as one of the most exclusive tee times in American golf, Canyata has been a fixture on Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses” ranking since 2009. Despite this national acclaim, it remains a rare gem. Since opening for play in 2005, it is estimated that only 6,500 total rounds have been played on the Marshall, Illinois course – including just 1,500 in 2025 – reinforcing its reputation for privacy, serenity and pristine conditioning.
“Mystique still defines Canyata, and that’s by design,” said David McDonald, President of Escalante Golf. “When you combine a course that’s been consistently recognized among Golf Digest’s Top 100 in America, with the fact that so few people have ever had the opportunity to play it, you realize just how special this place is. Our goal is not to change that, but to thoughtfully elevate every aspect of the experience while preserving its exclusive yet relaxed atmosphere.”
A Distinctly Different Club
Canyata is redefining the traditional private club model, offering a highly curated, hospitality-driven experience limited to no more than 40 players per day. A hallmark of any visit is the club’s culinary program, led by Chef Gustavo Miranda, whose creative approach departs dramatically from traditional country club fare.
With no set menus, Miranda prepares inspired offerings such as smoked brisket, bison sliders and other rotating specialties from his on-course kitchen concept. Complementing the culinary program is a roving concierge, who circulates the property to provide personalized service, both during the round of golf – from delivering food and beverages to reading putts and forecaddying for a hole or two – and after, like running into town to grab the exact ingredients for a favorite cocktail.
“Everything at Canyata is intentionally different,” said Jeff Goodsell, President and Founder of Icon Golf. “You have a Top 100 golf course that’s been heralded as one of the best modern courses built this century, but the vibe is completely unpretentious. From the way you dine to the way you’re hosted on the course, it’s a more personal, immersive experience that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere.”
Signature Events and Member Programming
In June 2026, Canyata will debut an innovative month-long member-guest series, featuring four consecutive weekends of 30-team events. The top three teams from each weekend will earn invitations to return for a “Tournament of Champions” in the fall, creating a season-long competitive storyline that’s one-of-a-kind among private clubs.
Icon Golf members continue to enjoy exclusive access to Canyata as their home club, along with playing privileges at eight other properties in Escalante’s growing national portfolio. Participation in curated events such as Quests, Experiences and destination tournaments is also included with an Icon membership. Reflecting increasing demand, Icon Golf will raise its initiation fee to $50,000 beginning May 1.
“Our vision is to create something far beyond a traditional golf club,” added Goodsell. “Canyata has long been considered one of the country’s truly special golf enclaves, and we’re building on that foundation to create a destination where a world-class course, high-touch hospitality and outdoor recreation come together in a way that feels both elevated and completely approachable.”
Expanding Amenities and Future Vision
Escalante’s long-term vision for Canyata continues to take shape with a series of upcoming enhancements designed to further elevate the member experience. A newly expanded practice facility – growing from 11,000 to 26,000 square feet of hitting space – will open for member play in early May. In addition, a new custom fleet of Club Car golf carts will soon arrive, featuring unique touches like integrated fishing rod holders as part of a broader vision to incorporate other outdoor recreation activities into a Canyata visit. Projects for future years will include a par-3 course, short-game area and a lit putting green, further positioning Canyata as a comprehensive golf retreat.
Off the course, infrastructure work is already underway for eight luxury member cottages, with site clearing completed and an access road established in late 2025. Scheduled to debut in time for the start of the 2027 season, each of the approximately 3,000-square-foot residences are thoughtfully designed for group stays. They will feature four king primary bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, spacious living areas and vaulted ceilings accented with antique beams. Additional amenities will include covered back porches, multiple large-screen televisions, dedicated golf cart parking, golf bag storage and in-unit laundry, as well as premium in-room conveniences such as built-in refrigeration and coffee stations.
Agronomic Improvements Drive Golf Course Evolution
Since acquiring the property in 2025, Escalante has made substantial investments in course conditioning. Extensive deep aerification, verticutting and heavy topdressing programs have been implemented across all fairways, with results expected to fully mature by the 2027 season. Refinements to select bunkers have also been part of the ongoing work.
“While Canyata’s tees and greens were already in exceptional condition at the time of acquisition, there’s been a particular focus on improving fairway firmness and playability,” said Brent Allen, Canyata’s General Manager. “Faster playing surfaces will unlock the full potential of the layout and make it even more fun for players of all abilities.”
For more information about Canyata and Icon Golf membership, please visit icongolf.com.
About Escalante Golf
Founded in 1991, Escalante Golf is a boutique owner and operator of 25 luxury golf properties across 17 states. The Fort Worth, Texas-based company has quietly assembled an impressive collection of exclusive clubs in key markets that have hosted prestigious amateur and professional golf tournaments including the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships, the Charles Schwab Cup, the WGC Match Play Championship, the WinCo Foods Portland Open, the Shell Houston Open and five LIV Golf events in Portland, Boston, Tucson, Nashville and Houston.
Operating partners David McDonald, Elcio Silva, Robert Silva and David Matheson direct the Escalante team.
For more information, visit www.escalantegolf.com or call (817) 386-9721.
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