University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Alums Open New Territory
March 12, 2008 | Athletics
NORMAN, Okla. -- All things considered, it's not that far from Norman to Duncan, Oklahoma. It might seem like a good distance driving down state highway 81 to the southwest, but the small towns along way have a charm that just can't be found on interstates and superhighways.
Once the path ventures off the highway in Duncan and heads west, one might really wonder if the journey ended up far, far away. There, at the entrance to The Territory golf community is Oklahoma at its very best.
The Territory is the product of Rick and Barbara Braught's vision and is a jewel on the southwest Oklahoma landscape. Aside from golf, The Territory has created its own community, boasting residential homes, a resort-style pool and activity center and two owners committed to first-class service and a sense of family.
"The whole focus has been on service, trying to take care of people and making them feel like they're on vacation while they're out here," said Rick Braught ('84 BBA, '89 MBA).
Even with a quick glance, it's hard not to think about vacation upon arrival at The Territory. The two primary buildings, the Golf House and Prairie House, sit in front of all the community has to offer, including 18 holes of championship golf which have already drawn national tournaments and some impressive accolades.
Since its June 2004 grand opening, the course has hosted the Oklahoma State Amateur, Senior State Amateur and an NCAA Division II Super Regional. Next year, the Halliburton Southwest Oklahoma Championship, as part of the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series, will be staged there.
The Territory and its Randy Heckenkemper design was named the No. 10 course in the state by Golf Digest in their "America's Greatest Courses by State, 2007-08" issue. It was also ranked No. 10 in Golfweek's "Top 50 Best New Courses" list in 2006. Some impressive titles for a course that is not only new, but also off the beaten path of the cities and areas that normally inhabit such lists.
While the vision and follow-through lie with the Braughts, they are quick to boast about the staff of "experts" they have put together since the plan's inception.
"We've been blessed with the staff that's been assembled here," said Rick. "From Tim Johnson (director of golf) down, everyone he's brought on board, I would put them up against any facility anywhere. I feel that comfortable with the people who are here and their ability to take care of guests and the property."
"From the very beginning, because Rick and I had no experience in the golf industry, I think we've been pretty good at surrounding ourselves with people who do (have expertise)," added Barbara ('86 BA, '90 MBA).
The Braughts bring a family feel to every component of the business. Even architect/project manager Heckenkemper is considered "a part of the family" for all his work in making the course a reality. The importance of family has come, in no small part, from how the owners were raised in their respective homes and their "extended family" at the University of Oklahoma.
Barbara was born into the McCasland family, a staple in the Duncan area and at OU (her grandfather, T.H. McCasland, was the first man from Duncan to attend OU). Rick's father, Gene, served as director of the Pride of Oklahoma from 1962-1970, giving him a childhood filled with bicycle rides through campus and kicking practice on an unlocked, non-alarmed Owen Field.
Later, both attended the university and were highly active on campus. Barbara was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, while Rick was a member of the Pride of Oklahoma under his father's successor, Gene Thrailkill.
In the fall of 1982, Rick started a two-year stint in one of OU's most prestigious positions, drum major of the Pride. In the role, he was handed the reins to the world-famous "strut" which features the major leading the band down the football field with his back bent so his eyes are often facing the opposite direction. He freely admits that he can't replicate the move today, but shares a bit of humor from when remembering his college days.
"One my friends in the band was a journalism major and he had to do a motion picture project for a class. He wanted to film me while I was practicing," he recounts. "I was in the stadium and he was at the 50-yard-line filming me. Of course, I can't see where he's at because I used the opposite goal post as a guide. I come up, with the baton in my right hand, and hit the camera into this face. He had a shiner for about two weeks. I'm sure we could have won a lot of money if they had 'America's Funniest Home Videos' back then."
Despite his front-and-center role on gamedays, Rick and Barbara didn't meet until years later while in OU's graduate school pursuing their MBA. They married after completing their degrees and eventually made it back home to work with Barbara's family's business - roles they continue to hold to this day.
Having worked in Barbara's hometown for many years now, the feeling of civic, region and state pride was a big factor in pursuing an ambitious project like The Territory. They were highly motivated to create a tool that would create a "wheel in the economic development cycle" and show off the quality of life in their part of the state.
It's not just about golf. Opening a golf course with amenities for members and residential components requires more than just an ability to sell green fees.
The Prairie House features first-class dining for members and their guests, who also have a variety of activities to enjoy other than golf. The swimming pool features a covered slide along with basketball and volleyball courts in the water. There is also a sport-court, which is designed for tennis, volleyball or half-court basketball. One of the newer attractions is the lawn croquet area.
"It's amazing to me what ancillary businesses you get into doing this," said Rick. "We also have a retail shop, a food and beverage operation, swimming pool management, and now we're working on residential development and 'stay and play' packages which puts us into the hotel business as well."
The residential properties are in Phase I, which features custom homes in an area known as Prospector's Ridge. Prices of lots range from $62,000 to $135,000 with many featuring golf course views. There is a waterfall and stream in the development and plans call for a walking/jogging trail and gazebo for events such as cookouts.
As construction begins on the new homes in and around their beautiful community and newness gives way to routine, don't expect to see the Braughts spending a whole lot of time relaxing on the golf course. They aren't completely comfortable doing that just yet, but Barbara says they have found a way to sneak in a few rounds here and there.
"We play when we're out of town."
