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Escalante Golf, a specialized owner and operator of luxury golf properties across 17 states, is significantly bolstering its investment in Canyata as the club enters its second full season under Escalante’s stewardship.
Canyata, widely recognized as one of the most exclusive golf destinations in America and designed by Michael Benkusky, has consistently featured on “Top 100” golf lists since 2009. Since its opening in 2005, it’s estimated that fewer than 6,500 rounds have been played on the Marshall, Illinois course, with only 1,500 rounds in 2025, underscoring its reputation for privacy, tranquility, and immaculate condition.
“Canyata’s mystique remains a defining characteristic, and that was intentional,” stated David McDonald, president of Escalante Golf. “When you combine a course consistently ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 in America with the fact that so few people have had the privilege to play it, you grasp the unique nature of this place. Our aim is not to alter this, but to thoughtfully enhance every facet of the experience while preserving its exclusive yet relaxed ambiance.”
Canyata is revolutionizing the conventional private club model by providing a meticulously curated, hospitality-focused experience, restricted to a maximum of 40 players daily. A highlight of any visit is the club’s culinary program, spearheaded by Chef Gustavo Miranda. His inventive approach sharply deviates from traditional country club cuisine.
With no fixed menus, Miranda crafts inspired dishes such as smoked brisket, bison sliders, and other rotating specialties from his on-course kitchen concept. Complementing the dining experience is a mobile concierge who roams the property, offering personalized service both during a round of golf – from delivering food and beverages to assisting with putts and forecaddying for a hole or two – and afterward, even running errands into town for specific ingredients for a favorite cocktail.
“Everything at Canyata is deliberately distinct,” commented Jeff Goodsell, president and founder of Icon Golf. “You have a Top 100 golf course, lauded as one of the finest modern courses built this century, yet the atmosphere is entirely unpretentious. From how you dine to how you are hosted on the course, it’s a more personal, immersive experience that is simply unparalleled.”
In June 2026, Canyata will introduce an innovative month-long member-guest series, comprising four consecutive weekends of 30-team events. The top three teams from each weekend will qualify for a “Tournament of Champions” in the fall, establishing a unique season-long competitive narrative among private clubs.
Icon Golf members continue to benefit from exclusive access to Canyata as their home club, along with playing privileges at eight other properties within Escalante’s expanding national portfolio. Participation in curated events, such as Quests, Experiences, and destination tournaments, is also included with an Icon membership. Reflecting growing demand, Icon Golf will increase its initiation fee to $50,000 starting May 1.
“Our ambition is to create something far beyond a conventional golf club,” Goodsell remarked. “Canyata has long been regarded as one of the nation’s truly exceptional golf enclaves, and we are building upon that foundation to establish a destination where a world-class course, high-touch hospitality, and outdoor recreation converge in a manner that feels both refined and completely accessible.”
Escalante’s long-term vision for Canyata is taking shape through a series of forthcoming enhancements designed to further elevate the member experience. An expanded practice facility, growing from 11,000 to 26,000 square feet of hitting space, will be available for member play in early May. Furthermore, a new custom fleet of Club Car golf carts will soon be introduced, featuring distinctive elements like integrated fishing rod holders, aligning with a broader objective to integrate other outdoor recreational activities into a Canyata visit. Future projects include a par-3 course, a short-game area, and a lit putting green, further solidifying Canyata’s position as a comprehensive golf retreat.
Off the course, infrastructure work is already in progress for eight luxury member cottages, with site clearing completed and an access road established in late 2025. Scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2027 season, each of the approximately 3,000-square-foot residences is thoughtfully designed for group stays. They will feature four primary bedrooms with king-sized beds and en-suite bathrooms, expansive living areas, and vaulted ceilings adorned 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 facilities, as well as premium in-room conveniences such as built-in refrigeration and coffee stations.
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 anticipated 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 has 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 enjoyable for players of all skill levels.”
English Translation:
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, designed by Michael Benkusky, has been a fixture among golf’s “Top 100” lists since 2009. Since opening for play in 2005, it is estimated that only 6,500 total rounds have been played on the Marshall, Ill., 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.”
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.”
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,” said 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.”
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.
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.”
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