Vaquero: Private Golf Community Living in Westlake
Vaquero is a private, guard-gated golf community in Westlake, Texas, located approximately 15 minutes from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Developed by Discovery Land Company on land that was once part of the Circle T Ranch, the community combines custom estate homes, extensive club amenities and one of North Texas’s most highly regarded private golf experiences.
The community occupies approximately 525 acres of rolling terrain, mature trees, ponds and carefully maintained open space. Vaquero contains approximately 300 residences, giving it a lower-density character than many suburban golf developments. Privacy is taken seriously, and access through the guarded entrance is closely controlled.
Vaquero is best suited to buyers who want more than a home near a golf course. The club, residential community and social experience are closely connected. Golf is central, but dining, fitness, family activities, personal service and community events are also important parts of life in Vaquero.
About the Vaquero Community
Vaquero was established in 2001 after Discovery Land Company acquired a portion of Westlake’s former Circle T Ranch. The property was developed as an integrated private-club community rather than a conventional neighborhood built around a golf course.
The Town of Westlake identifies Vaquero as a community of approximately 298 homes. Discovery Land Company describes the property as encompassing 525 acres with approximately 300 residences.
Vaquero’s defining characteristics include:
- Guard-gated access
- Custom estate homes
- An 18-hole private golf course
- Clubhouse dining and personalized member services
- Extensive golf practice and teaching facilities
- Fitness and wellness amenities
- Family and social programming
- Architectural and landscape design controls
- Convenient access to DFW Airport and Southlake
The community is largely built out, although vacant lots and redevelopment opportunities occasionally reach the market. Buyers interested in new construction should consider the limited supply of remaining lots, architectural-review requirements and the potential cost of removing an existing residence.
Vaquero Golf Club
Golf remains at the center of the Vaquero member experience.
The original 18-hole course was designed by Tom Fazio. Golf course architect Andrew Green later completed a comprehensive redesign, which opened in fall 2023. The project included the redesigned course, two additional amenity buildings and a new starter house.
The par-71 course features wide fairways, multiple tee configurations and Pure Distinction bentgrass greens equipped with hydronic heating and cooling systems. Lazer Zoysia surrounds the greens, giving players several options for approaching and recovering around the putting surfaces.
The design accommodates different skill levels. Multiple tees and generous landing areas make the course approachable for recreational players, while the green complexes, recovery options and championship tees create a more demanding test for experienced golfers. The course is also designed to be walkable.
Additional golf facilities include an extensive practice environment with indoor training technology, multiple grass conditions, putting and pitching areas, and a nine-hole short course known as The Bank.
More information about the redesign and current course can be found through the official Vaquero Club golf page.
Vaquero Club Membership
Vaquero Club is private. Purchasing a home within the community should not be assumed to provide automatic club membership or a particular level of access.
Membership categories, initiation requirements, dues, availability and privileges can change. Buyers should confirm the current membership structure directly with Vaquero Club before purchasing a property if club access is important to their decision.
This should be addressed early in the home search. Buyers should determine:
- Whether a membership opportunity is associated with the property
- Which membership categories are currently available
- Whether there is a waiting list
- Current initiation costs and recurring dues
- Golf, dining, fitness and family privileges
- Transfer procedures, deposits or other requirements
Club expenses are separate from homeowners association expenses and property taxes.
Vaquero Club Amenities and Lifestyle
Vaquero was designed around a high level of member service. The club functions as a central gathering place where members can play golf, dine, exercise, attend events and spend time with neighbors.
The approximately 42,000-square-foot clubhouse offers formal and casual dining, private events, wine dinners and personalized food services. Available services have included in-home catering, prepared-food delivery and special grocery orders.
The club’s 5,000-square-foot fitness center includes cardiovascular and strength equipment, a movement studio and space for yoga, Pilates and cycling classes. Personal training and individualized wellness guidance are also available.
Other elements of the Vaquero lifestyle include:
- Clubhouse and Ranch House dining
- Golf instruction and practice facilities
- Fitness and group exercise
- Spa and wellness services
- Fishing and family activities
- Member events and social programming
- Private celebrations and catering
- Concierge-style club services
The atmosphere is club-centered and social, but the size of the property and separation among homes also provide considerable residential privacy. Buyers who want an active private-club environment will view that as a major advantage. Buyers who do not expect to use the club regularly should consider whether Vaquero’s overall ownership structure fits how they intend to live.
Homes in Vaquero
Vaquero contains individually designed custom residences rather than a uniform collection of production homes. Construction began in the early 2000s and has continued through more recent custom builds and replacement homes.
Homes generally range from approximately 3,000 square feet for smaller villa-style residences to more than 10,000 square feet for large estates. Homesites range from roughly one-third of an acre to more than three acres.
Architectural styles include:
- Texas Hill Country
- Mediterranean and Spanish-influenced
- French and European-inspired
- Transitional
- Contemporary
- Lodge and ranch-influenced designs
Common property features include resort-style pools, outdoor kitchens, loggias, private courtyards, wine rooms, media rooms, home gyms, multiple garages, guest accommodations and extensive home-automation systems. Larger properties may include detached guest houses, sport courts and substantial outdoor entertaining areas.
Not every property offers direct golf frontage. Vaquero includes golf course, water, open-space and interior lots, each with different advantages. Some buyers prioritize an uninterrupted course view, while others prefer an interior or wooded setting with greater privacy.
Vaquero Home Prices and Market Considerations
As of August 2026, publicly marketed Vaquero homes are generally priced from approximately $4 million to $8 million, with differences based on size, age, condition, lot position and architectural quality. Exceptional estates can command more, while vacant land occasionally reaches the market separately.
Because Vaquero is a small, specialized market, averages and median prices can shift substantially when only a few properties are available. A statistic based on current listings may not accurately represent the value of an individual home.
Important value considerations include:
- Lot size and privacy
- Golf course, water or open-space views
- Renovation level
- Age and quality of construction
- Architectural significance
- Outdoor living and pool design
- Guest accommodations
- Garage capacity
- Proximity to club facilities
- Quality of landscaping
- Exposure to golf play
- Newer construction versus an older custom home
Buyers should distinguish between original-condition homes, comprehensively renovated properties and newer custom construction. Two residences with similar square footage can have materially different values because of construction quality, design, lot characteristics and the cost required to bring an older home up to current expectations.
Location and Access
Vaquero is located in Westlake, between Dallas and Fort Worth. Its position near State Highway 114 provides access to DFW Airport, Las Colinas, Southlake, Fort Worth and employment centers along the northern DFW corridor.
Approximate access includes:
- DFW International Airport: about 15 minutes
- Southlake Town Square: approximately 10 minutes
- Charles Schwab’s Westlake campus: approximately 5 to 10 minutes
- Las Colinas: approximately 20 to 25 minutes
- Downtown Fort Worth: approximately 30 minutes
- Downtown Dallas: approximately 35 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic
Southlake Town Square provides the closest large concentration of shopping and dining. Additional restaurants and services are available in Trophy Club, Roanoke, Grapevine and Keller.
For buyers who travel frequently through DFW Airport or work in Westlake, Southlake, Las Colinas or along the Highway 114 corridor, Vaquero offers a more convenient location than many other estate communities of comparable scale.
Schools Serving Vaquero
Vaquero properties are located within Keller Independent School District. Buyers should verify the current attendance zones for an individual address directly with the district because feeder patterns and boundaries can change.
Westlake residents also receive priority admission consideration at Westlake Academy, the town-operated public charter school serving kindergarten through grade 12. The school offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum.
Under the school’s current admissions policy, students residing within the Town of Westlake’s primary boundary are exempt from the general lottery and receive priority consideration after completing the residency and enrollment requirements. Families should confirm residency documentation, timing and current admission procedures directly with Westlake Academy.
Private-school options within the broader area include The Clariden School in Southlake, Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville and other private schools across Northeast Tarrant County.
What Buyers Should Know Before Purchasing in Vaquero
Vaquero offers a level of privacy, service and club access that is difficult to replicate elsewhere in North Texas. It also comes with additional considerations that should be evaluated before purchasing.
Club Membership Is a Separate Issue
A residential purchase should not be treated as confirmation of club membership. Current membership availability, costs and privileges should be verified directly with Vaquero Club.
HOA and Club Expenses Are Separate
Buyers should review current HOA assessments, transfer charges, club initiation expenses, recurring dues and any other property-specific obligations.
Architectural Controls Are Substantial
Exterior renovations, additions, new construction, landscaping and major site changes may require approval. Buyers planning an extensive renovation or replacement home should review the governing documents and design guidelines before closing.
Golf Frontage Involves Tradeoffs
A golf course lot may provide a valuable view, but lot position matters. Buyers should consider privacy, golfer visibility, cart traffic, ball exposure, sun orientation and the location of tees, landing areas and greens.
Renovation Costs Can Be Significant
Some early Vaquero homes have layouts and finishes associated with the 2000s. A buyer should evaluate the entire property, including roofing, mechanical systems, windows, automation, pool equipment and exterior improvements, rather than focusing only on interior cosmetics.
Vacant Lots Are Limited
Buyers interested in building should compare the cost of remaining land with the cost of purchasing and removing an existing home. Construction plans will also be subject to community design standards and municipal requirements.
Postal Addresses Can Be Confusing
Some Vaquero properties may appear online with a Roanoke mailing address even though the community is located within the Town of Westlake. Buyers should rely on municipal boundaries, tax records and the property’s legal description rather than the postal city alone.
Who Is Vaquero Right For?
Vaquero is particularly well suited to buyers who value:
- Guard-gated privacy
- A serious private-golf experience
- Extensive club and family amenities
- Custom architecture
- Convenient DFW Airport access
- A socially connected residential community
- High levels of personal service
- Westlake Academy eligibility
It may be less suitable for buyers seeking acreage without architectural restrictions, a neighborhood without club-related costs, or a large selection of newly built homes from which to choose.
Golfers who want a newer North Texas golf environment may also compare Vaquero with PGA Frisco. Buyers who prefer larger estate lots without a golf-club-centered lifestyle may consider Quail Hollow or other Westlake luxury neighborhoods.
Buyers deciding between Westlake and nearby Southlake may also find the Southlake versus Westlake comparison helpful.
Explore MLS Listings and Off-Market Opportunities
View current homes and homesites for sale in Vaquero below. Listings are updated regularly from the MLS.
Because Vaquero is a small luxury community, publicly available inventory may not represent every potential opportunity. Some properties are privately marketed or discussed within established real estate networks before receiving broad exposure. Susan Georgeson can help buyers evaluate current MLS listings, Compass Private Exclusives and other off-market possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vaquero
Is Vaquero a Guard-Gated Community?
Yes. Vaquero is a private, guard-gated residential community in Westlake. Visitor access is controlled and requires authorization.
Is Vaquero Club Membership Included When Purchasing a Home?
Buyers should not assume that club membership is automatically included with the purchase of a property. Membership availability, categories, initiation requirements and dues should be confirmed directly with Vaquero Club.
Who Designed the Vaquero Golf Course?
The original course was designed by Tom Fazio. Golf course architect Andrew Green subsequently completed a comprehensive redesign, which opened in fall 2023.
How Many Homes Are in Vaquero?
The Town of Westlake reports approximately 298 homes, while Discovery Land Company describes Vaquero as a community of approximately 300 residences across 525 acres.
What School District Serves Vaquero?
Vaquero is located within Keller Independent School District. Westlake residents also receive priority admission consideration at Westlake Academy, a municipally operated K-12 public charter school offering the International Baccalaureate curriculum. School assignments and admission requirements should always be verified directly.
How Much Do Homes in Vaquero Cost?
As of August 2026, most publicly marketed homes are priced from approximately $4 million to $8 million, although exceptional properties may fall outside that range. Lot, condition, construction quality, size and golf course position materially affect value.
Work With Susan Georgeson
Purchasing in Vaquero requires a close review of more than the home itself. Club membership, lot position, architectural restrictions, renovation requirements, school options and long-term resale all affect the decision.
Susan Georgeson is a Dallas-Fort Worth luxury real estate advisor with more than 20 years of experience helping buyers evaluate communities, construction quality, property condition and market value. She represents local and relocating buyers interested in Vaquero and other leading Dallas-area golf communities.
Contact Susan to discuss current Vaquero homes for sale, private opportunities or how Vaquero compares with other North Texas golf communities.
MEET SUSAN GEORGESON
Whether relocating to the area, buying a secondary property, or planning an in-town change of address, Susan Georgeson is the top choice for real estate buyers and sellers who seek high quality representation and optimal results.
Those that choose to work with Susan Georgeson benefit from her deep skill sets, local expertise, global industry connections, and the vast resources of Compass.








