If you don't have a hole named after you then you're not a member, laughs David D. Halbert, as he pulls the cart up to the first tee at his personal golf course. This one is called the Jake hole because it's named after his son Jake, who was 12 when construction began.
Halbert, 58, is the founder and CEO of CareNow, a chain of urgent care clinics that he sold to UnitedHealth Group for $1.8 billion in 2017. He's also a new member of the Forbes 400, with a net worth of $1.1 billion.
But what really sets Halbert apart from other billionaires is his personal golf course—an 18-hole masterpiece designed by legendary golf architect Tom Fazio that cost $50 million to build and sits on 300 acres of rolling Texas hill country.
The Ultimate Flex
"I told Tom Fazio, 'I don't have a budget,'" Halbert recalls. "I said, 'Build me the best golf course you can build.' And he did."
The course, which opened in 2022, features dramatic elevation changes, pristine bentgrass greens, and stunning views of the Texas countryside. Each hole is named after a family member or friend, creating a deeply personal experience that money can't buy anywhere else.
"This isn't about showing off," Halbert insists. "This is about creating something special for my family and friends. My wife wanted a place where she could swing like an idiot without anyone judging her."
A Labor of Love
The project took three years to complete and required moving 2 million cubic yards of earth to create the dramatic contours that make each hole unique. Fazio, who has designed courses for Augusta National and Pine Valley, called it one of the most challenging projects of his career.
"David gave me complete creative freedom," Fazio said. "That's every architect's dream. We could focus purely on creating the best possible golf experience without worrying about budgets or timelines."
The course includes a state-of-the-art practice facility, a clubhouse designed by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, and accommodations for up to 20 guests. But Halbert says the real value isn't in the amenities—it's in the memories being created.
Family Legacy
"My kids will inherit this place," Halbert said. "But more importantly, they'll inherit the memories of playing golf with their dad, of family tournaments, of watching sunsets from the 18th green. That's what this is really about."
The course has already hosted several charity tournaments, raising over $2 million for local causes. Halbert plans to continue using it as a platform for philanthropy while maintaining its primary purpose as a family retreat.
"People ask me if it was worth it," Halbert said. "I tell them, 'Every single day.' This place has brought our family closer together and created experiences we'll treasure forever. That's priceless."
As for his wife's golf game? "She's still swinging like an idiot," Halbert laughs. "But now she can do it in complete privacy, and that's exactly what she wanted."
