how to play the robert trent jones golf trail

Day 6: The Links Course awaits you this morning, preferably by 8 a.m. This story begins there. It's home to the original Mardi Gras celebration, an eclectic mix of downtown restaurants and shops and some really good golf. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (Capitol Hill Judge) Twenty four miles away towards the Gulf of Mexico is the Queen of Southern Resorts, the historic Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Point Clear. 2. The par 3s again stand out, with three of the four equally suited to cameras as to golf clubs, perched as they are in beautiful waterside settings. Courtesy photo 3 of 5 The Lake golf course at Grand National might be the most scenic course on the RTJ Golf Trail. I sampled nine meals on the trip that didnt come through a drive-through window, and seven of them included at least one Conecuh Sausage concoction on the plate. Yellow grasses danced in the wind as we weighed our options: get to the next hotel early and hang out, or play more golf. Just down the road near Gadsden/Anniston you will find four nine-hole designs at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Silver Lakes that you can play with a stay at a local hotel. Hopefully you arrive early enough, on a perfect weather day, to play 18 holes at Lakewood Golf Club and still make it back across the street to capture the sunset. Laced with more than 160 pot bunkers amid 20- to 40-foot mounds, the Senator in a breeze presents dozens of ways to play most of its holes, which is liberating after 18 on the more-demanding Judge. Mobile, Alabama might be best known for its love of college football -- it hosts a bowl game and an all-star game stocked with seniors with NFL dreams -- but there's much to love about this intriguing Southern city at the mouth of the Mobile Bay. Other than the Short Course, it is the most scenic of the sets at Highland Oaks. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (Ross Bridge) At just 263 miles from start to finish, you can easily do this trip on just one tank of gas. Come to think of it, move up anyways. Focus more on where youll eat that night. March 08, 2023. Outdoor food and bar, multiple pools and all the trappings of a day in the sun would make it easy to forget there are 36 full-size holes and par-3 course beyond the pool deck. Share it with friends, then discover more great TV commercials on iSpot.tv. Check out Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's 30 second TV commercial, 'Buy Now: $49.95' from the Sports industry. If I told my wife I was going to Alabama to play 26 golf courses for close to 4 weeks, I would have a problem. Holes: 54Comment: Magnolia Grove, just 14 miles west of downtown Mobile, regularly hosts the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic on its Crossings Course. 14 with that covered bridge, over water. Retreat to the luxurious confines of your room or tower suite, (youll spend two nights here) and get some sleep. Mobile, like Montgomery, does technically have two Trail Hotel options (two Renaissance hotels 0.3 miles from each other), but the Battle House has a rooftop pool and Jacuzzi, and based on my last golf vacation there with my entire family (my wife raves about their spa), I cant imagine staying anywhere else in the city of Mobile. The boardwalk is littered with hammocks and comfortable chairs purposefully set up to further enhance the intimacy of the waterfront, sunrise and sunset experiences. Write review . The Trail doesnt have any Marriott Resorts in Dothan, but they do have a Courtyard by Marriott (and a Water World if youve brought the family). Ross Bridge is one of the five longest courses in the world, stretching 8,191 yards off the back tees, and there was nobody out there as the skies briefly parted. Looking forward to making a trip this fall, thanks for your insights and suggestions. We were scheduled for a quick lunch and another 80-minute drive to the next course. A few steep down-then-uphill runs lead you to a four-hole stretch of beautiful water-carry holes before forcing you back uphill to a massive green shared with the Sherling Nine. GOLF.com and GOLF Magazine are published by EB GOLF MEDIA LLC, a division of 8AM GOLF, Americas Best Golf Road Trips, Part V: The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, from Mobile to Auburn, Rose Zhangs reason for her favorite hole at Pebble Beach is delightful, Why Butch Harmon says Rickie Fowlers win means more to him than Tiger, Phil majors, This piece of technology will make U.S. Womens Open first of its kind, 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic: How to watch, TV schedule, streaming, tee times, Meet the new GOLF Top 100 Teachers of America, Callaway and TaylorMade bring limited-edition staff bags to the U.S. Womens Open at Pebble Beach. Constant change, Ernie Els building his first Mexico course, in one of golf's fastest-growing markets, These 7 things make SoCal's Terranea Resort an ideal golf getaway for families, Looking for value-friendly golf? Water comes into play on six different approach shots. I hope, for your sake, you are really good with your long irons, and that you catch the par-3 No. There's a top 100-caliber course at Kiva Dunes to anchor the trip, along with several other high quality resort-style layouts. After having visited and played some of the Trail courses, I highly recommend cutting the state into sections and making separate trips to enjoy all that the Trail has to offer. For reservations outside of 7 Days, please contact: Toll-free: 1-800-949-4444, option 2 Local: 205-942-0444 Email: ReservationsRequest@RTJGolf.com Now its your turn to enjoy the drive and see them all. Copyright 2023 GolfPass. Weve established that the Marriott in Opelika is a premium family destination and the Marriott at Prattville is perfect for a buddies golf trip or corporate retreat. Even their driving range is among the craziest youll find this side of Top of the Rock in Branson, Missouri. There are no Tour events hosted on The Judge. Another part of this dynamic trio, The Senator, is the home of the Symetra Tours Guardian Championship and was named one of the top new courses in America. The nationwide explosion of casino gambling has fueled an interesting side effect -- a nationwide explosion of casino golf courses, often of better quality and at lower prices than their non-casino peers. Picking a "best of" list among the 11 sites throughout Alabama on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a tough task. Youll want to play at least two of those nines today, and which two will depend on the remaining sunlight. Doesnt really matter which one you play today. If youve fancied your Renaissance stays the past two nights, you can continue the trend in downtown Montgomery at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa. The green sits at the holes highest point and needs no bunkers to provide an interesting approach shot. The tee box of the third hole shows you the drama youre in for, and from hole 4 to 8 youll be switching back and forth from clubs to camera for some of the most amazing golf shots, and probably digging a few extra balls out of your bag. But that makes it a ton of fun for the rest of us. Either way, youll stay at the Renaissance Castle on the Hill again tonight. Nearby, the Marriott Shoals Resort & Spa overlooks the river and the Wilson Dam. The tee sits more than 100 feet above the lake-lined fairway below, providing one of the most inspiring opening tee shots found anywhere. number468that's how many golf holes are on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. A weekly roundup of Golf News from eSouthernGOLF, Caledonia and True Blue Rank in South Carolinas Top 5 Courses. However you go about it, the goal should be the same"Play them all." 5 at FarmLinks Golf Club at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, Alabama (Courtesy of Pursell Farms). Meister rAdelbar - Route 2. The fairway makes excellent use of the terrain, doglegging left around a 40-foot hill dotted with three bunkers. Is the flower hole at SentryWorld the most colorful par 3 in golf? The Dogwood Course is one of my favorites on the entire Trail (especially the front nine), and in my opinion the much more challenging of the two at Lakewood Golf Club. Its sibling, The Schoolmaster, named for President Woodrow Wilson, opened a year later, and is more woodsy and rolling. Here are the five best places to play golf around Mobile. Many of the clubhouses are similar and every spot but one -- Ross Bridge -- has at least 36 holes. After an easy drive from Florida and a night in the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National, Matin and I woke up early to a breakfast of eggs and a side of what else? 17 at FarmLinks at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, Alabama (Courtesy of Pursell Farms/Michael Clemmer). 2 public-access course in Alabama. The weather soon closed back in around us, but instead of retreating, I cajoled Matin into playing onward from tees that stretched the course about 1,500 yards beyond our skills. The womens Symetra Tour likes it so much theyve hosted their annual Guardian Championship there. There is no hotel directly connected to Hampton Cove, but there are plenty of accommodations available in Huntsville. Look at all the beautiful courses Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has for you and your friends to play at. Though nowhere near the sea, it is described as Scottish links style and does play firm and fast with some rather large greens. Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa. The trail, which runs from the Alabama-Mississippi state line to the Gulf of Mexico, is one of only a handful of such courses in North America. After your round, today youll leave one historic hotel for another The Grand Hotel to The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel and Spa. Golfers can easily hop over to Oxmoor Valley, a 54-hole RTJ stop in Birmingham carved from former mining land owned by U.S. Steel. The Lake Course at Grand National in Opelika, Alabama, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (Courtesy of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/Michael Clemmer) David Bronner,. The best part? 8 reviews of Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail At the Shoals "Two courses to choose from, Fighting Joe and the Schoolmaster. Ross Bridge was carved out of the rolling terrain of Shannon Valley and encircles the Renaissance Resort. The other Maxwell design-the Dogwood is scheduled to reopen this month. While many claim Ross Bridge to be the marquee course on The Trail, every Trail site has its marquee moments, and arguably no moment on The Trail packs more wow into it than the opening tee shot on The Judge at Capitol Hill. The fertilizer company was sold by the Pursell family in 2006, while the course and adjacent amenities have been further developed. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge, Mailbag: Answering your golf & travel questions, Not all of Alabama's best courses are on the RTJ Trail, 5 best stops on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Mobile, Alabama: Home to Mardi Gras, college football and good golf, Explore the Shore: Play the best golf courses of Gulf Shores, Alabama, Bettor golf: Try the Gulf Coast casinos in Mississippi, Alabama and New Orleans, Golf Vacations on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail: The Most Spectacular Place to Play. 3 Min Read By Jason Scott Deegan Golf Odyssey Golf Odyssey April 2006 An LPGA Tour venue highlights a versatile golf scene. Opelika, 10. Well, there you have it. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is an incredible place to go for a golf weekend or a week. The Fighting Joe Course, opened in a year earlier in 2004, is one of the five longest courses in the world at 8,092 yards. I sometimes cringe when courses advertise their best set of par 3s around, because I know I am likely to face several long, penal challenges with few reasonable bailouts. If youre lucky it will be Magnolia typically the quickest to play with the least trouble. I have not seen one course yet that I consider less than fantastic, even the par 3s. Vegans beware. The four-star hotel's 248 guest rooms underwent a $5 million renovation last year. Think chandeliers and luxurious suites a special anniversary-type setting, no doubt. If not, go find a quick bite (perhaps at Willies Place or The Blue Plate) and a hotel. And the Presidential Cottage, with its secluded outdoor patio, is a natural fit for wedding parties or corporate retreats. Take the golf portion as a challenge if youd like. Avoid the elephant under the first fairway, or take a mulligan, and make your way around a topsy-turvy course that gets more and more fun every time you play it. (I needed 12 more days here.). The Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center at Capitol Hill overlooks the courses and is the ideal extended stay to play around. 3 among Golfweeks Best Courses You Can Play in Alabama. But first, breakfast Southern style of course there was Conecuh Sausage, and with it being the last day of the trip, I savored every morsel. If you chose the Renaissance downtown and dont need fancy but yes on the tasty, look up Mrs Bs Home Cooking, the Scott Street Deli or the Urban Cookhouse. The October 2013 issue of Golf Odyssey has been published and can be accessed here. Ten holes skirt two artificial lakes. If for whatever reason you miss your flight oh well spend another night at the Renaissance Ross Bridge and give it another go round. Less than 2 hours from Cambrian Ridge in Greenville is the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove, a 54 hole feast of golf in Mobile. With 40 beautifully appointed rooms across three stories as well as onsite cottages, cabins and even larger accommodations intended to host upscale functions the Inn at Pursell Farms provided a great chance to recover from the days storm. We figured there would be no chance to play and happily ate breakfast eggs with a side of Conecuh Sausage, of course safely inside the hotel. The concept of building a trail of golf courses was the brainchild of Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama who created and executed it to effectively diversify the assets of the states pension fund and economically benefit the State of Alabama. Extensive multimillion-dollar remodeling jobs have upgraded both the Crossings and Falls Courses within the past five years. Four of the sites opened in 1992 to widespread acclaim, including Grand National at Opelika near Auburn. Reach Eric by email at staysandplays(at)gmail.com, Visit our GolfTripX Essential Alabama page for stories, podcasts, photos and more, The Grand Strantz connects four of the best Carolina golf courses, from Myrtle Beach to Pinehurst, Traveler and author Jim Hartsell on his love for all things Scotland and Sweetens, Enchanted grass: New Mexicos Black Mesa Golf Club, Golf nomad Matt Cardis talks photography and an amazing life on the road. From the Pensacola International Airport (PNS), it is 53 miles to The Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa (Marriott Autograph Collection). Calling The Senator easy is grossly inaccurate. The course also plays host to the Symetra Tour, giving you yet another chance to test your game where the pros play. Massive cloverleaf bunkers protect big rolling greens. Start point: RTJ Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove, Mobile, Ala. End point: RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National, Auburn, Ala. Each journey will be built around golf but well also sprinkle in a few other sights and stops along the way. Top 100 Courses in the U.S.: GOLFs all-new 2022-23 ranking is here! Take advantage of the opportunity. Holes: 36Comment: Tucked in the remote northern corner of the state are the Schoolmaster and Fighting Joe Courses. Spring Aeration June 7 - 10, 2023. Keep an eye on this page to learn about the songs, characters, and celebrities appearing in this TV commercial. The Judge is fair while also demanding and penal (jury and executioner). Why doesnt it have two os like moose? Anyway, in this segment youll get used to moving, in part because the golf locations dictate that you must. The February 2015 issue of Golf Odyssey has been published and can be accessed here. Our national politics could be a mess, but these three government-named courses prove democracy works beautifully. A favorite hole was the par-4 14th, which tops out at 389 yards on the card but plays longer. Well maintained, and likely one of the best venues on the RTJ Trail. You cant play both courses at Lakewood Golf Club in a day. Ross Bridge on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail near Birmingham (Courtesy of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/Michael Clemmer). 7 Trent Jones Lane, SC 29928. The fantastic, fun short courses at seven of the sites are an exceptional extension to their practice facilities and the Short Course at Oxmoor Valley gives the irons and wedges in your bag plenty of quality work. Dont take that to mean it isnt beautiful. Its an outright blessing.). The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spaon the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail near Birmingham (Courtesy of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/Michael Clemmer). Dave, a member of Golf Writers of America and International Golf Travel Writers Associations, has been writing about all things golf since the turn of the century. You can hammer the central part of the Yellowhammer State with this option take on the heart of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail like a boss, and have more Ross fun than NBC gave us in 10 seasons of F-R-I-E-N-D-S. Day 1: However you end up in Birmingham, whether by plane, train or automobile, make your way over to the Renaissance Ross Bridge and check in (again). 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. That was on purpose, as David Pursell wanted to build a course that could be enjoyed by anyone. Dont worry, with another Short Course tomorrow, Ive built in a little recovery time for you, and if you need a massage, the Marriott on Lake Sougahatchee has a great spa for you (and indoor-outdoor pools). Take an afternoon walk through Auburn University. This solid collection of courses stretches from Mobile to Pensacola, Fla., just across the state line. The morning and afternoon of your first day can be easily interchanged, but for our purposes, well have you starting at the Crossings Course at Magnolia Grove, a multiple-time host for the LPGA Tour. February 20, 2023. The Judge Course at Capitol Hill in Prattville, Alabama, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (Courtesy of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/Michael Clemmer). You can play all 54 holes at Oxmoor in one summer day here, no problem, or 36 any other time of the year, and save 18 for the next morning. It would be too challenging for todays PGA Tour players (think Bethpage Black with water everywhere) with some holes too short, some too narrow and some with too much water. Our trained staff of reservationists will be happy to assist you with booking your golf package and answering your questions about the Trail. You might be wondering why Id start you at Lakewood for this segment. No. This is a popular trail for birding, road biking, and bike touring, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Reviews (0) Photos (0) Activities (1) Completed (2) 5: 4: 3: 2: 1: 0.0. MrTopesGolf will assist you in which courses you should choose to play with your buddies for a memorable weekend golf trip. The best female players in the world get their crack at the famed California course. I goaded Matin into giving it a try as the temperature neared 40 degrees, and with no other groups to hold up, I declared an added challenge: Lets play the tips. The Inn at Pursell Farms is more intimate, the setting more isolated. For more information about the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, visit RTJGolf.com, and to learn more about golf and travel throughout Alabama, visit GolfAlabama.org. Capitol Hill is 13 miles north of Montgomery, not 13 miles north of Birmingham. The Judge has amazing views along the Alabama River, while the Legislator weaves in and out of pine trees and marshland for a more traditional feel. Also, hes a sucker for a press. Marshwood is most known for its 701-yard par-5 No. If you can fit in another nine-hole course before dark, Id go for it (play Marshwood). Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a testament to the state's commitment to excellence in golfing experiences, and Capitol Hill stands tall as one of its crown jewels. Most claim this is the tougher course. Greenville, 6. Yes, it is more wide open than the other two courses at this site, but it has more than 160 pot bunkers and massive mounds throughout that can work in your favor or against you, depending on how accurate you are. When not hugging the shoreline, the Lake Course moves through wonderfully rolling terrain. Our idiotic attempt to play one of the worlds longest courses in the freezing wind and rain proved nothing if not this: Pick the right tees. Youll likely have to get up early today to play the other course at The Shoals, and youll resent it, but not because you dont want to golf anymore. Here is my take on how to divide it up and play some great golf: Beginning in the most northern RTJ golf club, The Shoals has two superb 18 hole golf courses. And my favorite hole on The Falls is the par-3 No. The sausages are made in the small town of Evergreen in the southern reaches of this very Southern state, and the brand has become an icon of civic pride. Have you noticed that? He has worked with 17 tourism agencies and written more than 1,200 articles for 14 regional, national and international golf, family and travel publications since he began in 2007. 1 public-access ranking in Alabama. Another perk is the incredible value you can get with some of their Unlimited Play deals. It really is everywhere. The Crossings Course has hosted numerous LPGA Tour events, with cool crushed-oyster-shell waste areas, plenty of water, great wooden bridges (including a covered one) and dramatic tee shots galore. It was rapidly recognized as a perfect setup for buddies trips, with miles of green fairways to keep groups of any size swinging, always with more holes to play. The Alabama Capitol Building served as the endpoint for the third march for voting rights from Selma. The Mindbreaker, Backbreaker and Heartbreaker are full-length challenges while the par 3 Short Course will test your short game. Has anybody ever played every hole for a proper comparison? We darted five minutes back down the road to the Renaissance and tried to squeeze in a bonus 18 at Ross Bridge, the No. In fact, the only thing lost that day was Matins press on the 18th hole, which put me ahead for the whole trip. In one 12-hour period I tried Boarhogs Barbeque, The Chuckwagon, Melvins Place and Pig N Out. It's home to the original Mardi Gras celebration, an eclectic mix of downtown restaurants and shops and some really good golf. GOLFs 25-best par-3 courses in the world. I say this not only because I hit the green and made a casual par to flip a press with Matin, but because the tee shot to the peninsula is stunning. Just 45 minutes south in Greenville is Cambrian Ridge with another 4 nine-hole layout considered the most beautiful and challenging on the Trail, and that is saying something. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer. Moving south to the state capital, Montgomery, the Trail continues its amazing golf with one of the highest praised courses, the simply magnificent Judge at the 54 hole Capitol Hill Golf Club. Turns out there are no less than 45 BBQ joints in Huntsville. TRAIL GUIDE. 0800 043 6644. Grab a quick lunch then hit the road for your 2.5-hour drive to Highland Oaks in Dothan. The Senator the former host site of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic does not, of course, play exactly like a true links course. The Senator is fast and fun. As the host of several Korn Ferry Tour events most recently in 2019 its a true championship track. The links-style course is a physical and visual stunner, especially along the closing stretch. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (Grand National Links) There's really no bad choice, and 10 of the 11 have at least 36 holes. By the time you reach that shared ninth green, youll be winded, even if youre riding in a cart, and probably wishing you could play that nine again. Mobile, Alabama might be best known for its love of college football -- it hosts a bowl game and an all-star game stocked with seniors with NFL dreams -- but there's much to love about this intriguing Southern city at the mouth of the Mobile Bay. In full bloom the course feels very much like Augusta National (legitimately), and the wild topography is sure to keep you entertained. As at the other RTJ Golf Trail properties, youll have options. Day 5: If theres a day youre going to want to sleep in, it will be this one and thats fine. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge 4.6 62 Reviews Rating Snapshot About Reviews Content, Offers and more Rating Snapshot All Time Last 6 Months Last 12 Months Rating Index 4.6 62 Reviews 5 Stars 43 4 Stars 12 3 Stars 6 2 Stars 1 1 Stars 0 Conditions 4.2 Value 3.4 Layout 4.8 Friendliness 5.0 Pace 4.0 Amenities 4.4 79.4% His unique perspective and insight make for an enjoyable read and interesting articles. (Its worth noting that there are two Trail hotels around Montgomery. Wrap up the round, grab dinner in the clubhouse, then head back to the Spa and pools. Then came a break in the clouds, plus a breakdown in our thinking. Magnolia Grove features two full-length golf courses and an 18-hole Short Course that Golf Digest once named as the best par-3 course in America. How is that possible? The second shot is slightly back uphill to a beast of a green that slopes back to front with a severe roll-off to the right. The first four holes on Dogwood are all intriguing nail-biters, and just when you think the round simplifies, the tension ratchets back up at 8 and 9 with more water and more tricky golf shots. 4 public-access course in Alabama was waiting, and this 18s name said it all. 4 hole is an absolute stunner. The 200-room resort features Alabama's only revolving restaurant and the Swamper's Bar and Grill, which celebrates the region's rich music tradition with weekly live performances. The Lake Course formerly the home of the PGA Tours Barbasol Championship hugs the shores of Lake Saugahatchee, and it took just three holes for a theme to develop: scenic but difficult par 3s over or alongside dominating water hazards. The Schoolmaster is a bit easier to play, but they're both accessible for all levels of golfers. Thats the bad news: Youve got to get to Huntsville tonight. The Valley Course is much tighter with more lakes and low-lying holes, less dramatic elevation changes but still plenty of scenery. The first 14 holes are packed with challenge and drama, with trouble permanently on one side or the other. And dont worry about whatever calories you packed on at lunch. Theres a saying down here that, One Can Never Have Too Much Ross Bridge. Test that theory out, THEN go home. Matin and I raced the suns descent, finishing just before dark and thrilled to have seen two such different layouts at one site on the same day. But as the wintry breezes kicked up a bit under clear, sunny skies, it wasnt the name but the terrain that grabbed our attention. That was an easy call. Matt Matin lines up a tee shot on a the long par-3 sixth at Ross Bridge in a pounding, sleeting rain in January. Well, there is the matter of the No. The April 2010 issue of Golf Odyssey has been published and can be accessed here. ), Talking GolfGetaways 71: Journeyman Distillerys Bill Welter goes bogey-free in our Emergency 9 golf-travel quiz, Talking GolfGetaways 79: World Record Longest Hole journey across Mongolia, Cant Argue with Science: The Best Course at Oregons Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is , Talking GolfGetaways 100: Celebrating value golf and our milestone episode with Golf Channels Matt Ginella. Lewin Farms Strawberry Picking, Articles H