Family Farm to Family Golf Course

[A.G._Crockett]

Every now and then, something uplifting happens:

I went with a buddy today to play a new daily fee on the north end of metro Atlanta named Callahan Golf Links.  The course just opened on 11/20, with relatively little fanfare, and greens fees are $30 on weekdays, $40 on weekends.  My expectations were modest to say the least.

As background, the land has been in the Callahan family since the Spanish-American War; the owner's great-great grandfather had purchased it with scrip given to him in payment for military service, and they had farmed it ever since.  The farming days are past, and several years ago, the family was offered many millions for their 300+ acres in a prime location NW of Canton.  The family decided that they just did not want to leave the land, and the golf course was the outgrowth of that decision.

D.J. Devictor (Trophy Club, Walker Course at Clemson, among others) did the GCA, and the course was just a wonderful surprise to us.  Elevation changes on every hole, very demanding target lines off the tees, and wonderful contours to the greens.  Most surprisingly, given our historic drought, the conditions of both greens and fairways was excellent, due undoubtably to a series of ponds on the property that were originally put in decades ago for the cattle.

It was really refreshing to see a new course open that was unpretentious, affordable, challenging w/o out being overbearing, and all on land that will have no housing encroaching for the foreseeable future.  For any of you in the ATL area, I would highly recommend a trip.  The link to the course website is below:

http://www.callahangolflinks.com/

Ironically, just a mile or so away, work is apparently suspended on the Fairways of Canton, which is part of a housing development by Levitt and Sons, who have just suspended operations.  As I understand the arrangement, the golf course (designed by Rocky Roquemore of the Canongate chain of courses) would/will eventually become a municipal course to be owned by the county; I'm not sure what that means, if anything, to the completion of the course.  Apparently, a sad note to the continuing problems in the housing market.

[jeffwarne]

A.G. Thanks,
Looks fun.
Couldn't resist the links name though.
There's a section on their website with some semifactual information on what a links is, yet it never attempts to tie in why this course is called a links?

[Chris Cupit]

A.G.

Wasn't the portion fronting 140 a driving range for the last several years?  That's the way I travel to Chattanooga from my house and I was 99% sure that a portion of the farm that was right along the road was a driving range first.

I drove past about two weeks ago and didn't realize the course was ready for play--although at 50 MPH I couldn't see too much

[Chris Cupit]

A.G.

Never mind the previous post--after reading fuirther I am quite certain what I am thinking of is the Roquemore course--I think  The course I am thinking of is right off of 140 on the left if you are travelling north.

[Gary Daughters]

Jeff,

I find it refreshing that someone who had the vision and the balls to turn their farm into a golf course seems unbound by orthodoxy when it comes to defining their course.  All I can say is good for them.

Gary

[A.G._Crockett]

Chris,
I would guess that what you saw was Callahan's under construction.  They don't have their range open yet due to the drought (same with their putting green, though it is very close) but the course is about 5 miles west of Canton after you cross Highway 5.  I don't think you see any of the Roquemore course from 140; just the entrance, also on the left.

Jeff,
I knew the links thing would be a hang-up here.  My guess is that what the owner has in mind is that there are lots of natural areas around the course; it is much less manicured than most, and will probably always have a bit of a wild look to it.  (A lot of the terrain and look calls to mind Long Shadow, actually, though the design is not comparable, and the bunkering nowhere near as creative).  I know, of course, that does not a links make, but there is no harm done, IMO, except to GCA wonks like us.

[A.G._Crockett]

Jeff,

I find it refreshing that someone who had the vision and the balls to turn their farm into a golf course seems unbound by orthodoxy when it comes to defining their course.  All I can say is good for them.

Gary

Not to mention turning down millions because they didn't want to leave what has always been home...

[jeffwarne]

A.G.,
No problem with the links name as it's a common thing.

I just found it amusing there is an entire section on what a links golf course is, with even a reference to an inland links (Sand Hills), but no attempt to link their definition or a description to their own course which has links in the name.

Something such as "the firm rolling topography and billowing naive grasses will remind players of the fine old links courses of Scotland and Ireland"  

[BCrosby]

A.G. -

Let's go play it. I'll round up Young. I would invite Jeff but the poor guy is stuck in Sag Harbor.

Bob

[jeffwarne]

Bob,
Don't feel sorry for me yet.
Played Quogue Field Club in short sleeves yesterday and played in the "Snowball Open" Sunday morning at Southampton in merely a sweater.

I'm headed South next week (Jupiter,Charleston)
and Aiken/Augusta/Helen Thanksgiving week.

You know I don't like to play unless there's a bit of breeze though -but I could use the money.

[BCrosby]

Jeff -

Glad to hear we don't have to start feeling sorry for you yet.

BTW, how is Quogue Fields?

I am still bitter about the bet we lost to you. Taking two sweet natured boys from Georgia to play in a vicious Nor'easter only minutes after getting off the plane was a bit over the top. As they say, there will be a next time.

Bob

[A.G._Crockett]

A.G. -

Let's go play it. I'll round up Young. I would invite Jeff but the poor guy is stuck in Sag Harbor.

Bob

Bob,
I would love to; it would need to be a Sat., but I have possibilities if you are interested.

[jeffwarne]

Bob,
If I remember correctly, we cut your shots as well.
All bets are won on the first tee, evn if you tee off on #3.

Quogue Field Club was /is great fun.
9 holes, two sets of tees-plays differently with different pars
when tees change.

Very risk reward oriented.
I had a stretch of 3 out of 4 holes in a row with an eagle putt (and we thought I'd aced the one hole I didn't have an eagle putt (par 3) -high fives and everything --until we
saw it in a dip past the hole as we approached the green.
It can be pretty dicey on a windy day as it's frought with hazards and is VERY exposed.