The recent issue of Golf Georgia magazine had a feature on "Georgia's Ghost Courses". I thoroughly enjoyed this article, it talked about many course that have been long gone from the Georgia golfing scene but not forgotten. There courses were Altlanta International, Canterbury Golf Club, Coastal Pines Golf Club, Durham Lakes Golf and Country Club, Gold Creek Golf CLub, Grand Island Club, Greene Country Club, Green Valley Country Club, Greystone Country Club, Hidden Hills Country Club, Lakeside Country Club, Metropolitan Golf and Tennis Club, Southerness Golf Club, Pineisle Resort at Lake Lanier, Sky View and Garden View Courses at Callaway Gardens, Centernnial Golf Club, and Long Shadow Golf Club. Many memories of these courses, have played them all. Will share a few, and if others have comments, would love if you shared
Canterbury Golf Club: I was a member there many years. A true country club with pool, tennis courts, amazing clubhouse. The course was designed by a no name, but a great layout, enjoyed by players at all levels and it was so walkable, you seldom saw carts out there. The memory I have of this club was the huge deck off the 18th hole. Dozens upon dozens would congregate here after their rounds and many days we would be there to late at night. Friendships and comraderie prevailed, and I remember many nights they would keep that deck open and it was way past dark, just enjoying great food and conversation. The members really got a bad deal. The club was owned by an Asian gentlemen, who sold the club to a group of club members. These members told us that this would become a "members club",because it was owned and run by members. Well, eventually the club was sold to developers. so much for the "members club" and Canterbury was a thing of the past. My heart went out to those who had homes on the fairways with beautful views, and now had nothing but cookie cutter homes to look out. Canterbury was my favorite golf course to play and socialize at, will never forget it.
Hidden Hills Country CLub: This was such a wonderful layout, playable for golfers at all levels. I remember being invited to many wonderful functions in the clubhouse. The neighborhood and adjacent area went into complete decline, the closing of the course seemed imminent. I remember of my last rounds there, a scruffy looking guy, clearly some kind of addict, trying to sell me his bicycle in the parking lot. You knew the end was near. To this day, this entire area remains crime infested and the schools are beyond pathetic. It has really gone downhill.
Centennial Golf Cub: Maybe the worst golf club I have ever played. Nothing memorable about it, I remember a meandering creek that sucked a lot of balls if you were not familiar with the course, and I seem to recall that a few tee shots could hit other players teeing off if their shots were wayward. I remember my partner and I leaving this place, never wanting to go back. No loss for the Atlanta market.
Atlanta International" This was originally called Snapfinger Woods Golf CLub and it was an absolute gem. Very walkable and playable, and some gorgeous lakes and tree lined holes. The one memory I have of this course is that there were some holes that were very much built on wetlands, and I saw more snakes on this course than anywhere else. Seldom a time I did not see a snake slithering in the rough or in the water. The area experienced the same decline as Hidden Hills, crime infested, poor schools, and eventually became Atlanta International, but that did not last long.
Greystone Golf CLub; A really great public track with some amazing rock formations. Very playable. Could not believe it closed, it was as good as public golf gets.
Gold Creek Golf Club: Out in the middle of no where, this place was great. The golf was great, and I know they had hopes of making this a site for conventions, golf outings, etc. This was a Mike Young design if I recall, he did a great job, I was shocked to call for a tee time and find that it had closed. The place had potential, it was an absolute gem.
Callaway Gardens: I was saddened to learn that the Sky View and Garden View courses have closed. I have not played the Mountain Course there is some years, it was the home of PGA golf, but hope it can stay vialble. I have heard reports that the resort is in decline, no surprise really, what is there to attract young people, who could care less about the Gardens and beautful scenery. Personally, I loved the place and the nearby town Pine Mountain. very southern and hospitalble.
Long Shadow: I played this the same day I played Cuscowilla. I had yet to play golf overseas, so this course gave me a taste of some links like features and a few holes looked like Scotland, with the lack of trees, wide fairways, and tall grass. The conditions of the course were not good, fairways were brown and thin, and I just had the feeling that it was not doing well. A shame, I loved the layout and with all the golf in that area, wonder if it will ever open again. I hope so and wish it well
Many of these courses that are now gone were public. They are gone but not forgotten as stated in this article The public golf scene in Atlanta is really poor, while the private scene has unbelievable venues and I sense that many clubs are once again prospering. There is very little space left in our city and I wonder if another public venue will ever be built.
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