Lots of GCAers have been following the story of Sweetens Cove GC in South Pittsburg, TN, near to Chattanooga, designed and built by architect Rob Collins and constructor Tad King of King-Collins Golf Design, and now operated by a company part owned by Rob and GCAs own Ari Techner. I was there last week as they put the final touches to the golf course ready for opening, and as Ari did his Hundred Hole Hike there - including about three hours of golf in darkness - quite unbelievable.
The people involved in Sweetens Cove are good friends and I have seen the course from fairly early construction through the near collapse of the entire project on to opening today, so I am not the most objective witness as to this project. But I'll say this: everyone I know who has seen the course has fallen hard for it, it has been a total labour of love from start to finish and the principals are all great people who deserve success. So if you find yourself in the area, get yourself down there for a game - USD25 for unlimited golf, their introductory rate, has to count as one of the best bargains in the game.
Congratulations to Rob and Tad, to Ari and his team and to superintendent Michael Burrows and his guys. All have gone through a lot to get to today. If there is any justice in the world, golfers will flock to Sweetens Cove and the whole project will be a huge success. They deserve it.