Playing the Trail

Four of us trekked to Opelika, Alabama to play golf for the last two days. We played the Auburn University Club on Sunday and the Lake Course at The Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail., on Monday. The Auburn Club was great, a wonderful layout with firm, slick greens. But the highlight of the trip was Grand National. Unfortunately, my golf game really wasn’t up to the test, especially with cold weather, wind, and tough rough. In fact, I played just downright awfully—just don’t ask me about the rock. But it was a great first glimpse at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

In the early 1980s, Dr. David Bronner, the CEO of the Retirement System of Alabama, had a vision to diversify the state’s pension fund and help out the economy. After hiring Robert Trent Jones, Sr., a renowned course architect with over 500 courses to his credit, the state set out on an ambitious project to build 378 holes at eight sites at one time.

The $145 million investment seems to have paid off. Alabama claims the trail has had more than a billion dollar impact. Over 200,000 non-resident golfers play the course every year, spending more than $185 per day. And there are now 26 courses.

By contrast, Georgia’s own network of eight state park courses is foundering. There are gems, Arrowhead Pointe in particular. But most of the courses are losing money and Georgia’s leadership is considering privatizing all of them. While the golf, at least on my part, wasn’t exactly stellar, the trip was great fun, a badly needed escape from reality. And it was a great lesson in what can happen when someone with vision and leadership can ask “what if.” I’m jealous that a neighboring state has outshined my home yet again. Next thing you know, we’ll be losing college football games to Alabama schools, too. Well, never mind.