MCLEMORE RECEIVES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN GOLF DESIGN FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS
The creation of the new Highlands course at McLemore Club in Rising Fawn, Georgia, is the result of a collaboration between Bill Bergin, ASGCA, and ASGCA Past President, Rees Jones. Their brief was to transform the former Canyon Ridge golf course, built on dramatic topography along the eastern brow of Lookout Mountain, to take advantage of all aspects of the property, making it more exciting but also more playable for members and resort guests.
“After walking the hiking trails along a rock-faced cliff and obtaining topographic information by hand, we determined that it was possible to shift the eighteenth hole east 400 feet and drop it down over 100 feet to the edge of practically a sheer drop above McLemore Cove,” says Bergin. “The site was strewn with massive boulders and two large ravines, but there was enough width for the fairway and green site.”
photo: Dave Sansom
Seven acres were cleared and burned as the site proved too difficult to access to haul timber away. Minimal blasting was necessary to create a workable set of tees and all excavated rock was utilized to build up and level one side of the fairway. “The owner gave us the opportunity to use a spectacular part of the property to create one of the most dramatic finishing holes in golf,” says Jones.
“The hole may become one of the most photographed in the Southeast.” The area previously assigned to the clubhouse lacked space and missed out on the incredible views available throughout this property. After discussions that included both the design teams and developer Scenic Land Company, the clubhouse was moved to the edge of the old eighteenth hole. “Its elevation, along with selective tree removal, has created quite the spot to look over the new eighteenth and McLemore Cove,” says Bergin. A six-hole short course, the Cairn, was added, adjacent to the clubhouse on the old eighteenth fairway.