Atlanta GA Golf Weekend
PGATour.com/Links Magazine, 9/10
Golf Digest, 4/12, 9/09
T&L Golf, Mar/Apr '03
Maximum Golf
Drinking Made Easy, 2010
Away Game: Atlanta
Members Mostly
By Max Adler and Matt Ginella, Golf Digest April 2012
Photo by Russell Kirk
It's an ill wind that doesn't blow somebody some good. In Atlanta, the wind is the exhale of a popped real-estate bubble, and the somebody can be you. In the past two decades, 177 courses were built in the greater metropolitan area, making it the prime example of a city whose golf inventory expanded too fast. There's an oversupply of golf, or at least golf of a certain type, which is making it easy to get on private courses. With a phone call or even less, here's how you can play (we did) luscious layouts you couldn't before.
I took the early flight from New York and was on the first tee of Heritage Golf Links at 10 a.m. The course is northeast of the airport, but you can avoid downtown traffic by momentarily heading south to loop around on I-285. In the great sprawling beast called Atlanta, there's always another way.
Built in 1996, Heritage is most famous because Dr. J owned it. Hall of Fame slam-dunk pioneer and unaccredited physician Julius Erving bought the 27-hole complex in 2006 and renamed it Celebrity Golf Club International. Dr. J imagined his private club would cater to retired athletes and stars flying in now and again--an Augusta National with laxer clubhouse rules--but the grand opening coincided with the market downturn of 2008. Not enough people joined, and Dr. J lost the course in foreclosure in 2010. I called ahead, gave no name, and was told to come on by.
Standing on the first tee, there's no need to consider economic sourness. The staff is happy to have you, and you're getting to play an ambitious, well-kept layout for a bargain. The grass range has three tiers, and the one at the top marked "members only" is the smallest.
The starter paired me with a potbellied, retired importer/exporter from Paris who dressed like Dustin Johnson and cursed like Pepe Le Pew. Serge, short for Sergio, is a member, and his guest was a good ol' boy who cast the club like a fly rod at his finish. I moved up a set of tees to enjoy a front-row seat to their colorful bickering over mulligans and gimmes. Along the way we picked up two more singles like barnacles, and finished as a flotilla of five golfers in four carts. No one knew each other. There were no post-round drinks or locker-room shoeshines, but the quality of the golf felt private.
Heritage is a high-end daily-fee course that had a private stint before reverting to its old name and ways, but nearby Smoke Rise Country Club is allowing outside play for the first time since it opened in 1998. Though it doesn't broadcast it, the club has started selling tee times on www.golfnow.com as an "exclusive, limited opportunity." On the phone I was told to "come on down" but was nearly denied at the golf shop when I couldn't produce my member number. Glancing over his shoulder as if to verify the coast was clear, the pro said I could go off the back if I could play fast, then charged my credit card $59. Pressing my luck, I asked if I could walk but was gruffly told no because of the high Slope Rating of 145.
The 18th at Smoke Rise G&CC
Slope Rating, of course, is a measure of scoring difficulty, not hilliness. But it's true that courses like Smoke Rise aren't set up to walk. Many courses struggling financially are similar in that few were conceived to be self-sufficient. Manicured holes with massive features routed through deep acreage are costly to maintain, but if homes are sold as part of a gated community, the cost is offset. When enough homes sell, that is.
Whitney Crouse of Affiniti Golf, a management company that works to turn distressed courses profitable, explains: "If a store goes out of business, the next owner of the building can use it for apartments or another type of store. Golf courses can't be repurposed. Too much has been invested to bulldoze them."
This is why you and I can play stunning layouts like Smoke Rise for green fees that don't equal the true value of the experience. No use crying about how these courses should've been built more modestly. The golf's there, so we might as well play it.
Manor Golf & Country Club started allowing limited daily-fee tee times just last year. The guard at the palatial security gate won't let you through without a tee time, but you can book one at www.golfnow.com. The stone terracing of a few tee boxes rivals Roman proportions, and with as many as five wrought-iron balconies, each home along the Tom Watson-designed course could be mistaken for the clubhouse. As for the actual clubhouse, daily-fee interlopers may appreciate only the exterior. If you want a drink after your round, you're limited to the bar that doubles as the halfway house.
Manor G&CC
Echelon Golf Club is in horse country an hour north of downtown but worth the drive. Built by Rees Jones in 2006, it used to be called the Georgia Tech Club. Several dramatically elevated tee boxes vie for the most stirring view of the Appalachian foothills. The giant embankments cornering the doglegs are dwarfing, but when you flush a sidehill shot from one, you feel, if just for a moment, like a tiny superman. The tips can play 7,558 yards, and it seems every available penny is funneled to the course. There's no clubhouse, the grill outside the golf-shop trailer might have a burger on it, but the greens are kept as pure as any country club's.
What does the future hold for these "private" clubs? Crouse is cautiously optimistic. "A management company brings in a lot of expertise a private owner wouldn't--like how to manage the food and beverage, marketing, and agronomy like a business," he says. "But long term I think we'll see more courses shifting to the bottom of the market where green fees are more affordable."
It's only an ill wind depending on where you're standing. 
Destination: Atlanta
Sep. 20, 2010
By LINKS Magazine/PGATour.com
This week's TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola puts the focus on this vibrant Southern city that is an ideal destination for a golf getaway.
WHERE TO PLAY
Bear's Best Atlanta: Some of the homage holes are Muirfield Village's 12th and the 15th from the Champion course at PGA National.
Chateau Elan: Located north of Atlanta, the resort has two courses (and a nine-holer), perfect for day trips or an overnight stay.
Stone Mountain Golf Club: If you have time for only one round, play Lakemont, set on the lake and with views of the Confederate Memorial Carving.
WHERE TO STAY
Chateau Elan: The resort might be 40 minutes outside the city, but you'll feel as though you've been transplanted to the French countryside.
Glenn Hotel: This downtown property is on the edge of the hip Luckie Marietta District and is perfect for both business and entertainment.
Mansion on Peachtree: Designed by Robert A.M. Stern, this 127-room boutique hotel is in the heart of trendy Buckhead's shopping and restaurants.
WHERE TO EAT
Parish: Don't miss the New Orleans-inspired brunch on weekends at this eatery that specializes in Creole and Cajun dishes with a Georgia twist.
Restaurant Eugene: Atlanta native Linton Hopkins' traditional Southern dishes like fried chicken and Georgia trout are infused with an international flair.
Woodfire Grill: Executive chef Kevin Gillespie, a star of last season's reality series Top Chef, frequents local farms for seasonal offerings like Bobwhite quail.
Golf Digest 9/09 Atlanta Golf Weekend
Where To Play:
The Frog GC, **** 1/2, www.golfthefrog.com, "A Tom Fazio design with 90 bunkers, so hit it straight.", M-R $59, F-Su $85, $39/$49 twilight @ 15:00
St. Marlo GC, **** 1/2, www.stmarlo.com, "In a gated neighborhood but public- and in great condition.", M-R $59, F-Su $79, $39/$49 twilight @ 15:00
Bear's Best Atlanta, ****, www.bearsbest.com, "A compilation of Nicklaus' best holes.", Su-R $94, F-Sat $114, $64/$74 twilight @ 14:00
Bentwater GC, ****, www.bentwatergolfclub.com, "A 14-year-old member from Bentwater made it through U.S. Open qualifying.", M-F $55, Sat-Sun $70, $45/$49 @ 15:00
Chateau Elan Winery & Resort (Chateau), ****, www.chateauelan.com, "You'll use every club in your bag.", M-R $70, F-Su $85, $50 @ 11:00, $40 @ 15:00
Cherokee Run GC, ****, www.cherokeerun.com, "With Zoysia grass fairways, it's like hitting off carpet.", M-R $35, F $39, Sat-Sun $49, $27/$32/$39 twilight @ 15:00
Oak Mountain Championship GC, www.oakmountaingolf.com, "Renovated and under new ownership.", M $30, T-R $40, F $45, Sat-Sun $50
Stone Mountain GC (Stonemont & Lakemont), www.stonemountaingolf.com, "Two distinct courses offer great views of Stone Mountain.", M-R $55, F-Sun $69, $50/$53/$60 twilight @ 15:00
Woodmont G&CC, www.woodmontgolfclub.com, "One of GA's best semi-private clubs.", M-R $60, F $70, Sat-Sun $80, $50/$53/$60 twilight @ 15:00
Celebrity GC Int'l, www.celebritygolfclub.com, "Owned and operated by Dr. J.", M-R $69, F-Sun $89, $50 twilight @ 15:00
Best Sports Bar: Spondivits (www.spondivits.net) is open til 3 AM.
Best Burger: Ann's Snack Shack (404-687-9207) on Memorial Drive in the Kirwood neighborhood, or The Varsity Downtown (www.thevarsity.com) on North Ave.
Best Steak: Chop's Lobster Bar (www.chopslobsterbar.com) is a local fave.
Best BBQ: Fat Matt's Rib Shack (www.fatmattsribshack.com) features live blues every night and a full rack of ribs for under $20.
Best Golf Shopping: PGA Tour Superstore (www.pgatoursuperstore.com) has an indoor range, chipping areas, and a putting green.
Further Distractions: Atlanta History Center (www.atlantahistorycenter.com) has a "Down The Fairway With Bobby Jones", or hit the Atlanta Zoo (www.zooatlanta.org)
Best Range Near The Airport: Wolf Creek (www.wolfcreekgc.com) is only 15 minutes away.
Local British Open Champ Stewart Cink's Recommendations: Inside the perimeter, play East Lake Charlie Yates GC (www.charlieyatesgolfcourse.com), a par-58 that looks like the tour course next door. Outside the perimeter, play Celebrity Golf Club. Hit balls at The Hooch GC (www.thehoockgolfclub.com), named after the Chattahoochie River that it sits along. For a special dinner with the wife, hit Rathbun's (www.rathbunsrestaurant.com) in the hip Cabbagetown section for a great modern American menu, great service, and a fun atmoshpere. Take the kids to Six Flags White Water/Six Flags Over Georgia (www.sixflags.com).
Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To Atlanta (2010):
A bustling metropolitan city in the Southeastern United States, Atlanta is the most populous city in Georgia, a major transportation hub and home to the headquarters of large companies like Coca-Cola, AT&T, Delta Airlines and Turner Broadcasting. Host of the 1996 Olympic Games, it’s also home to the Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest. But whether you call it Hotlanta, the ATL, The Big Peach or A Town, one thing remains: Atlanta flourishes in nightlife, cuisine and culture. Home to Southern cooking, an up and coming hip-hop music scene, and a strip of nightspots, this hospitable city has always been an easy place to drink.
SOUTHERN COMFORT FOOD
Founded in 1997, Gladys Knight and Ron Winans’ Chicken and Waffles is one of many popular restaurants dedicated to the combination of chicken and waffles, a concept born out of Harlem in the 1930’s, that have sprung up over the US in the last 70 years. Widely regarded as having some of the best southern soul food in the state of Georgia, this restaurant is also known for its delectable desserts including peach cobbler and sweet potato cheesecake. Served ala carte or ala mode, patrons wishing to challenge their sweet tooth, can try the peach cobbler challenge which entails eating as many of these sweet treats as possible. The record is 14.
Gladys Knight and Ron Winans’ Chicken and Waffles | 529 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 | (404) 874-9393
For a real local treat of the savory variety, check out the Varsity Dog, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. Opened in 1928 and sitting on more than two acres with enough space to accommodate 600 cars and over 800 people inside, the Varsity is famous for hot dogs, burgers, Coca-Cola, chocolate milk and onion rings. This Atlanta institution produces two miles of hot dogs, a ton of onions, 2500 pounds of potatoes, 5000 fried pies and 300 gallons of chili, from scratch everyday.
Another restaurant that has some southern flair is PittyPat’s Porch. Named after the Gone with the Wind character, Aunt Pittypat, a gracious host and gifted cook who served her special recipes to Scarlett on the big wraparound porch during visits to Atlanta, this tribute to the old South serves up traditional Southern cuisine like black eye pea cakes, fried green tomatoes and fried chicken, as well as cocktails like Mint Juleps, Moonshiner’s Punch and Sweet Peach.
ICE COLD BEER
On a hot summer “Hotlanta” day, when all you want is a thirst quenching and ice cold beer, check out the SweetWater Brewing Company. Founded in 1997 by Kevin McNerney and Freddy Bensch, friends from the University of Colorado, Boulder, it is the 26th largest brewery in the US and gets its name from the SweetWater Creek, in a state park just west of the brewery. The brewery’s motto is “Don’t Float the Mainstream.”
Because the beer is unpasteurized, distribution is limited to mostly Atlanta and six other Southeastern states, since it’s meant to be consumed fresh. With staples like the SweetWater Blue, India Pale Ale, Sch’Wheat American Wheat Ale, Georgia Brown and their flagship ale, the 420 Extra Pale Ale, they also release seasonal brews throughout the year. In 2002, SweetWater Brewing Co was named Small Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival and McNerney was named Brewmaster of the Year. Having expanded greatly over the past 13 years in business, in their current location, in Midtown Atlanta, adjacent to Ansley Park, in the Armour Circle Industrial Park they are able to brew 100,000 barrels of beer a year. In 2007, they expanded into the B Concourse of the Hartsfield International Airport with the SweetWater Draft House.
SweetWater Brewing Company | 195 Ottley Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324 | (404) 691-2537
Another great place to find some local cold draft beer is Stats Sports Bar. A typical sports bar with a unique twist, patrons will become their own bartender. Known as the Table Tender, this self-service draft beer system allows guests to serve their own beer at their own table, while watching their favorite sporting games on their 70 high definition televisions. Stats is the first bar in the US and the second nationwide to incorporate a beer tap system into individual tables. Measured to only serve a certain amount of beer per guest at the table (32 ounces), the kegs run dry when you hit your limit. You can call in advance to reserve your table with the beers of your choice and request beer from local breweries like SweetWater Brewing Company and Red Brick Brewing Company. Founded in 1993, as the Atlanta Brewing Company, Red Brick is the oldest craft brewery in Atlanta and brews popular and award-winning local beers like Peachtree Pale Ale, Red Brick Barrel Select and Red Brick Blonde.
Stats Restaurant | 300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 (404) 885-1472
In many places around town, you’ll find Georgian brews from Terrapin Beer Co. Located in Athens, GA this brewery has been around since 2002 when their first beer, the Rye Pale Ale was first introduced and won the American Pale Ale Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival just six months later. Since then they’ve made many unique beers like Golden Ale, Hop Karma Brown IPA, Sunray Wheat Beer and the Hopsecutioner.
MORE THAN BEER
With a name like The Brewhouse Café, you know there are bound to be some great beers to choose from. Located in the Little Five Points district of Atlanta, this premier sports bar serves everything from Bud Light to American craft beer, to Belgian and other international ales. But they’re actually more widely known for one of their famous cocktails: The Painkiller. With three different levels of alcohol content, patrons can order the #1, #2 or #3. Made with Rum, Coco Lopez (a Puerto Rican coconut product, which is also the base for the Piña Colada), pineapple juice and orange juice, the Painkiller might actually cause more pain, than kill it.
Level 1 Painkiller
Rum (pour to the count of 5)
Coco Lopez (splash)
Equal parts Pineapple juice and Orange juice
Garnish with cherry and orange
Level 2 Painkiller
Rum (pour to the count of 7.5)
Coco Lopez (splash)
Equal parts Pineapple juice and Orange juice
Garnish with cherry and orange
Level 3 Painkiller
Rum (pour to the count of 10)
Coco Lopez (splash)
Equal parts Pineapple juice and Orange juice
Garnish with cherry and orange
The Brewhouse Café | 401 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307-1519 | (404) 525-7799
A trip to Atlanta might not be complete without a stop into Manuel’s Tavern (pronounced Man-u-el not Man-wel). Opened in 1956 by Manuel Maloof, a local business man who eventually became the CEO of Dekalb County, this cozy neighborhood tavern is a multiple winner of the “Best of Atlanta.” Featuring 30 beers on tap, 60 in the bottle and some unique cocktails, this is a true Atlanta landmark.
Bobby Jones
Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
Sweetened Iced tea
Georgia Nut Shot
Southern Comfort
Absolut Vanilla
Peach Schnapps
Goldschlager
Frangelico
Add a shelled peanut
Manuel’s Tavern | 602 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | (404) 525-3447
MOONSHINERS
Georgians have made Moonshine since the late 18th century. Using apples, corn and peaches to distill whiskey, brandy and other forms of alcohol, illegal moonshiners kept the small farmers in business. Though most often associated with the mountainous areas of north Georgia, it was the Scots-Irish immigrants who brought the practice of distilling alcohol to the backcountry of Georgia and other American colonies during that time.
Today producing illegal moonshine still exists in Georgia and around Atlanta and some local distillers produce whiskey soaked in charred wood, instead of aging it in whiskey or bourbon barrels to take on the flavors of the wood
T&L Golf Mar/Apr 2003
In the shadow of Augusta National, "Georgia golf" is approaching becoming as much of a brand as "Florida golf".
You'd be hard pressed to find 81 better holes under one roof than at Reynolds Plantation (100 Plantation Drive Eatonton, 800-322-1665, www.reynoldsplantation.com, '03 fees $90-$250). The Great Waters course (4.5/5.0 stars) has a woodland front and a pretty peninsula back, narrow but very playable. The Oconee is the feature course (4.5/5.0 stars), saddled pine-lined fairways, big pure greens, with a notable difficulty step-up on the closing 6. Very pretty, high quality resort golf with some Augusta-like elements. The National course is Bunyanesque golf for long-hitter (up to 7066 yards), with hilly terrain.
The famed 5-mile private resort Sea Island has 2 sensational new tracks to join the classic Cloister (100 Retreat Ave St. Simons Island, 800-732-4752, www.seaisland.com, '03 fees $145-$225). The Seaside course (4.5/5.0 stars) is 18 postcard holes with Pinehurst-like crowned greens and tighltly-mown chipping areas. The Plantation course (3.5/5.0 stars) has uber-low-country views on a solid, very playable parkland with a strong finish.
White Columns CC (300 Clubhouse Dr Alpharetta, 7053, 135, 770-343-9025, www.whitecolumnscountryclub.com, '03 fees $65-$140, 4.5/5.0 stars). This is Tom Fazio in full control of his art. Each hole flows from the next as if preordained from a sheer master of landscapes, with dashes of spice with mid-fairway bunkers or brilliant use of water.
The Frog GC (1900 Georgian Pkwy Villa Rica, 770-459-4400, www.thegeorgian.com, 7018, 140, '03 fees $45-$75, 4/5 stars) has the best tag line in golf: "Grip-It-And-Ribbit." A criminally underutilized treat about 45 minutes west of Atlanta. Another Tom Fazio big scale prototypical Georgian course sans the housing. A few suprises in waste bunkers and false fronts. A blast and a bargain.
Orchard Hills GC (600 E Hwy 16 Newnan, 770-251-5683, www.orchardhills.com, 7012, 132, '03 fees $45-$53, 3.5/5.0 stars) is a strong test with 3 windswept linkslike 9s. The Logo 9 has nearly unreachable par-4s with Augusta-like elements.
The General at Barnsley Gardens (597 Barnsley Gardens Rd Adairsville, 877-773-2447, www.barnsleyresort.com, 7180, 141, '03 fees $75-$105, 4/5 stars) is a brutal test from the tips with a testing finish. Some Bethpage-Black elements, elevation changes, big downhill shots, and great views of the Appalacian foothills.
Also try: Bear's Best Atlanta ($75-$95, 678-714-2582); the Resort at Callaway's Mountain View course ($95-$110, 800-225-5292) has hosted the PGA's Buick Challenge; Harbor Club ($59-$65, 706-453-4414) is an old Mickey Mantle hangout; Port Armor CC & R ($95, 706-453-4500) is near Reynold Plantation; and Osprey Cove ($37-$55, 912-882-5575) is a sleeper 35 minutes from Sea Island.
Where To Stay, Upscale: The Cloister ($190-$600 pn, Sea Island); The Inn at Bansley Gardens ($215-$395 pn, Adairsville); The Lodge at Sea Island ($500-$800 pn, St. Simons Isl); Ritz-Carlton Lodge @ Reynolds Plantation ($225-$475, Greensboro).
For eats, Maximum Golf (a short-lived golf mag from the guys at Maxim) says try Zocalo, 187 10th St Midtown, true Mexican cuisine with hip feel, try the spicy stuffed peppers or a margarita with 180 tequilas to choose from. OR Fat Matt's Rib Shack, 1811 Piedmont Rd, down home BBQ joint, no pretension, no cover Blues tunes. OR Blue Pointe, 3455 Peachtree Rd Buckhead, posh, beautiful people, distinctive interior with seafood fare, try the peanut-crusted grouper. OR Sotto Sotto, 813 N. Highland Ave, Inman Park, Atlanta's top italian restaurant, sleek, modern room, upscale, sharp service. OR Bacchanalia, 1198 Howell Mill Rd, top-tier dining with world-class contemporary American cuisine, renovated industrial setting, pricey. Playboy likes the beef at Chops (70 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta). Very masculine, glamorous, shadowy, and swank, Chops is the place to impress a chick. Food Network recommends Daddy D's BBQ with live Blues. T&L Golf likes Sprayberry's BBQ (229 Jackson St Newman, 770-253-4421, $) for a tangy treat. MSN.com named FLIP Burger Boutique as one of the Top 10 Burger joints in the country. A repertoire of 30 burger varieties made from pork, turkey, veal, or beef ground from hanger steak, short rib, and brisket. Try the rBQ burger complete with cole slaw, house-made condiments, and a Krispy Kreme milkshake from the milkshake bar.