Innovative thinking led to turnaround
The Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta is a testament to the power of free.
The 1932 golf course, named for and amateur golf champion Bobby Jones, an Atlanta icon, was transformed into a hotbed of golf activity after it reopened in 2018 following a makeover.
The transformation turned the 144-acre golf property into thriving golf center for all ages instead of an afterthought to the adjoining Memorial Park it had been.
Playing the nine-hole course costs about $47 on weekdays and about $56 on weekends.
There is something at the facility for anyone who is interested in playing the game. And much of it is free to the public. The Dan Yates Putting Course is free. Playing at Cupp Links, a five-hole par-3 course, is free. A new practice putting green and chipping green can both be used for no charge.
Marty Elgison is the President of the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation, which oversaw the $33 million redevelopment and remains in charge of its day-to-day decision making. “It’s turned out better than I ever expected it to be,” Elgison said. “It really has become a model for the renovation of municipal golf courses across the country.”
The original course opened in 1932 as a tribute to Bobby Jones. The City of Atlanta transferred ownership of the property to the State of Georgia in 2016. Private fundraising secured the money to redevelop the course. It reopened in late November 2018. The 18-hole course was converted into a nine-hole reversible layout. It took two more years to complete the other complimentary facilities.
Bobby Jones Links, the Alpharetta management company that oversees operation of the course, was a partner in the redevelopment project. The company operates three dozen other public and private golf properties across the country.
“We opened our doors, and we didn’t really know what was going to happen,” said Jason Kuiper, director of Instruction at the Grand Slam Golf Academy at the golf course. “We had a vision with junior golf and adaptive golf and serving veterans. We wanted to create this public golf atmosphere with all these different, innovative ideas for golf.
Bobby Jones Golf Course is the only outdoor publicly accessible range in the Atlanta area that uses TrackMan Range technology, which debuted this year.
“Bobby Jones Golf Course means a great deal to so many golfers in the Atlanta area” said Jake Southards, Southeast Regional Manager for Trackman Range.
“It has the perfect practice facilities for Trackman Range technology, with golfers of all skill levels now being able to benefit from a more rewarding and entertaining practice experience. Josh Deal and his team operate a first-class facility, so introducing our industry-leading technology has been a perfect fit.”
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Featured image courtesy of Bobby Jones Golf Links:
