Bobby Jones GC Reopening Set for November 5

After a year-long, $23 million renovation, the historic 86-year-old Atlanta property will feature a reversible design created by architect Bob Cupp as his last course project before his death in August. A new driving range, state-of-the-art indoor instructional building, short-game practice area, and a 6-hole “Cupp Links” short course will also be unveiled.

The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation has announced that the new Bobby Jones Golf Course will re-open for public play on November 5, 2018, after a year-long, $23 million renovation. The course, located in the heart of Atlanta and managed by Mosaic Clubs LLC, first opened in 1932 as Atlanta’s first public course as a tribute to the city’s most famous athlete, Bobby Jones.

The new Bobby Jones Golf Course was the last design of architect Bob Cupp before his death in August. The cornerstone of the redevelopment is the course’s unique and revolutionary reversible design. The new design features large, double greens and multiple tees that will enhance enjoyment and playability.

In addition to the redesign, the redevelopment includes a new driving range, state-of-the-art indoor instructional building, short game practice area, and a 6-hole short course named the “Cupp Links” in honor of Mr. Cupp.

The revival of the course represents a major comeback from just three years ago, when there was thought of reducing the course to nine holes (http://clubandresortbusiness.com/2015/04/what-would-bobby-jones-say-namesake-course-may-be-cut-to-9-holes/). The backers of the project also had to devise compromise solutions to overcome objections from environmental groups about the work that was done on the property (http://clubandresortbusiness.com/2018/08/bobby-jones-gc-foundation-environmental-group-reach-compromise/).

When it reopens the new course will also be one of the first in Atlanta to offer Shark Experience golf carts, which provide players with connectivity and entertainment including music streaming, live TV, GPS yardage tracking, digital scorecards, Bluetooth capabilities, and more. The Shark Experience will be standard on every Bobby Jones Golf Course cart at no upcharge.

Junior golf and growing the game will also be two of the new Bobby Jones Golf Course’s major focus areas. The Foundation is working with the Georgia Section of the PGA, Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA), and U.S. Kids Golf to design instruction and programming for junior players. A major initiative of the new Bobby Jones Golf Course is to foster interest in the game by partnering with youth organizations, including the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, to expand its reach. The Cupp Links short course has been designed specifically for junior golfers.

The Foundation has also partnered with the GSGA and the Shepherd Center, a local nonprofit hospital providing medical care and rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and other neuromuscular limitations, to create a state-of-the-art program for adaptive golfers.

The golf course will become the new home of the Georgia State University (GSU) women’s and men’s golf teams. The Foundation will work with GSU to construct a second instructional center and practice area that will be used by the golf teams throughout the school year and by the Foundation during the summer for junior golf clinics and lessons.

The Foundation is also partnering with the GSGA and the Georgia Section of the PGA in the second phase of the project to create the Murray Golf House, a new facility scheduled to open in Fall 2019. These organizations, as well the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame and other golf organizations, will relocate their headquarters to call the Murray Golf House home.

“The Foundation is very excited to reintroduce the new Bobby Jones Golf Course to the public in November,” said Marty Elgison, President of the Foundation. “We are especially thankful to our donors for helping make our vision a reality. We are excited to honor them, Bobby Jones, and Bob Cupp by giving back to the Atlanta and Georgia golf communities.”

Added Chuck Palmer, Chairman of the Foundation: “Unique playability and bringing the golf community together is the spirit of the new Bobby Jones Golf Course. The Foundation’s partnership with key state golf organizations has been, and will continue to be, a great step in preparing the course to become the golf center of Georgia. Having all these facilities and programs at this course named for Bobby Jones could not be more appropriate for golf in Georgia.”

For more information on the new Bobby Jones Golf Course, visit www.bobbyjonesgc.com.