Bobby Jones Golf Course gears up for $23M renovation project

The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation began renovation of the historic Bobby Jones Golf Course on Nov. 1. Built in 1932 as a tribute to Atlanta’s most famous athlete, Bobby Jones, the course closed on Oct. 31 and will undergo a total renovation, opening in the fall of 2018.

The non-profit Foundation will invest approximately $23 million in the re-development of the new golf course and clubhouse facilities. The first phase of the project includes a reversible 9-hole championship course designed by the late world-renowned Atlanta architect Bob Cupp, state of the art driving range, indoor instruction building and short game practice area as well as a new maintenance facility.

“This was Bob Cupp’s last project, and it will be an enduring legacy to both him and Mr. Jones, unique in design and playability. We want to thank the many donors throughout the State of Georgia and even beyond who have helped make the vision a reality, as well as those who have volunteered their time and expertise.” said Marty Elgison, president of the Foundation.

The Foundation is also coordinating with the tennis community at Bitsy Grant Tennis Center to construct a new parking deck to service both golf and tennis activities. A number of the existing tennis courts that are in the flood plain will be relocated on top of and adjacent to the new parking deck, improving environmental conditions and adding two additional hard courts to the tennis complex. The new tennis complex includes landscaping that will enhance the aesthetics of the property and environmental lighting to minimize impacts to the neighborhood.

Concept art for the Georgia Golf House.

The Foundation is partnering with the Georgia State Golf Association and the Georgia Section of the PGA of America in the second phase of the project to create the “Georgia Golf House,” a new facility that will become the center of golf in Georgia, the foundation said in a recent press release. Those organizations, as well the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, the Atlanta Junior Golf Association and others will call the Georgia Golf House home and use it for their headquarters.

Junior golf and growing the game will be a major focus of the new Bobby Jones Golf Course. The Foundation will work with the Georgia PGA and U.S. Kids Golf to design instruction and programming for juniors in and around the community to foster interest in the game, and will partner with youth organizations like the YMCA to expand its reach. The Foundation is also partnering with the Shepherd Center to create a state-of-the-art program for adaptive golfers. The course renovations will include a 9-hole “wee links” of 50-70 yards, named the “Cupp Links” in honor of Mr. Cupp, designed specifically for adaptive golf and junior golfers.

The golf course will also 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 summers for junior golf clinics and lessons.

The most current industry standards will be employed to construct an environmentally friendly and sustainable golf course and facility. In addition, the Foundation is working in partnership with GDOT, the City of Atlanta and the PATH Foundation to create trails and paths that will circle the new facility and connect to existing trail structures.

“The golf community from across the state has come together to make the new Bobby Jones a spectacular golf course and home of golf, one that will be open for all golfers to enjoy, and one I hope future generations will enjoy for years to come,” said Chuck Palmer, chairman of the Foundation.

Photos: Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation