By Fred Altvater
As every golfer knows, Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (RTJ Golf Trail) with 11 locations stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee state line, is one of the best golf values in the country.
As early as the late-1980’s Dr. David Bronner, head of the Alabama state employee retirement fund, was seeking options to widen their investments to benefit the state. He believed that a system of golf courses would not only serve Alabama residents, but would also help lure more industry to the state, thus create more jobs.
Most top-name designers rejected Bronner’s idea of building eight locations simultaneously and completing them in 18 months. Robert Trent Jones Sr. accepted the challenge, and the Trail officially began operations in 1992. It has become one of the most successful economic development ventures of all time, attracting hoards of golf travelers, as well as, several corporations, like Mercedes and Hyundai, to build new plants within Alabama borders.
Click HERE to learn more about the beginnings of the RTJ Golf Trail and Dr. David Bronner in the October 2015 issue of Ohio Golf Journal.
On a recent visit to the RTJ Golf Trail, we flew into Birmingham, played Oxmoor Valley and Ross Bridge, while enjoying the hospitality and comfort of the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa. Ross Bridge is the highest rated course on the RTJ Golf Trail and is a masterpiece. The naturally rolling terrain makes for interesting side-hill lies, while three-putts await on the slick undulating greens.
Oxmoor Valley, with two championship courses, The Ridge and The Valley, plus Ross Bridge are located within a few minutes of each other and provide 54 holes of challenging golf.
The Trail’s most recent addition, The Back Yard at Oxmoor Valley, is a nine-hole walking course that will appeal to low handicappers as well as juniors and beginners. The Back Yard’s rolling terrain provides a variety of shot values, plus there are no water hazards to drown wayward shots. The shortest hole is just 59 yards and the longest 132 yards.
A warning: once you play The Back Yard you may want to cancel your tee times on the big course and replay it a number of times.
We dined locally at the newly re-opened Brock’s at the Renaissance Ross Bridge and the award-winning Saw’s Soul Kitchen. These great culinary options, and the addition of The Back Yard make Birmingham a must-play destination for serious Golfaholics.
Golf Journalist and course rater, Queen on the Green, Phyllis Barone loved the golf, the lodging and the food,
” The luxurious golf resorts and spas on the RTJ Golf Trail, offer golf travelers the very best in courses, accommodations, and dining. The Southern hospitality will surely
exceed all expectations. Practice your putting and experience the tasty Nana Puddin’.”
Our next stop on the RTJ Trail was at Capitol Hill, just north of Montgomery, the state capital. Capitol Hill’s three championship courses, The Judge, The Legislator and the Senator, have hosted several professional and top amateur tournaments. The Marriot at Capitol Hill also offers comfortable accommodations, as well as delicious dining options.
The first tee on the Judge immediately grabs your attention, as it sits 200 feet above the fairway, plus water comes into play on several holes. The Legislator is more traditional with tree-lined fairways overlooking the Alabama River. The Senator is an homage to links golf. Wind is normally present and pot bunkers litter the fairways.
Our journey ended at the RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National in Auburn-Opelika. Grand National has two championship courses, The Links and The Lake, plus a short course. Robert Trent Jones Sr. called this site the single greatest natural terrain for a golf course he had ever seen. Lake Saugahatchee comes into play on 32 of the 54 holes at Grand National.
The onsite Marriott Golf Resort and Spa at Grand National offers great stay and play options. It also features lighted tennis and pickleball courts, a resort pool and tiki bar, plus a three-story luxurious spa.
While in town, we were able to visit Auburn University’s football stadium and the new Rane Culinary Center at AU. This innovative center is educating the next generation of great chefs, sommeliers, brewers and those seeking careers in the hospitality industry. After our tours, drinks on the rooftop of the boutique Laurel Hotel began our evening, and we ended with dinner at local favorite The Hound, featuring everything “bacon and bourbon”.
If the RTJ Golf Trail doesn’t have enough golf to suit your fancy, Ol Colony, a municipal course located in Tuscaloosa and designed by Jerry Pate, is a treat that will please every skill-level of golfer. Although it’s major enemy territory for both Ohio State and Michigan football fans, the Crimson Tide stadium provided a fascinating tour.
While in Tuscaloosa, we stayed in the 118-room boutique hotel, The Alamite, which makes the perfect overnight stop. The Forte’ Restaurant features French staples and the steakhouse inspired menu pairs nicely with their collection of wines and cocktails.
If you want a more relaxed dining experience, Dreamland BBQ located in Tuscaloosa has the best ribs, chicken and pork barbeque to be found. Word to the wise: Be sure to save room for the Banana Pudding (nana puddin’) for dessert.
The Trail has eight Marriot and Renaissance luxury hotels scattered across the state that provide visitors with comfort, class and easy access to the golf courses.
Play where the pros play, several courses on the Trail have hosted PGA TOUR, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry and LPGA Tour events.
From the Gulf Coast to the rolling hills of northern Alabama, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail offers a variety of challenging courses, delicious dining opportunities, comfortable lodging and, of course, the best value golf to be found anywhere. Visit www.GolfAlabama.org for more information.
