By: Mike May
If you are searching for a scenic, relaxing, stay-and-play golf getaway, head for Goose Pond Colony Resort in Scottsboro, Alabama, a true Dixie delight. When you arrive at Goose Pond Colony Resort, you can’t help but relax and enjoy the resort. It’s built in a rural setting on beautiful Lake Guntersville and is surrounded by the Cumberland Mountains in northeastern Alabama, just 45 minutes east of Huntsville.
At Goose Pond Colony, you have three housing choices, the lake front lodge, lake front cottages, and the campground. The lodge and cottages are great options that offer virtually identical amenities, including wireless access to the internet, if you absolutely must respond to an email or two while on vacation. The campground has 119 paved sites complete with power, water, and sewer, plus access to the piers and boat launch.
Don’t forget to bring your fishing rod, when you visit Goose Pond, because 69,000-acre Lake Guntersville is rated as one of the best fishing destinations in the South for bass, crappie, and catfish. Fishing licenses are available at the Bait & Tackle Shop, at the full-service marina.
If you want a daily, peaceful escape during your visit to Goose Pond, there is also a two-mile walking trail built along the wooded shoreline of Lake Guntersville.
The centerpiece at Goose Pond Colony is its two 18-hole golf courses, the Lake and Plantation courses. The Lake course, designed by George Cobb, has earned a few special honors such as, the #1 Most Fun Public Golf Course to Play in North Alabama. It has also earned four stars in Golf Digest’s Places to Play listing. It’s also worth noting that on seven occasions, the Lake course has hosted the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II national championships.
Lake Guntersville is within view on many holes, but its presence is especially felt on the back nine of the Lake Course. The three most breathtaking views of Lake Guntersville are from the 4th and 15th fairways, plus the approach shot to the 17th green, which is surrounded by water on three sides.
The Lake course is one of those courses that opens like a lamb and closes like a lion. The first hole, ranked as the course’s third easiest hole, is a straight-away downhill par four with a fairly flat green which makes getting ‘up & down’ for par quite possible. The 18th, listed as the course’s fifth most difficult hole, is an uphill, right-to-left, dogleg par four, which has a heavily bunkered green. Pars are precious at 18.
The Plantation course stretches to just over 6,900 yards from the back tees and is located a short drive from the Lake course. The Plantation has Bentgrass greens which make it an attractive destination for golfers from more northern climates. Its links-style design is a ‘twist,’ which you don’t expect to see in northern Alabama, but adds to its allure and appeal.
The Docks Restaurant is a fine dining establishment, which encourages everyone to come as you are. Not many restaurants allow you to arrive by water, but The Docks is an exception. The signature dish of shrimp and grits is one of the best in the South.
Goose Pond Colony Resort is a Dixie delight that’s just right – morning, noon, and night. It was for me and it will be for you. Try it. You’ll like it!
