![]() 16, for example, the highest point of the golf course, offers a spectacular view of the Birmingham skyline. The skyline of Birmingham features prominently from various points on the course. Water comes into play on nearly half the course there are several uphill approach shots, winding creeks and heavily bunkered bent-grass greens. Their intent was to recreate a classic design and it appears they have succeeded. The course was renovated in 1988 under the supervision of Bob Barrett, a golf course developer and manager, and architect Bob Cupp (who helped restore the Oakhurst Links in West Virginia). “The bent grass greens are wonderful and hold the hickory shot (that has less spin) so very well.” “I love Highland because it is one of those old downtown “city park” type courses in a neighborhood that was actually built in the hickory era,” he says. The hickory players seem to love it because it has a old time feel to it.”Īnd that’s just right for Alabama resident Keith Cleveland. “It may not be real long, but bunkers and hazards on several holes are in play for hickory golfers. “You’ll want to bring your best short game,” says PGA Professional Ed Joseph, who is on the staff at the course. (The Birmingham CC moved to a new parcel and hired the ubiquitous Donald Ross to develop two golf courses.)Īt 5,800 yards and par 70, Highland Park offers fine challenges for hickory play with its many elevation changes and a premium on finding fairways. In 1926, according to the article on the Birmingham CC, the club sold the Lakeview course to the city of Birmingham, which opened it to the public in 1927 and named it Highland Park. Club pro Nick Thompson laid out nine holes on the hilly terrain and completed an additional nine six years later. In 1900 (according to some Internet research on the Country Club of Birmingham) the club relocated to the site of the former Lakeview Park, near the terminus of the Lakeview Streetcar line. The country club had existed at a different site and a very crude golf course was in play – tin cups sunk into the ground in various places on an unimproved half-acre lot. The course, the oldest in Alabama, was established in 1903 as the Country Club of Birmingham. It’s been a popular choice as some 70 players were in the field for the 2012 contest. You may drive the green or hit right up on it on 4 different par 4s and may be able to get to the par 5s in 2 with (or without) the right wind, especially if you aren’t playing the tips.īonus Tip to Walkers: Both courses are a BEAR to walk if you don’t have a rolling bag caddy because of the hills.Alabama’s Highland Park Golf Course is the home of Tad Moore’s Southern 4-Ball Hickory Championship. Blue course especially has eagle opportunities. if carts are actually allowed or if you are walking).Ĭompetitive Players: If you are a long hitter and plan on playing any competitive golf with your pals or in a handicapped tournament, beware of logging your round here, it may result in a faux handicap lowering. My non-negotiable suggestion is to give them a call before you book on GN to ensure the tee time is actually available for the course you want to play as they get a lot of walk ups and to make sure you are getting what you pay for. I usually schedule a round here during the week when I’m playing a high slope course on the weekend. You may have a little frustration before you actually get to hit your first shot but once you get passed that you’re playing golf and can have some good fun here while practicing for tougher courses in the area. Expect the normal public course gripes, pace of play can be hit or miss, people looking for ages to find their lost ball, unfixed pitch marks on greens, unfixed divots, and the occasional offline missile from another hole. A low score here comes down to club selection and pure rolls on the green. You wont get into much trouble if you don’t find the fairway so it’s really good for a tune up round. Course layout is long and straight with some hills and elevated greens. If you conduct yourself in a dignified manner and talk a little golf with him, he will do you the courtesy in return, he helped me get a refund when I couldn’t finish my 18 from fatigue. The man loves his job though and takes it very seriously, which I respect. He is a nice guy but is a product of poor scheduling and management. I ALWAYS expect a bit of drama from the ranger before tee off in terms of what course I am playing and whether I’m walking or in a cart. I can almost promise the most frustrating part of your round will be from the parking lot to the first tee. Overall well kept but very subject to local weather definitely a better option than a lot of the lower tier public courses around. I usually play here when I have some unexpected time to play and can’t get a tee time anywhere else.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |