17th hole at Ross Bridge GC with the 18th in the background
I don’t think there are many people who haven’t heard negative stories about Alabama, Neil Young released a song entitled “Southern Man” and of course Lynyrd Skynyrd’s famous retort to Young “Sweet Home Alabama” which is now the slogan used to promote Alabama.
What you may not know is that golf also decided that they wanted to show a more positive side to the state and working with Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, who had two key factors First, how to effectively diversify the assets of the state’s pension fund; and secondly, how to help the state of Alabama.
Sunbelt Golf Corporation’s was formed who commissioned Robert Trent Jones to design several courses, the philosophy from the very beginning was to build the finest collection of public golf courses in the world, and run them as a successful business investment.
The official website states “The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a dream come true for the people of Alabama and for golfers all over the world. There is no venue in the world where such a golfing experience is possible.”
I have to say, I enjoyed every course on the trail that I played, yes the state has a dark past and the tourist board guides we had were not trying to hide that fact, obviously racism still exists like unfortunately so many places in the world, but I have to say the time I spent in Alabama I didn’t see anything like that in all the bars, restaurants and golf courses I visited.
I had a fantastic time, the food, the music and of course the golf, I have no problem in recommending Alabama and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, I know you will have a wonderful time.
3rd hole at Oxmoor Valley Ridge course
Capitol Hill Legislator Course
The 7th on the Lakes Course at Grand National
