Travel Distance:
Opelika to Greenville: 106 Miles
Montgomery – Capitol Hill: 61 Miles
Prattville – Ross Bridge Birmingham: 83 Miles
Ross Bridge to Oxmoor Valley: 2 Miles
Airport:
The best airport to fly into, for many golfers from Europe is Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson. From there renting a car and taking the 90 minute drive to the Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel on the grounds of the Grand National Golf course provides quick access the Robert Trent Jones Trail. Depending on the courses you wish to play departures from Birmingham should be the most convenient for your final destination.
Grand National, Opelika, Alabama
Fifty-four holes of what Robert Trent Jones Sr. described was ‘the single greatest site he had ever seen”. Considering he was involved in the development of five hundred courses worldwide that is quite the statement. Home to the PGA’s Barbasol Championship, 32 of the 54 holes have the waters of Lake Saugahatchee and is often in play. The Lakes and Links courses have been ranked as the ‘Best Places to Play’ and ‘super-value’ by Golf Digest.
The 18-hole par 3 Short Course is challenging yet truly enjoyable – a great way to start your journey.
Accommodations: Numerous choices in the area to suit all budgets; The Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel and Conference Center at Grand National in Opelika is very well appointed and has just completed a massive renovation with a golf theme. Convenient to both the Grand National and Cambrian Ridge, Voted the ‘Editor’s Choice Resort’ in 2016 by Golf Digest. Wonderful breakfast and poolside bar!
Where to Eat: From BBQ to vegetarian in Auburn. The Acre Restaurant was a wonderful find for dinner. Relaxed, casual atmosphere in a charming setting Food is fresh and delicious. Try the ‘Parking Lot’ Figgy Toast as an appetizer and Ginger Butter Poached Grouper. Very good wine list
Cambrian Ridge, Greenville
Located 40 miles from the historic city of Montgomery and a short five-minute drive off Interstate 65. One of the Trails most picturesque and challenging designs with four nine-hole courses: The Sherling, Canyon, Loblolly and the Short Course, each unique in their design. Whenever you have an opportunity to play one of the Trails Short Courses try it, great way sharpen your short game and to settle a few friendly wagers!
Accommodation: Stay in Montgomery, do a walking tour around the State Capitol, walk where Dr. Martin Luther King peacefully led thousands of demonstrators from Selma to the State Capitol. An historic, clean and revitalized city!
The Renaissance Hotel and Spa is convenient to everywhere and provides a shuttle service to Capitol Hill. The Exchange bar is a fun place to meet fellow golfers.
Where to Eat: Fine dining to barbeque. Try the ribs and potato salad at Dreamland Barbeque a short walk from the hotel. As you walk up Dexter Avenue towards the Capitol Building a must stop is Chris’ serving hot dogs since 1917; From Elvis to FDR to Hank Williams historical photos and a feeling as if you are in an establishment from the 60’s.
Capitol Hill, Prattville
Ranked the second best golf site in America by Golf World readers. Three challenging courses The Judge, Legislator and The Senator. A course to experience is the Judge. The first hole is always memorable and provides panoramic views with Montgomery in the distance and a 200-foot descent from the upper tee box to the fairway below. Take a photo! The Legislator is considered the ‘easier’ of the other courses on the property as the front nine has wider fairways and less tree trouble while the back nine has water to start, enjoy the par 3 11th with water surrounding the green. The final holes are on the higher ridge and good finishing holes.
The Senator does have the feeling of a links style courses, without the ocean. Open and undulating fairways, no trees to be seen, scattered pot bunkers, long ‘ hard to hit out of’ grass and mounding that can create many a blind shot to undulating greens. Try it from the tips on a windy day – 7697 yards!
Accommodation: Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel and Conference Centre, close to Capitol Hill, the first hotel to be built on a RTJ Trail course. Presently completing a massive modernization it features a 10,000 square foot Presidential Cottage with it’s own heliport – but there are rooms for most budget levels! The on site Oak Tavern has a great view of the Senator’s 17th fairway.
Where to Eat: One of the worlds greatest retailers is the outdoor chain, Bass Pro Shops – if you have never visited it is truly an experience. In the Prattville location there is a wonderful bar with fish aquariums that touch the ceiling of the ‘A’ shaped roof. It is the entrance to the Islamorada Fish Company. Wonderful setting and food to match -Try the fried pickles! Alligator Mac and Cheese was rich and delicious. Make room for the Key Lime pie – you will need a few friends help finish it.
Oxmoor Valley, Birmingham
Oxmoor Valley is a 54-hole facility in Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama. One of the ‘original four’ all of its courses provide enjoyment for every level of golfer. The teal tees, on the two full-length course, measure less than 5000 yards while the back tees are over 7000 yards. The Short Course is great fun and has its challenges.
Ross Bridge, Birmingham/Hoover
A short distance from Oxmoor Valley, Ross Bridge has become a player favourite. Ross Bridge is the latest addition to the Trail completed in 2005. The 18-hole course is carved into the rolling terrain of the Shannon Valley. With beautifully manicured fairways and greens, impressive photo opportunities are everywhere and the challenge of the course can come from water on half of the holes. The par 3 holes incorporate elevation changes, outcrop and water features and greens than accommodate many pin positions. Perfectly playable from most tees though you might want to consider proving your bravado from the black tees as it measures 8,191 yards and the par 5 13th at 698 yards.
Accommodation:
There are many fine and budget hotels in the Birmingham/Hoover area. The Renaissance Ross Bridge is stunning and is a part of the golf complex. Rated as one of America’s best golf resorts it features varied dining and luxurious spa and pool. The historic Rocky Mountains’ Banff Springs Hotels in Alberta, Canada inspired the beautiful resort.
Where to Eat: There are so many fine places to eat in the Birmingham area. The State is famous for buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, fried chicken and crawfish with corn on the cob or the ‘caviar of the south’ pimento cheese. If you are staying at the Renaissance, following drinks at lobby bar, dine at Brock’s features beef and seafood with produce grown locally.
Websites: www.alabama.travel/golf and www.rtjgolf.com
