The Course at McLemore
The Course at McLemore received recognition by the American Society of Golf Course Architects as one of six courses recognized on its 2019 list of Design Excellence Recognition Program honorees.
The eighth list of its kind highlights projects completed by ASGCA member-architects that address unique design challenges, as well as demonstrate innovation and problem-solving skills.
The list was put together with input from representatives of the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
The full list of projects highlighted by the 2019 edition of the program include:
• Bay Hill Club & Lodge short game area (Orlando, Fl.)
• The Dunes putting course at Diamante (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)
• Maple Lane Golf Club (Sterling Heights, Mi.)
• The Course at McLemore (Rising Fawn, Ga.)
• TPC Colorado (Berthoud, Col.)
• University Club of Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Mn.)
Scenic Land Company President and CEO Duane Horton said, “It is an honor for our team and course to receive this recognition from the ASGCA. We were very fortunate to work with two world-class architects, Bill Bergin and Rees Jones, on the course redesign over the past few years. If not for the collaboration of Bill and Rees along with their amazing vision, passion and execution in creating our cliff edge finishing hole, this recognition would not be possible.”
In 2017, the pair was given the overall objective to improve the course to match the natural beauty of this special site, improve playability for average golfers while maintaining interest and challenge for lower handicap golfers. Due to the need of additional space for a new clubhouse, currently under construction and scheduled to open next summer, the team determined the 18th hole would need to move. This is when the designers championed the opportunity to create a totally new 18th hole on a cliff edge shelf just below the former 18th hole location. The execution proved to create a hole that Rees Jones believes is “one of the best finishing holes in golf” and anticipated to be one of the most photographed holes in the southeast.
Mr. Horton shared that since opening last summer, members and guests have noted that photos of the 18th hole “…don’t do it justice”. Guests have also shared, “The only problem with the 18th hole is that it almost makes you forget about the other amazing 17 holes.”
Both Mr. Bergin and Mr. Jones have experience in the golf industry. Mr. Bergin has played in excess of 250 professional tournaments worldwide, including three U.S. Opens, two British Opens, and more than 50 PGA Tour events. He has been involved in over 70 projects, including The Club at Foxland Harbor, named one of Golfweek’s “2009 Best New Courses”; Oaks Country Club, selected as Golf Digest’s “4th Best Remodel in the US for 2015”; Chariot Run, Golf Week’s “#1 Best Course You can Play in Tennessee”; and, Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.
Mr. Jones, often referred to as the “Open Doctor” has designed or redesigned more than 225 golf courses in his career, including seven U.S. Open venues, eight PGA Championship courses, five Ryder Cup and two Walker Cup sites. Among his notable original designs are Nantucket Golf Club, Atlantic Golf Club, The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek, RedStick Golf Club, Ocean Forest Golf Club, Haig Point Club, Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, The Bridge and Cascata Golf Course.
Mr. Bergin said, “The strategic variability offered at McLemore is possibly the greatest of all of my projects. Ample scoring holes are evenly matched with holes presenting significant demand, resulting in a course that beautifully ebbs and flows between pleasure and challenge. It is truly an exhilarating experience to play at McLemore.”
Bill Bergin, left, and Rees Jones