The iconic par three 18th hole at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.
photo by Contributed
The Chattanooga region features an impressive portfolio of highly-acclaimed golf courses that have made the Scenic City a desired golf destination on a national scale.
Four courses are ranked among Golf Digest’s best in Tennessee – The Honors Course (1), Black Creek Club (8), Chattanooga Golf and Country Club (10) and Council Fire Club (15). Additionally, Lookout Mountain Club (12), The Farm (15) and McLemore (23) are listed among the superlatives in Georgia.
Not to mention that Sweetens Cove has been ranked by Golf.com as the seventh best nine-hole course in the world.
With these fabulous layouts coupled with the abundance of other public and private golf courses in the area, I began to wonder which holes from these clubs would comprise the optimal round of golf? Choose the best opening hole among local courses, all the way to the best finishing hole. Essentially, come up with an Elite 18.
After getting feedback from area club professionals, golf officials and some of the best local amateur golfers, we have compiled a list of the nominees that will be voted upon by you the readers.
Starting April 8th with the voting for the best hole No. 1, The Chattanoogan will be publishing a survey for area golfers to vote on the nominees to eventually come up with the Elite 18. This will run for nine weeks with a different hole being featured every Monday and Thursday until the best 18 are selected. Voting will be open for three days for each hole.
Determining the “best” holes is certainly open to different interpretations - most scenic, most challenging, best strategic design – but the panel of local pros and amateurs have offered a diverse collection of golf holes from 22 different courses.
We will be finalizing the top four nominees for each hole over the next few days that will go on the ballot. In the meantime, this provides the general public the opportunity to put in a plug for your favorite holes – both public and private – that will be taken into consideration when posting the choices.
This is your chance to have your voice heard, so feel free to email me at paulpayne6249@gmail.com your nominations by stating the hole number and the golf course. The following golf courses are those listed for consideration:
Council Fire Club
The Honors Course
Dalton Golf and Country Club
WindStone Golf Club
The Farm
Black Creek Club
Cleveland Country Club
Chattanooga Golf and Country Club
Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club
Lookout Mountain Club
McLemore Club
Brown Acres Golf Course
Brainerd Golf Course
Battlefield Golf Club
Moccasin Bend Golf Course
Nob North Golf Course
Valleybrook Golf and Country Club
Bear Trace at Harrison Bay
Creeks Bend Golf Club
The Ooltewah Club
Sweetens Cove Golf Club
Trenton Golf Club
With the upcoming Masters Tournament and golf season moving into full swing, this will be a fun opportunity to spark some lively debate and conversation on the best holes in the area. I look forward to partnering with the local golf community to help determine The Elite 18.
(Paul Payne can be reached at paulpayne6249@gmail.com)