The Elite 18: Choosing The Region’s Best Opening Golf Hole

The Chattanooga region is well-known for the variety and quality of local golf courses that have contributed to the area’s rich history on a national level. The combination of both private and public courses surrounding the Scenic City is noteworthy, with each layout providing something unique to the golfing community.

From the historic Chattanooga Golf and Country Club to the dramatic new creations at McLemore Club and Sweetens Cove, it begs the question to determine the best individual 18 holes that would comprise The Elite 18 in the region.

After getting feedback from more than 25 area golf professionals, golf officials and notable local amateurs, nominations were provided for the best holes – 1 thru 18 – that will be voted on by readers.

No doubt, this will stir some debate over why some holes were excluded and others made the ballot. Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, and the nominees came from the experienced input from the votes placed by the panelist coupled with public feedback over the past week.

So, each Monday and Thursday over the next nine weeks, the golfing community will cast their votes for the best hole No. 1 through their choice for the best closing hole among the local golf courses. A total of 25 golf courses – stretching from Cleveland to Dalton and as far west as Sewanee – were considered and received votes.

A total of 15 No. 1 holes were nominated by the panel, but now the final choice belongs to you. Starting with the opening hole for our Elite 18, here are the nominees with yardages from the back tee:

Brainerd Golf Club, par 4, 420 yards: Listed as the most difficult course on the scorecard, the tee shot must be guided around large trees to the left of the tee box to the fairway of the Donald Ross design that opened in 1926.

Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, par 4, 372 yards: With the Tennessee River looming on the right, the picturesque tee shot from an elevated tee is a dramatic way to begin a round at the iconic golf course.

Lookout Mountain Club, par 4, 443 yards: Originally designed as a par 5 but converted to a par 4 due to the clubhouse construction, the spectacular view of the valley below from the tee box is a memorable way to begin the round.

Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club, par 5, 468 yards: This dogleg right hole offers a chance to start the round well. Reachable in two by longer hitters, a large greenside bunker narrows the approach.

WindStone Golf Club, par 4, 462 yards: This is an opening risk-reward endeavor on the downhill hole flanked by out-of-bounds stakes on both sides of the hole. Lay back for accuracy and you’ll be looking at 160-yard approach from the top of the plateau, but a bombed driver down the hill will leave golfers with a short wedge into the putting surface.

Voting will be open for three days at the link below, and results will be announced on Thursday when the nominations for The Elite 18 Hole 2 will be announced.

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Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com