georgia golf central
By David Theoret
A Links Mountain Golf Club By definition, a links-style golf course is one that is built on sandy soil along the coastline; there is very little elevation change other than the surrounding sand dunes. These courses are usually susceptible to strong winds, which is why you will find deep bunkers; digging them deep is the only way to keep sand in them. A true links course has little if any trees; in fact, other than tall sea grasses and gorse - a hearty lowgrowing evergreen plant - there is little vegetation at all! Mountain golf is the antithesis of links golf, plenty of rolling hills, dramatic elevation changes and trees everywhere. To many golfers, it offers the ultimate golf challenge. I submit to you a new category of golf course: Links Mountain Golf. The best of both worlds: sandy soils, lots of sand dunes, steep elevation changes and trees, lots of trees. We’ll leave the strong winds up to God! Old Toccoa Farm in Mineral Bluff, Georgia is the poster child of links mountain golf. Step up to the first tee and you’ll see what I’m talking about. 12
Everything except the uphill trajectory! Design and construction on what was originally known as the Blue Ridge Golf & River Club (which began in 2005), was led by Dan Proctor and Dave Axland of Bunker Hill Golf with Jack Dredla as the Master Shaper. In 2008, the hopes of completing the Blue Ridge Golf & River Club were lost as that year’s real estate crash claimed yet another victim. When the project was aban-
doned in 2009, 17 of the 18-holes were shaped, but only 9-holes were irrigated, and only 7 holes had been sodded. By the time the project was foreclosed on in 2012, the grounds were overgrown and unrecognizable as a golf course. In 2013, Current Managing Partners, Kevin Hermetz and Peter Knutzen put together an investment team and were able to purchase the property at a fraction of its original value. They Immediately contacted Bunker Hill Golf and asked them if they wanted to return to complete the project. The response was unanimous – absolutely. In 2014 Bunker Hill Golf returned to compete the initial 9-holes and the course was
Golf Central • Volume 20, Issue 10
