Golf in the State of Georgia
Georgia, located in the nation's Southeastern region, is bordered to the northeast by South Carolina, the west by Alabama, the south by Florida, and Tennessee and North Carolina to the north. Global city, Atlanta, is the state capital and largest city - most of the state's population resides in, or nearby, the Metropolitan area. The state's mountains, plateaus and coastal plain offer golf course designers plenty of unique and challenging layout landscape options. The Augusta National, built by Bobby Jones and site of the Masters Tournament, keeps Georgia perpetually in golfing's focus and attention.
Many worthy courses exist among the many others in Augusta and among the state's 397 total, notable numbers include Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Albany, Dalton, Athen' and the Gainesville. Of note are The Club at Savannah Harbor, with holes placed amongst tidal wetlands; the University of Georgia Golf Course, Athens, widely regarded as one of the nation's best University courses; Achasta Golf Club, Dahlonega, a luxurious mountain course, Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course, Elberton, located inside a Georgia state park; Barnsley Gardens, Adairsville, an historic southern estate; Chicopee Woods Golf Course, Gainesville, close to North Atlanta and Gwinnett, with three 9-hole courses varying in style and design from traditional to modern-day.
Pro golfers calling Georgia home include Chesson Hadley, born in Raleigh, North Carolina, a former 3 time All-American; Russel Henley, from Macon and residing in Charleston, South Carolina, who finished 3rd on the money list in 2012; Ollie Schniederjans, born in Dallas, Texas, once ranked the top amateur in the world and now residing in Powder Springs; Chris Kirk, from Knoxville, Tennessee, ranked 16th in the world in 2015; Hudson Swafford, born in Lakeland, Florida, who shot a course record 62 in University of Georgia's Stadion Classic in 2012; Harris English, born in Valdosta, winner of the Georgia State Amateur in 2007 and the Southern Amateur in 2011; Vaughn Taylor born in Roanoke, Virginia and raised in Augusta, a 2006 Ryder Cup team member, and already mentioned Bobby Jones, co-founder of the Masters and credited with the famous quote, "Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course - the distance between your ears." Peachy!