7755 St. Marlo Country Club Parkway, Duluth; 770-495-7725; www.st.marlo.com

STAFF: (will insert info Tuesday)
PAR/YARDAGE: St. Marlo is a par 72 with four sets of tees: Gold (6,823) yards; Blue (6,405); White (5,933) and Red (4,969).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 73.7/140 (Gold); 71.9/135 (Blue); 69.1/128 (White); 70.2/121 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: Considered one of the elite daily fee courses in metro Atlanta since it opened in the early 1990s, St. Marlo has recently joined the growing list of outstanding courses managed by Affiniti Golf Partners. From its name to location in a gated community on the north Fulton/Forsyth border to the superb course conditions to its clubhouse, St. Marlo is of country club caliber in almost every respect. But it’s a true daily fee facility, although local residents do get a slight break on fees. Designed by Atlanta-based course architect Denis Griffiths, who has compiled a sizeable and
impressive resume of Georgia layouts, St. Marlo is a scenic, diverse test with a terrific collection of holes. Griffiths mixes things up splendidly both from strategic and difficulty standpoints. With a few exceptions, the course is on the forgiving side off the tee, although OB stakes do encroach here and there. The difficulty begins with a trio of long and demanding par 4s that feature heavy doses of sand (2 and 12) and water (15), along with some testy greens complexes. The bent grass surfaces at St. Marlo are typically among the best around, with the areas around them among the best conditioned you’ll
play, easing the demands on your short game a bit. Along with the trio of long and demanding par 4s, Griffiths’ layout includes two intriguing and visually appealing shorter par 4s (6 and 14), with the latter sporting one of most intimidating short approach shots around. The par 5s are all on the short side by modern standards, with the narrow, sand-dotted 5th the lone one that does not present an excellent scoring opportunity. Both 10 and 13 are reachable by those who rarely can get to par 5s in two, as is the somewhat quirky 9th, although the sizeable boulder that guards the steeply elevated green may dissuade many from taking a chance. The par 3s are among the most aesthetically pleasing groups you’ll come across, with hazards in play on all four to varying degrees and just one (16) featuring much length.

3000 Union Rd., Atlanta; 404-344-1334; www.wolfcreekgc.com

STAFF: Randy Grebeck is the PGA Golf Professional/Generak Manager; Mark Abrams is the Superintendent.
PAR/YARDAGE: Wolf Creek is par 72 with four sets of tees: Gold (7,033 yards); Blue (6578; White (6,080; Red (5,262).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 73.2/143 (Gold); 71.2/138 (Blue); 69.0/130 (White); 70.1/ 125 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: One of the best and strongest courses on Atlanta’s southside, Wolf Creek features an interesting but frequently perilous layout by Georgia-based designer Mike Young. Wolf Creek’s slope numbers are among the highest for a daily fee course in all of Atlanta, with an ample amount of trouble in play. For the most part, Young provides ample fairways, but there are more than a few carries of length over hazards, with tee selection critical, especially for the distance challenged among us. Young’s design includes several holes that present the distinct possibility of producing ugly numbers on the scorecard, beginning with a trio of par 5s you encounter early (3) and late (17 and 18). All three feature hazards between tee and green, with positioning required on all three and length a definite asset. While the par 5s, including the straight and relatively tame opening hole, all have ample length, the par 3s are definitely on the short side, with three under 140 yards from the blue tees. While they lack for length, the four present some surprisingly difficult-to-find targets. The downhill 11th is a great test of short iron distance control, and the scenic 14th, with a green surrounded on three sides
by water, can present some real concern when the wind is blowing and the pin is cut back right, perilously close to sand and water. The par 4s are a diverse group, with several holes that rank with the toughest in the metro area along with a handful that are on the short side and offer some scoring opportunities. Holes 8 and 9 both require forced carries, one on the second shot (8) the other off the tee (9). Even from the white tees, the holes measure right around 400 yards, with the demanding 8th also featuring a trio of greenside bunkers, one of a relatively handful of holes with sand a serious factor. The putting surfaces, however, are part of Wolf Creek’s challenge, with the excellent bent grass greens featuring sufficient movement to put your putting touch to the test. An extremely enjoyable but challenging layout.

1356 Highway 29 North, Newnan
770-253-9856; www.newnancc.org
STAFF: Louis McHughes is the PGA General Manager/Head Professional; Ted Meier is the PGA Assistant Professional/Instructor
PAR/YARDAGE: Newnan CC is a par 72 with five sets of tees – Blue (6,966 yards); Black (6,582); White (6,375), Gold (6,003) and Red (5,199).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 73.8/135 (Blue); 72.0/132 (Black); 70.8/129 (White); 68.7/122 (Gold); 70.2/124 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: Newnan CC is familiar to the state’s top senior pros and amateurs, having hosted an annual Georgia PGA Seniors’ Division tournament. This month, Newnan CC will be the site of the Yamaha Georgia Senior Open, three years after it hosted the Atlanta Open. A number of the players who contended in the Atlanta Open three years ago will be playing in Georgia Senior Open, including runner-up Sonny Skinner. The course they will tackle is a classic traditional-style layout, measuring just under 7,000 yards from the tips with a stout group of par 3s (all are in the 200-yard-and-up category) and a 600-yard-plus par 5, but only one par 4 over 410, and it’s a modest 433. The absence of length on the par 4s will give the field a chance to hit a lot of short iron approaches, with the layout favoring accuracy and precision over power. With water bordering several of the fairways and some moderately tight tree lines, fairway woods and hybrids will be popular choices from the tee. Although most of the approach shots will be relatively short, it can be a challenge to get into birdie position. Newnan’s greens are on the small side by modern standards, with a decent amount of slope and plenty of tiers and ridges that can produce some testy putts from above the hole or across the ridges. The putting surfaces were converted to Champions Bermuda several years ago, and can get very quick, with their configuration allowing for some demanding pin positions. Water is in play on a significant number of holes, particularly on the opening
nine, among them a risk/reward par-5 18th, one of the two par 5s that will be within reach in two. Both the first and 10th holes – a pair of excellent but testy short-ish par 4s — also feature greens guarded by water, with the lengthy par-3 second also having water in play, making for a potentially problematic start if you aren’t ready to go from the outset. All in all, a solid, worthy site for the tournament and one of the most enjoyable members courses in all of Atlanta.

One St. Ives CC Drive, Johns Creek
770-487-9432; www.stivescountryclub.org

STAFF: Billy Jack is the PGA Golf Professional; John Gerdts is the General Manager
PAR/YARDAGE: St. Ives is a par 72 with six sets of tees – Gold (7,003 yards); Green (6,583); Blue (6,288); White (5,881); Gray (5,325) and Red (5,034).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 73.8/144 (Gold); 72.2/140 (Green); 70.6/134 (Blue); 68.8/129 (White); 71.3/131 (Gray); 69.4/128 (Red).
ABOUT THE COURSE: St. Ives has been around for more than two decades, but has managed to maintain a low profile in the crowded Atlanta private club scene despite its standout Tom Fazio design, which ranks with the most enjoyable layouts in the metro area. In part because of its residential setting, St. Ives is a bit narrower than some of his other Georgia designs, but still sports Fazio’s mark with dramatic bunkering and some demanding greens complexes that will test every aspect of your short game. With six tees, including two for the club’s female players, St. Ives is one of the best fits around for member play, offering at least two comfortable options for just about every level of play.
With several creeks winding through the course, which is bordered by the Chattahoochee River, and two very appealing but hazardous over-water par 3s, St. Ives provides plenty of opportunities to find trouble, with OB and Fazio’s trademark abundance of bunkers adding to the challenge. The course is not oppressively tight off the tee, but there are plenty of holes that will not treat errant drives kindly, with a few holes requiring more than just finding the fairway. Some of the tighter doglegs have trees that can obstruct approach shots from one side of the fairway, most notably on the short but perilous par-4 12th, part of a back nine that includes most of the danger holes. Apart from the significantly downhill tee shot on the opening hole, St. Ives offers little in the way of elevation changes, but the terrain’s gentle twists and turns and the amount of hazards in play will make you pay for lapses in concentration or misses in the wrong spots. Fazio’s layout features an excellent mix of holes, with a pair of short, vulnerable par 3s on the opening nine and three par 5s of modest length, although trouble lurks on two of them. There are only two par 4s with serious yardage, with the course extremely playable for those who don’t hit it great distances, but still a stern test for those who do. Conditions are outstanding, as is the course’s aesthetic appeal.

4100 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek; 770-475-1803;

www.thecountryclubofthesouth.com
STAFF: Steve White is the PGA Head Professional; Shawn Koch is the PGA Director of Instruction.
PAR/YARDAGE: CC of the South plays to a par 72 with five sets of tees: Black (6,982 yards); Gold (6,585), Blue (6,244), White (5,743) and Red (5,027).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 74.2/142 (Black); 72.6/138 (Gold); 70.9/132 (Blue); 69.0/126 (White); 70.4/124 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: After undergoing some financial struggles which resulted in the club going into bankruptcy, Country Club of the South is well on the way to re- establishing its reputation as one of Atlanta’s premier country clubs. ClubCorp has acquired the facility, providing some much-needed stability, and a recent renovation has greatly enhanced both the appearance and quality of the outstanding Jack Nicklaus layout. For much of its history, the club has struggled to keep its bent grass greens healthy throughout the year, and the recent renovations included a replacement of the putting surfaces, with the new ones in superb condition. The removal of a sizeable number of trees surrounding the greens should make it easier to keep them quick and smooth, which will be welcomed by the membership, which has grown considerably
over the past year despite the continuing fragile state of the economy. The club hosted a Senior (now Champions) Tour event in its early years before space limitations forced the event to seek a new home. It remains a terrific test of golf, both for elite players and its membership, with the nicely spaced number of tees providing at least two options for just about every level of player. By modern standards, CCoS is not especially long, but is on the tight side, requiring some precision off the tee, with a number of creeks snaking through fairways and bordering greens. CC of the South is more a second shot
course, with Nicklaus devising some intriguing greens complexes that still have plenty of movement. The number of hazards that border them and some demanding, strategically- placed bunkers combine with greens configurations to put considerable pressure on both approach shots and your short game. There are some bunkers you definitely want to avoid, with Nicklaus using them to protect corner pin positions that offer little room on otherwise ample-appearing putting surfaces. His layout includes a terrific variety of holes, and remains one of the most entertaining private club designs you will play.

2600 Riverbend Rd., Athens; 706-369-5739; www.golfcourse.uga.edu

STAFF: Dave Cousart is the PGA Director of Golf; Matt Peterson is the PGA Head Professional.
PAR/YARDAGE: The UGA course plays to a par 71 (72 for women) with five sets
of tees: Bulldog (7,240 yards); Red (6,825); Silver (6,444); White (5,997) and Black (5,186).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 75.2/142 (Bulldog); 73.2/136 (Red); 71.4/125 (Silver); 69.4/120 (White); 71.1/124 (Black).

ABOUT THE COURSE: The University course, which was renovated several years ago, will again be in the national spotlight early next month when it serves as the host for the Nationwide Tour’s Stadion Classic at UGA. The course gave the Nationwide Tour’s top players a serious test last year, and was among the most difficult courses the tour visited. The combination of significant length, a reasonable number of hazards and some demanding greens complexes make it a challenge for the tour players, with the extension of a number of tees adding more than 400 yards in length from the tips while reducing par from 72 to 71. For its regular visitors, the biggest change to the course was the addition of new forward tees that reduced their yardage by almost 500 yards and made it much more playable for women, juniors and those new to the game. The three middle sets of tees remained relatively unchanged, but the extensive work done to the putting surfaces has made a major difference for everyone who plays the course. Davis Love’s design group introduced a variety of ridges, tiers and bowls to the putting surfaces, giving them considerably more character and increasing the demands on all aspects of your short game. For the non-tour players who tee it up, tee selection is vital, with the length of many of the par 4s making it a major challenge for those who try to tackle a set of tees that may be too long for them. For the most part, the UGA course is relatively open off the tee, but a sufficient amount of the tree lines are easily within reach to make accuracy
almost as much an asset as length. The rolling terrain is also a factor, especially on two of the par 3s and some of the approach shots, which several greens including some sharp drop-offs along the edges. The course includes a wonderful group of par 3s, most notably the all carry over water 13th, which teams with the risk/reward par-5 12th to form one
of the most memorable back-to-back holes on any course in the state. The Robert Trent Jones design, which dates back to the 1960s, is a classic traditional style layout which remains a challenging but playable Georgia gem.

777 Jones Creek Drive, Evans

706-860-4228; www.jonescreekgolfclub.com

STAFF: Gregg Hemann is the PGA Director of Golf; Drew Belt is the Golf Professional

PAR/YARDAGE: Jones Creek plays to a pair 72 with five sets of tees: Championship (6,894); Blue (6,631); White (6,276); Yellow (5,743) and Red (5,354).

COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 73.4/139 (Championship); 72.1/136 (Blue); 70.6/132 (White); 68.2/122 (Yellow); 71.8/126 (Yellow).

ABOUT THE COURSE: Since it opened in the mid-1980s, Jones Creek has been considered one of the state’s top daily fee layouts, providing the Augusta area with its first upscale course that was accessible to public play. The club went through a brief stretch when it converted to private status, but has been semi-private for a number of years. Local ownership and management has provided more stability than the club has enjoyed in some time, and the course will again be a popular stop for visitors during Masters week. Jones Creek was the first solo design for acclaimed architect Rees Jones, with Tom Fazio consulting on some re-design tweaks. Fazio softened the greens complexes a bit, but other than the 16^th hole, which has been shortened and flattened a bit, the character of the course has not changed a great deal over the years. Jones Creek presents a strong but fair test, with a terrific mix of holes and a well-spaced group of tees that provide comfortable options for every player. Jones’ layout includes a quartet of par 5s that require some thought and precision to avoid hazards that are very much in play on three of them. The par 3s are highlighted by one of the state’s most appealing over-water short holes (No. 2, which not so short from the tips) and a much shorter but still testy hole (15) that offers little margin for error. There are a few par 4s with ample length, but the diverse group of two-shotters includes several that offer scoring opportunities provided you can find the fairway on a number of holes that either relatively tight or feature doglegs where proper positioning off the tee is vital. The greens are mostly on the large side and have benefited from a switch to Bermuda surfaces, which are better suited to withstanding the intense Summer heat in Augusta. Jones Creek also has a top-caliber golf learning center, which has enhanced the club’s status for both its members and daily fee players.

474 Scales Creek Rd., Homer; 706-677-3333

STAFF:  Larry Loggins is the PGA Head Professional/General Manager; Sam Houston is the Superintendent.

PAR/YARDAGE: Scales CC is a par 72 with five sets of tees: Black (7,205 yards); Blue (6,368); White (5,609); Yellow (5,203) and Red (4,781)

COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 74.4/138 (Black); 71.2/133 (Blue); 67.8/125 (White); 67.6/120 (Yellow); 68.4/122 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: Scales Country Club opened for play in 1999 as Scales Creek, but the course was sold four years later and re-named Hammer’s Glen. The Scales family recently re-acquired the course and returned it to a slightly shortened version of its original name. Whatever the name, the course has been considered one of the best in northeast Georgia since it opened, sporting an excellent Mark McCumber design that has not changed a great deal over the years. McCumber’s quality layout features a distinct contrast between the two nines, with the tree-lined front nine tighter than the back, which makes up for its more generous corridors with the bulk of the hazards in play. There is a sizeable difference in yardage between both the black and blue tees as well as the blues and whites, but several of the back tees are no longer used, considerably reducing the tour-length numbers from the tips. From the blues, Scales CC is a very playable layout that will test all aspects of your game without placing excessive demands on any particular one. Thanks to the rolling terrain, Scales CC does not play quite as long as its yardage thanks to the slightly downhill nature of a number of the holes, among them a pair of scenic but perilous par 3s on more hazardous incoming nine. The back nine also includes a back-to-back pair of short-ish par 4s with all sorts of trouble (11 and 12). The sharply dogleg right 11^th requires a well-placed tee shot and a precise approach to avoid a pond that zealously guards a tiny hourglass shaped green, with an imposing bunker away from the water presenting a scary escape shot with water looming just off the putting surface. The greens complexes are not especially difficult, although a number of approach shots have to deal with an obstacle or two, in part due to the terrain, which results in some drop-offs along the edges. The course is easily accessible from the northeast Atlanta suburbs and is worth the ride thanks to the quality of McCumber’s layout and the reasonable rates.

4001 Clubland Drive, Marietta; 770-971-7663; www.indianhills.com

STAFF:  Lance Cantrell is the PGA Golf Professional; John Nigh is the PGA Instructor.

PAR/YARDAGE: Indian Hills features 3 nines (Choctaw, Seminole, Cherokee), with Choctaw the longest and most difficult of the three from the two back sets of tees. Each nines feature four sets of tees, with the combinations ranging from 6,386 to 6,667 (Blue); 6,089 to 6,270 (White); and averages of 5,676 (Gold) and 5,233 (Red).

COURSE RATING/SLOPE: (Average) 72.3/136 (Blue); 71.0/133 (White); 68.9/127 (Gold); 72.1/132 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: One of metro Atlanta’s “under the radar” private clubs, Indian Hills opened in 1969 and added a third nine several years later. The club has long been known for its family orientation and affordable fees, and is considered one of the best values among metro area private clubs. All 27 holes were designed by Joe Lee, who was the course architect for a sizeable percentage of Atlanta area courses in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Like his other 20-some courses throughout the state, Indian Hills is a thoughtful, well-crafted design that is not overly difficult, but is by no means a pushover. In its early days, Indian Hills hosted an LPGA tournament from 1970-76 and gave the LPGA players all the challenge they wanted, with the winning score for 54 holes typically right around par. Since then, the club has not hosted many high profile events, concentrating its efforts on its membership. Seminole and Choctaw make up the original 18, with Cherokee constructed on the opposite side of the road leading to the club, a bit removed from the clubhouse. The Seminole and Cherokee nines make up the friendliest combination of the three, with Choctaw a good bit longer and more difficult. Cherokee is the shortest of the three, although it begins with its strongest hole, a narrow, lengthy dogleg left par 4. Water is in play on six of the first seven holes, primarily off the fairways, placing a premium on accuracy. Once you get past the opening hole, length is not a concern, and a series of gentle greens offer the hope of holing a few putts. As with most Lee designs, the putting surfaces are well guarded by sand, with the par-3 ninth also featuring some encroaching trees that can snag slightly errant tee shots. The false front on the green at the sixth helps make the two par 3s much testier than their minimal length. Like Cherokee, Seminole has an abundant amount of hazards in play, beginning with the downhill tee shot on its opening hole. Both par 5s include creeks that border the fairway and cut in front of the greens, with bunkers again a major presence around the putting surfaces.

1003 Towne Lake Hills East, Woodstock; 770-592-9969; townelakehillsgc.com

STAFF: Paul Carey is the PGA Golf Professional; Chris Carlisle is the PGA Instructor.

PAR/YARDAGE: Towne Lake Hills is a par 72 with four sets of tees: Gold (6,784 yards); Blue (6,291); White (5,806) and Red (4,984).

COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 73.2/140 (Gold); 70.9/135 (Blue); 68.7/130 (White); 69.1/123 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: One of metro Atlanta’s favorite daily fee facilities since it opened in the mid-1990s, Towne Lake Hills offers a quality, well-conditioned layout that nicely meshes challenge and playability. The challenge begins with its relative tightness off the tee, with the course featuring some relatively rugged terrain, a modest number of hazards and plenty of large, undulating greens that will give your putting touch a workout. With an exception or two, length is not a serious concern, although it is a definite asset on a few of the par 4s. Holes 3, 6, 13 and 16 are the strongest of a diverse group of 4s, with all but the 16^th featuring demanding tee shots that are not especially accommodating to those who hit it left to right. The 3^rd is the lone member of the group without a potentially perilous approach shot, with designers Arthur Hills and Mike Dasher making deft use of the terrain to enhance the challenge, as well as the visual appeal. Towne Lake Hills also sports one of the more interesting short par 4s around, with the 11^th requiring a precise lay-up to avoid a wetlands area left, OB right and a row of bunkers through the fairway at the corner of the sharp dogleg left. Apart from the fairly lengthy 12^th, the par 3s are on the short side and mostly unthreatening, although the hill that obscures the green on the 7^th adds a little uncertainty. The par 5s include a mostly inviting trio before concluding your round with one of the more infamous holes in the metro area. The downhill 2^nd, which features a huge, triple tier green fronted by a pond, is one of the most entertaining risk/reward holes around, with the short 5^th well within reach in two for those who can capitalize on its downhill nature. The 18^th, on the other hand, has trouble everywhere, starting with a tight tee shot and concluding with a significantly uphill third with little margin for error to a tough to hit target.