Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Golf Trail is the largest golf course construction project ever created, a collection of 468 holes of championship golf on 11 different sites across Alabama. The Wall Street Journal reported that the trail “may be the biggest bargain in the country” and The New York Times has called the Trail “some of the best public golf on Earth.”
Meetings Focus checked in with PCH Resorts’ Bill Lang, a spokesman for the RTJ Golf Trail, and got his insights on three courses for groups to consider along the trail.
- Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa (www. marriottshoals.com)
What makes the course so appealing for groups looking to hold a golf gathering? The beautiful setting of the course along the Tennessee River and the affordability of the courses are very appealing. Green fees range from $45 to $64. Both courses are approximately 8,100 feet long, which makes for a day.
Is there a perfect group size for the course? The ideal golfing group size for the RTJ Shoals and Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa is 120 people.
Is there a signature hole or other unique element to the course? The 18th holes of both the Schoolmaster and Fighting Joe overlook the Tennessee River. - Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa (www.rossbridgeresort.com)
What makes the course so appealing for groups looking to hold a golf gathering? Resembling a Scottish castle, the course features a bagpiper each night at sunset and was named one of the top 75 golf resorts in North America in November 2011.
Is there a perfect group size for the course? The ideal group size at Ross Bridge is 120 people, but it can go with as many as 144.
Is there a signature hole or other unique element to the course? The entire course surrounds the resort and castle, so views from each hole are spectacular. Ross Bridge is the fourth-longest course in the world at 8,191 yards from the tips. It has a Scottish feel and massive greens and fairways. - Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa (www. marriottgrand.com)
What makes the course so appealing for groups looking to hold a golf gathering? The warmth of the clubhouse, with a bar, pro shop and fireplace; a full-service professional golf staff house that will handle all aspects of the tournament; the playability of the course for all levels of golfers (Azalea stretches from 4,725 yards to 7,504 yards and Dogwood stretches from 4,522 yards to 7,062 yards); the relationship of the course with the resort, with a spa, tennis courts and pool; and the grandeur of the course, with the live oak trees with Spanish moss and towering pine trees.
Is there a signature hole or other unique element to the course? Azalea’s 14th hole, par 5, with an island green.
