The RTJ Golf Trail Sites Have Natural Beauty and Classic Design Principles
by Mark Fagan
In 1990, Dr. David G. Bronner, CEO of the RSA, began selecting sites for a collection of public golf complexes(The Trail) around Alabama. Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (Jones), at age 83, became the golf course architect for The Trail which now consists of 450 golf holes at 11 sites. From 1930-1990, Jones advanced modern golf around the world with his design philosophies and turf methods on the 500 courses he had designed or renovated. Bronner secured sites with natural beauty in all geographic regions of the state for the golf courses. Each site on The Trail was chosen based on Jones’ design principles as detailed in his 1938 publication called Golf Course Architecture. Each site provided Jones with enough acreage to transform the blank canvass with his design characteristics for pristine courses.
The Trail’s largest complexes are in more populated areas and the smaller complexes in less populated areas. Each complex on The Trail is within a manageable drive of another complex on The Trail. The shortened connection between sites allows for promotion as a golf trail. The trail concept is needed to bring tourists from distant states and countries to spend several days in Alabama.
The Trail courses are located on lakes, mountain ridges, lowland swamps, scenic valleys, and rivers. The courses were designed to keep the existing topography of the land and the natural elements undisturbed. The Trail of golf complexes runs from the Appalachian Mountains in North Alabama to Mobile Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. Oxmoor Valley and Ross Bridge are on the ridge line of the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains with a valley between two mountains. Grand National has a 600-acre lake. Hampton Cove is in the Flint River Valley with long views of surrounding mountains. Cambrian Ridge is on a geographical feature not found in South Alabama. Magnolia Grove has a jungle environment. Silver Lakes has two large lakes and mountain views. The Shoals is on the Tennessee River. Capitol Hill incorporates the waters from the Alabama River. Lakewood winds through large live-oak trees on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay.
“Nature provides the raw material. The architect, working with that material without desecrating it, gives us the final product.”
— Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (Jones)
Jones said, “Nature provides the raw material. The architect, working with that material without desecrating it, gives us the final product.” Jones used his artistic ability to highlight natural charm and aesthetic appeal at each site on The Trail. The land dictated the routing of holes and the resulting shot values. The Trail was a design-build project with much of the design done on-site. This approach helped to prevent duplication of holes on the different sites. The architects waited until trees were saved or cleared before designing the features on each hole. This allowed the bulldozer operators to artistically shape the hills and mounds to fit the terrain. The Trail has 40 holding ponds for channeling excess water off the course and improving playability.
Jones said, “There must be a just reward for those attempting the heroic carry, and there must be a way around for those unwilling to take the risk.” The Trail holes have heroic shots, usually in carefully designed par fives, short par fours, and over water. The Trail courses have interesting elevation changes, punish bad shots, and reward good shots. These courses provide a test for the good golfers but do not break the spirit of the average golfers.
Tee positions were placed to maximize vistas and greens are nestled in crafted natural settings. Players have to devise a strategy from the tee for playing that hole. The strategy for each hole varies for the holes on that course. Up to eight large tee boxes were built on each hole to accommodate players with different abilities. The large tee boxes provide ample space for divot healing. The Trail holes incorporate modern club distances and ball flight in their design. The wide fairways forgive errant tee shots.
The skillfully placed fairway bunkers dictate the shot to be played. Fairway bunkers challenge longer hitters and entice average players into skillfully navigating the hole. Bunkering frames the greens and defends the fairway and green targets. Jones’ “cloverleaf” and “cape and bays” bunkers enhance the routing and highlight the natural beauty of the land. The rounded “face” bunkers are clearly visible hazards. Jones combined the size, slopes and contours of his greens to bring the greenside bunkering into play in ever changing ways. Deep or shallow, the bunkers are an integral part of the green complex and the playability of the hole.
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Many of The Trail holes feature beautiful water features that create memorable shot values over the most penal hazard. Holes play alongside lakes and winding streams and over ponds. Jones used water on The Trail courses to highlight hole routing and orient players for the best approaches.
The green locations are framed with mounding and bunkering to provide distinct visual appeal and excitement for approach shots. The large greens provide ample targets for well-pitched shots and spread traffic to reduce maintenance. The greens have at least four distinct pin areas which are relatively level and separated by contours. Approach shots that do not hit the correct pin area require a controlled putt over the contours.