Minnesota Golfer - Travel 2023 - 18

AOff-Trail Excursions
ppalachian Trail hikers are known to leave the trail for a time (for food, rest
or, perhaps, laundry), but in Alabama, you can leave the RTJ Trail and discover
more incredible golf-and FarmLinks at Pursell Farms near Sylacauga
is a great sojourn.
Built in 2003, Pursell Farms is nestled in a gorgeous wooded valley that
is home to wild turkeys, deer, the occasional bobcat and one longhorn steer
grazing near the 3,200-acre plantation's entrance. The course, FarmLinks, is
at once as wide and welcoming (with large, receptive greens) and stout and
challenging from the tips as any course you'll find on the Trail.
Owner David Pursell convinced his father, Jimmy, to build the course to
help them sell their state-of-the-art controlled-release fertilizer (by hosting
more than 10,000 superintendents at the beautiful resort). The course turf
once featured 28 different varieties of grass to showcase their products, and
FarmLinks' generous fairways are the result.
Pursell favors downhill par 3s, and the course features several exciting
examples, including the 210-yard (from the tips) No. 5 that features a 175foot
roller-coaster-ride drop to the putting surface. FarmLinks (7,444 yards;
75.9/142) has been ranked by Golfweek as the #1 All-Access golf course in
Alabama for 11 of the past 12 years.
Pursell Farms hosts weddings, features finely-appointed lodging (the cabins
and cottages are decorated with David's drawings-some of which also hang
in Butler Cabin at Augusta National), a spa and a target shooting range run
by Orvis. It is an incredible vacation destination. So, with 3,200 acres of land,
why not a second course?
" There are no current plans, but I have envisioned one, " Pursell says. " And, I
will say, most of the things I envision have a way of coming to fruition. "
Another course worth a Trail exit is Twin Bridges Golf Club in Gadsden,
a true escape into the natural Alabama environment. Built along the Coosa
River, Twin Bridges is enrolled in the Audubon Silver Signature Sanctuary
program, and the natural beauty that implies envelops a golfer. But don't be
too distracted as water is in play on 11 holes. There are seven sets of tees to
help visitors find their sweet spot for taming this wild and beautiful 6,734yard
course.
Still have more swings left in you? Head to the Gulf Coast to unearth even
more Alabama golf gems on your next trip south.
back to the Trail.
The River course snakes through the
lowlands of former soybean fields of the
Flint River flood plains. Water is a theme,
as it comes into play on 16 holes of this fun
and playable track. It is known as the only
RTJ course in the world designed without a
bunker, but with all the water (threatening
occasionally on both sides of the fairway), a
little sand might be a welcome relief. Hit it
straight, and the River course (7,668 yards;
77.5/140) can be managed.
The Short Course (3,635 yards; par 54) is
" links-like and open " and has water in play
on 11 of 18 holes. It features four sets of tees,
and with the forward Teal tees set at 1,861
yards, players of all skill
golfing at Hampton Cove.
levels can enjoy
Silver Lakes (1993)
Silver Lakes is something to behold. It has
three different regulation nine-hole courses,
plus the Short Course (1,994 yards; par 27)
routed around Lee's Lake. With huge elevation
changes and spectacular views, every
hole offers a new and exciting challenge.
For this golfer who was experiencing back
Silver Lakes / Mindbreaker
Pursell Farms / target shooting range
18
MINNESOTAGOLFER Travel 2023
mngolf.org
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Travel 2023

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