By definition, a links-style golf course is one that is built on sandy soil along the coastline; there is very little elevation change other than the surrounding sand dunes. These courses are usually susceptible to strong winds, which is why you will find deep bunkers; digging them deep is the only way to keep sand in them. A true links course has little if any trees; in fact, other than tall sea grasses and gorse – a hearty low-growing evergreen plant – there is little vegetation at all!
Mountain golf is the antithesis of links golf, plenty of rolling hills, dramatic elevation changes and trees everywhere. To many golfers, it offers the ultimate golf challenge.
I submit to you a new category of golf course: Links Mountain Golf. The best of both worlds: sandy soils, lots of sand dunes, steep elevation changes and trees, lots of trees. We’ll leave the strong winds up to God!
Old Toccoa Farm in Mineral Bluff, Georgia is the poster child of links mountain golf. Step up to the first tee and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Everything except the uphill trajectory!
Design and construction on what was originally known as the Blue Ridge Golf & River Club (which began in 2005), was led by Dan Proctor and Dave Axland of Bunker Hill Golf with Jack Dredla as the Master Shaper. In 2008, the hopes of completing the Blue Ridge Golf & River Club were lost as that year’s real estate crash claimed yet another victim. When the project was abandoned in 2009, 17 of the 18-holes were shaped, but only 9-holes were 
irrigated, and only 7 holes had been sodded. By the time the project was foreclosed on in 2012, the grounds were overgrown and unrecognizable as a golf course. In 2013, Current Managing Partners, Kevin Hermetz and Peter Knutzen put together an investment team and were able to purchase the property at a fraction of its original value. They Immediately contacted Bunker Hill Golf and asked them if they wanted to return to complete the project. The response was unanimous – absolutely. In 2014 Bunker Hill Golf returned to compete the initial 9-holes and the course was opened in September of 2015.
Ask Knutzen or Dredla what they think of the course and they’ll tell you it’s a “minimalist” golf course, except when it came to moving dirt. According to Dredla, he can’t even hazard a guess as to how much earth was moved. We were standing outside the temporary pro shop and he pointed to the ridge at the end of the driving range. The ridge stands about 20’ high behind the range and according to Dredla, it was all that height at one point. They literally dug out the driving range and moved the dirt around the course. In true minimalist fashion, there are no tee signs with diagrams of the hole and the various yardages; that’s what the scorecard and Visage GPS system are for!
Old Toccoa Farm offers golfers 5 sets of tees and can be played anywhere from 6,707 (73.8/149) to 4,525 (67.2/123) yards. No matter your golf competency level, you’ll find a set of tees that will let you thoroughly enjoy the golf course. Old Toccoa Farm has some pretty impressive practice facilities too, including a full-length driving range, chipping area and a putting green and in the spring of 2020, they will open their Family Par-3 Course located inside the driving range!
As you traverse the course at Old Toccoa Farm, you’ll encounter scenic vistas, fields of native grasses, and thick stands of hardwood trees, each adding to the overall aesthetics of the course. The massive bunkers are very rugged looking and remind you of the traditional links style courses with thick grass collars, and tall-wispy grass edges. Advancing the ball from many of the traps can be difficult. Often – as in Scotland – your best (only) play out is either sideways or backwards.
The greens at Old Toccoa Farm are 007 Bentgrass and feature a great deal of undulation. In fact, undulation may be an understatement; hills or mounds may be more suitable. According to Knutzen, they’ve buried their fair share of elephants out here! As far as speed, they typically run between 8 and 9 on the stimpmeter and can be taken up a notch or two for tournaments and special events.
Hole # 2 is very interesting, playing over 400 yards downhill from the back two sets of tees. Accuracy off the tee is a must, finding the fairway is imperative if you want to score well, or at the very least find your ball so you can hit it again. Push anything right towards the fairway bunker and you’ll have a totally blind second shot – albeit downhill – to a green that leaves very little margin for error. A good drive in the fairway can roll a long way and could very well be that 300 yard drive you’ve been dreaming about and put you in a good position for a birdie.
Several fairways – and cart paths for that matter – are reminiscent of a roller coaster and with over 280 feet of elevation change, Old Toccoa Farm rivals the best coasters out there. The shortest hole on the course (Hole # 12, 116 yards) is followed by the longest hole on the course (the par 5 13th hole at 626 yards), which plays downhill and is, believe it or not, reachable in two. Sometimes looking where you’ve been can be a beautiful thing. Case in point: Stand on the green on Hole # 5 and look back at where you’ve just come from. Downhill off the tee, uphill to the green never looked so good!
If you’re looking to get back to nature, you’ve come to the right place. This private, gated community with semi-private golf, consists of over 420 acres and is located just 5 miles from the charming mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. The nearby Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests offer more than 1,000,000 acres of managed wilderness, for hiking, and biking. Old Toccoa Farm also boasts over 4,300 feet of frontage on the clear-flowing Toccoa River, a world-class fishery. The river also offers plenty of other river activities including, canoeing and kayaking. Currently, there are 3.5 miles of walking trails on property that meander along the Toccoa River and next to small slow-moving creeks. As the community grows, plans call for an expansion of the trail system.
Old Toccoa Farm is open six days a week and closed on Tuesdays. One way to become a member of Old Toccoa Farm is to purchase property; Property owners must become members. Not looking for a new primary or second home or already have a home in the area? You can apply to become a Non-Resident Member but better hurry, ultimately there will be a cap on the number of Non-Resident memberships. Corporate Memberships are also available.
Not sure if Old Toccoa Farm is a place you want to call home? They have a way to help you decide. It’s called a Discovery Visit and gives you the opportunity to explore the community and preview the upcoming plans for the development. You’ll also have the opportunity to play one of the most impressive courses I’ve ever had the privilege of playing. If you’re looking for something more than golf, the friendly and amenable staff can help you arrange water activities and other outdoor pursuits during your visit.
If you enjoy the game of golf and find yourself anywhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia, you owe it to yourself to go and play a round at Old Toccoa Farm and experience links-style golf in the mountains. You can find them online at www.oldtoccoafarm.com.
Before your round, get loose and hit a few balls on Bay Pointe’s full-length driving range and stroke a few putts on the practice green. There’s a fully stocked pro shop with plenty of logoed apparel for both men and women; balls, hats, gloves and just about every golf accessory you’ll need to go out and play your best. After you’ve shaken hands with your playing partners and walked off the 18th green, stop by Bay Pointe’s full service restaurant inside the club house. The culinary staff at Bay Pointe create some of the best food in the area including hamburgers, and their daily lunch specials can’t be beat. You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy the great food at the 19th Hole Grille. They also offer meeting rooms and banquet facilities which are considered to be one of the best banquet spaces in the region. Your guests will enjoy panoramic views of the golf course and your next banquet, wedding reception or special event will be the talk of the town. In speaking with Brent Belton, plans are to grow the food and beverage side and make the restaurant a favorite among locals.
Number 10: Par 5, 518 yards. Number 10 features one of two bunkers on the course, and it’s strategically positioned directly in front of the middle of the green. Danger lurks when you try to cut the corner of this dogleg left as O.B is very close to the left side of the fairway. The fairway is narrow tee to green, so there’s a premium on accuracy. You’ll need to take the aerial route to the green over the bunker; find it and par just got a lot tougher.
Each year, the Belton Scholarship Program assists a deserving young man or woman golfer get a good start on the next chapter of their life: a college education. The program is funded from green fees purchases at the club and has been awarded every May since 2016. To qualify, applicants must have at least a 3.0 or “B” average in school and be an active member of their school’s golf team. They must also submit an essay of no more than 75 words, stating the importance of golf in their lives and why they should be considered for the award.
One of the best ways to take full advantage of all that Bay Pointe has to offer is to become a member. Bay Pointe offers a variety of membership packages with a plan to suite every golfer, budget and lifestyle. Their new Unlimited Membership is the most affordable in the Jackson-Metro Area and offers unlimited golf 7 days a week, a cart whenever you need it, range balls, swimming, and a full calendar of golf and social events. Walking memberships are also available and if you pay your membership in full, you’ll receive the 13th month free.
added stretch for ease of movement to get you through your golf swing. The three-button placket and self-collar create the classic golf look and the allover stripe design give it extra zest and flair. The UPF 50+ UV finish helps keep the sun’s harmful rays at bay. The Ultimate365 Linear Polo is available in sizes S – XXL and in three color combinations: White/Active Teal, White/Active Orange and Tech Ink. 
stretch fabric for comfort and performance. Gripper tape on the waist band keeps everything in place for a clean, orderly look and the water-repellent finish makes for easy care and durability. They feature a regular fit that is somewhere between snug and loose and the pockets are deep enough that you don’t have to worry about losing anything. The Ultimate365 Plaid Print Shorts are available in sizes 28 – 56 and in 14 colors. 
You won’t mind playing in wet, windy weather if you’re dressed for the occasion and adidas has the perfect lineup of golf outerwear no matter how bad the elements get. Of course, it’s up to your good sense to come in when things get too bad! Their Climaproof Jacket provides ventilated protection against the elements. The hook and loop cuffs and sealed seams keeps the rain, wind and snow out while the vents in the back help keep you cool throughout your round. This full-zip garment also has waterproof zippers on the front pockets and a full-zip design and stand-up collar. The Climaproof Jacket is available in sizes S- XXL and in White/Grey, Tech Ink/Grey and Black/Grey. 
Initiative to globally improve the efforts of cotton farmers The Club Sweater is available in sizes S – XXL and in several colors: Black Heather, Collegiate Navy, Grey Three Heather, Hi-Res Coral, Legend Earth and Tech Ink. 
The women’s fall lineup is equally as impressive. The Colorblock Skort is new for Fall 2019 and features built-in shorties and a mid-rise. The Climalite fabric wicks moisture away to keep you dry in warmer weather and is stretch woven so that you can move effortlessly through your golf swing. It’s also very soft to the touch with UPF 50+ UV protection This new Colorblock Skort is available in sizes XXS – XXL and in Black, Tech Ink and Night Indigo. 
Climacool Polo is available in sizes XS – XL and in two color combinations: White/Bright Cyan and Night Indigo and airs well with the Ultimate Printed Ankle Pants. 
through your golf swing without effort and the full-zip design, adjustable drawcord hood and long sleeves with elastic cuffs provide added coverage from these unsavory elements. The Climastorm Jacket is available in sizes XS – XL and in several three color combinations; Active Teal/Black, Real Blue/Night Indigo, White/Glow Blue.
protection. The four-way stretch fabric lets this polo move with you through every phase of your golf swing and is extra-soft to the touch. There’s a self-collar and three-button placket with an iconic embroidered Bobby Jones Player inside the placket. Performance ease of movement, antibacterial properties and UPF sun protection. The Alberti – and all performance XH2O polos – are available in sizes S – 3XL and in 2 color schemes: Kapers and Merlot. Both will pair well with your favorite khakis.
When it comes to outerwear and layering, Bobby Jones offers several pieces that can easily become your go-to choices. If you’re going to put a sweater on when the temperature cools down, you might as well look good and with Bobby Jones’ Box Jacquard Button Placket Sweater you can do just that. This garment is crafted from BJ’s 1930 20% baby alpaca, 30% extra-fine lambswool, 50% polyamide blend and the micro box design on the front creates a textural contrast and strikes a chord between modern refinement and lasting menswear. The Box Jacquard Button Placket Sweater has a stand-up collar and a three-button placket that is soft on the inside. It’s available in sizes S – 3XL and in Charcoal or Navy.
Every golfer knows who Bobby Jones is, but they may not be familiar with Rule 18. In 1925, while playing in the U.S. Open, Jones called a penalty on himself (Rule 18-2) that ended up costing him the tournament. He was a man of uncompromising principle and unwavering integrity and those same qualities live on in the Rule 18 Collection from Bobby Jones. The designs are a little edgier while still maintaining the same high quality craftsmanship.
The all-over grid design is crafted from finely knit of Peruvian pima cotton and features a rib knit neck, cuffs and bottom. The quarter-zip design makes this an easy layering piece. It’s another garment from Rule 18 that isn’t limited to just the golf course, you can wear it just about anywhere. The Luxe Pima Grid Quarter-Zip Pullover is available in sizes S – XXL and in Charcoal Heather and Evergreen.
Diamond Face technology is a pattern of thick and thin diamond shapes, what the company is calling “mini-trampolines,” on the interior of the face. This unique construction increases ball speed with less loss of ball speed on off-center hits and helps to reduce spin for added distance. To produce higher M.O.I. (resistance to twisting at impact) the family has new head shapes with sophisticated repositioning of weight.
stretch and give you unrestricted motion. They’re also fleece lined to keep the heat in. Frostguard also has a water-repellent finish that keeps you dry in light rain.
Number 11 is a fun par 4 that plays 380 yards from the Blue tees. Carry the ball over the hill off the tee and catch the downslope and you can easily find yourself less than 100 yards from the green. A deep bunker on the left guards the green which has a lot of undulation and is a lot wider than it is deep.
Expanding the game through young golfers is a priority at Canebrake and their junior golf program is designed to make learning the game of golf fun and memorable. Students of all ages and skill levels are taught creative and fun methods of instruction in a structured, yet relaxed environment. The Junior Golf experience ranges from playing in tournaments to a more relaxed environment of full and half-day summer camps. Junior clinics are offered from March until October to children ages 5 and up and the Canebrake Junior Golf Academy is held at various times throughout the year and is designed to teach the basics of the game to younger golfers. By testing students quarterly, the experienced staff can make sure each student is properly placed based upon their skill level.
Health and fitness have become a big part of any country club. Canebrake features a 3,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center with 26 pieces of cardio and weight training equipment including TechnoGym treadmills, ellipticals and recumbent bicycles, all with LCD monitors wired with cable TV, web apps and vital statistics.
Canebrake takes good care of the men and women of the military by offering them an affordable membership that includes access to Canebrake’s 18-hole championship golf course, driving range, pool, and dining rooms. A one-year membership is available with no initiation fee and $225 monthly dues. College students can become a member while enrolled in school at a very nominal rate as well. Contact Canebrake’s Membership Director, April Leonard.
he three models have progressive face heights with the SIM Max D having the largest so off-center impacts don’t lose as much ball speed.
stretch waistband and a loose-fitting butterfly print shorties cut from the same amazing fabric. There’s a hidden tee pocket in the front and a large back pocket that will accommodate most scorecards. It’s a style that will make you feel inspired and, just like a butterfly, free! The Social Butterfly Pull-On Tech Skort is available in sizes XXS – XXL and in White, Grey, Light Pink and Black.
Details include a side zipper, side slits and Navy grosgrain ribbon trim down the sides and back pocket. The Partner in Crime Skort is available in sizes 00 – 16 and looks great with Golftini’s Green Sleeveless Zip Tech Polo, Hot Pink Pima Cotton Mesh Collar Polo, and Navy Ruffle Tech Polo.
When it comes to creating a garment that looks good and keeps the elements at bay, Golftini’s Reversible Wind Vest sets the bar up high. This vest features a front zipper closure with contrasting trim and two zippered side pockets. The quilted polyester fill provides warmth when those cool fall winds kick up and the Martini logo says it all. The Reversible Wind Vest is available in sizes XS – XXL and in White/Grey, Hot Pink/Black and Black/Light Blue. Staying warm never looked so good!
and lightweight giving you the perfect look for both on and off the course. Golftini’s Long Sleeve V-Neck Sweater is available in sizes S – XL and in several colors including Light Pink, White, Ivory, Light Pink, Hot Pink, Grey, Navy, and Black.