As golf destinations go, Gadsden, AL is well down most golfers’ list; if it weren’t for the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, it probably wouldn’t even be on the radar. And, if the truth be told, the RTJ Trail course at Silver Lakes is what keeps golfers coming back.
I am speaking about Silver Lakes, a 36-hole facility on the outskirts of town. Surrounded by the Appalachian foothills and Lee’s Lake, Silver Lakes features the most unique and aptly named courses on The Trail: Heartbreaker, Backbreaker, Mindbreaker. All 36 greens (including the short course) boast Champion ultra-dwarf putting surfaces, arguably the best on The Trail. Another trait they share is that they are all elevated; some more so than others. Silver Lakes takes you on a journey through hardwood and pine forests, wetlands, and grasslands. You’ll encounter dramatic elevation changes all while enjoying the beauty of Northeastern Alabama’s wonderful landscape. There is one thing for sure: any of the four courses will challenge you both physically and mentally.
Each course is special in its own right with memorable holes. Number 8 on Mindbreaker is an interesting par 4 that plays 358 yards from the White Tees. The fairway slopes to the right with a creek at the bottom so your best tee shot is something controllable down the left side. Anything right of the middle of the fairway stands a good chance of trundling down to the water. A good drive will leave a short iron into a triangular-shaped green with a pot bunker left and a large, deep bunker on the right. The green slopes severely from back to front. Did I mention you’ll need to carry your approach shot over the creek?
Number 8 is a challenging, downhill par 3 that plays 156 yards and is all carry over water. The green is large and could be a 3-club difference depending on pin placement. Deep bunkers await errant shots on either side of the green. Number 9 is a 353-yard par 4 that requires you to cross – and avoid – the water twice. This dogleg left features water all the way down the left side and in front of the green, with a wide landing area off the tee. A good drive will leave a short to mid-iron into an oddly positioned green protected with water in front and left. It’s the layout’s most difficult par 4 and the course’s #1 handicap.
Twin Bridges Golf Club is owned by the city of Gadsden and, as municipal courses go, it’s quite a pleasant surprise. As you stand on the verandah behind the clubhouse, you can tell that there are some significant elevation changes in-store and as you make your way around, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll also encounter several hidden hazards such as the creek that crosses the fairway in front of the 7th green. It could be a problem if you’re long off the tee. Looking at the scorecard, Twin Bridges gives you 13 different yardages to choose from.
Number 11 is another challenging par 5. There’s a canal all the way down the right side that shouldn’t come into play until your second shot and a good drive will allow you to get home in two. There are pine trees that seemingly stand in the middle of the fairway if you hit your ball down the right side. There’s also a large gap between the pine trees and the woods on the right which can create a clear shot to go for the green in two. The well-undulated green sits elevated above the fairway and may require an extra club. A large bunker guards the front. Par is a good score here.
Holiday Inn Express goes the extra mile with the little things, like free coffee and tea and Wi-Fi connections in every room and common area. The rooms are spacious with either 1 king or two queen beds that are extremely comfortable 50″ TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and best of all, lots of outlets. The black-out shades are a nice touch and keep the room dark at night.
For more information on planning a golf vacation to the Gadsden, Alabama area, visit them online at www.greatergadsden.com.