I recently had the opportunity to visit Terri Pines and play the course with Barry McGriff, whose family built and owns the course. As we played our way around the course, Barry gave me some of the history of the course and shared some interesting stories.
It was Barry’s father Bert McGriff, who originally bought the land and built the course back in the early 1980s. I had the opportunity to meet Bert and he struck me as a man who doesn’t half-do things. With Barry, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the family tree, and owning and managing a golf course wasn’t going to be any different.
Back in the 1980s, the nearby Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail had just opened and Bert decided to contact Jones about building his new course. Unfortunately, RTJ wanted an unseemly amount of money just to sit down and discuss the matter and Bert would not bite. Instead, he was put in contact with Tom Jackson who had
Terri Pines is named after one of Bert’s daughters. As Barry tells it, they were in a hurry to get a name for the course for registration purposes. With all of the pine trees on the property, it was pretty much a given that “Pine” would be in the name. In an effort to give the course a sense of family, Bert thought using one of the kids’ names might be a good idea. As Barry tells it “Barry Pines just didn’t have the right ring to it, nor did Jeff Pines (Barry’s brother). Cherri –Barry’s other sister – was an option but they opted for Terri Pines.”
Pines is the operative word on the golf course as pine trees are scattered throughout the property and come into play on just about every hole. The club sits perched atop the highest point in the county, providing beautiful vistas along with some of Alabama’s best golf. Terri Pin is known for its meticulously-maintained fairways and bent grass greens with many elevation changes that will challenge every level of golfer.
Number 7 is another interesting hole and the course’s #1 handicap. It plays 350 yards and for most players, takes driver out of your hand off the tee. That’s because there’s a large hill – aka falloff, aka cliff – about 220 yards out, just past the dogleg left. Hit it too far and you’ll either not find your ball or be in the water, which is essentially losing a ball! Trees on either side of the fairway place a premium on accuracy. A good tee shot will leave a mid to long iron downhill into a wide, shallow green with a large pond in front. Finish the hole with the same ball and you’ve probably scored well!.
Once you’ve worked up a good appetite on the course, stop by The Grille or relax on the patio with your favorite refreshments and enjoy some delicious home cooking. The Grille doesn’t serve up your typical clubhouse food. While they do serve up some of the best burgers and sandwiches in Cullman County, they also have some unique dishes like Bert’s Shrimp, spicy, batter-dipped shrimp served over a bed of Asian salad. At 5 pm the Dinner Menu kicks in on Thursday and Friday nights, and changes often so you’ll want to keep coming back. Whatever menu item you choose, you’re sure to be satisfied and not leave hungry. The friendly and highly competent staff will see to it!
Terri Pines’ Golf Shop is a great place to stock up on some logoed golf apparel, hats, and golf balls as well as any accessories you’ll need such as gloves, shoes, and balls. They offer a full line of current merchandise and supplies as well as club cleaning and club repair. Lockers are available for a small annual fee. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to fine-tune it, clinics and private lessons are available year-round and can be scheduled by calling the pro shop.
Becoming a member of a club means different things to different people. For some members, it’s a round of golf for casual or business purposes, for others it’s a swim in the pool or a set of tennis. Regardless of what your preferences are, Terri Pines has something for everyone, young and old, singles and families. Regular Club members are entitled to everything Terri Pines has to offer with no greens fees – just a nominal cart fee. Social
You don’t have to live in Cullman County to be a member of the Terri Pines. As a Non-Resident or Out of State Member, you’ll have full access to all Club amenities. All dues are billed annually and all memberships require a small initiation fee. As a member of Terri Pines, you’re automatically a member of the County Club Network, allowing you to play at five other private clubs once per month with no green fees. Terri Pines members are also eligible to play in the club’s full schedule of tournaments and outings, whether it’s for the fun of it or the thrill of competition.
If you’re considering a membership at Terri Pines, stop by for a tour and a FREE round of golf. You can call General Manager Mat Livengood at 256-739-0720 or visit them online at www.tpcountryclub.com. Be sure to ask about their current promotion.