The Grand National Lake course opens with a beautifully designed par 4 dogleg left that brings all the Robert Trent Jones elements into play -- sand, water, and an elevated, sloping green.
A resident of Atlanta can leave his home after breakfast, play 18 holes of golf at the excellent Grand National complex in eastern Alabama, then nine at Grand National's fine Short Course, and still be home for dinner.
Lucky Atlantans. The rest of us will just have to settle for flying into Atlanta and then taking the no-stress drive to Grand National and its 54 holes of golf.
Grand National, located between Auburn and Opelika, is at about the midpoint on the Robert Trent Jones Trail, which runs 380 miles from one end of the state to the other. Grand National is a 90-minute drive from Atlanta, a straight shot down Interstate 85. Those who make the journey will find a taste of the consistent quality I found at the three multi-course complexes I visited on the Trail a week ago. On the other hand,
Like other greens on the three courses I played, these were elevated, some significantly so, and the firm surfaces made me play cautiously to avoid too many lob wedges up too many steep slopes. The greens were large, sloped and well protected by steep bunkers, as well as the slopes. Grand National and the other courses I played are all about positioning on the approach shot. Landing zones off the tees were generous, although some sported the traditional Jones bunkers -- not huge, like a Palmer's or Fazio's, but definitely in play.
The 600-acre Lake Saugahatchee dominates the 54 holes at Grand National and comes into play or into view on 32 of them. Unlike Oxmoor Valley, near Birmingham, which I also played and enjoyed greatly, the terrain at Grand National is kindler and gentler and a lot easier walk from the cart paths to my errant shots (because of recent rains, I played cart path only the entire week). Grand National is a course you could grow old playing,
from there, especially on the firm greens, risks rolling off the other side and down toward the water. The hole provides just a hint in advance of the par 3 15th, the Lake Course's signature hole, which is do or die over water to an island green from more than 190 yards away.
More than two-dozen single-family homes were in various stages of construction at National Village, including a few that are just about ready for occupancy, but it was hard to see how the community fits the strategy to attract retirees. Wonderfully appointed yet close to each other on quarter acre tracts, at $600,000 to $800,000 they seemed overpriced for the Auburn/Opelika area. Elsewhere in the southeast, such prices will fetch a home on a ½ acre with nice views of a golf course, if not water or mountains, in a gated community with a private golf club. The RSA and the developer do have plans for lower-priced homes closer to the golf course and for a town center, with villas, near the hotel and conference center. That could be the spur to attract more golfing retirees to the area.
For now, the developers might want to consider lowering the prices at National Village to encourage some quick return on their investment in the already-built homes (none had been sold by the time of my visit). With a university town nearby, a no-hassle drive from Atlanta, and 54 holes of excellent golf just down the road, their community has the ingredients for success.
Ratings for Grand National Lake Course
I rate elements of the courses I play on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being "perfection" and 1 "avoid at all costs." "Playability" is my assessment of how players of all capabilities might enjoy the course.
Layout 8 Fun and challenging.
Condition 7 Elevated greens almost too firm.
Playability 8 Multi-tee options typical of thoughtfulness on entire Trail.
Aesthetics 8 Lake in view and in play on most holes.
Amenities 6 Excellent for daily fee; a few day lockers for rent.
Overall 8 Private club conditions and staff.
The Lake Course's signature hole is the par 3 15th with its island green and no bailout.
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