The RTJ Golf Trail starts in Mobile
“The
Trail” is known throughout the golf world as an incredible collection of high
quality public access golf facilities. The Robert Trent Jones Golf (RTJ) Trail
runs the length of Alabama, starting in Mobile and stretching all the way to
the Tennessee border. Mobile is a fast growing yet charming southern city and a
perfect starting place for this unique golf trek.
The city
Mobile is
one of the last bastions of Southern Charm. The people really are different
here. Visitors will notice that locals here are friendlier and more
well-mannered than in any other U.S. destination. The city is undergoing an
economic transformation. The growth of international shipping has fueled this
growth, which extends across the bay to the dynamic Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.
Downtown Mobile has been renovated with new skyscrapers, but care has been
taken to preserve its history. The city has its own French Quarter with
charming restaurants and shops.
The golf
The RTJ
Golf Trail was the brilliant idea of Dr. David Bronner, CEO of The Retirement
Systems of Alabama. Bronner wanted to diversify the pension fund investments in
a way that would bring prosperity to Alabama. Famed golf architect Robert Trent
Jones was hired to lay out 18 championship courses. The project was so successful
that more courses were added and The RTJ Trail now has 26 courses at 11
different sites. These sites encompass hundreds of acres of land with thick
forests, lakes and rivers.
Arriving
at a trail site is a very
different golf experience. Very few, if any, homes – just nature, and
lots of it. Most courses in the U.S. are crowded onto 150 acres or less with
homes lining the fairways. Trail courses are spread out on 200 acres or more.
This allows for a pleasant uncrowded day on the course. Green fees are very
reasonable throughout the trail, making this trip the best value in golf today.
In the winter, the southernmost sites are probably the best bet for great
weather.
Magnolia
Grove is the site closest to Mobile and it has 54 holes of golf, including two
championship 18-hole courses and an 18-hole par three course. As with all trail
sites, the facilities are top notch, including traditional southern style
clubhouses and large practice areas. Each 18 is carved out of a thick forest of
hardwood and pine and winds its way past creeks, marshland and lakes. The
Crossings 18 is home to an LPGA event held each September. The Falls 18 is
probably the more difficult of the two, requiring length and accuracy. The
Short course was recently rated the best par three course in the U.S. Its 18
par-three holes range in length from 70 yards to more than 200 yards with many
crossing water. For more information on the RTJ Trail, visit www.rtjgolf.com.
The lodging
The
Battle House and the Riverview Plaza Hotels offer two distinct options for
overnight guests. The Battle House is the old classic southern hotel that
dominated the Mobile social scene for more than 100 years.
It has
been tastefully remodeled and still has the charm and elegance that drew
President Woodrow Wilson and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Located
just one block from the convention center, The Battle House is now a
Renaissance Property. For more information, visit www.rsabattlehouse.com.
The
Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel is Mobile’s waterfront option. Last year it
received a $55 million dollar remodel, including a new fitness center, swimming
pool and restaurant.
The hotel
connects to the convention center via a skywalk. Historic museums, restaurants
and mansions are within walking distance. For more information, visit
www.riverviewmobile.com.
The food
On your
way in or out of Mobile, the Bonefish Grill near the Mobile airport is a must
stop. Proprietor Keith Burbank has gone out of his way to make this a superior
dining experience.
Mobile
has great local fish options, of course, with its proximity to the Gulf.
Keith has
enhanced this with fresh salmon flown in from Alaska and lobster from Maine. He
brings in the best fish from all over the U.S. depending on season.
We dined
on Ahi tuna, Pacific salmon and local shrimp. The food was absolutely first
rate; as good as I have ever tasted.
Keith
takes the same care when it comes to service, and he has generated a loyal
customer base. This restaurant is very popular with Ladies Professional Golf
Association Tour players when they play each year at nearby Magnolia Grove.
Our visit
was on a weeknight out of season and yet the restaurant was full. With
operations like this, it is no wonder that the Bonefish Grill has become so
popular. For more information, visit www.bonefishgrill.com.