Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Adam Lawrence on October 23, 2014, 05:18:10 AM
-
Lots of GCAers have been following the story of Sweetens Cove GC in South Pittsburg, TN, near to Chattanooga, designed and built by architect Rob Collins and constructor Tad King of King-Collins Golf Design, and now operated by a company part owned by Rob and GCAs own Ari Techner. I was there last week as they put the final touches to the golf course ready for opening, and as Ari did his Hundred Hole Hike there - including about three hours of golf in darkness - quite unbelievable.
The people involved in Sweetens Cove are good friends and I have seen the course from fairly early construction through the near collapse of the entire project on to opening today, so I am not the most objective witness as to this project. But I'll say this: everyone I know who has seen the course has fallen hard for it, it has been a total labour of love from start to finish and the principals are all great people who deserve success. So if you find yourself in the area, get yourself down there for a game - USD25 for unlimited golf, their introductory rate, has to count as one of the best bargains in the game.
Congratulations to Rob and Tad, to Ari and his team and to superintendent Michael Burrows and his guys. All have gone through a lot to get to today. If there is any justice in the world, golfers will flock to Sweetens Cove and the whole project will be a huge success. They deserve it.
-
That's awesome. I can't wait to make a trip down there and see it myself. Congrats guys and best of luck!
-
SIAP - Pretty cool that they got some love from the USGA too!
http://www.usga.org/news/2014/October/Sweetens-Cove-a-Nine-Hole-Beauty/
-
Congrats to Ari and those involved.
Prior related GCA threads and photo tours:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58527.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58527.0.html)
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58154.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58154.0.html)
-
Congrats to Ari, Rob and the team. The course looks incredible. Best of luck!
-
Looks very cool. Congrats!!
Will most definitely add it to my list for 2015/16.
-
It's a great day for Tennessee golf with the opening of Sweetens. I'm most fortunate to live only an hour or so away from this incredible golf course and I couldn't be happier for the guys who've seen it through to this day. Congrats, gentlemen!
I was privileged to be able to assist in the tending of a few pins last Saturday for Ari's Hundred Hole Hike and took a few photos I'll share here as well. Ari ended up walking 145 holes Saturday and hopefully raised a lot of money for his cause. It's still not too late to donate (http://www.hundredholehike.com/pledge/9019/9020).
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/rednorman/Sewanee%20and%20Battle%20Creek/hhhat0_zps3c3a18f9.jpg~original)
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/rednorman/Sewanee%20and%20Battle%20Creek/hhhat4_zpsf014b976.jpg~original)
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/rednorman/Sewanee%20and%20Battle%20Creek/hhhat3_zps2f4e43d3.jpg~original)
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/rednorman/Sewanee%20and%20Battle%20Creek/hhhat_zps21f5eaba.jpg~original)
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/rednorman/Sewanee%20and%20Battle%20Creek/hhhat2_zps4de74199.jpg~original)
-
Congrats gentlemen. Looks awesome!
Ari, 145 holes after the Long Island trip? You are a machine! Nice going and fun to play with you at Friar's Head!
Tennessee, it's starting to haunt me....
-
what a great looking course--can't wait to get down to TN
-
The pictures look great and you can't beat that introductory rate. Hope it all goes well, it is a real gem. Can't wait to get up there and play the course. Best of luck to all involved with this project!
-
What an invredible looking course! I have no doubt that with Ari at the helm SC will be a huge success. I will definitely be making a trip out to see it as soon as I can. Also, great work on the flags, they look fantastic!
-
Many thanks to the wonderful GCA community for their interest in and support of Sweetens Cove. Its not a stretch to say that the golf course would've returned to nature if not for this site. We look forward to seeing many of you in TN, hopefully soon!
Rob
-
Congratulations to everyone involved!
I visited Sweetens Cove before it was open while researching it for the USGA piece I wrote, and was mightily impressed. I've included Sweetens Cove in the new edition of To the Nines that is scheduled to be released in softcover in the late spring of 2015. Sweetens Cove is the only course that I added.
Anthony
-
Congratulations to everyone involved!
I visited Sweetens Cove before it was open while researching it for the USGA piece I wrote, and was mightily impressed. I've included Sweetens Cove in the new edition of To the Nines that is scheduled to be released in softcover in the late spring of 2015. Sweetens Cove is the only course that I added.
Anthony
Is Sewanee in the book?
It's close enough to Sweetens Cove that we are thinking morning and afternoon nines at the two courses during next year's Dixie Cup.
-
Ari, Rob, and Chairman Smith,
You guys have done such great work. Can't wait to see it again in a week. This course is revolutionary in more ways than one!
-
Is Sewanee in the book?
It's close enough to Sweetens Cove that we are thinking morning and afternoon nines at the two courses during next year's Dixie Cup.
I played back to back rounds at Sewanee and Sweetens Cove a few Sunday's ago. I expected they would feel very similar to each other and make continuous 18 but in reality the are very different. Of course, with the greens at Sweetens little feels similar. Who would have thought the mountain nine would have flatter greens than the valley nine.
-
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/rednorman/Sewanee%20and%20Battle%20Creek/hhhat0_zps3c3a18f9.jpg~original)
Ouch...
-
Bill:
Judging by your question I have deduced you have not read To the Nines. I'm hurt.
To answer your question, yes, Sewanee is in the hardcover edition and will be in the new version. I had no choice but include a course that was originally co-designed by an Episcopal bishop.
Sweetens and Sewanee compliment each other very well.
Best,
Anthony Pioppi
-
Bill:
Judging by your question I have deduced you have not read To the Nines. I'm hurt.
To answer your question, yes, Sewanee is in the hardcover edition and will be in the new version. I had no choice but include a course that was originally co-designed by an Episcopal bishop.
Sweetens and Sewanee compliment each other very well.
Best,
Anthony Pioppi
I recommend Sewanee, Sweeten's Cove and To the Nines to everyone. Golf (and reading) at its finest.
Anthony-looking forward to the new version of TTN.
-
Thanks Mark! I'm looking forward to it, as well.
If anyone knows of any golf media that would like to receive a review copy, have them send me their vitals, including title and mailing address.
AnthonyPioppi@gmail.com
Best,
Anthony
-
Bill:
Judging by your question I have deduced you have not read To the Nines. I'm hurt.
To answer your question, yes, Sewanee is in the hardcover edition and will be in the new version. I had no choice but include a course that was originally co-designed by an Episcopal bishop.
Sweetens and Sewanee compliment each other very well.
Best,
Anthony Pioppi
Tony, I mostly read War and Peace over and over but will check Amazon for To The Nines!
-
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/26880461/marion-county-is-once-again-golf-friendly-sweetens-cove-gc-opens
-
Can't wait to play it Ari! Thanks for doing something great for golf.
-
Rob,
Congratulations, that looks fantastic!
-
I can attest that Sweetens is awesome, I encourage everyone to run and play this thing. It's very, very cool!
-
"After playing Sweetens Cove last week, I'm seriously considering that, should I reprise that ranking someday soon, it might very well challenge The Dunes Club for the No. 1 ranking," Ron Whitten, Golf Digest's senior editor of architecture wrote in an email. "Without question, Sweetens Cove is already one of the top 10 nine-hole courses in America."
"I think it's the best nine-hole course built in the last 40 years," said Anthony Pioppi, author of "To the Nines," which is a study of nine-hole golf courses released in 2006. "The most famous nine-hole course is The Dunes Club (in New Buffalo, Mich.), which is private," Pioppi said. "Sweetens Cove is a better golf course than the Dunes Club. "I"m re-releasing my book just to include a chapter on Sweetens Cove."
http://m.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/oct/29/golf-gem-arises-in-marion-county/?sportsgolf
-
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/rednorman/Sewanee%20and%20Battle%20Creek/hhhat0_zps3c3a18f9.jpg~original)
Ouch...
Indeed. That second putt is virtually a shank!
-
Ari was moving scarily fast at that stage, averaging under an hour for each nine hole loop... I don't think he was taking a lot of care with his putts!
-
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/rednorman/Sewanee%20and%20Battle%20Creek/hhhat0_zps3c3a18f9.jpg~original)
Ouch...
That's one heck of a lag from 3 ft. :)
MM
-
Ari will have to confirm my suspicion but I'm guessing he could barely see the hole when he was playing it. When I took that photo I had just arrived on property at approximately 6:45am and couldn't see any of the course other than what was there in front of me. Obviously he'd already played the hole...which is the 8th...had to be nearly an hour before I arrived because when I found him around 7:15 he was coming up 6 fairway, his 15th hole of the day. Funny how I found him too...a ball landed just in front of me and there he appeared out of the fog like Warren Beatty. ;D
-
Did they leave the big tree in front of/ or near the 3rd green?
I thought I remember some talk of possibly removing it when we were there in the spring.
-
Ari will have to confirm my suspicion but I'm guessing he could barely see the hole when he was playing it. When I took that photo I had just arrived on property at approximately 6:45am and couldn't see any of the course other than what was there in front of me. Obviously he'd already played the hole...which is the 8th...had to be nearly an hour before I arrived because when I found him around 7:15 he was coming up 6 fairway, his 15th hole of the day. Funny how I found him too...a ball landed just in front of me and there he appeared out of the fog like Warren Beatty. ;D
Or Shivas Irons! ;D
-
The place great with actual flagsticks ;D have to make an excuse to go South again.
-
Did they leave the big tree in front of/ or near the 3rd green?
I thought I remember some talk of possibly removing it when we were there in the spring.
the tree is alive and well!
-
"After playing Sweetens Cove last week, I'm seriously considering that, should I reprise that ranking someday soon, it might very well challenge The Dunes Club for the No. 1 ranking," Ron Whitten, Golf Digest's senior editor of architecture wrote in an email. "Without question, Sweetens Cove is already one of the top 10 nine-hole courses in America."
I'd be curious to know how many of America's approximately 4,000 nine hole courses Ron Whitten has played. I would not be surprised to find a dozen hidden gems out there.
Bogey
-
"After playing Sweetens Cove last week, I'm seriously considering that, should I reprise that ranking someday soon, it might very well challenge The Dunes Club for the No. 1 ranking," Ron Whitten, Golf Digest's senior editor of architecture wrote in an email. "Without question, Sweetens Cove is already one of the top 10 nine-hole courses in America."
I'd be curious to know how many of America's approximately 4,000 nine hole courses Ron Whitten has played. I would not be surprised to find a dozen hidden gems out there.
Bogey
Whitten grew up in the heartland much like you and me. Don't discount his heart. Your judgemental crap bucket disappoints.
-
John, I'll add you to the rather long list of people I've disappointed. The real question is whether Whitten took an exotic honeymon. I am too embarassed to post on your other thread given the rather pedestrian location of our honeymoon 30 years ago.
Bogey
-
John, I'll add you to the rather long list of people I've disappointed. The real question is whether Whitten took an exotic honeymon. I am too embarassed to post on your other thread given the rather pedestrian location of our honeymoon 30 years ago.
Bogey
I wouldn't be embarrassed by taking the L to stay at the W on K street. It had to beat Terre Haute. Anyplace a fat man gets laid is exotic by definition.
-
Just back from playing Sweetens Cove. It is off the charts good. I would make a special trip to see it, especially if you are in the Southeast. If you can pair it up with some other courses in the region, I'd make a trip from anywhere in the US to see it. The best 9 holer I"ve ever played. In the discussion for best greens I've ever seen. Great walk. Amazingly fun holes.
I struggled to find this information, so here it is...
2040 Sweetens Cove Road
S. Pittsburgh, TN
428-280-9692
-
Just back from playing Sweetens Cove. It is off the charts good. I would make a special trip to see it, especially if you are in the Southeast. If you can pair it up with some other courses in the region, I'd make a trip from anywhere in the US to see it. The best 9 holer I"ve ever played. In the discussion for best greens I've ever seen. Great walk. Amazingly fun holes.
I struggled to find this information, so here it is...
2040 Sweetens Cove Road
S. Pittsburgh, TN
428-280-9692
Mac,
I missed you by a day. Played tues nt (thee back 9) and first off Wed morning. I agree with everything you said!
-
Just back from playing Sweetens Cove. It is off the charts good. I would make a special trip to see it, especially if you are in the Southeast. If you can pair it up with some other courses in the region, I'd make a trip from anywhere in the US to see it. The best 9 holer I"ve ever played. In the discussion for best greens I've ever seen. Great walk. Amazingly fun holes.
I struggled to find this information, so here it is...
2040 Sweetens Cove Road
S. Pittsburgh, TN
428-280-9692
I went and played Sweetens yesterday. Amazing! We played Honors a Course and then drove over. Luckily, we finished nine holes before dark. My only regret was that we ran out of daylight. It would be a great day to show up I the morning and spend all day there.
-
Was yesterday GCA Day at Sweetens? ;D I heard from the big Wardo that he too dropped by yesterday.
-
Sweetens website is now live. A bunch of Rob's excellent photos of the course can be found here.
http://www.sweetenscovegolfclub.com (http://www.sweetenscovegolfclub.com)
-
Was yesterday GCA Day at Sweetens? ;D I heard from the big Wardo that he too dropped by yesterday.
Yet no one calls Bogey for a game. :'(
Mike
-
Was yesterday GCA Day at Sweetens? ;D I heard from the big Wardo that he too dropped by yesterday.
Yet no one calls Bogey for a game. :'(
Mike
They forgot your real name.
-
Headed up tomorrow morning for a full day of Sweetens Cove!
-
Was yesterday GCA Day at Sweetens? ;D I heard from the big Wardo that he too dropped by yesterday.
Yet no one calls Bogey for a game. :'(
Mike
When are we headed down?
-
I dropped in and rode around the course with Rob; what a treat and I HATED that I didn't have time to play!!
They have not removed the No 3 arboreal obstacle but did prune it up too look like a "DR Seuss"tree in Rob's words
-
I dropped in and rode around the course with Rob; what a treat and I HATED that I didn't have time to play!!
They have not removed the No 3 arboreal obstacle but did prune it up too look like a "DR Seuss"tree in Rob's words
I loved the tree on three. It perfectly bisects a green that must be 40 yds wide. At worst it keeps the long hitter honest when going for the green in two.
Are the greens at Sweetens the largest in the country?
-
Sweetens website is now live. A bunch of Rob's excellent photos of the course can be found here.
http://www.sweetenscovegolfclub.com (http://www.sweetenscovegolfclub.com)
I love Word Press and I love Elegant Themes. As far as web site choices go, bravo to Sweetens Cove.
I do find that the ninth hole needs a bit of variety in the image department. The ones they selected are all the same, in essence. No side angles, no rear looks-back, just over-the-sand angles. I'd also like a "next hole" button, rather than "to the top menu" for each successive hole telling.
#picayunedetails
-
Sweetens website is now live. A bunch of Rob's excellent photos of the course can be found here.
http://www.sweetenscovegolfclub.com (http://www.sweetenscovegolfclub.com)
I love Word Press and I love Elegant Themes. As far as web site choices go, bravo to Sweetens Cove.
Not a fan of the web site. I had to drive an hour before I knew if they were public or private. Turns out it's the best deal in the free states.
-
Turns out it's the best deal in the free states.
Are there still slave states in existence? That would be news to me.
-
The website has some good descriptions of the holes
-
My bad, wasn't meant.
-
Guys, this needs to stop. There is no place for these types of references. They are offensive.
EDIT: It has nothing to do with golf and brings up images of lynchings. To joke about it with comments like "free states" and "ropes" is a macro-insult to people of color.
-
Guys, this needs to stop. There is no place for these types of references. They are offensive.
I apologize Ron, trying to let go of my hate for trees by greens.
-
I edited my previous comment, to explain my position. I was really offended by the first comment, so I dropped a subtle hint that evidently wasn't taken. I live in what is recognized as the most-segregated city in the USA (deserved or not) so race relations is a particular concern for me.
-
I edited my previous comment, to explain my position. I was really offended by the first comment, so I dropped a subtle hint that evidently wasn't taken. I live in what is recognized as the most-segregated city in the USA (deserved or not) so race relations is a particular concern for me.
I understand. My comment wasn't meant to be an analogy for that, so I removed it.
-
I really enjoyed Sweetens when I played it before the Dixie Cup. It's definitely worth the trip, and the even though it's a 9-holer, there are so many tee options to give you virtually unlimited replay ability even on the same day.