Bacon Park

Did you ever hear how Bacon Park got its unusual name? It wasn’t named after sizzling strips of pork belly. No, Bacon Park, right here in Savannah, takes its name from a prominent Savannahian, George Bacon. He donated a portion of his estate to the city back in the 1920s. Bacon Park became a hub of Savannah, first with its golf course designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1926. This wasn’t just any golf course. Ross envisioned a 72-hole masterpiece. While only two were initially built, one closing around 1940, Bacon Park held a special place in Savannah’s heart. In 1985, nine more holes were added, creating the 27-hole course we enjoy today. But the story doesn’t end there. In 2014, a major renovation, led by architect Richard Mandell, brought Ross’s original vision back to life. Using old sketches and aerial photos, Mandell restored the course to its former glory. Each hole at Bacon Park has a unique name reflecting its character, like “Getaway” or “Hogback” on the first nine, and “Canal” or “The Oak” on the second. This course isn’t about brute force; it’s about strategy, with sloped greens, cunning bunkers, and those magnificent, towering oak trees. Bacon Park’s history has its share of shadows. For years, during the Jim Crow era, Black golfers could only play on “Caddies Day,” a single Monday each week. This injustice sparked protests and legal battles, finally leading to desegregation in 1961. Even then, the fight continued against segregated tournaments. It wasn’t until a 1969 federal ruling that true equality arrived at Bacon Park. Today, Bacon Park isn’t just about golf. It’s a community hub, hosting charity events, family nights, and junior golf programs. It’s a place where Savannah comes together. It’s where history whispers beneath the Spanish moss and the grand oaks, reminding us of where we’ve been and how far we’ve come.