East Lake Golf Club

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Atlanta’s history, East Lake Golf Club stands as a testament to resilience and transformation. East Lake Golf Club isn’t just a place for a round of golf. It’s where the echoes of legends resonate, where Bobby Jones, a golfing prodigy, first discovered his passion for the sport. Established in 1904 as Atlanta’s oldest golf course, East Lake became Jones’s home turf, the very ground where he honed his skills and etched his name into golfing history. East Lake Golf Club witnessed Jones’s rise to fame, culminating in his Grand Slam victory in 1930. He claimed the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, British Amateur, and British Open titles all in the same year, a feat that solidified East Lake’s place in golfing lore. The course, originally designed by Tom Bendelow, underwent a transformation in 1913 under the masterful eye of Donald Ross. This redesign shaped the course that players enjoy today. The present-day Tudor-style clubhouse, however, arose from the ashes of a tragic fire in 1925. Designed by Philip Shutze, the architect of Buckhead’s famed Swan House, the clubhouse stands as a symbol of the club’s enduring spirit. East Lake Golf Club also played host to the Ryder Cup in 1963, further cementing its prestigious standing in the golfing world. Yet, like many urban areas, East Lake faced a period of decline in the mid-20th century. Suburban flight and urban decay took their toll. The construction of the East Lake Meadows public housing project in 1970 brought its own set of challenges, but a resurgence was on the horizon. In the 1990s, the CF Foundation, spearheaded by Tom Cousins, purchased East Lake and initiated a remarkable revitalization project. Rees Jones, son of renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, restored the course to Donald Ross’s original design, breathing new life into this historic landmark. Since 2005, East Lake Golf Club has proudly hosted the TOUR Championship, the grand finale of the PGA Tour Playoffs and the FedEx Cup. Today, East Lake Golf Club continues to flourish, a beacon of community development and a testament to the power of revitalization. It’s not merely a golf course, but a living testament to a rich history. A place where the past and present intertwine, creating a unique and unforgettable experience for all who visit.