East Lake Golf Club, renowned for its historic significance and contributions to the community, is thrilled to announce its grand reopening following an extensive course restoration by designer Andrew Green.
This landmark event marks a pivotal moment in the club’s storied history and paves the way for a vibrant future for the club, the membership and the surrounding East Lake neighborhood.
The reopening coincides with the prestigious TOUR Championship, making it an especially significant occasion for the golf world and the top 30 players on the PGA TOUR who will be vying for the FedEx Cup when the course makes its Championship debut on August 29.
Restoration and Renewal
The restoration of East Lake Golf Club has been a labor of love, driven by the vision of renowned course designer Andrew Green. Green’s dedication to preserving the Club’s rich heritage while incorporating modern enhancements has resulted in a course that honors the past and inspires future generations of golfers. As Andrew Green aptly stated, “There’s a tremendous obligation to make sure that all the great things that have been done for this community are protected and enhanced by this project.”
Green used a previously unknown aerial photograph of East Lake from 1949 as his restoration inspiration. This photograph showed the original Donald Ross design in surprising detail and provided guidance on green shapes, bunker shapes and the overall topography of the original design.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how the membership of East Lake Golf Club has supported the restoration efforts and I’m thrilled with the results thanks to Andrew Green, his team and the entire East Lake Golf Club staff who has made it possible,” said Larry Gellerstedt, Chair, East Lake Golf Club & former Chairman and CEO of Cousins Properties. “This restoration is a celebration of the sport, but I think it also speaks to how fundamental both community enrichment and top-tier golf are to East Lake’s identity.”
The most notable changes to the course are reflected in the topography, greens and bunkers. Fairways have been converted from Meyer Zoysia to Zorro Zoysia, which plays firmer and will lead to increased roll which allows for the topography to play a greater role in the strategy of each hole. “We really wanted to try to get the player to feel like they’re playing more over the natural ground. And that meant that we shaped or reshaped fairways to be more natural,” said Green.
All greens have been converted from Mini-Verde Bermuda to TifEagle Bermuda, which will provide putting surfaces that have improved speed, consistency and overall playability. The size, shape, contouring and surrounding runoff areas of each green complex have been enhanced to create a distinct style and variability to the course.
The placement of bunkers is another change that players will notice, not only around the greens but in the fairways as well. Fairway bunkers have been layered at various distances from the teeing areas, requiring players to be more accurate off the tee, both in line of play and distance of shot. All of the bunkers provide a stunning contrast to the nearby playing areas, making the course more interesting and appealing. Many of the bunker shapes were inspired by the original Donald Ross design from 1913, with the most notable being the trench bunker on hole 17.
Water was also a particular focus of the restoration. Green’s team reclaimed a stream between the 6th and 7th holes, removing invasive species and restoring the native habitat. All ponds and East Lake itself were also stabilized to maintain water quality and ecological balance. The restoration demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship by integrating sustainable practices across various aspects of course management and landscaping, from protecting existing tree canopies to installing resilient, eco-friendly grasses. These efforts not only enhance the golf experience but also contribute positively to the surrounding ecosystem.
Minimal changes were made to the yardage of the course. It was lengthened by less than 100 yards for the TOUR Championship, which will play as a par 71 at 7,455 yards. A variety of tees were created for Member play, which will accommodate players of all skill levels.
Several modifications were also made to the 14th hole, including tee expansion, fairway recontouring and bunker positioning. With these changes, the hole will now be played as a par-5 for the TOUR Championship. Previously, the TOUR Championship played the 14th hole as a par 4 and the overall par was 70 for the event.
“This course restoration will provide a worthy test for players at every level of the game, from PGA TOUR players to East Lake members,” said Alex Urban, Executive Director, TOUR Championship. “Fans onsite and around the world will witness these changes firsthand at the TOUR Championship when the course is put to the test by some of the best athletes in the world.”
Honoring the Club’s Heritage
East Lake Golf Club’s unique place in golf history is not only due to its iconic Donald Ross design, but also because it was the home course where legends like Bobby Jones, Alexa Sterling, Watts Gunn and Charlie Yates learned and perfected their game. This remarkable combination of a classic course design and its association with some of golf’s greatest figures is what sets East Lake apart.
“This restoration marks the beginning of a new era for East Lake Golf Club. The golf course is challenging, interesting and visually stunning. I am very proud of the immense effort by our team to complete this project given the timeframe allotted,” said President and General Manager of East Lake Golf Club, Chad Parker, PGA. “I want to thank everyone involved in the planning of this project and most importantly, our membership for the faith they had in our decision to do the work. We look forward to honoring the rich tradition of championship golf at East Lake for years to come and can’t wait to host the TOUR Championship in a few short weeks.”
About Golf with a Purpose
East Lake Golf Club’s initiative, “Golf with a Purpose,” plays a central role in the transformation of the East Lake community. This effort involves numerous organizations, including the East Lake Foundation, Drew Charter School, Charlie Yates Golf Course, First Tee Metro Atlanta, East Lake Sheltering Arms, East Lake YMCA and Purpose Built Communities. These organizations collaborate to provide educational opportunities, affordable housing, job readiness programs, and more, contributing to the overall success, growth and vitality of the East Lake area.
About East Lake Golf Club
East Lake Golf Club, established in 1904 and located in Atlanta, Georgia, is the city’s oldest golf course and the home course of legendary golfer Bobby Jones. The club is renowned not only for its rich history but also for its philanthropic efforts, supporting several charitable partners including the East Lake Foundation. Since 2005, East Lake has been the permanent home of the TOUR Championship, the final event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup. The recent restoration led by architect Andrew Green aims to revive the course’s historic design while ensuring a modern playing experience.
For more information, visit eastlakegolfclub.com.
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