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By Carl Danbury, Jr. from Points North magazine April 2005

For those of you living in the northwest suburbs, the new golf course at the spiffy community Governors Towne Club (GTC) spells opportunity. Imagine putting on spotless greens with both subtle and severe undulations. Consider that the fairways, in most cases, offer enough width to play either a fade or a draw off the tee. Add to those advantages a variety in length on par-4 holes and the capability to teach your children the game from manageable short tees. If I told you that GTC has been open for less than a year and that it is akin to having your personal golf playground, does the appeal become even greater?

Designed by Mike Riley and two-time U.S. Open Champion Curtis Strange, GTC is demanding, yet fair, and features rolling, sometimes steep countryside more typically found in North Carolina or Virginia. This creates a visually  stunning round of golf, particularly on the final seven holes of the back nine. The view from the 17th tee box is inspiring and when the 64,000-square-foot clubhouse is completed, it too will be visible from the 17th hole.

The most impressive aspect of GTC is the impeccable greens on every hole. Typically, young courses have imperfections on several greens. We found none during our entire round. Some of the greens feature severe slopes that can cause much consternation if your concentration level is not at its pinnacle. Even those with less severe undulations can be tricky, as subtle breaks are the order of the day on several of the spacious greens.

There are a number of great holes throughout the 18-hole course, and none are objectionable in terms of design quality. We have included a few of our favorites.

Riley and Strange ease the golfer into the round with the mid-length, par-4 1st hole. A tricky pin placement just above a pronounced swale greeted us at the green. The par-5 2nd is reachable in two from 488 yards with two good shots and the 198-yard par-3 3rd hole is receptive, as long as you aren’t confronted by a 30-mph gale in your face as we were.

But, it doesn’t take long for the challenge to stiffen, as the 416-yard dogleg left 4th hole stares you in the face. Two huge bunkers guard the left side of the fairway. If you happen to hit the sloped fairway, that will add generous yardage to your tee shot, and then leave you with an uphill approach to the most severe green on the course. This three-tiered green tucked into a hillside offers one of the stiffest putting challenges in the Atlanta area. Heed this advice: Do not, do not, do not leave your approach shot above the hole.

The par-3 9th hole provides a spectacular finish to the outward nine. Measuring 192 yards from the Champion tees, your tee shot crosses a gorgeous lake that fronts the green and guards the entire left side. A small bunker in front and a sizeable bunker behind the green are added thrills.

In my mind, the mark of a good design is dependent upon the quality of the short par-4 holes on a course. The 10th at GTC provides the testament. At just 271 yards from the Champion tee, golfers have choices as to how they want to attack the hole. The brave will undoubtedly try to reach the green, but are faced with a huge bunker in front of and along the right side of the green. The extreme left side of the green is guarded by a sizeable bunker, but even if your tee shot lands on the green, steep undulations are quick to greet you and your putter.

The final four holes of the inward nine will test all of your skills. The par-4 15th hole is a 421-yard beauty with a steep sloping green from back-to-front. The 508-yard par-5 16th hole is the first of back-to-back par-5s that is reachable in two. A lake guards the front and entire right side of the green making a precise approach imperative. The 570-yard 17th hole makes this par-5 duo one of the best combinations anywhere. Steep pines guard the fairway and the entire vista may remind you of a course you have played in Colorado or perhaps Northern California. The 18th hole, a 429-yard par-4, is a great finishing hole, with the green perched above a creek bed and below the slope where the clubhouse is being constructed. While the card says par is 18 on the final four holes, I believe you may be thrilled with 20.

In time, this golf course may be considered one of the finest in the area, a bold statement thanks to the number of quality layouts in our extended area. It compares favorably with Piedmont Driving Club’s course south of town, which is one of my personal favorites built within the past several years.

The club is in its later stages of Charter Membership sales. These membership opportunities are limited to the first 100 members and feature discounted pricing. The Charter Membership has a favorable refund policy and includes all club amenities such as swim and tennis, an activity center and health club, member lockers and club storage. Another excellent golf feature is the spacious range, with a detailed short-game area and the ability to practice shots from side-hill lies. Teaching professional Steve Ridge is one of the best in the area, whose knowledge of the game is a definite plus.

For more information

Governors Towne Club
4200 Governors Towne Drive
Building 100
Acworth, GA 30101
770-529-3437
www.governorstowneclub.com