Life is chaotic. Our consideration and time are continuously pulled in numerous instructions. What higher approach to escape this chaos than getting misplaced in nature? Or, within the case of this MyGolfSpy Expertise, misplaced “above the clouds.”

Golf and nature go hand in hand. The land is a golf course architect’s canvas. The tip consequence needs to be a golf course that enables golfers of all ability ranges to benefit from the recreation and an impeccable show of nature in all of her magnificence.

That is McLemore, current and future.

Play Above the Clouds

In Rising Fawn, Ga., alongside the jap a part of Lookout Mountain, there’s a piece of property that boasts among the best ending holes you’ve ever seen and a few of the most breathtaking views you’ll witness on a golf course. And that’s only the start.

Duane Horton, the visionary behind this exceptional creation, fell in love with the property in 2017. He and the Scenic Land Firm bought what was previously known as Canyon Ridge Resort. From there, they rebranded the property to McLemore.

As soon as the rebranding befell, it was time to embark on a mission, to offer McLemore definition and recognition. How is that this achieved? Nicely, Scenic Land Firm sought out two distinguished golf course architects to supervise the renovation and redesign: Invoice Bergin and Rees Jones.

Their first product is McLemore’s Highlands Golf Course. It’s the place the fact of “enjoying above the clouds” involves life.

The second product is their present venture, The Preserve at McLemore, which can usher in a brand new actuality of “enjoying above the clouds.”

The Highlands

The Highlands performs to a par of 71 and stretches to 7,005 yards from the information. With six tee bins, the Highlands presents enjoying choices for golfers of all ability ranges. There’s a seventh choice, the Members tees, which is a hybrid tee choice for every of the 18 holes.

It’s straightforward to get caught up within the awe and marvel of the 18th gap. Nevertheless, there are a plethora of different gems all through the golf course.

Holes 6, 7 and 15

The scenic par-5 sixth gap includes a sensational elevation drop that presents an intimidating strategy shot. It stretches to 531 yards from the Member tees. The tee shot is paramount, particularly if you need an opportunity at going for the inexperienced in two and even making an attempt to take a look at birdie. A poor tee shot leaves you in a tough scenario. Both you lay up on the plateau otherwise you decide to a blind strategy shot. It is a true high-risk, high-reward gap and an enormous quantity is definitely potential.

Gap 7 is a 180-yard par-3 which continues to embrace a canyon-like really feel that flows from the sixth. It presents a picturesque view and calls for a high-quality shot over a boulder-filled hazard space. It stays one in every of my favourite holes right here.

Gap 15 is a downhill, dogleg-right par-4 with two strategically positioned fairway bunkers down the left aspect. From the tee field, you get a glimpse of McLemore Cove within the distance. It’s the good tease to what awaits you on the 18th gap.

The 18th Gap

The crown jewel of McLemore’s Highlands golf course is the 18th gap. It’s with out query the most effective closing gap I’ve ever skilled. Images, movies and feedback don’t do it justice. It’s essential to witness it in particular person.

The 18th is a slight dogleg-left alongside the cliff edge and performs wherever from 435 to 323 yards. With McLemore’s clubhouse up the hill to your proper, all the fairway slopes arduous from proper to left, which creates a “the place on the earth do I purpose this tee shot?” second. Should you hit the golf green, kudos to you. The strategy shot is uphill to a inexperienced on a plateau alongside the cliffside. Breathtaking, daunting and all the things in between lies earlier than your eyes. “Dwelling life on the sting” is an understatement.

The Preserve at McLemore

“There isn’t a signature gap. It is a signature golf course.” I heard Rees Jones say these phrases and I couldn’t agree extra. In spite of everything, I simply spent a majority of the day studying and witnessing the marvel that shall be “The Preserve” at McLemore.

At this level, there’s a “the place do I begin?” thought. How do I start to explain an unfinished golf course? You see grime. You see irrigation pipes, development indicators and small flag indicators all over the place. Peel all of this away and the reply is definitely pretty straightforward: let the panorama do the speaking. That is precisely what The Preserve did and can do.

The golf shall be impeccable and the views shall be unforgettable. A number of holes will characteristic cliff-edge surroundings that overlooks McLemore Cove (the valley under Lookout Mountain). McLemore Cove allows The Preserve to have a headlands course really feel as a result of wind variances. The wind is usually a mild breeze or change to a westerly wind that enables for a “shoreline” really feel and environment. Assume Pebble Seaside or every other golf course that showcases a shoreline golf gap.

The circulation of the course will enable golfers to see a majority of the opposite holes always. Maybe probably the most spectacular accomplishment is an infinity inexperienced for gap 16. Golfers will hit their strategy photographs to a inexperienced that seems to take a seat within the sky. As soon as they’re on the inexperienced, they’ll survey all the course. The social media posts shall be epic.

Make no mistake, The Preserve is a 200-acre mountain golf course. Will probably be huge and shall be able to being performed at 7,800 yards by using a “ribbon tee field” strategy. Using a “ribbon tee field” is a novel strategy and permits for minimal use of a conventional tee field. This operational method will allow McLemore to regulate as much as 100 yards or extra on some holes to account for modifications in enjoying situations. Moreover, it mixes up the appearances of holes on a each day foundation.

The golf course will characteristic 90 acres of Stadium zoysia primarily within the fairways, bentgrass greens and pure areas of high-quality fescues and broom sedge grasses. The kicker? Will probably be walkable. (Sure, you learn that appropriately.)

Accessibility is vital as The Preserve is being constructed as a golf vacation spot. Cue “Cloudland.” Cloudland shall be a Curio Assortment by Hilton. The lodge is 2,000 toes above sea degree and overlooks McLemore Cove. Jap-facing rooms can catch glimpses of The Preserve within the distance. There shall be 245 rooms, a 20,000-square-foot convention heart and a world-class spa and health heart. It doesn’t cease there, although, and I hope you aren’t afraid of heights. Cloudland will characteristic a sky bar.

If you’re in search of your subsequent golf journey, circle The Preserve at McLemore. You’ll not remorse it. Each The Preserve and Cloudland are on schedule to open in 2024.

The imaginative and prescient, the fervour and the thrill are evident from high to backside with the people concerned on this particular venture. The hope is that The Preserve can ultimately host a significant event. Solely time will inform however they’re off to a formidable begin.

Facilities and Accessibility

McLemore presents quite a few facilities to fulfill the non-golfer or function a respite from golf. The whole space is wealthy with outside actions: caving, mountaineering, waterfalls, trails, even dangle gliding. It’s an outdoorsman’s heaven.

The Highland’s professional store is absolutely stocked with high quality attire and equipment. A few of their premier choices embrace FootJoy, Johnnie-O and RLX Golf (Polo Ralph Lauren). Holderness & Bourne (GG’s favourite) and Greyson Clothiers improve the stock. And, earlier than I overlook, a shout-out to Shane and Stephen for the MyGolfSpy Golf Ball advice print-out within the golf store. Always remember: Energy to the participant!

All through this, chances are you’ll be considering: How can this rural, mountaintop golf resort be a fascinating vacation spot? Nicely, enterprise is wholesome and rising quickly. McLemore is inside two hours of 5 main markets: Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham and Huntsville. To high it off, it’s solely a few half-hour drive from Chattanooga.

Nature’s Reward

Listening to the story, seeing the method and anticipating the completion of The Preserve is the place I’m. Everybody related to this spectacular venture exudes pleasure and positivity: Duane Horton, Invoice Bergin, Rees Jones, Charlie Rymer and all of the others.

Witnessing the Highlands and visualizing The Preserve has me simply as excited and constructive.

Can man enhance on nature’s present? If he can, the proof is obvious at McLemore.