Thrill in the Grand National Golf Course & the Dynamic Auburn Marriott Resort & Spa
The Dream – The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
“Build it and they will come.” While this is not the “Field of Dreams, “ the dream and vision of creating 100 miles of golf holes in Alabama fits this statement. In the 1980’s, Dr. David G. Bonner took over the Retirement Systems of Alabama. He had a vision to boost tourism, attract retirees, and spur economic growth within the state. His dream to accomplish this – GOLF! His bold idea was to build 378 holes at eight spectacular sites throughout the state. An even bigger dream was to build all the courses – simultaneously! With Robert Trent Jones, Sr. as lead for the golf course designs, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (RTJ Golf Trail) was created to be the finest collection of public golf courses in the world. Next the courses were to operate as a successful business investment. The “dream came true” as the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the only venue in the world that offers this unique golf experience. Now with 468 holes at eleven site, each and every year five hundred thousand golfers visit the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Resort Collection
Additionally, the Trail partnered with various hotels to provide accommodations for golfers seeking to experience its golf courses. Specifically, Marriott has created The RTJ Resort Collection comprising hotels at eight of the courses on the RTJ Golf Trail. So golfers and guests can enjoy both world-class golf and even spas along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. These Marriott and Renaissance resorts are consistently ranked among Marriott’s best – globally. The amazing golf courses and the resorts combine to make a unique stay and play experience.
Having been on extended road trip from Oldsmar, Florida to northern Michigan, we are seeking a different route for the return trip to Florida. If we fit a couple of rounds of golf into the trip home, this is a plus. After reviewing our options, the decision is to spend a couple of days at Gull Lake View Golf Resort – West Michigan’s largest golf resort, then a few days relaxing and sightseeing in Nashville, Tennessee at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and finish with a stop for golf at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Grand National Golf Course in Opelika, Alabama. With tee times scheduled and our room booked for Auburn Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand National, we are set to enjoy our golf finale before heading home.
Auburn Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand National
After a long morning of driving, relaxation is next on our list. At the Auburn Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand National, the staff is warm and gracious quickly having us settled into our room. The King Bed Junior Suite with its modern décor and private balcony is spacious and comfortable. We especially like the seating area for relaxing and watching a bit of Sunday golf on TV. The dry bar is convenient with a fridge. Wow! The marble bathroom is huge! It has a large vanity, a separate walk-in shower and large soaking tub. Extra features are the complimentary Wi-Fi and spacious work desk. Looking out over the resort-style pool, we are off to take a dip.
Outside guests are enjoying these oversized outdoor pools. Kids are thrilled with the various water features from splash pads to slides of all sizes. The poolside bar is convenient for a drink or bite to eat. Seeking more of a respite, we opt for the Adult Only Pool. Ah! The cool pool water feels so refreshing on this warm Sunday. Then it’s to the hot tub, where the heat relaxes muscles and the waterfall also massages our tight muscles. After our refreshing time at the pool, it’s a relaxing evening watching the epic 8-hole playoff of the 2021 Travelers Championship. Exciting watching the tournament while sharing a tasty Charcuterie with our wine and beer.
The Lakes Course at Grand National
It is time to TEE IT UP! Lake Saugahatchee is a 600-acre in Opelika, Alabama. For golfers, it is also the location of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National. Of the 54 holes at Grand National 32 drape along the shores of the scenic Lake Saugahatchee creating that extra element of water hazards on each course. Both the Links and Lake courses are in the top 10 of Golf Digest’s list of “Americas Top 50 Affordable Courses.” Plus Grand National’s three courses are listed by Golf Digest’s the “Places to Play” of the nation’s 40 Super Value courses.
Today we play the Lakes Course at Grand National. After warming up on the practice area we head to the first tee. Only foursomes on the course today. Quickly, the starter pairs us up with a gentleman and his grandson for our 8:10AM tee time. Both are familiar with the course and the grandson, Michael actually is working at the course for the summer. Helpful to have someone with course knowledge.
The Front Nine
Teeing up on No. 1, a dogleg right around the lake with bunkers in fairway and around the green, this par-4 prepares us for a morning of exciting golf. With several holes hugging the shore of Lake Saugahatchee, the lake is either a water hazard or adds scenic beauty to the hole. In addition to water coming into play on several holes fairway bunkers are strategically placed to add an extra element in playing the course.
There is some elevation on the front nine but mainly the focus is staying in the fairway, out of bunkers, and water. No. 8 a par-3 has a scenic backdrop of Lake Saugahatchee behind it. Ugh, the green is lower in the back so long shots roll off the back. Views of the clubhouse at the top of the fairway above the 9th green, definitely show this is an uphill fairway. Difficult to see the elevated green.
The Back Nine
As No. 10 takes us away from the Clubhouse, our new friends recommend extra club to reach the elevated green. The back nine has the most difficult holes with more water hazards and bunkers. Really important to pay attention to course management and many instances take an extra club. We are both happy with bogeys on No. 12 a spectacular Par-5 with Lake Saugahatchee bordering the left side from tee to green.
Then we find an island green at No. 15 a par-3. Not only is it an island green surrounded by water but it also has marsh grasses. Clean shots to the green are imperative. It is thrilling to see our balls land on the green. Hurrah – pars for both of us! Playing each hole has us alert to the nuances of playing it well and avoiding trouble. We finish with bogey’s after an exciting morning of golf.
The Lakes Course truly kept us on our toes. A few holes seemed tame while others added extra dimensions and challenges. As always some holes we play well and others are a bit of a struggle. Impressive how the course winds along the shoreline of Lake Saugahatchee creating scenic and exciting golf. Cheers, after golf it is a tasty lunch at the Clubhouse.
The Short Course at Grand National
With the Links Course at Grand National being renovated, we are excited to play the 18-hole Short Course. The 8:00AM Tee Time is perfect timing to play the Short Course and be able to take a quick shower at the hotel before heading south on our return trip home. FUN! FUN! FUN! Maybe I am a par-3 course golfer. On the first 4 holes, I easily land on the green and make the putts for par. This is exciting, as on the Lakes Course I struggled on a couple of the par-3s. The course is fun as at winds along the lake and crosses over a bridge to wind along the other side of the Lake Saugahatchee. Actually, 7 of its 18 holes play across or alongside Lake Saugahatchee. There is some elevation change, bunkers, water and hazards. On the front nine I am thrilled parring six of the nine holes.
More fun times on the back. UNBELIEVABLE! On No. 10 Richard hits an awesome shot just a few feet from the pin. It should be an easy birdie. My ball is just off the green but a long way from the pin. I sink it! A birdie for me! A birdie for Richard! Must admit he rolled his eyes when my putt dropped in. Then we found more fun holes with water to carry and elevation changes. We both find unique challenges on the Short Course.
The Short Course has plenty of challenge for golfers of any level. Plus playing a par-3 course is great for working on the short game. It helped me in focusing and making better club selections for distances. On this early tee time we were the only players on the Short Course making for a great pace of play. In fact when finished in about 2 hours. Having played ThreeTops at TreeTops in Gaylord, Michigan, we can easily say this a very fine par-3 course. It doesn’t have the dramatic elevation of Threetops but it makes up for it in its water hazards, bunkers and some elevation changes.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a “must play.” All golfers will be excited by the variety of courses, the uniqueness of each ,and the challenges. Plus courses offer options of tee boxes based more on handicap. Golfers can choose to play several courses in a longer visit or select a specific destination for a short visit. Most RTJ Trail courses have at least two golf courses at each site or three nines. Several also have a short course adding another element of golfing fun. The main idea is to plan a little ahead of where and when to play. We recommend playing the more prestigious courses on non-peak days for better prices and less crowds. Some courses are a bit closer together making them a great choice for a multi-day golf getaway. After playing Grand National, we are anxious to again return to play other courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Note: The primary purpose of this visit is golf, yet we do take time to pop into Auburn and Opelika for quick visits. Both are charming towns with their own uniqueness. We have a terrific lunch at Hamilton’s Restaurant in Auburn then top it off with a Hot Fudge Sundae at the famous Toomer’s Drugs. With Opelika just a few miles from the Resort , we visit for dinner. A unique downtown, we enjoy a hearty dinner at the Irish Bred Pub located in the quaint area by the railroad tracks. While it is a whirlwind visit to Auburn and Opelika, we are impressed with these welcoming southern towns.
If you go:
- If taking a group of golfers be sure to plan ahead. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a great “trail” for a multi-day golf outing. This can be at one location or multiple locations.
- Non-peak days will have better rates for both golf and the hotels.
- Be prepared in summer months that it is hot in Alabama. As Floridians we are familiar to hot summer golf days. Fall and spring would be great times for golf outings on the RTJ Golf Trail.
- Several years ago we golfed multiple courses on the RTJ Golf Trail traveling the middle of Alabama. We were on a road trip so we played at Magnolia Grove near Mobile, AL at the start of the trip and ending by playing other courses on our return trip. The driving distances between these courses worked well. These are: 1) Fighting Joe course at The Shoals – Muscle Shoals, AL, 2) The Ridge Course at Oxmoor Valley – Birmingham, AL 3) Ross Course at Ross Bridge –Hoover, AL 4) The Judge Course at Capital Hill – Prattville, AL 5) Highland Oaks Course at Highland Oaks – Dothan, AL. We also play Magnolia and Marsh at Magnolia Grove, Mobile, AL.
- While Marriott has accommodations at eight of the eleven course, there are a variety of accommodations available around the courses to best fit anyone’s budget.