5 Revolutionary Secrets Of Bobby Jones Golf Course: Named 2025’s National Course Of The Year

The Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta, Georgia, is not just a historic landmark; it is a revolutionary model for public golf, a fact cemented by its recent, prestigious recognition. As of late December 2024, the course was officially named the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) 2025 Jemsek National Course of the Year. This significant accolade highlights the successful, multi-million dollar redevelopment that transformed the aging municipal course into a state-of-the-art, flexible, and inclusive facility, setting a new standard for accessibility and design in the golf industry. The course, managed by Bobby Jones Links, has proven that innovation and a deep respect for golf's heritage can coexist to create an unparalleled public experience.

This comprehensive guide dives deep into the unique features and remarkable history that led to the course's rebirth and its crowning as the best in the nation. From its groundbreaking reversible design to its world-class learning facilities, the Bobby Jones Golf Course offers a golfing experience unlike any other, honoring the legacy of its namesake, the legendary amateur golfer Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr.

The Bobby Jones Golf Course: A Profile in Innovation

The original Bobby Jones Golf Course holds a special place in Atlanta’s history, but its modern iteration is a masterclass in golf course architecture and community development. The $33 million transformation was not merely a facelift; it was a complete conceptual overhaul, resulting in a facility that is now the home of golf in Georgia.

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• Location: Atlanta, Georgia (originally opened in 1932).
• Original Significance: Atlanta’s first public golf course, named in tribute to the city's most famous sportsman, Bobby Jones.
• Renovation Cost: Approximately $32–$33 million, a massive investment in public golf.
• Course Architect (New Design): The late Bob Cupp, who pioneered the unique reversible concept.
• Unique Design Feature: A nine-hole reversible course, allowing two distinct 9-hole rounds (The Azalea and The Magnolia).
• Key Facilities: Murray Golf House, Grand Slam Golf Academy, Dan Yates Putting Course, and Boone's restaurant.
• Recent Award: NGCOA 2025 Jemsek National Course of the Year (announced December 2024).

This historic site has evolved from a traditional municipal course, which once played more annual rounds than any of the 400+ courses in Georgia, into a modern, flexible, and inclusive hub for the sport.

The Reversible Revolution: How One Course Plays Like Two

The most talked-about feature of the new Bobby Jones Golf Course is undoubtedly its reversible nine-hole layout. This innovative design, a tribute to the early days of golf course architecture, allows the same nine greens and fairways to be played in two completely opposite directions, creating two distinct 9-hole courses: The Azalea and The Magnolia.

This concept is a game-changer for public golf. By effectively offering two different experiences on the same land, the course maximizes its utility and keeps the experience fresh for repeat players.

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The Azalea Course and The Magnolia Course

The two courses are managed so that golfers can experience them separately, alternating days or weeks. The Azalea Course offers one set of challenges and perspectives, while the Magnolia Course flips the script, utilizing the same landscape but with different tee boxes and angles into the greens.

Course architect Bob Cupp designed the tees to be mostly at grade, blending seamlessly into the landscape. This subtle approach ensures that the design feels natural, not forced, regardless of which direction you are playing. This flexible design is suitable for golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned players, fostering a truly inclusive environment.

More Than Just Golf: The World-Class Support Facilities

The vision for the new Bobby Jones Golf Course extended far beyond the fairways. The surrounding 130-acre area was redeveloped to create a comprehensive golf and education campus, positioning it as a true center for golf in the region.

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Murray Golf House and The Grand Slam Golf Academy

At the heart of the complex is the Murray Golf House, a beautiful facility designed by local architect Jim. This building serves as the main clubhouse and is home to the Grand Slam Golf Academy.

The Academy is a high-tech center offering state-of-the-art instruction and practice facilities, cementing the course's role as a hub for player development. The focus is on growing the game by providing accessible, top-tier coaching for all ages and abilities.

The Dan Yates Putting Course and Boone's Restaurant

Complementing the main course is the Dan Yates Putting Course, a beautifully contoured green that provides a fun, relaxed environment for practice and social play. It’s a perfect spot for families and casual golfers to enjoy the game without committing to a full round.

For dining, the facility features Boone's restaurant, which has quickly become a popular local spot. The restaurant offers a high-quality dining experience, further establishing the entire complex as a community destination, not just a golf course. Its inclusion in local news coverage, such as a Fox5Atlanta segment on holiday brunch in late 2024, shows its integration into the Atlanta culinary scene.

National Recognition: The 2025 Jemsek Course of the Year Award

The crowning achievement of the redevelopment effort came in December 2024 when the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) named the Bobby Jones Golf Course the 2025 Jemsek National Course of the Year. This award is given to a course that exemplifies exceptional quality, outstanding service, and a significant contribution to the game of golf.

This recognition is a powerful testament to the vision of the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation and the execution by the management team, Bobby Jones Links (BJL). The award specifically acknowledges the course's role as a leader in the industry, particularly for its innovative, flexible design and its commitment to public accessibility and player development.

The course’s success story provides a blueprint for other historic municipal courses facing similar challenges of aging infrastructure and limited space. By embracing a bold, forward-thinking design like the reversible nine, the Bobby Jones Golf Course has ensured its legacy for future generations of golfers in Atlanta and beyond. This national recognition solidifies the course's place not just in Georgia's history, but as a model for the future of public golf across the United States.

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A Note on Other Bobby Jones Courses: While the Atlanta course garners the most recent national attention, the Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota, Florida, also made headlines in 2024. Following a renovation to restore its original 18-hole Donald Ross features, the Sarasota club was ranked #2 on Golf Digest's Best New or Remodeled Affordable Courses for 2024, showcasing the continued excellence associated with the Bobby Jones name across the country.