One month before the Tour Championship, the East Lake Golf Club remains a bustling construction site rather than a golfer’s haven. The private golf club situated just 5 miles east of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, holds the distinction of being the city’s oldest golf course, founded in 1904. It served as the home course for the legendary golfer Bobby Jones, with much of the clubhouse dedicated to celebrating his illustrious career and accomplishments.
Today at East lake, the familiar cry of “Fore!” has been replaced by the “beep, beep, beep” of heavy machinery. Since Viktor Hovland’s commanding victory at the PGA Tour’s playoff finale on August 27, 2023, the course has undergone a complete overhaul—every blade of grass replaced, hundreds of trees removed while retaining around 2,700, and every green remodeled. This $30 million transformation aims to rejuvenate Bobby Jones’ historic golfing nursery.
Chad Parker, the club’s general manager, noted that there’s still some work to be done, but the remaining tasks are largely superficial. The refurbished East Lake will present a fresh challenge to this year’s top 30 players, rendering their previous experience on the course less relevant. “Nothing is the same, not a single golf shot on the property,” remarked Andrew Green, the architect overseeing the remodel in an article by macon.com. Green, known for his sensitive restoration of classic courses, delved deeply into East Lake’s history, drawing inspiration from a rare 1949 aerial photo to recapture the course’s golden age.
Key changes to the course include:
• Par Adjustment: The course will now play as a par 71, with the 14th hole lengthened to a par 5, offering a prime birdie opportunity and potential for eagles.
• Eighth Hole Redesign: The green at the challenging eighth hole has been moved forward 40 yards, transforming it into a potentially drivable par 4 for those daring enough to navigate the water hazard.
• Ninth Hole Reconfiguration: The tee box at the long par-3 ninth has been shifted to the left, introducing new angles and challenges.
• Practice Tee Overhaul: The pond in front of the practice tee has been filled in, removing millions of drowned range balls and creating a new range area.
• Trench Bunker at No. 17: A new, deep “trench bunker” stretches along 70 yards of the fairway at the 17th hole, presenting a formidable obstacle.
• Front Nine Tree Removal: The removal of several trees on the front nine has opened up dramatic views of the Atlanta skyline and East Lake’s classic Tudor-style clubhouse.
• Greenside Adjustments: Many greens previously surrounded by high Bermuda rough have been shaved down, offering players more options around the greens.
Green emphasized the goal of enhancing the variety of shots played by the champion. “I will feel it’s a success if we see a variety of shots played by the champion,” he said. “An exciting finish and we’ll all have big smiles on our faces.”
The transformation has also included improvements to the practice areas and other facilities, enhancing the overall experience for both players and spectators. As Parker enthusiastically put it, “I can’t wait for no more hard hats, no more safety vests, no more red clay—just green grass and a lot of birdies.”
The final judgment on the new East Lake will come from the top 30 players when the Tour Championship begins on August 29. How these changes will affect scoring remains to be seen, but the course promises to challenge and excite in equal measure.
