Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a collection of championship golf courses at 11 sites across Alabama, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and developed by the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) [1][2]. It began in 1992 with four courses and now has 468 holes, according to Wikipedia, or 26 courses, according to Encyclopedia of Alabama [1][2]. Its sites run from the Appalachian foothills in north Alabama to Mobile Bay [1].

Origins

David G. Bronner, who became RSA chief executive in 1973, originated the plan, inspired by the 1989 film Field of Dreams [1]. The aim was to diversify the pension fund, which was about $8 billion by the mid-1980s, and to boost the state’s economy [1][2]. Bobby Vaughan led the design team and formed SunBelt Golf Corporation, with land donated by municipalities, corporations and developers along the interstates [1]. Robert Trent Jones Sr. had designed or redesigned nearly 500 courses in 45 states and 35 countries [1].

Opening and expansion

Four sites opened in 1992: Grand National (Opelika), Hampton Cove (Huntsville), Magnolia Grove (Mobile) and Oxmoor Valley (Birmingham) [1]. Highland Oaks (Dothan), Cambrian Ridge (Greenville) and Silver Lakes (Anniston/Gadsden) followed in 1993 [1]. Later additions were Capitol Hill (Prattville), Ross Bridge (Hoover, 2005), Lakewood Club (Fairhope/Point Clear) and The Shoals (Florence) [1][2]. Green fees at opening started under $50, and the Wall Street Journal named the trail one of the nation’s best bargains [1]. See Opelika and Dothan.

Tournaments and impact

The trail hosted the 2000 NCAA Men’s Division I National Championship and the 2004 NCAA Women’s Championship at Grand National, the LPGA Tournament of Champions at Magnolia Grove from 2002 to 2005, the Nationwide Tour finale at Capitol Hill from 2004 to 2006, and the 2015 Barbasol Championship, the first PGA Tour event in Alabama since 1990, at Grand National [1][2]. Capitol Hill hosts LPGA events [1][2]. The trail and its hotel development brought about $1 billion to the state between 1995 and 2005, and RSA became the state’s largest hotel developer; the model inspired trails in Tennessee and Louisiana [1].

Concept and scale

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a set of championship courses across Alabama designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama, whose CEO David G. Bronner conceived the project to diversify the pension fund and boost the state’s economy. The trail began with 378 holes at eight sites and now has 468 holes at eleven sites.[3]

Notable sites

Magnolia Grove near Mobile hosts the Airbus LPGA Classic on its Crossings course. Grand National in Auburn-Opelika hosted the 2015 Barbasol Championship, the first PGA Tour event in Alabama since the 1990 PGA Championship. Capitol Hill near Montgomery hosts the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic on the Senator course.[3]

Other sites

Ross Bridge in Hoover and Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham are trail sites, Oxmoor Valley with the Ridge, Valley and a 9-hole Backyard course. Hampton Cove in Huntsville has Highlands, River and Short Course, and Silver Lakes near Gadsden and Anniston has Backbreaker, Heartbreaker, Mindbreaker and a Short Course.[3]

FAQs

How many sites are on the trail? Eleven [1][2].

When did it open? 1992, with four sites [1].

Sources

1. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
2. Wikipedia: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
3. Wikipedia: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue