Award-winning golf is only a tee time away

David Pursell had the idea to offer a sprawling wide-open hole to begin the round and give golfers a chance to start out scoring. Many years ago, this hole was home to a variety of crops from cotton to corn.

When the Eureka Railroad came through this property, it stopped and picked up lumber right here. This land, in addition to being rich in mineral, was also lush in hardwoods and pines. The little spring (located to the right of the cart path near the green) was used in the sawmill operations and also for refilling the steam engines that passed through on their way to the Eureka Marble Quarry.

This story may offend or it may intrigue, but in 2012 while out playing this hole David Pursell, his twin sons, and his son-in-law came upon a baby rattlesnake curled up on the Copperhead tee (of all the tees)! The snake, with rattle shaking, was poised to strike when they walked up. Needless to say, they did not waste time eliminating the threat. Martin Pursell’s 5 iron did the trick just fine!

On any farm, there is that one field known for being long, expansive, and requiring the management of a full day’s work – the lower 40. Our lower 40 is the 4th hole at FarmLinks. This #1 handicap hole is a long shot for anyone. So roll your sleeves up and get ready to go to work.

Need we say any more? A 172-vertical drop from the tips to the green. Hit the ball and watch it hang out for a while before making the long plunge down!

During prohibition, and even long after, the woods off to the right of the fairway were populated with whiskey stills and hooch-making paraphernalia. Much of the rusted remains from the old stills can be seen today littered around in the trees. If you happen to slice one into the sticks, take a walk around and you are likely to see some interesting artifacts of American history lying in the woods.

The story of the old house where a family friend once lived is a compelling little tale! The old farmhouse that once graced the small bluff (to the left of the green just behind the tire swing) is an interesting side bar to the lonely landscape – tucked eerily against the woods. This backyard stretch of land is a harrowing throwback to what-once-was; it tugs at the soul – like a ghost story.

This hole was conceived from a hole at Black Diamond Ranch in Florida: a long, downhill but open and inviting par 3. Most will hit a longer club, miss the green, but have a reasonable chance to chip up and make par. During the building phase of this hole the tee complex was actually positioned much closer to the green. David, upon seeing the layout, shook his head and said, “Back it up!” And so, they did. Grab enough club, but don’t get too much; looks can be deceiving.

The name Hernando de Soto carries so much name recognition and deep history that this hole is sure to conjure up fascination, wonder, and intrigue. In 1540, deSoto and his band of fortune-seeking Spaniards passed through here searching for El Dorado and an easy passage to China. It is believed that when he passed through this part of the state, while following the Coosa River, he made camp for a winter in these woods before heading southwest. The breastwork remains from their encampment can still be seen in the woods.

This hole is named after Lake Christine that taunts you right off the tee box, but more importantly, it is named for the grand matriarch of the Pursell family. You can almost imagine David Pursell’s mother, Chris, fists up and knuckles shaking! Chris was the great enforcer and this lake is a reminder that you shouldn’t let your guard down or get overly confident.

Standing alone, centered on the fairway is one lone pine. Your best shot should be just left of it. It’s there for a reason, and it is not uncommon for it to deliver a nasty kick, so steer clear if you can.

The train tracks that used to cut through the property at the turn of the 20th century were called Eureka because of the pure white marble bounty they tugged out of here. You can still barely see the bed where the tracks used to be. They cut from the northeast side of the green directly through the right green side bunker and out in a direct line toward the office building which you can see to the south.

Not much of a story here. Just Go For It! This is our “Just Do It” hole.

When you get to #14 you have arrived in our low-country. From the tee box looking out, this is our most level hole. To your left is Pennywinkle Creek in the tree line and home to every imaginable critter and creature the South has to offer. If you hook your ball or pull a nasty one into the woods on the left, we suggest you just leave it there. We want you to enjoy your round and arrive home safe and sound when you finish playing.

The Sod Solutions Hole is one of our partner holes and there are some very specialized state-of-the-art turf varieties here. In fact, on this hole, we feature a type of Bermuda grass that only needs to be mowed once a year! Check it out on the bunker face of the trap to the left side of the green. The grass is called Discovery Bermuda.

Dana Fry, one of the partner architects in the Hurdzan-Fry golf course architect team, loved this hole. We think that you will too. The fairway should open up nicely to your eyes. Be careful that you don’t try to cut too much off taking aim at the green because the right side really starts to fall off and the fairway bunker is positioned oh so perfectly.

Just like those big 32 oz. 7-11 cups, this body of water sits there yawning and waiting to be fed! Be sure and grab enough club. It is not a long shot nor is it a deceiving distance. In fact, it is a fairly easy hole – you just need to figure out how to get the danger of hitting it fat out of your mind! You’ll do ok.

Many years ago, long before there was a golf course in these parts, this insanely huge piece of land was home to a sprawling expanse of apple and other fruit trees. In fact, Hamilton Place (located off to left of this hole) is the original farmhouse owned by the family at that time. The house itself was built prior to the Civil War, and it stands stately just across the road from the tee box.