Ohio Golf Journal 2018 Winter Travel Issue

Airbus rolled out the first A320 planes constructed in the company’s $600 million plant at Mobile. Before the RobertTrent Jones GolfTrail existed, the Gross Economic Production of the state was just over $1 Billion. The creation of the RTJ Golf Trail has helped raise the perception of the state in the business community, as well as, made it a more enjoyable place to live and raise families. Today Alabama’s gross annual income has tripled to well over $3 Billion. Another big draw for the RTJ Golf Trail is the professional golf tournaments that are held on RTJ Golf Trail courses. The Senator, one of the three courses at Capitol Hill near Montgomery, has hosted the LPGA’s Yokohama Tire Classic and Magnolia Grove’s Crossings Course has hosted the Airbus LPGA Classic. TheGrandNationalCourse, nearOpelika, has been the site for the Barbasol Championship, a stop on the PGA Tour, since 2015. Scott Piercy, Aaron Baddeley and Grayson Murray all claimed titles there over the past three years. One of the overlooked features of the RTJ Golf Trail is the variety of par-3 golf courses at many of the locations. If you need an emergency nine, a course enjoyable for women and juniors, or just something a little different, the par-3 golf courses are a treat. Those same snowbirds that in the past quickly drove through the state have now been induced to stay longer. Many now head to southern Alabama, spending the winter enjoying the mild climate around Mobile, Gulf Shores and the Alabama Gulf Coast, rather than more hectic Florida locales. When the courses were being constructed, Dr. Bronner challenged the designers to make the RTJ Golf Courses difficult, but memorable. He wanted to command affordable green fees, but leave the golfer with a feeling of wanting to comeback for more. This primary goal was achieved. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a golfer’s paradise. They are always well maintained and give every visitor a country club feeling, but at a very affordable daily fee cost. For more information visit: https://www. rtjgolf.com/ Ohio Golf Journal