HIGHLAND WALK GOLF COURSE
PURE AND PICTURESQUE
By Mike May
Satisfaction is guaranteed. That may be the best way to summarize the feeling that golfers will get after playing at the Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston, Georgia. This course's ability to deliver customer satisfaction each and every round is one of the main reasons why Highland Walk (1415 Bryant Park Road, Royston, Georgia; 706-245-6770) is one of the 20+ destinations on the Georgia Golf Trail. In fact, Highland Walk is one of the 18 founding members of the Georgia Golf Trail.
"Very few golf courses are blessed with such natural beauty and diversity as Highland Walk," says Doug Hollandsworth, founder, Georgia Golf Trail. "For the most part, the fairways are spacious, but it's the variety of second shots that make this course so special to play time and time again. Depending on your tee shots and the pin positions, each hole can play completely different from one day to the next."
Located in northeast Georgia, just north of Athens and south of I-85, the Highland Walk Golf Course experience can be enjoyed either on foot or by golf cart. While Highland Walk may be located in a state park, the golf experience is no stroll through the park. From the first hole to the finishing hole, every golfer will be dealing with steep rolling hills, crowned fairways, and sloping Bermuda greens. While adding a certain degree of difficulty throughout the course, golf course architect and native Georgian Dennis Griffiths remembered to keep the course playable and fun, as well. Fortunately, the course is built in a beautiful part of the state.
The Signature Hole at Highland Walk is the 17th hole, which is special, scenic, stern, and a selfie 'hot spot.' The tee boxes are raised and terraced. Your tee shot is struck over a ravine to a somewhat narrow fairway. From there, you can go pin seeking to a flag perched on a raised, sloping green. At the 17th, pars are precious and birdies are worth a fist pump.
The PGA of America thinks so highly of Highland Walk that its player playability test is conducted at this course. Also, TravelGolf.com has stated that Highland Walk is "a bargain for those looking for a stern test."
Golfers travel from all parts of the southeast U.S. to play this course.
"Highland Walk is a sought after place to play," notes Bill Schuster, clubhouse manager, Highland Walk. "We have all the capabilities for a great (golf) getaway here."
For those who want a stay-and-play option at Highland Walk, you can reserve the Bluebird Cottage, which can sleep as many as eight people. There are also golf and camping packages available through the Victoria Bryant State Park.
"I just love the views, I love the challenge of the course, and I bring my friends here as often as I can talk them into coming," says Gayleen Campbell, who says that Highland Walk is her favorite of all the state park golf courses in Georgia.
Highland Walk is as focused on catering to the future of the game as it is to the present as this course is the home of Georgia's most active junior golf program.
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Revised: 07/06/2021 - Article Viewed 2,779 Times
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About: Mike May
Mike May is a Wellington, Florida-based freelance golf and sportswriter, who is also a 25+ year public relations and communications executive in the sporting goods industry. He is also a veteran high school soccer official, an experienced high school basketball coach, an avid athlete, a part-time personal trainer, and a passionate golfer who is forever in pursuit of Old Man Par. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America.
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