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Braelinn Golf Course in Peachtree
City Photo courtesy of Canongate Golf Life and
Times of a Professional Golfer
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Making The Cut
Local golfer Jason Griffin has been playing golf
since he was three years old. Now at 29, he has earned
titles and trophies for his amateur and professional
wins. And he's poised for bigger thingsachieving
his dream of playing on pro tours full-time.
Griffin was mentored by one of the most well known
names in golf. "My biggest influence was a man named
Bobby Jones," he says. "Not the legendary Bobby Jones
we all know, although, of course, I was also influenced
by him as well."
The Bobby Jones who Griffin owes so much to is a
gentleman from Perry, Georgia.
"I grew up with Bobby Jones. He always had time for
me no matter what he was doing and he taught me a
lot about the game," Griffin says. "He was always
eager to help out with the Georgia State Junior Golf
Association Sectional Events and drove me to all of
them during the summers."
The time and effort proved fruitful. Griffin took
first prize in the Junior Club Championship for six
years at the Perry Country Club from 1983 to 1989.
From '87-'93, he continued to win many of the top
spots in local golf competitions, including the 1991
GSGA Junior Sectionals at both River North and Houston
Lake Country Clubs. That same year, he came in 3rd
at the Maxfli PGA Junior Championship.
For both the 1991-92 and 1992-3 seasons, Griffin
was named Crisp Academy Golf Team's Most Valuable
Player. Also in 1993, he won the Houston County Amateur
Championship.
Making the move to professional golf, Griffin came
in second in the 1997 Houston Lake Invitational at
Houston Lake CC and 7th in the 1997 Hurricane Tour.
Then, Griffin shifted his focus from golf for several
years and completed his college education. "I played
very little golf during that time, but I knew it was
important to achieve my degree. In 2003, I received
my computer science degree from Georgia State University,"
he says.
Currently, Griffin works on his game with Mike Cook
in Sea Island, Georgia and plays on various mini-tours.
This past summer, he played on the Gateway Tour and
participated in two Monday Qualifiers for the Nationwide
Tour.
"I was able to get in the one in Virginia Beach,"
he says. "That was an awesome experience and a huge
motivator to work harder and get back there. Right
now, I'm preparing to play in some Winter Tour events,
like the Gateway, Hooters and Developmental Tour events."
Like anyone with talent and a dream, Griffin faces
the challenges of finances. He competes for a couple
of weeks, then takes off a few. While he has some
financial support from his parents, he's looking for
sponsors so he can play every week.
"It's crucial to be able to play every week to stay
competitive and improve your game," he explains. "Getting
into the Nationwide event proved to me that I could
play with those guys; it gave me a great deal of confidence."
He mentions the support that Canongate Golf Club
has given him, "Canongate has been a great partner;
they've given me a lot of support. I really appreciate
them believing in me enough to want to help me succeed."
Griffin admits that it's frustrating to know that
you have what it takes, but not have the resources
you need consistently play and improve. "It would
be great if I could find some backing to propel me
to the PGA Tour or allow me to play tours outside
of the US. I know I have the talent to do it."
His achievements and dedication to the game underscore
his talent. Once he secures the sponsors he needs,
Jason Griffin's name is sure to be listed on the leader
boards wherever he plays. Editor's note: If you'd
like to sponsor Jason, you can call The Guide and
we'll be glad to put you in touch with him.
Local Golf Clubs
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The Palmer Course at Whitewater
Creek in the spring
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Canongate
Even if you love golf, joining a country club may
not seem like a worthwhile expense. But at Canongate,
it's hard not to get your money's worth. Since 1965,
members have enjoyed the value that the Canongate
Concept offers.
Instead of joining one private club, you gain access
to nine clubs - all with world-class course designs
and practice facilities. And there's something for
everyone. In addition to great golf, members have
access to high caliber amenities -- tennis, swimming
and fitness, as well as gourmet dining and an active
social calendar.
But the best part is the cost. For a modest entry
fee and low monthly dues, privileges to a total of
12 courses, 216 holes, at nine private clubs are included.
Three of the clubs are located in Peachtree City:
Flat Creek, Braelinn and Planterra Ridge. The others
are Canongate I in Sharpsburg, White Oak in Newnan,
Chapel Hills in Douglasville, Mirror Lake in Villa
Rica, Heron Bay in Henry County and Pinecrest in Hilton
Head, SC.
Each course has its own personality and history.
Canongate I was designed by legendary architect Dick
Wilson as a test for the scratch player while being
fun to play for the novice. Three decades later, it
remains one of the area's most popular courses.
The 27-hole Flat Creek Club was created by one of
Wilson's most talented protégés, Joe
Lee. A Lee disciple, Rocky Roquemore, demonstrated
his skills with White Oak, now expanded to 36 holes.
White Oak annually hosts the Georgia Women's Open,
among other events. In 1988, Lee and Roquemore collaborated
on the highly regarded Braelinn golf course.
Three projects of Roquemore and his associate, Jeff
Burton, are part of the Canongate group. Chapel Hills
has the most elevation changes of any Canongate course.
Planterra Ridge, with its superb layout, has been
selected on numerous occasions to host local qualifying
for the US Open. And Canongate on Mirror Lake brings
together scenic beauty and large, undulating putting
surfaces.
In the fall of 2004, two new clubs joined the Canongate
family. Canongate at Heron Bay, a Jeff Burton design,
stretches out to more than 7,300 yards from the back
tees and is the longest course among the Canongate
clubs. Canongate at Pinecrest features a resort style
layout and even has cottages conveniently situated
on the golf course and driving range for members to
rent during their visit.
"We believe that the Canongate concept provides a
far more valuable alternative for our members," says
Joe Guerra, President and CEO of the Canongate Clubs.
"And we anticipate Canongate will continue to add
new properties to its existing portfolio."
Canongate designers all share an ability to create
courses that are pleasing to look at while being challenging
and enjoyable to play. The Canongate Concept brings
all these courses to you at an affordable cost, with
all the privileges of the country club lifestyle.
The
Palmer Course at Whitewater Creek
A semi-private club in the area is The Palmer Course
at Whitewater Creek, with some of the fastest, truest
greens in the region. There are 18 holes designed
by Arnold Palmer. With its gently rolling terrain
and beautiful flowering trees, the course is challenging
and enjoyable to golfers of every handicap.
Members receive special privileges including advanced
tee time booking, complimentary greens fees, unlimited
driving range privileges and an extensive schedule
of club tournaments and social events.
Newnan
Country Club
Established in 1919, the course offers a challenging
but fair test of a golfer's ability. Located in Newnan
on Highway 29 North.
Daily Fee Courses / Newnan-Coweta Area
In addition to the Private and Semi-Private golf
offerings in the area, there is plenty of golf to
be played on a daily-fee basis. Most courses in the
area range from inexpensive to reasonable, with the
quality level of the courses far exceeding the price
tag. The courses offer varying degrees of difficulty,
so the beginner as well as the scratch golfer can
find courses that are both fun and challenging.
SummerGrove
SummerGrove Golf Course is one of the newer, more
beautiful offerings in the region. Located in Newnan,
it winds through both residential neighborhoods and
untouched woodlands where it is not unusual to see
deer casually making their way to a lake for a drink
of water. The impeccably manicured Zoysia fairways
and bent grass greens make SummerGrove a special course.
SummerGrove Golf Club in Newnan continues to define
what good golf is all about. Their practice center,
with three practice holes and 100-station double-ended
grass tee area, is second to none. At SummerGrove,
golfers have a truly special course that is scenic,
fun to play and challenging from the back tees.
Orchard
Hills
Orchard Hills has a traditional Scottish Links flavor
with its gentle rolling fairways and subtle mounding.
The well-maintained Bent grass greens have an average
stimp speed of 10 or better. In 1997, Orchard Hills
added an additional nine holes to the existing 18
hole course.
The
Links
One 18-hole course and one par 3 course. A
Scottish links-style course that plays more difficult
than the yardage indicates. Ponds come into play on
six holes and many moguls highlight the fairways.
Rivers Edge
Located along the lush banks of the Flint River,
this Scenic 6,810 yard, par 71 championship course
features rolling hills and subtle undulating Bent
grass greens. River's Edge was voted Georgia's "Best
New Public Course" in 1990.
Lake Spivey
Featuring "Crenshaw" Bent grass greens and
Bermuda fairways. 27 holes of challenging golf. The
course is situated on rolling terrain with eight lakes
and requires a wide variety of playing strategy.
Arbor Springs
Arbor Springs is on its way to becoming one
of Atlanta's most challenging golf courses. The course
winds through ridges and ravines, offering breathtaking
vistas.
Area
Golf Resources
Private Golf Clubs and Country
Clubs
Canongate Golf Club - 924 Shaw Rd, Sharpsburg 770-463-3342
Newnan Country Club N Hwy 29, Newnan 770-253-9856
Semi-Private Golf Clubs
and Country Clubs
The Palmer Course at Whitewater Creek - 175 Birkdale
Dr, Fayetteville 770-460-0877
Daily Fee Courses
Arbor Springs Golf Club - 300 Arbor Springs Pkwy,
Nwn 770-683-4727
Lake Spivey Golf Club - 8255 Club House, Jonesboro 770-477-9836
The Links Golf Club - 340 Hewell Rd, Jonesboro 770-461-5100
Orchard Hills Golf Club - 600 E Hwy 16N, Newnan 770-251-5683
Rivers Edge Golf Club - 40 Southern Golf Ct, Fayetteville 770-460-1098
SummerGrove Golf Club - 335 SummerGrove Pkwy, Nwn 770-251-1800
Golf Shops and Retail Outlets
ProGolf of Newnan - 19 Millard Farmer Industrial
Blvd, Newnan 770-632-5911
Discount Golf Shops - 510 Crosstown Rd, Peachtreetree
City 770-486-7474
Pro Shops
Braelinn Pro Shop - 500 Clubview Dr, Peachtree City 770-631-3100
Flat Creek Club - Flat Creek Rd, Peachtree City 770-487-8140
Planterra Ridge Pro Shop - 500 Clubhouse Dr, Ptree
City 770-487-8141
The Palmer Course at Whitewater Creek - 175 Birkdale
Dr, Fayetteville 770-460-0877
White Oak Pro Shop - 141 Clubview Dr, Newnan 770-251-6700
Driving Ranges / Teaching
Centers
Twilight Driving Range - 311 Raymond Hill Rd, Nwn 770-251-6540
Wendell Coffee Golf & Teaching Center - 1963
Hwy 74, Tyrone 770-969-4469
