Birmingham, Ala. – Highland Park Golf Course in Birmingham, Alabama, the state’s oldest public golf course, was recently named to GOLF Magazine’s list of the “30 Best Municipal Golf Courses in America.” The golf course property is owned by the City of Birmingham, while Highland Park Golf, LLC and it’s managing partner Bob Barrett own the long-term lease. The operation is managed by Honours Golf, a division of Troon. Highland Park placed 30th on GOLF’s ranking of the best municipal courses in America. (The only course from Alabama to be recognized on the list.)
Highland Park Golf Course’s history dates back to 1903, when Nick Thompson designed the 18-hole course. In 1998 the course underwent a significant rejuvenation and was renovated by Honours Golf Founder Bob Barrett and golf course designer Bob Cupp. In late 2019/early 2020, the course was again updated with renovation work focusing on modernizing golf course bunkers and putting surfaces. Throughout Highland Park’s storied history, it has played host to numerous celebrities and high profile guests including Bobby Jones, Theodore Roosevelt, & Tiger Woods.
“I am so proud and honored to have Highland Park recognized on a list that also includes some of the top golf courses in the world, including Bethpage Black in New York and Torrey Pines in California,” said Barrett.
The 30 Best Municipal Golf Courses in America were determined by GOLF’s expert panel of raters. Raters points were assigned to arrive at an average score for each course, then GOLF divide its aggregate score by the number of votes. From those point tallies, the courses were then ranked accordingly. The key to the process is the experience and expertise of GOLF Magazine’s panel, hailing from 15 nations and all the worldwide golf meccas, each of the 97 handpicked panelists has a keen eye for architecture, both regionally and globally.
As the GOLF article states, “…the most recent renovation in 2020 lifted Highland Park to new heights thanks to new bunkers and greens.”
“We’re thrilled to be included in GOLF’s ranking of top municipal courses,” said Highland Park Golf Course’s Director of Golf Evan Godfrey, PGA. “The public/private partnership with City of Birmingham and Honours Golf is outstanding. The recent renovation elevated the experience to a new level.”
Highland Park Golf Course measures nearly 5,900 yards and plays to a par of 70. The course’s elevation changes, creeks, lakes, movement and small greens combine to challenge golfers and helps the course to play longer than the yardages on the scorecard. A new back tee on the par-4 15th sits on the property’s highest point and provides a fantastic view of downtown Birmingham.
For more information on Highland Park Golf Course, visit www.highlandparkgolf.com or call 205-322-1902.
About Honours Golf
Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., Honours Golf was founded on a vision to provide award-winning golf courses with unparalleled course conditions, hire dedicated team members who share a passion for golf, and deliver impeccable personalized service. As a result, Honours Golf has grown to become the Southeast’s leading golf course development and management company. In 2014, Honours Golf was acquired by Troon and operates as a subsidiary of the global brand. Honours Golf currently operates 23 award-winning daily fee, resort and private club facilities including the King & Bear at World Golf Village Resort in St. Augustine, Fla.; Reunion Golf & Country Club in Madison, Miss., Craft Farms Golf Resort and Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club in Gulf Shores, Ala. For more information on Troon’s Honours Golf Division, visit www.honoursgolf.com.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 585-plus locations around the globe, including managing 630-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 620-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Indigo Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. Troon-affiliated properties include Princeville Makai Golf Club on Kauai; Champion Hills in Hendersonville, North Carolina; Ocean Club in Paradise Island, Bahamas; and Vattanac Golf Resort in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com
