Georgia Golf Course News: New Owners, Renovations, and Exciting Changes

If you live in a golf course community or own a home near one, the past year has been extraordinary for Georgia's golf landscape. Courses around the state are seeing new ownership, multimillion-dollar renovations, and creative new concepts that bring more players to the game. As someone who works with buyers and sellers in Northeast Metro Atlanta's premier golf and country club communities, I watch these developments closely. They affect property values, community desirability, and the lifestyle that draws families here.

Here is a roundup of the most significant golf course news across Georgia that homeowners and home buyers should know about.

Achasta Golf Club (Dahlonega): Acquired by Legacy Golf Properties

Texas-based Legacy Golf Properties purchased the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Achasta in August 2026. This marks the company's second acquisition in nine months and its first expansion outside Texas. The Nicklaus-designed course sits in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains near Dahlonega, and the new ownership signals continued investment in the property. For homeowners in the Achasta community, this is a positive sign that the course will remain well-maintained and professionally managed.

Hawks Ridge Golf Club (Ball Ground): Sold to Escalante Golf

One of Georgia's most exclusive private clubs, Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, was acquired by Escalante Golf in May 2026. The sale was the first time the course changed hands in its more than 25-year history. Escalante Golf has retained noted architect Tripp Davis to create a renovation masterplan. Adding to the excitement, Hawks Ridge was selected to host final qualifying for the 126th U.S. Open Championship in June 2026, the ninth time the course has earned this honor. The club sits on 550 acres and has been regularly ranked among Golfweek's Top 200 Modern Courses.

Chattahoochee Golf Club (Gainesville): $4-5 Million Renovation Underway

Chattahoochee Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design in Gainesville, closed on March 30, 2026 for a comprehensive $4-5 million renovation. The course will remain closed through September 2026 while the city undertakes a complete overhaul. The project includes replacing the nearly 27-year-old irrigation system, renovating bunkers, reshaping the 10th, 11th, and 14th fairways, and making tee upgrades and overall design improvements. City officials chose a single five-month shutdown rather than a phased multi-year approach, committing to getting the work done right and fast. The driving range, teaching facility, clubhouse, and Chattahoochee Grill remain open during construction.

Lanier Islands Resort (Buford): Night-Lit Par 3 and New Golf Center

Lanier Islands Resort continues its transformation with two major additions. The Six, Georgia's only night-lit par 3 course, opened on April 25, 2026. It features six holes ranging from 56 to 91 yards with artificial turf tees and greens, beverage carts, music, and a live camera feed. It is designed for casual, social play and brings a whole new energy to the property. The resort also celebrated the grand opening of the Mike Williams Golf Center and Clubhouse on July 23, 2026, with fully renovated and expanded facilities. The 18-hole Legacy Golf Course remains open and recently hosted its greens aeration in July. The 3rd Annual Fall Golf Classic is scheduled for September 20, 2026.

The Patch (Augusta): Fully Reopened After Major Renovation

Augusta Municipal Golf Course, known affectionately as The Patch, fully reopened on April 15, 2026 after a 16-month renovation led by architects Tom Fazio and Beau Welling. A new nine-hole short course called The Loop was designed by Tiger Woods' TGR Design. The historic course, which opened in 1928, now features a completely redesigned 18-hole layout (par 72, roughly 6,237 yards), 17 acres of practice facilities with Trackman Range and 20 covered bays, and a complimentary 12-hole public putting course. Local resident rates are set at $25 for weekday walking rounds, keeping public golf affordable. This is a landmark renovation for one of Georgia's most beloved municipal courses.

Jones Creek Golf Club (Evans): Reopened After Seven Years

Jones Creek Golf Club in Evans reopened in early 2026 after being closed for about seven years. The course, which originally opened in 1985, closed in 2018 due to flooding and legal issues. New management under Bond Golf Global revived it with renovated turf grass, redesigned greens, new sand and drainage systems in the bunkers, and additional tee boxes. The grand reopening coincided with Masters week in April 2026, and the 18-hole course is now open to the public. The resurrection of this course is a welcome story for the Augusta-area golf community.

The King and Prince Golf and Beach Club (St. Simons Island): $7 Million Private Club Transformation

The King and Prince Golf and Beach Club on St. Simons Island is undergoing a $7 million transformation and transitioning to a fully private club model. Designer Beau Welling is leading the comprehensive renovation, which includes completely rebuilt green complexes, redesigned bunkering throughout the course, reconstructed teeing areas, and enhanced practice facilities. Construction is on schedule for a November 2026 opening. The club, owned by South Street Partners, is also getting a redesigned clubhouse aimed at creating a more social club environment. This represents a significant shift toward elevated private club experiences along Georgia's coast.

Troon Acquires Bobby Jones Links

On August 3, 2026, Troon, one of the world's largest golf management companies, acquired Bobby Jones Links, an Atlanta-based club management company. The acquisition adds 34 facilities across 13 states to Troon's portfolio. Bobby Jones Links will continue operating under its own brand with its current leadership, co-founders Whitney Crouse (CEO) and Steve Willy (COO), remaining in their roles and the Club Support Center staying in Atlanta. The pairing of two top-100 golf management companies signals continued consolidation and professional management in the golf industry, which benefits homeowners in managed golf communities.

What This Means for Homeowners

If you live in a golf course community or are considering buying a home near one, these developments are overwhelmingly positive. New ownership and investment mean well-maintained courses, better amenities, and stronger property values. Communities like Apalachee Farms, which feature the Trophy Club of Apalachee, benefit from the broader trend of professional management and investment in golf properties across Georgia.

Golf course communities in Northeast Metro Atlanta remain among the most desirable places to live. Whether you are looking at Chateau Elan, Sugarloaf Country Club, or a home along the fairway in Apalachee Farms, the overall health of Georgia golf is strong. If you are curious about how these changes might affect your home's value or want to explore golf course communities, I would love to help.