PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COURSES
The newly renovated Links Course features one of the Trail ’ s strongest finishing holes , a par 4 where the drive must carry a corner of the lake and the approach is played to a shallow pedestal green shored up by massive bunkers .
When you ’ re not playing golf , the Resort & Spa has plenty of options to keep you and the family occupied , including a large pool area , a renovated high-level fitness center and spa , pickleball courts and disc golf cages .
In town : One thing I did not realize before visiting : Auburn University has a world-class culinary school . That certainly shows when you sit down for a meal at Acre . Chef David Bancroft and his team partner with AU ’ s Meat Lab and local ranchers to provide a top-notch dining experience . The charcuterie board is not to be missed , nor is the unique chicken fried bacon appetizer . Most of the produce Acre uses is grown on site , providing diners with a special farm-to-table experience .
GETTING THERE
All three major D . C . area airports offer non-stops to Birmingham . Other airports in Virginia offer connecting service through Charlotte or Atlanta to smaller airports like Mobile and Huntsville . Many who choose to visit Auburn-Opelika in the eastern part of the state will fly to Atlanta and rent a car for the 90-minute drive .
A CITY EXPERIENCE
The destination : Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
The golf : Oxmoor Valley , featuring two championship courses ( Ridge and Valley ) plus a full 18-hole short course ; Ross Bridge ’ s 18-hole championship course in Hoover ( re-opening in late 2023 ).
The Ross Bridge resort offers an elevated experience , perfect for a couples ’ getaway . One highlight is the 12,000-square-foot European spa , where one can work out the kinks with a lengthy massage or just spend time decompressing in a natural steam room . The resort features multiple restaurants , including Brock ’ s , which is great for dinner and offers an excellent breakfast buffet for fueling before a round . Try the Conecuh sausage ( a local delicacy ) or visit Chef Billy and grab a succulent crab omelet . You really can ’ t go wrong .
The golf at Ross Bridge will have to wait though : An unfortunate incident in fall 2022 escalated the timeline on a planned greens renovation project , meaning the 18-hole Ross Bridge championship course ( which plays to an absurd 8,200 yards from the back ) will remain closed until at least this fall . ( Visit rossbridgeresort . com for the latest updates ). Fear not , though , as Oxmoor Valley
Ross Bridge Golf Resort # 18
is just a quick drive away . Built on former mining land owned by U . S . Steel , Oxmoor Valley opened in 1992 . The Ridge Course is photogenic and offers numerous elevation changes and heavy tree cover . The Valley Course was renovated in 2021 , and some of the holes were completely redesigned .
In town : Birmingham is booming . With several revitalized arts and entertainment districts downtown , there are plenty of places to fill your belly and whet your whistle . One recommendation : Ocean Restaurant in Birmingham ’ s South Five Points neighborhood , a recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award for the past 12 years . There ’ s plenty of sushi and seafood on the menu , include the redfish — found across the state . If you ’ re feeling a bit more casual , sit at the raw bar for drinks and fresh shrimp , lobster and oysters .
These are but three itineraries for a golf trip to the Yellowhammer State . Other options abound , including trips to the Mobile area , where you can even add some deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico to the plan . Or music lovers might find that the 36 holes at The Shoals — hard on the Tennessee River in the northwest corner of the state — is to their liking . Make a point to swing by the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals for a tour and afterward grab a meal at the 360 Grille , a revolving restaurant at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa . Visit
golfalabama . org for more information on both the RTJ Trail and other courses worth visiting in Alabama .
J ANUARY / F EBRUARY 2023 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 37