zones took some of the edge off many of
the courses.
“That’s all integrated [into the enjoy-
ment factor],” Cannon said. “When you’re
looking at pace-of-play issues, design is the
biggest catalyst. … On top of that, if they’re
not having any fun, how often are you going
to get them back? I’m not here to protect
par. I’m here to make sure the most players
who enjoy the game and enjoy the Trail,
they come back. I want them to enjoy the
game, and they’re going to be treated like
kings and queens when they’re here.”
Data proves that strategy has worked
splendidly. By early April of each year,
Cannon said they have documented proof
that players from all 50 states have teed it
up on one of the courses. And by mid-May
this spring, more than 25 foreign countries
were likewise represented.
Considering no new course has been
added in 12 years, the Trail’s existing
reputation has carried it into this silver
anniversary year. The accomplishment
wasn’t always one Cannon thought was
guaranteed.
“Golf, it was still hard to make a living at
it, even in golf meccas. It’s a very difficult
business. I couldn’t imagine 18-19 years
later where it would be,” he said.
“It gives you a confidence that you know
you’re doing the right things. But you’ve
got to still get better. I think you know our
customers are telling us we’re doing the
right things. We’ve got to keep listening to
them. We know when we make mistakes. If
we think we know what they want without
listening to them, we go backward.”
The Trail doesn’t appear to be heading
in that direction any time soon.
32
V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | J U LY / A U G U ST 2 0 1 7
Play nine holes at Cambrian
Ridge‘s Sherling course in historic
Greenville, Alabama.
SIGHTS AND
SOUNDS OFF
THE COURSE
BRYANT-DENNY
STADIUM,
TUSCALOOSA
A bit off the Trail’s
path, the University of
Alabama’s football home
is a monument to college
sports. And it doesn’t take
101,000 fans reacting
to Bear Bryant’s speech
or the opening riff of
“Sweet Home Alabama”
to appreciate it. Tours are
given daily during
the week.
16TH STREET BAPTIST
CHURCH, BIRMINGHAM
There’s no reason why a
touch of history can’t be
a part of your golf trip.
Coming up on 150 years
since its original founding,
the church has been a place
of solidarity and worship,
especially since the world-
famous 1963 bombing and
rallying to help restore it.
U.S. SPACE AND
ROCKET CENTER,
HUNTSVILLE
Even as NASA’s launches
have quieted some—at
least from the public
eye—space exploration’s
roots are alive and well in
Huntsville. The museum and
teaching facility ignites the
fancy we all had as children
learning about the quest for
the moon and beyond.
TOOMER’S CORNER,
AUBURN
How many of the spots
you visit garner enough
attention to warrant a pair
of 24/7 live video feeds?
Toomer’s Corner, famously
vsga.org