Above and at right : Gaylord Springs
its first nine holes opening in 1970 and the second nine opening three years later . Located on the highest point of the resort , Druid Hills provides several scenic views of the surrounding mountains .
Visit fairfieldgladeresort . com for information on ways to package several rounds of golf at the resort ’ s many courses for the best deal possible . Still itching for more after exploring the resort ’ s courses ? In all , there are nine golf courses within a 20-mile radius of Crossville , including Cumberland Cove , Lake Tansi , River
Run , and The Bear Trace — located within Cumberland Mountain State Park .
PART III : NASHVILLE BOUND
Less than two hours west of Crossville , you ’ ll find two more courses on Golfweek ’ s best of Tennessee list : Gaylord Springs Golf Links and President ’ s Reserve at Hermitage Golf Course .
Gaylord Springs is a Scottish-style links course located not far from Opryland and the famed Grand Ole ’ Opry . Carved from the banks of the meandering Cumberland River and bordered by limestone bluffs and wetlands , Gaylord Springs was designed by past U . S . Open and PGA Championship winner Larry Nelson . The signature hole is the 400- yard , par-4 4th hole , which features a real
Hermitage President ’ s Reserve living area . springhouse and requires an accurate iron off the tee to set up a short-iron approach across the water to a sloped green .
The Nashville suburb of Old Hickory is home to Hermitage , which features two golf courses , including the renowned President ’ s Reserve , considered by many to be the finest public course in the Nashville area . Opened in 2001 , President ’ s Reserve was designed by architect Denis Griffiths and trails through 300 acres of natural Tennessee wetlands and along the banks of the Cumberland River . Though it plays at close to 7,200 yards from the back , the fairways here are wide enough to allow you to have some fun , even with a wayward drive mixed in here or there .
Golf , of course , isn ’ t the only attraction in Nashville . Head down to Broadway to check out the iconic Honky Tonk Highway , enjoy a great meal , or even catch a Nashville Predators or Tennessee Titans game should either be in town . Country music will always be Tennessee ’ s calling card , but its stature as a golf destination is growing , and it ’ s certainly worth a visit .
vsga . org M AY / J UNE 2022 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 33