Nestled along the ridge of the North Georgia Mountains lies the perfect golfer’s paradise. McLemore Resort is a golf destination and community curated with inspiration of Scottish and Cherokee cultures, native to the lands the resort sits on today. While offering the scenic natural setting with distant views, these courses offer a variety of hole types creating a challenging, yet rewarding experience atop Lookout Mountain.
The Course
The par-71 Highlands course, is a private course with resort access perched 2,300 feet above sea level designed by Rees Jones and Bill Bergin. Named one of the top ten finishing holes in the world by Links Magazine, the Highlands Course has been around for over two years and has left memorable impressions amongst golfers globally. For the enthusiast looking to experience private club perks four times per year without the commitment of joining a club, McLemore invites you to become a “Friend Of McLemore” allowing non-members to access a plethora of club perks. The newest of which will be limited access to play The Keep, McLemore’s newest 18-hole course opening fall 2024. The Keep at McLemore is set along the cliff-edge of Lookout Mountain, Georgia and will open this September for preview play. Situated along one mile of eastward facing cliff-edge, The Keep hangs 1,000 feet above the valley floor of McLemore Cove. Standing on the edge of this location, one feels the majesty of nature, the blue sky, clouds, mountains, sunrise and sunsets that transcend each guest.
One of the unique aspects of this course, apart from the cliff edge holes and walkability, is the wind. It shifts from a gentle breeze to westerly winds reminiscent of a coastal shoreline. The lead course architect, Bill Bergin, suggests is much when he refers to The Keep as “my ocean course”. Staying on par with the Scottish brand identity, the naming of The Keep derives from the Middle Ages after a type of fortified tower built within castles. Rumor has it that there will be a traditional Scottish ritual on the third hole which includes tossing a lamb lollipop over the bluff after it has been eaten!
The Keep
Members, Guests, and Friends will be able to secure preview play at The Keep in 2024 and early 2025. During this preview play period, facilities will be temporary and the native areas outside of the fairways will not yet have matured, but most areas will be well rooted with minimum, if any, inconvenience of play. The native areas will consist primarily of cool season grasses that thrive in our mountain conditions but are also drought tolerant and well suited for our environment. An extensive seeding program is planned for the Fall of 2024 and early Spring of 2025. The Keep is a walking-only golf course but it is likely that carts will be added in the future once the course is more established.
Resort Opportunities
If this all sounds too good to be true, just wait until you hear about the Stay & Play opportunities at McLemore Resort. From the 245-room Curio Collection Hilton Hotel, Cloudland Lodge, to the on-site golf cottages, to relaxed homes or comfortable villas, there is an option suitable for any size trip. With Cloudland Lodge being the most recent phase of the community to open, its pristine beauty and architecture are sure to bring a sense of calm and tranquility to your dream mountain getaway. The choices are endless when it comes to feasting on an array of dishes accompanied by breathtaking views. Cloudland’s food and beverage offerings are inspired by the local environment and are designed to complement the hotel’s modern adaptation of a rustic escape. For the resort goer looking to unwind and pause, look no further than the multitude of health and wellness programs offered on the mountain. Elevate your senses with one of the rejuvenating spa treatments including time in the three-step hydrotherapy area. Take a spin at our Peloton studio, participate in our mountaintop yoga classes and finish your journey with a dip in the cliff-edge infinity pool. Elevate above the everyday and make the move to plan your mountain getaway this fall!
To find out more about the McLemore Resort, click here.