Ross Creek Landing Golf Course, located in Clifton, officially reopened last Saturday, October 14th, after months of work getting the course ready for play. The course, one of five built by the State of Tennessee and designed by Jack Nicklaus, opened in 2001 and closed in 2013. Before it closed, it was widely considered the best of the Bear Trace courses and earned numerous honors, including being named Tennessee’s No. 1 public course by Golfweek.
Fairways have been mowed and overgrowth thinned on the course. Greens were sprigged, verti-cut, and sanded. Co-owner Fred Gilham said it hasn’t been all smooth sailing as he and business partners Tommy Tinin and David Chasteen toiled to get the course ready to reopen. “We ran into little things every day,” Gilham said. “But everybody who has come by to see it has been impressed.”
Ross Creek Landing’s rustic clubhouse, a modest structure that features a grill and golf shop, has been maintained throughout the closure, hosting events such as wine tastings and parties. The property also features four cabins that can accommodate up 10-12 people each.
