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The History of the Oaks Golf Course

 

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On August 24th, 1990, The Oaks Course opened its doors to a new nine holes of golf. Since the 1930s the land that lies along the Yellow River has been a golf course. First, as an amenity of the Porterdale Mills, then under various names such as Silo Cay and Fox Run. But through the 1980s the land and course lay dormant until a group from Atlanta, The Oaks Associates, purchased the land in 1989. They hired a young “up and comer” in the golf industry, Dick Schulz, to design and restore the facility. Schulz was sensitive to the storied history of the course. Local historians claimed that the famous amateur golfer Bobby Jones, a close friend of Jack Porter and Charlie Elliott, whom are Newton County legends was pegged to lay out the original nine holes for the mill employees.

Newton County, known for an idyllic quality of life in 1990, had a population of roughly 41,000 people. Bringing golf back to the community was an opportunity of a lifetime for Schulz. The first shovel of dirt was turned on November 1, 1989. The project was proceeding as planned until January 1, 1990 when it began to rain. By February 1stwhen the animals began showing up two by two and no end to the rain was in sight, Schulz began to wonder if the dream would ever become a reality. But by August, all was well and the front nine was opened.

Those who played during the 1990’s will remember that the current back nine was actually the front nine. Just to keep it interesting, the nines have been reversed and then hole number 8 became hole number 1.

The original clubhouse did not include Putters Restaurant or the Champions Room—they were added in 1998. The “snack bar” was in a corner of the building and the Oaks Room located along the south side of the building. Customers wanted more than just a hot dog and a coke—hence the addition of a kitchen, bar, banquet room, locker room and second floor. The expansion occurred in stages. The first phase a large deck followed by enclosure of the deck 6 months later.

If the trees and land could talk, they could share stories that would amaze all of us. If you have a story to tell about your experience at The Oaks Course, please share it with us. We hope you enjoyed your trip down memory lane of the Oaks Golf Course.

11240 Brown Bridge Road
Covington, GA 30014
(770) 786-3801