The Tennessee Valley has so many great outdoor activities to experience including, my favorite, Golf! Now I may not be knocking on the PGA Tour door but I really enjoy trying. With the Huntsville Championship, hosted at The Ledges, just completed on the Korn Ferry PGA Tour schedule, now is the best time to share 3 beautiful local courses for you to tee off on next.
Nature
Cherokee Ridge Country Club
4000 Cherokee Ridge Dr, Union Grove, AL 35175
25 Miles South of the Center of Huntsville
Nature meets golf is the best way to describe the experience you will find here while taking on this 18 hole 6,728-yard Championship course. Cherokee Ridge was designed by Sammy Dean and from 1994-1997, played host to the Nike Tour’s Alabama Classic (now Korn Ferry’s Huntsville Championship). From the first tee box on #1 down the 528yd par 5 all the way to #18 you will be greeted with some of the best views you can ask for. My personal favorite is the 40ft waterfall as you arrive to a quick par 3 on #6. During your round you will also make many friends with Turtles, Geese, Ducks, Snakes (rare), Squirrels, & Deer. Cherokee Ridge is top of my list when wanting to unwind, lose a few balls, and enjoy the North Alabama views.
Scenic
Gunter’s Landing
1000 Gunters Landing Road Guntersville, AL 35976
35 Miles Southeast of the Center of Huntsville
Golfing on top of the world is the immense feeling you will experience on all 18 holes of this 6863 yard course with the most thoughtful design by Jimmy Kennamer. Gunter’s Landing will challenge you, reward you, and empower you on every turn. With the unique course design you will find banks and slopes that allow your ball to roll a little bit further boosting that self confidence every golfer needs. Experienced first hand from the start of #1’s 377yd Par 4 with serious elevation. Lake Guntersville is the picturesque and rewarding backdrop for nearly every turn of this course, my personal favorite is driving down #16 327yd par 4 where your eyes can see for miles over Lake Guntersville (which really helps take out the reality of multiple bunkers surrounding the green).
Unique
Sunset Landing
346 James Record Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35824
13 Miles West of the Center of Huntsville
When you think of traditional golf course amenities you probably think of driving ranges, usb chargers in each cart, collectable poker chip, and probably much more. I wager one thing you typically do not think of… Massive aircrafts taking off and landing only a few hundred feet away from you. Sunset Landing was one of the first courses I experienced once moving to town years ago and it has made an impression ever since. Imagine teeing off on #4, a 384yd Par 4, when 600 feet away 2 Navy Jets escorting another Jet line up and blast down the runway. No, I didn’t have a great tee shot, however the experience was worth it. Sunset Landing is a great place to have more than a golf experience for all ages! Designers Bob E. Baldock & Robert L. Baldock did well with each hole placement taking great advantage of the airport experience. Take a moment and go enjoy this 6,803yd 18 hole experience, airplane viewing complementary with your tee time.
Gary Henderson Jr. touched down in Huntsville in 2014 and immediately started digging into all that Rocket City has to offer. To his benefit the Tennessee Valley has all that he could have hoped for and more. From hiking to golf and everything in between, you can be certain he is soaking in all the activities while sharing his adventures along the way. Gary is the proud husband to Katelyn Henderson and father to two awesome kids who share his adventurous spirit & love for the Tennessee Valley.
