The Keep at McLemore Resort celebrated its Grand Opening on Oct. 1
photo by McLemore Resort
Aerial view of The Keep at McLemore
photo by McLemore Resort
Looking down at the 13th hole at The Keep with scenic views in the distance
photo by McLemore Resort
The formation of mountain boulders creates an amphitheater effect on the 17th hole
photo by McLemore Resort
Gorgeous views of the Bergin-Jones design at The Keep
photo by McLemore Resort
Sunrise at The Keep looking out from the green on the 9th hole
photo by McLemore Resort
The Keep at McLemore Resort
photo by McLemore Resort
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It had been almost a year since I had last visited the mountaintop marvel at McLemore known as The Keep. The golf course had been completed only weeks earlier and was allowing limited preview play, so I decided to spend a day there to see what all the fuss was about.
Despite the hubbub of ongoing construction to the surrounding infrastructure and the playing on freshly-laid sod, I was blown away with what I encountered. It was if I had been transported to some treasured distant golf destination instead of the north Georgia locale of Rising Fawn just south of Chattanooga.
The encore crafted by the tandem of Bill Bergin and Rees Jones following their artistry performed on McLemore’s original Highlands course is unparalleled. They literally unearthed a golf course perched on top of Lookout Mountain, carving out five holes that run along the cliffs overlooking McLemore Cove below while incorporating the tumbling topography of the other holes in a seamless fashion. Each hole possesses a personality of its own, steadily building the anticipation that ultimately crescendos in the final two holes that leave golfers breathless.
There was no doubt from my initial impression that The Keep was a special place. But like fine wine, it needed time to mature. The greens and fairways needed a season to become more established, and the native areas connecting the holes required time to fill in some of the gaps that only time could curate.
I was excited to return last week to get a first-hand peek at how far the course had come since last fall in conjunction with the official grand opening as of Oct. 1. Once again, I found myself in sensory overload in taking on what The Keep has become one year later.
Under sunny skies while accompanied by McLemore chairman Ryan Crimmins and Doug Amor, the head professional at The Keep, what unfolded was a cathartic stroll across a spectacular landscape that has few peers.
While there is still some work to be done in adding the clubhouse and the turn house after No. 9, the golf course has undergone quantum changes since my last venture. The Stadium Zoysia fairways are pristine, the AU Victory bentgrass greens were pure. Plenty of thought went into the strategic placement of bunkers, not overly penal or ostentatious The areas that connect the holes had grown in, giving the sense of a completed tapestry instead of a series of individual holes.
“The Keep presented the rarest of opportunities, routing a course that fits perfectly on one of the most dramatic and scenic sites found anywhere.” Bergin said. “Our focus was to craft a layout that touches all of the natural beauty of the property, tests every aspect of a golfer’s game, and delivers unforgettable moments along the cliff edge of Lookout Mountain and McLemore Cove.”
We enlisted the assistance of one of The Keep’s helpful caddies to guide us through our journey, and Crimmins gushed that he finds the course more enjoyable each loop even though he’s played it more than 30 times.
With generously wide fairways and a variety of tees to accommodate all skill levels, The Keep can also be stretched to 7,700 yards to challenge the best golfers. Every hole stands on its own merits, and could be considered a signature hole at most other golf courses. At The Keep, there are 18 signature holes, each masterfully designed by Bergin and Jones to create a symphony of pleasure and strategy.
“The Keep is truly unparalleled,” Jones said. “Its dramatic cliffside setting inspired a one-of-a-kind golfing experience. While the course carries a unifying theme, each hole has its own distinctive personality. It’s designed to offer a balance of challenge and playability for everyday golfers while at the same time it is championship ready.”
The Keep opens with a stiff challenge as the No. 1 handicap hole confronts golfers with the cliffs to the right and a deep rock-faced chasm protecting the front of the green. The second presents a par 5 where there is a choice of fairways to attack divided by a native area.
Golfers are then routed through a series of challenging and unique holes that each have their own characteristics. The tee shot on No. 5 requires a carry across a ravine to an elevated fairway that angles to the left, cascading down to a picturesque green protected by water to the left.
The par 3 8th is a classic Reverse Redan design that is visually intimidating thanks to a large rock outcropping in front of the green that helps frame the hole.
The next three holes straddle the valley below, presenting a smorgasbord of majestic views and some of the best creativity from Bergin and Jones. The par 4 9th features a green seemingly suspended on the cliff’s edge, while the par 5 10th requires navigating past a series of dump truck-sized boulders from the tee. The next hole is a par 3 across a cavern where proper club selection is a must.
The routing then works inland to a series of holes that alternately climb and descend the rolling terrain. Each time you make the turn back to the east after completing holes 12, 15 and 17, what awaits you is a tee shot where you’re forced to pause to take in the scenery in the distance from the course’s highest points.
While every hole carries with it a sense of intrigue, no other hole captures my fancy more than No. 17. The short uphill par 4 plays only 341 yards from the tips, but the unique series of massive boulders creates an amphitheater feel on the approach shot.
The final hole gives a sweeping vista of 60 miles, and the dogleg left rides along the cliffs until it culminates in a green that seemingly dangles on the edge of the world.
While golf carts can be utilized that are restricted to remaining on the paths as the grasses continue mature, The Keep is best enjoyed when walking with a caddie where you can fully become immersed into the subtleties of the rolling terrain that gives you more occasion to take in the grandeur.
The Keep is located a couple of miles south of McLemore, and guests currently check in and use the practice facility at the main clubhouse before being shuttled to the first tee. Upon completion, The Keep will have its own golf shop and practice range, along with a gathering place near the 18th green called the Outpost where rounds can be celebrated.
In speaking with Bergin last year, he said it would likely take two years for all of the native grasses to mature and for The Keep to evolve into a sense of completion. I can’t imagine the golf course becoming any more spectacular and enjoyable than what I experienced last week, but I eagerly anticipate seeing the finished product.
As I was taking the shuttle back to my car parked at the McLemore clubhouse, I rode with a group of golfers who travel together playing the world’s best golf courses. This was their first visit to McLemore, and they were effusive in their praise.
“I was standing on the 18th tee looking off in the distance and it gave me the feeling of being at Cypress Point or maybe Cabot Cliffs,” the guest cited. “How can someplace so spectacular be in north Georgia? We were completely stunned with what we were seeing.”
The Keep is not for everyone and access will remain limited. But if given the opportunity to play the golf course, take full advantage. It will forever change how you view a round of golf and become the elevated bar to which all other courses will be compared.
The Keep he Keep is open for play to the club’s Equity Investors and National members, as well as resort guests staying at Cloudland at McLemore Resort. In February 2024, McLemore introduced the marquee Curio Collection by Hilton hotel perched atop Lookout Mountain with stellar views of the surrounding North Georgia mountains. The luxury resort property offers 245 guest rooms, including 21 suites and 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art indoor meeting and event space.
Those enrolled as Friends of McLemore receive limited access as non-members to the club’s stunning Highlands Course, clubhouse dining at The Creag restaurant and bar, and luxurious accommodations at Cloudland.
Stay and play bookings can be made by contacting the McLemore Golf Sales team via email at stayandplay@mclemoreclub.com, by calling (800) 329-8154 or visiting McLemore’s Stay-and-Play packages.
To see more of The Keep, go to the Grand Opening video at The Keep.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com
