Godwin Creek Golf Course

Detailed description of Godwin Creek Golf Course

Godwin Creek Golf Course previously named Fountain City Golf Center is a public 9-hole golf course located in Columbus, Georgia.

The course first opened for play in 1965. Over the years it has closed several times. The course was reopened in 2000 with a new name and a Desmond Muirhead redesign.

In 1965, Mr. Mac Issacs, CEO of Bibb Mills built the par three course for the employees of the mill. Initial green fees were only $1.00.

By the early 70's the low green fees and the high cost of maintenance reduced the mill's enthusiasm for operating the course and precipitated its sale to the State of Georgia. It was then transferred to The City of Columbus for recreational use. The city had much the same experience with the "Par Three" as the mill, so in 1979 the course was closed.

Afer remaining idle for a number of years, Mr. Gunby Jordan, the founder of The Green Island Country Club and an avid golfer, decided to attempt a rescue and leased the course from the city. Even with Mr. Jordan's efforts and the assistance of the Green Island grounds crew, the course continued to lose more money than reason would allow and in 1987 the course was again closed.

In April of 1988, "Coach" Bill Godwin reached an agreement with the City of Columbus to operate the course. At the same time he founded the non-profit organization, Seniors for Kids, with the purpose of giving the youth of Columbus a place to learn the game of golf and learn values that would be with them throughout their lives.

Seniors for Kids with the help of countless volunteers, operated the course. When "Coach" Godwin's health began to fail in late 1997, he turned the operation of Seniors for Kids over to his son John, a PGA Master Professional. In March of 1998, "Coach" Godwin passed away.

Had he been able to live just a little longer he would have witnessed Seniors for Kids rated by the United States Gold Association as "One of the best youth golf programs in the country." In further recognition of the Seniors for Kids program the USGA awarded a $100,000 grant to the organization. In June of 1998, The Council of The Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia passed a resolution renaming the course Godwin Creek in honor of "Coach" Godwin and his efforts on behalf of the youth in the area.

In anticipation of raising matching funds from the community, in the form of memberships and contributions, Seniors for Kids began construction on a Desmond Muirhead designed nine-hold golf course.

The New Short Course Design... Desmond Muirhead has transformed the old Par 3 Course into a new and challenging Short Course that every level of player will enjoy.

The Short Course features three holes that will play like short par fours. These holes play past two new lakes and over Godwin Creek which runs through the middle of the course.

The new design incorporates part of the old ball field and socer field. The original parking lot has been transformed into a short game practice area, complete with mounds, a sand bunker and large putting green. A picnic ground has been added under the old oaks which overlook the two new lakes.

Championship Grasses... The fairways 419 Bermuda grass and the greens are Tift Eagle. Tift Eagle is the newest hybrid Bermuda which putts extremely well and must be maintained at faster speeds.

Beautification... The natural slopes of the land were enhanced to "bench in" new greens and tees. Large boulders have been placed throughout the course and creek to add a more natural atmosphere.

New perineal and annual flowering beds have been added giving the course more of a park like feeling.

A Challenging Signature Hole... Godwin Creek's signature hole is Number Five. Your tee shot is played from a double tee which also serves number two, going up the hill. Five plays to the east over the lake to a target fairway. After successfully hitting the fairway, your second shot plays uphill over Godwin Creek to a long narrow green cut into the adjacent hillside. When you make a four on this hole you have passed the Short Course's most challenging test.

The Finishing Hole... Number nine green sits below the clubhouse in a great location to watch play conclude. The green is guarded by a sand bunker on the right and a grass bunker to the left. This green complex will test your ability to play all types of short game shots, when