West Lake Country Club

Guest (cart included), played on Monday, November 2022 at 12:00 PM

Many golfers consider Augusta, GA the Holy Grail of Golf. While it may not have the variety or the sheer number of golf courses that Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, or many Florida destinations have, it does have one thing none of these others do, The Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club!

West Lake Country Club is located a little more than 5 miles from Augusta National and while it may not have achieved the notoriety of the latter, this private gated community of prestigious estate homes offers a friendly and healthy lifestyle for all ages.

Each year during Masters Week, both the community and Country Club become a special place. Many homes in the community are rented to large corporations who pay big money for a home near Augusta National where they can entertain corporate clients. It’s not unusual for large homes in the area to bring six-figure rental income just for the week.

Several corporations that become members of the community for the week host their events at the West Lake Country Club’s clubhouse. This gives them and their guests access to West Lake’s amenities including the golf course, fitness center, and spa, as well as the live entertainment onsite. West Lake’s indoor and outdoor facilities are fully customizable with wireless and high-speed Internet, and access to a highly skilled team of culinary experts and event specialists.

West Lake Country Club offers special packages beginning April 2nd through April 10th to play the golf course and enjoy the great layout, its beauty, and all the fantastic amenities of the club. Included in these packages are: - 18 holes of championship golf on this spectacular Ellis Maples design. - Unlimited use of the driving range and practice facilities. - Complimentary club storage and locker rental. - Complimentary use of the Tennis and Fitness Centers - Full-service breakfast including bloody Marys and mimosas. - Full-service lunch including a selection of imported and domestic beers. - Complimentary cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks from the beverage cart and Halfway Café. - Temporary charge account.

Over the past several years these packages have sold out quickly so if you’re interested, call Director of Golf Chris Bates at (706) 863-4640 or email him.

The professional golf staff at West Lake oversees programs for ladies, men, seniors, juniors, and couples and ensures that Members and guests get the most out of all the golf amenities. Lessons are available for all Members regardless of skill level and can take place either at any of the practice areas or on the golf course. The staff can also provide Members with one-on-one club fittings, for anything from putters to drivers. The Golf Shop at West Lake stocks the latest trends and technology in equipment and apparel.

West Lake is best known by both members and visiting golfers for its well-groomed fairways, impeccable playing conditions, and Champion Bermuda greens that typically run between 11.0 - 12.0 on the stimpmeter and roll true to form. You’ll encounter penalty areas on at least 7 holes; possibly more if you’re playing poorly!

When you think of golf in Augusta, you think of the Masters, and when you think of the Masters, you think of tall, stately pine trees. West Lake does in fact have its fair share of these beautiful mature trees, and, after playing the course, you may have a different opinion of what may have been your favorite tree! The golf course at West Lake offers golfers 5 sets of tees and can be played anywhere from 3,272 yards (Red Tees) to 6,857 yards (Blue Tees) making it challenging and rewarding for players of all levels. The course is not long but the undulation in both the fairways and greens makes it a challenge. And, with holes that dogleg both left and right, it helps if you know how to work the ball. Tightly mown collars around the greens put an emphasis on a good short game.

Several holes are quite memorable. Number 3 at Westlake Country Club is one of the Members’ favorites. It’s a very picturesque par 4 that plays 359 yards from the White Tees with water to carry off the tee, but it shouldn't present a problem. The large fairway bunker on the right side of the fairway needs to be navigated either over or around with your tee shot. The hole plays slightly uphill off the tee and the slope becomes much more pronounced with your approach shot, so take at least one extra club. The green is crowned in the middle and has some good roll to it.

The 6th hole is a beautiful par 4, dogleg left that plays 358 yards from the White Tees with two creeks to navigate. The first one is no problem to get over from the elevated tee box; the trick is to have the right club, so you don’t knock it into the second pond! If you can’t blister your drive over both ponds (few golfers can) then your best bet is to hit your tee shot over the first pond, up the right side of the fairway short of the second pond. That may leave a little bit longer approach shot but it beats the alternative. Before hitting your approach shot, note the pin position. If it’s on the right side, congratulations, you’re facing one of the toughest shots on the course: uphill, over a large, deep bunker, into the narrowest part of the green. Thank you, Mr. Maples!

Twelve is another pretty golf hole; a par 4 that plays 387 yards from the White Tees. You tee off towards what looks like a ravine; If you pull your tee shot left, don’t be surprised if the large hill in the landing area helps to funnel your ball back to the fairway. The approach shot plays uphill all the way, so take an extra club or two. There’s some good undulation in the green and a right-side pin placement doesn’t leave much green to work with. I think we’ll name this hole Forgiveness!

The 16th hole is another member favorite; a dogleg left, par 4 that plays 366 yards from the White Tees. Longball hitters and players that can successfully play a draw off the tee will do well on this hole. Trees line both sides of the fairway off the tee and a creek runs down the left side. Favor the right side of the fairway off the tee; it slopes left which will help bring the ball back into the fairway. Things open up just past the turn and your approach shot plays slightly uphill into a large well-undulated green protected front left by a large, deep bunker.

In addition to a fantastic golf course, membership at West Lake Country Club includes some pretty impressive amenities including a full-length driving range, a fitness center that is open 24/7, a luxury spa, 10 tennis courts, and 4 pickleball courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, dining and kid’s activities.

Several membership options are available at West Lake Country Club including Full Golf Memberships, Young Professional (Under 40), and Junior (Under 18) Golf Memberships. Athletic and Social Memberships are also available. Check out the Membership tab on the website for more information. If you’re a member of a private club visiting the Augusta, GA area, see about playing a reciprocal round at West Lake Country Club. It will quickly become one of your favorites.

Guest (cart included), played on Tuesday, December 2019 at 12:00 PM

I’ve heard similar scenarios about a few private cubs and how they came to be. A foursome of impatient golfers is waiting to tee off at their club; maybe their alma mater has an early kickoff that day or little Suzy has a dance recital. For whatever reason, they’re not cutting the starter any slack. He says something like “Hey guys, if you’re in that big of a hurry, maybe you should go and build your own course.” And they do, or at least that’s how the story goes.

A similar situation is said to have occurred in the Augusta, GA area. A group of guys is stuck behind a very slow playing group on a hot, sticky Saturday in July on a local private course. After waiting on the 12th tee for almost 45 minutes, one of the players says jokingly to his playing partners, "Maybe we should build our own course!" So, they did, and West Lake Country Club was born.

But it wasn’t just built on a whim. After careful study and planning, it was determined that in order to build and sustain a private golf club set to the standards the Augusta area was accustomed to, it would be best to tie this new country club to a real estate development. One of the players in the aforementioned foursome, along with a couple of business partners, owned about 350 acres of land in a desirable location and that land was empty, except for a historic black church with a land title muddled in red tape.

Now that a plan had been formalized, a corporation was formed and more adjoining property was attained, bringing the land mass to almost 720 acres, including a 43 acre lake that would be used for irrigation purposes. A local engineer was hired and in 1966 Donald Ross protégé Ellis Maples was selected to design the 18-hole golf course. At the time, his chief assistant on the job was Ed Seay, who would go on and become Arnold Palmer's principal architect. By the way, the church and graveyard can still be found in its original location next to the golf course maintenance area between the 7th tee and the 12th green.

Over the next few months, Maples assembled his team and course construction began in early 1967. At the time, Maples figured he could have 9 holes completed and ready for play that fall. By June of that year, they realized that the original date was going to be impossible to keep and revised the plan: Have all 18 holes open and playable by the fall of 1968.

In the early days of West Lake Country Club, few roughs had been cleared, meaning a ball was either in the fairway or lost, something that didn’t sit well with many members. The popularity of the Masters Tournament brought several well-known professional golfers to the area and ultimately to West Lake Country Club: Byron Nelson, Tony Jacklin and Gene Sarazen – who would later become a non-resident member. The added exposure was immeasurable.

In those early days, the community was not without its share of doubters. Many in the area felt that the community was too far from the city and didn’t think it would survive. Fortunately, people moving in from other parts of the country felt that West Lake was indeed close to town. By the end of 1973 nearly 100 homes had been built within the community and club membership had grown to around 275. In December 1977, the sale of the club facilities to the club members was formally concluded.

Fast forward to May 2015. Concert Golf Partners purchases West Lake Country Club from the members and currently owns and manages the property. Concert Golf is one of the premier golf course ownership/management companies in the country, and currently manages 20 properties in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Membership at one Concert Club makes you a member at all of them, which alone is a great reason to join. The club has become an Augusta tradition for guests from around the world.

The golf course at West Lake is known by local golfers for its impeccable playing conditions and TifEagle Bermuda greens that typically run 11.0 - 12.0 on the stimpmeter and roll true. Water comes into play on at least 7 holes and depending how well (or poorly) you’re hitting the ball, it could come into play on several more. West Lake offers 5 sets of tees and can play anywhere from 3,272 yards (Red Tees) to 6,857 yards (Blue Tees) and will challenge and reward players of all levels.

The aesthetics and beauty of the golf course have created many memorable holes but to me, none more memorable than Number 6, a par 4 that plays 358 yards from the White tees. It’s a hole where water comes into play no matter how good or bad you’re doing! There are three bodies of water to contend with, although the one just in front of the tee box shouldn’t be a problem at all. If it is, consult the friendly PGA staff in the pro shop and schedule a lesson! Standing on the tee, the only water you’re likely to see is the pond in the middle of the fairway, about 115 yards from the green. There’s a second pond hidden just past the trees on the left; push your tee shot over that way and you may very well find it. Find the fairway off the tee and you’ll have a short iron or wedge into a well undulated green protected on either side with bunkers. Finishing with the same ball you started with is somewhat of an accomplishment!

Although West Lake is a private club, they are very receptive to hosting golf tournaments. Their talented staff will take care of everything, from preliminary planning to smooth coordination and execution the day of the tournament. They offer custom golf packages and various menu options and can help tailor the perfect tournament. Keep in mind, since they are a private facility, tournament events are only held on Mondays.

Staying fit and healthy has become a big part of life and as a member of West Lake Country Club, you’ll have access to both the Fitness Center and Spa. The Fitness Center is a state-of-the-art facility and offers access to personal trainers who can help you shape up smartly and safely. These trained professionals will help you put together a comprehensive program to help you stay healthy and fit. The facility has over 30 fitness classes available throughout the week in their dedicated aerobics studio. The all-inclusive weight room offers circuit-training machines, free weights and state-of-the-art cardio equipment. Men's and women's locker rooms have steam rooms and dry saunas.

Inside the Spa at West Lake, you’ll find onsite Massage Therapist, Ashley Bryan, who has been in practice for over a decade and is certified in several fields including Neo-Muscular, Ashi-Atsu, Swedish, Orthopedic, Sports, Neonatal and Deep Tissue massage therapy. The Spa offers a wide variety of services and Ashley will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

The community becomes a special place during Masters Week; many homes are rented out by large corporations who pay a lot of money to have a place to entertain corporate clients. It’s not unusual for large homes in the area to fetch six-figures in rent for that week. One special event they host is Taste of The Master Chefs, a charity event where America’s award-winning chefs and celebrities come together for an evening, creating one-of-a-kind dishes for guests. The evening is topped off with a performance by acclaimed musical artists, all to help raise funds and awareness to benefit hunger relief.

The membership makeup at West Lake is quite unique. The majority of members have been referred by other members, so it’s pretty easy to meet new people and make new friends whether you’re a single, couple or family

Do Not Recall (cart not included), played on Monday, May 2014 at 10am

I got to play here for the GHSA Golf State Championship. It was a very beautiful course with a challenging layout for a high school golfer. I would definitely recommend to any one that is in the Augusta area of Georgia.