Catching a round of golf in the north Georgia mountains can sometimes be a challenge in more ways than one.  First off, you must find a good course open to the public and then you have to find one that is enjoyable to play.  Driving through the hillside country of Dahlonega, you approach the Chestatee River and Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River. This tranquil environment plays host to the magnificent signature championship golf course designed by one of my golf heroes and renowned architect - Jack Nicklaus.

The Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River not only crosses the Chestatee River seven times, there are 18 bridges you will cross as you maneuver your way around this most invigorating and challenging layout.  Truly one of those courses you will want to include on your next trip to this part of the world.


This 6,955-yard par 72 course is nestled in the beautiful north Georgia mountains in charming historic Dahlonega and blends harmoniously with its surroundings.  The fourth green, the unique fifth hole, and the sixth tee play entirely on an island in the river.

The Club Corp out of Dallas, Texas operates the Nicklaus Golf Club and the head golf professional is Adam Littleton.  The Club provides its members and daily fee guests with a most delightful golf experience.  It is complete with a practice facility, including chipping and putting greens. A full service Pro Shop and men and women’s locker room complete the golf experience. Inside the Clubhouse, the Main Dining Room and Grill Lounge are perfectly suited for both the informal and formal dining experiences.

Just to give you some idea of each hole, click here for a brief description of each of the 18 holes.

Dahlonega, Georgia is one of those places you feel good about yourself when you visit.  The town square is right out of the movies and is noted for its days of the first U.S. gold rush back in 1828 by Benjamin Parks while deer hunting.  . In 1832 Lumpkin County, named after then Georgia Governor Wilson Lumpkin, was organized by an Act of the Georgia Legislature. In 1833, Dahlonega was named the county seat. Soon after, John C. Calhoun, former U. S. Vice President and U. S. Senator from South Carolina, bought the Calhoun Mines in Lumpkin County. In 1838, the Cherokee were forced by the U. S. Government to leave their beloved mountain land for the reservations in Oklahoma. Some 4,000 Cherokees died during this 'Trail of Tears."

From 1828 to 1848, Dahlonega and its surrounding area produced more than $36 million in gold coins. But in 1849, the California Gold Rush drew most of the local miners west, and by 1906, the last large Dahlonega mining company, Consolidated Mining, closed its operation. There is still plenty of gold left in the area, but the cost of modern mining operations far exceeds the fixed value of the refined gold.  In 1838, the U. S. government opened one of the first Federal Branch Mints in Dahlonega, where more than $6 million in gold coins were minted.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, the mint was closed and never reopened. In 1878, the building was destroyed by fire but the massive foundation remained intact. Today North Georgia College's Price Memorial Hall sits on the original foundation. The building's spire is covered with 23 ounces of Dahlonega gold, while the Georgia State Capitol has 60 ounces of Dahlonega gold on its dome.

Dahlonega is home to the Gold Museum, gold mines and gold panning facilities. Quaint shops around the Square are filled with regional art, antiques, unique jewelry and collectibles. The newest gold rush in Dahlonega is in the performing and visual arts! Enjoy wonderful exhibitions and concerts at the Buisson Arts Center or be swept away by Georgia's premier community theatre company at the historic Holly Theater. Local potters, painters and photographers display their craft in galleries and shops through out the historic community. Dahlonega is also the cradle of Georgia's wine country.  You will want to take a tour of some of the local wineries.  There is a good offering of local day spa, resorts and cabins in the area.  The lodgings will suit every taste and budget--from delightful bed and breakfasts to country inns and mountain cabins.  There is a great choice of casual fine dining in many of Dahlonega's restaurants. The culinary delights range from gourmet to good old southern home-style.  If you are up for the challenge, you can hike from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail.  There are plenty of places for hiking, fishing, and canoeing in the mountains, lakes and rivers of the Chattahoochee National Forest.  Relax in the splendor of over 30 waterfalls within a short drive including Amicolola the highest waterfall in the Eastern United States. Dahlonega is the center for bicycling in the north Georgia mountains. As the finish site for the Dodge Tour De Georgia mountain stage, the 6 Gap Century ride and other regional competitions, the area has hosted the greatest names in cycling.  This is one of those beautiful areas you will enjoy and return to often.

For more information:
Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River & Daholonega
639 Birch River Drive
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Phone: 706-867-7900
Fax: 706-867-6300
Website: www.nicklausgolfbirchriver.com

Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce
13 South Park Street
Dahlonega, GA  30533
Phone: 706-864-3711
Fax: 706-864-7917
Toll Free: 1-800-231-5543
Website: www.dahlonega.org

This article is from gogolfandtravel.com and is used with permission from Ed Stone.  With over 42 years of experience in the travel industry, Ed has a wealth of knowledge and experience in travel and hospitality marketing. He has held director and vice president positions with Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia and Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ed has major accomplishments in the areas of marketing, research and development planning, advertising, public relations, publicity, sales, television and event production. While vice president of marketing at the Opryland USA complex, he was the executive producer for several major television specials on NBC, ABC, CBS, TNN as well as working on many syndicated television specials.  He is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady School of Journalism with a B.S. degree. Ed is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) where he has been honored with Marco Polo status (the highest honored SATW can bestow) and a trustee for the SATW Foundation.  Ed is an accomplished photographer and an avid golfer. He lives in Tennessee in the summers and Florida in the winters. The Central States Chapter of SATW recently awarded Ed with three prize-winning photography awards in the areas of scenic, people and overall.

Happy Traveling, Happy Golfing!