Pines Crossing

The first nine holes at Saugahatchee Country Club in eastern Alabama were built in 1947, and a second nine was added four years later. The city of Auburn and Opelika purchased the land from the club in 1976, renaming it Indian Pines, and have operated it as a municipal course ever since. Several years ago, the regional airport, which is adjacent to the course, announced a runway expansion that would impact four holes, necessitating a rerouting of the course to accommodate the lost acreage. Cue Auburn University alum and Atlanta-based architect Bill Bergin, who rejiggered the holes to fit into the new footprint. He found space to broaden fairways while injecting more character into the green complexes, including building new bunkers with raised grass faces, a Bergin favorite. He also found room for an expansive new practice range and short game area, and the whole project has been rebranded Pines Crossing with green fees ranging from just $25 to $55.