
Dave Sansom

Dave Sansom

Dave Sansom

Dave Sansom

Dave Sansom
Overview
Robert Trent Jones built 27 holes for the Atlanta Athletic Club when it moved from East Lake in Atlanta to the northern suburb of Duluth (now called Johns Creek) in the late 1960s. When Joe Finger added a fourth nine on a high section of the property in the early 70s, the holes were broken into two 18-hole courses, the Highlands Course, host of the 1976 U.S. Open and 2001 and 2011 PGA Championships, and the Riverside Course.
Riverside was always viewed as the more friendly, non-championship course, though it hosted it's share of prestigious tournaments as well. Rees Jones performed major work on both courses through the years and the style of each came to resemble more his architeture than his father's, or Finger's.
In 2022, Tripp Davis remodeled Riverside, rebuilding and reshaping each hole, each green site and the bunkers to tie them better into the landforms, creating new looks and several new holes in the process. Davis divided the par-5 third into a short par 3 and a dogleg left par 4 with the new green pushed back against the Chattahoochee River, then combined the old fourth and fifth into a riverside par 5 that bends gradually right. The twelfth green was pushed back 80 yards to turn it into a par 5, the par-3 17th green was rebuilt with modifeid punchbowl shaping and water hazards near the greens at 14 and 18 were removed. Riverside finished second for the 2023 Best Transformation award, and there are some (including us) who would divide a 10-round split between Highlands and Riverside 5-5, or even 6-4 in favor or the latter.
About
Awards

Best in State: Ranked eighth, 2015-'16. Ranked ninth, 2017-'20. Ranked 13th, 2011-'12, 2021-'22. Ranked 14th, 2013-'14.
Current ranking: 17th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Really great shot options course. Can play any ball into the greens. Couple great risk reward holes. Great variety of par 3 holes to test all skill levels. Bunkers very strategic off tees. Greens are not overwhelming difficult but offer a sincere challenge on putts as you can’t find many straight putts. Played every club in the bag."
Read More2024
Review
“Really great shot options course. Can play any ball into the greens. Couple great risk reward holes. Short par 4 plus gettable par 5s. Great variety of par 3 holes to test all skill levels. Bunkers very strategic off tees. Greens are not overwhelming difficult but offer a sincere challenge on putts as you can’t find many straight putts. Played every club in the bag."
Read More2024
Review
“Course was firm and fast with the new green surrounds allowing for all options of short game shots to be played. The new holes have allowed for a round with many unique shots throughout the round."
Read More2024
Review
“The new renovation makes this 18 another Championship course. The fairways with zoysia makes it almost cheating on it. The ball sits up like it’s on a tee. I love the rerouting of holes 3, 4 and 5. The bunkering are as good as any I’ve played. One of the best things I enjoyed was the 45 minute tour of the history of Bobby Jones and the Sargents (George, Harold and Jack) involvement of AAC. Margaret (the historian) is full of knowledge. Do not pass up a tour."
Read More2024
Review
“Wonderful Renovation/remodel by Tripp Davis that brings much more interest to the bunkering, new contours to the green complexes, and strategic tree removal. Every club in the bag was tested for this panelist and routing provides solid variety in terms of direction of holes. Incredible Bobby Jones artifact displays throughout the clubhouse!"
Read More2024
Review
“Don't miss Riverside when visiting AAC. It is just as good as Highlands, and perhaps more fun!"
Read More2024
Review
“Located 36 miles north of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Completely redesigned by Tripp Davis, 2022 Great transformation of the property to make it fit into the existing terrain seamlessly and improving the infrastructure to maintain ideal playing conditions including: irrigation, drainage, structure of bunkers, greens and tees. Heavy tree removal."
Read More2023
Review
“Very challenging for the big hitters from the back tees, yet very fair and fun from the forward tees. Fantastic variety of holes ad gorgeous overall. Fantastic conditioning and looks like the classic course has been there for decades."
Read More2023
Review
“Very well kept - no blade of grass out of place. Great layout. Fun and memorable holes. Top end clubhouse."
Read More2021
Review
“Not as well known as its big brother, but a fine test in a wonderful setting."
Read More2018
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