Although Glen Arven Country Club was formed in 1892, the design of the club’s course is credited to architects John van Kleek and Wayne Stiles, who built dozens of well-regarded layouts during the 1920s and 1930s.
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Although Glen Arven Country Club was formed in 1892, the design of the club’s course is credited to architects John van Kleek and Wayne Stiles, who built dozens of well-regarded layouts during the 1920s and 1930s.
Glen Arven Country Club
Glen Arven Country Club is one of the oldest private country clubs in the United States, dating back to 1892. Although much of Georgia history rotates around Atlanta and Savannah, this club is actually located in Thomasville, not far from the Florida state line on the panhandle side.
Part of the club’s history involves having the only golf course in Georgia that was touched by the design duo of John Van Kleek and Wayne Stiles. The current course, however, is more the work of Bob Cupp, who was tasked to redesign the layout during 2013, following the club’s 120th anniversary. The course was an early participant in the PGA Tour, hosting professionals such as Ben Hogan at a course not much shorter than today’s 6,900-yard route.
Among the most exciting holes is No. 18, which draws two different kinds of water hazards into play for strategic consideration. First, players must weigh how tightly to hug the pond at the dogleg. Players who land a tight shot will have an easy carry of the creek that cuts across the fairway about 125 yards out. Those who played it safe from the tee and avoided the pond may not have such a guaranteed carry.