The grand vision for Pursell Farms has become a reality

Sylacauga, Ala. — David Pursell is an artist of some repute, so perhaps it’s not surprising that he has a gift for envisioning the final product when it’s nothing more than a blank canvas. That could include his pencil drawing of Bobby Jones that hangs in Butler Cabin or his vision for Pursell Farms, the Alabama resort that bears his family’s name.

Ten years ago, during a round at FarmLinks, the course that gave birth to the resort, Pursell laid out his grand, if unlikely, vision for the property located 45 miles southeast of Birmingham. Along the 18th fairway, he pointed to the spot where he planned to build an inviting Southern inn with an upscale restaurant and comfortable pub. He talked about bringing new activities, such as a sporting-clay range and fly-fishing, to the 3,200-acre property.

What Pursell foresaw was an amenity-rich destination to rival Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm and Georgia’s Barnsley Resort, two of the country’s most-decorated boutique destinations. He pictured his remote yet easily reachable resort in Sylacauga attracting business and leisure travelers and wedding parties from nearby cities such as Birmingham, Montgomery and Atlanta.  

What might have seemed fanciful a decade ago, on the back end of a global financial crash and recession, now seems remarkably prescient. The elegant 40-room Inn at Pursell Farms sits exactly where Pursell said it would and is complemented by cabins and cottages that are tailored for families and golf groups. After weathering the pandemic, which hammered the hospitality industry, Pursell Farms has emerged stronger than ever. 

“We have 81 rooms and 132 beds, and we are turning people away left and right,” Pursell said.  

That enthusiasm from guests is reflected on TripAdvisor.com, where more than 200 reviewers have given the resort a cumulative, perfect 5.0 rating. New general manager Douglas Hustad, a hotelier with a long track record at luxury properties, said average stays are creeping up on 2.5 nights as guests take advantage of the onsite activities. 

“Once they’re here, they stay,” Hustad said. “They don’t want to go anywhere else. There’s a lot for them to do here.” 

That’s an understatement. The Orvis Clubhouse is a destination unto itself, offering sporting clays, wingshooting and fly-fishing, along with all of the equipment and apparel a sportsman might desire. Sightseers will enjoy the ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain on UTVs. There’s…