The Links at Audubon Golf Course is set to reopen for the public on Aug. 1, marking a significant milestone for the Memphis golf community.
Monday’s media preview featured notable speakers, including Mayor Paul Young, Memphis Parks director Nick Walker, renowned golf course architect Bill Bergin, and PGA course professional Bruno Strzalka.
Young emphasized the course’s role in fostering youth engagement in golf, pointing to the collaboration between Audubon and First Tee of West Tennessee, a youth golf advocacy organization, and his projection of over 40,000 rounds to be played on the new course within the next 11 months. He also announced that the new clubhouse, which will replace the temporary one, will be the home base for First Tee after renovations are completed.
Children from First Tee, alongside Young, concluded the event, teeing off the driving range for the first official shots on the renovated course.
Bergin described the construction as “building a new course on top of an existing one.” He emphasized Audubon as the desired and best location for University of Memphis golf teams to practice because of its central location to campus and the relative difficulty of the course.
Photos from media preview event of the re-opening of The Links at Audubon Golf Course. Mayor Paul Young and Memphis Parks Director Nick Walker, amongst others, tested the new putting grounds, hit the first official tee shots, and unveiled the course partnership with First Tee of West Tennessee. (Photo: Josh Crawford/USA Today Network)
Audubon’s embedded beauty, with its rolling hills and natural tree line, was a challenge to maintain while simultaneously ensuring the course was as playable and beginner-friendly as possible, according to Bergin.
The first hole, with its quarters stretched, is now a combination of the previous first two holes and encourages golfers to be less timid on their drives on the opening hole, exemplifying this balance. A new six-hole course is designed for beginners, providing an ideal space to learn and practice.
“People coming back to the course will get a hint of familiarity,” Bergin said. “But they will walk away saying, ‘This is a completely new course.’ ”
According to Audubon’s website, green fees are $35 on weekdays and $45 Friday through Sunday.
You can reach writer Josh Crawford via email @joshua.crawford@commercialappeal.com or via X @JCrawford5656
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