Help with RTJ Trail buddies trip. Please

[Jodymac]

Hi guys! I know that there is some information on these forums about RTJ trail but most threads are a couple of years old. We're wanting to plan a buddies trip to RTJ Trail for 8-12 guys 4-5 days mid Oct - early Nov. What area, courses and lodging would you guys suggest? What kind of weather can we expect? Should we be thinking of staying farther south so that it'll maybe be warmer? All information is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[thejuice]

Search "Trail" for some good reading from this year and last. Quick answer to your question...you would do well to do Grand National (hotel on site and plenty of cheaper options in Opelika), Capital Hill (the favorite of my usual group because of The Judge) also has a hotel on site and plenty of lodging options close by, Cambrian Ridge (easily the most underrated site on the Trail), and your best bet being Magnolia Grove in Mobile. Again plenty of hotels very close to the property. Also there are some other great non-Trail options in Mobile.

[lincolnduff]

I've done a group trip (16-20) to the RTJ's for about 15 years. Weather should be fine those dates. If I were you, I would stay in Pratville at Capitol Hill location and the first day of the trip play Judge/Legislator. Then go to Auburn second day and play both of those courses. Back to Capotol Hill for Judge/Senator, then up to Birmingham for Ross bridge, or Cambrian ridge courses the final day.

[GOUFGO]

Depending on where you are coming from and your mode of transportation; don't sleep on the courses in Muscle Shoals/Florence. Fighting Joe will give any course on the trail a run for it's money; plus if you like to fish, Pickwick, Wheeler and Wilson are within striking distance. From Florence you are only a couple of hours from Ross Bridge and Oxmoor. Once the Birmingham box is checked you have to decide whether to drive down 65 to Cap Hill or down 280 to Grand National. I agree with the above poster that Cambrian Ridge is vastly under-rated, its a fairly short drive south from Prattville. The Marriott hotels in Florence, Opelika and Birmingham are all really nice, but cheaper clean rooms are readily available. The weather shouldn't be an issue, usually very mild that time of year.

 

I would have one warning for that time of year. If you go to Grand National, check Auburn's football schedule and book early. If you are going to Opelika late in the week and there is a home game; don't expect to breeze in and find a room anywhere close.

 

Message me if you have any questions, I live 30 minutes from GN and play there pretty often.

[MarkCPA]

Weather should be fine and course conditions very good that time of year.

 

Want any course on the RTJ Trail to yourself? Schedule 36 holes on any day Bama is playing a day game and you'll have no trouble getting 36 in. I go to The Shoals deliberately during football season when the Tide is playing in the sun. It's far enough away from the football that hotels aren't affected, yet still has a rabid fan base in the area to keep the locals glued to the TVs. The same thing happens, but on a smaller scale on Talladega race weekends for the Birmingham and Gadsden courses.

[seus777]

Weather that time of year is pretty ideal statewide. No need to worry about cold.

 

Capitol Hill would be my vote. Three 18s that are all very different. Hotel onsite. Not sure about nightlife if you're interested in that.

 

or...

 

Oxmoor Valley & Ross Bridge. Again three 18s between the two and a short course at Oxmoor. Resort style accommodations at Ross Bridge. Many more nightlife options a short Uber/Taxi ride away in BHM.

[Jodymac]

Thank you guys so much for the information. All suggestions seem as though they are good options! We're looking forward to experiencing the trail. Is it better to book things on our own or should we use one of the packages?

[duffer987]

I don't have the years of experience these fellas have (as mentioned above, search on RTJ Trail in this sub-forum for loads of good info from them :)) as we've only been once; however, one suggestion I would make is to maybe find another quality course mid-trip to break up the Trent Jonesyness of the courses.

 

We played Capitol Hill, which is great, as you get a good bit of variety there, but when we went out to Grand National it all started to feel like we were playing the same holes over again. Trent Jones has his obvious style and when you are playing 6 consecutive rounds on his courses it can start to get repetitive.

 

That said, we had a great time, and will definitely play Capitol Hill again, but also look to add Farmlinks in there.

[seus777]

I don't have the years of experience these fellas have (as mentioned above, search on RTJ Trail in this sub-forum for loads of good info from them :)) as we've only been once; however, one suggestion I would make is to maybe find another quality course mid-trip to break up the Trent Jonesyness of the courses.

 

We played Capitol Hill, which is great, as you get a good bit of variety there, but when we went out to Grand National it all started to feel like we were playing the same holes over again. Trent Jones has his obvious style and when you are playing 6 consecutive rounds on his courses it can start to get repetitive.

 

That said, we had a great time, and will definitely play Capitol Hill again, but also look to add Farmlinks in there.

 

I'll second the "Robert Trent Joneseyness". The courses do tend to feel the same after playing them a lot.

 

Farmlinks is an excellent suggestion to add to the mix. You won't be treated any better and the course is always in impeccable shape - one of the nicest I've ever played. It's in the middle of nowhere though - 1 hour drive from BHM.

[snpcrk121]

I don't have the years of experience these fellas have (as mentioned above, search on RTJ Trail in this sub-forum for loads of good info from them :)) as we've only been once; however, one suggestion I would make is to maybe find another quality course mid-trip to break up the Trent Jonesyness of the courses.

 

We played Capitol Hill, which is great, as you get a good bit of variety there, but when we went out to Grand National it all started to feel like we were playing the same holes over again. Trent Jones has his obvious style and when you are playing 6 consecutive rounds on his courses it can start to get repetitive.

 

That said, we had a great time, and will definitely play Capitol Hill again, but also look to add Farmlinks in there.

 

I'll second the "Robert Trent Joneseyness". The courses do tend to feel the same after playing them a lot.

 

Farmlinks is an excellent suggestion to add to the mix. You won't be treated any better and the course is always in impeccable shape - one of the nicest I've ever played. It's in the middle of nowhere though - 1 hour drive from BHM.

Second the Farmlinks recommendation. It was definitely our favorite stop of the trip. As far as it being out of the way, it only adds about 30 minutes from the drive from BHM to Auburn, so it would be an easy one to hit up assuming you are going to be traveling from BHM to Auburn (or vice versa) at some point.

[Jodymac]

Thanks for all the advice! I think they we will add Farmlinks for one of the days. Thanks Any suggestions on what is the best way to book the trip?

[lincolnduff]

Thanks for all the advice! I think they we will add Farmlinks for one of the days. Thanks Any suggestions on what is the best way to book the trip?

Definitely book the RTJ portion through the RTJ people. They do group packages all the time and can get you group and replay rates that aren't available to general public, especially with your group size. Farmlinks I would also call about a group rate, I would recommend staying there as well one night if you can.

[GOUFGO]

I will second the staying at Pursell Farms (Farmlinks) one night if you can. Those are first-class accommadations. We stayed in the cottages with a putting green right out our back door. We booked directly from the Pursell Farms website; they always have a few play and stay packages.

 

If anyone is into shooting sports, there is an Orvis sporting clays course and five stand across the street from the farm. It's kinda pricey, but a good lay-out.