Barnsley Resort:

Shotmaking in the Blue Ridge Foothills

Posted by Alistair Orr

When you start to map out your cold weather pilgrimage south a stop at Barnsley Resort is a must addition to your travel itinerary. Located off the I-75 between Atlanta and the Tennessee boarder you would be doing yourself a disservice if you fail to make a detour on to Hwy 140 and take the 10 mile trek to discover Barnsley Resort. This luxury boutique resort is home to a unique 19th century English style cottage village, fine dining, luxurious spa and a host of outdoor adventure activities in addition to the wonderfully scenic and challenging Jim Jazio designed golf course.

Barnsley has an interesting history dating back to the 1840’s when Savannah-based cotton merchant Godfrey Barnsley purchased the property to build an estate for his beloved wife Julia. The “Woodlands Manor” was built in Italian villa fashion and the grounds modeled after famed horticulturalist Andrew Jackson Downing designs. Civil War battles, tornado damage, family feuding and the ravages of time led to the manor and gardens falling in to a ruinous state. Rescued by Prince Hubertus Fugger of Bavaria in 1988, the Prince revitalized the historic gardens and transformed Barnsley in to a luxury resort before selling the estate in 2004 to local businessmen.

Today resort guests can stroll the restored gardens, relax in the spa, lounge by the pool or visit the museum to relive the tales of love, civil war destruction and family murder that are all part of Barnsley’s colourful past. Those looking for a little more action can partake in the resorts many outdoor activities such as, fly fishing, hiking or biking the miles of scenic trails, canoeing and kayaking, tennis, horseback riding, paintball, Frisbee golf, and more.  Hunting enthusiasts will marvel in the 1,800 acre Springbank Plantation. This unique preserve features a 12-station sporting clays course, Caesar Guerini shooting school, and guided quail and pheasant hunts.

Foodies can enjoy an upscale dinner menu at the Rice House, a converted 1800’s plantation farmhouse situated on the north lawn of the village. The south end of the village, overlooking the golf course, is home to the Woodlands Grill. With the ambiance of on old English hunting lodge the Grill serves a southern inspired menu and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Woodlands Grill also houses the Wine Library for private dining and Dugan’s Tavern. For those who hanker a cold one in a relaxed outdoor setting the Beer Garden is located in the centre of the village serving up a causal menu and has over 30 craft beer varieties from which to choose, including their own Godfrey’s Pale Ale.

The golf at Barnsley in nothing short of spectacular. Ranging from 5400 to 7200 yards, this mountain beauty meanders through the natural lay of the Blue Ridge foothills landscape. Dramatic elevation changes and careful use of native plants creates a wonderful playing experience for players of all abilities. Opening with two links style doglegs, the true feel for the layout begins at the tree-lined par-3 third hole. Fazio uses the rises and elevation to create a challenging test of length and shot making. With many holes featuring dramatic climbs or plummets, correct club selection is paramount for success. Lined with dense forests The Fazio Course presents a wilderness feel and is a solid test of golf.

Course Stats:
Par 72, 5428 - 7189 yards
Rated: 70.6 -75.3
Slope: 130 - 143

There are many worthy holes on the Fazio Course but it is the closing holes on each side that get the nod as inductees to our shot maker’s hall of fame. The par-5 ninth hole requires a solid drive long down the left side to find the premium launching point for shot number two. The prudent player will then play to a comfortable distance leaving a short pitch between the two fronting bunkers to set up the birdie opportunity. The brave sole who attempts to find the dance floor in two must first carry the bunkers and then stop the ball on a putting surface that slopes away to the lake that lurks beyond.

The demanding 18th plays much longer than the 454 yards advertised on the scorecard. This dogleg left wraps around a pond and tempts you to bite off as much of the corner as you dare then rises steeply to a false fronted green that slopes steeply back to front. A drive down the left, flirting with water and bunkers, will be rewarded with the shortest club possible to the green. The elevation and facing prevailing wind will necessitate an extra club, or three, on the approach in order to get the ball back to the pin while at the same time care must be taken to keep the ball below the hole. A birdie finish here will definitely earn you post round tale telling rights over a Godfrey’s in the Beer Garden.

Contact:

Barnsley Resort

597 Barnsley Gardens Road

Adairsville, GA. 30103

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