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THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of content and Creation at Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.
General Manager Wyatt Detmer welcomes everyone to the Summer Grove Golf Course in Newnan Georgia.
THOSE WHO PLAY GOLF in the Chicago area, know very well about the courses of Jemsek Golf.
Because what started with Joe Jemsek and St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago years ago, has now become Cog Hill in Palos Park, Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein, both operated by Frank Jemsek and his daughter Katherine Jemsek.
But what many Chicago area golfers don’t know, is that Jemsek Golf has expanded to the Great South. Because 30 minutes south of Atlanta is Newnan Georgia where Summer Grove Golf Club is located. Summer Grove designed by Jeff Burton and Joe T. Jemsek, was built by Jemsek Golf with the club opening in 1999, but 12 years later the course was sold. But the Jemsek’s returned as owners in February of 2013.
The lobby in the Summer Grove clubhouse is a relaxing southern style of comfort.
Last December the course was hit by 15 inches of rain in just two days. So as a result some flooding did occur.
But the good news is that most of the flooded area’s are now back in great shape, only a small area of the golf course still has to be restored.
Because of strong play over the last two years, the Jemsek’s have given the green light to spend money on several course improvements not done in years. Frank Jemsek tells Golfers on Golf that much of the reason for tee sheets filled up with foursomes, are not just pandemic related. Jemsek feels that having GM Wyatt Detmer at Summer Grove has made a major difference saying, “we now have the right guy in charge.”
The bar area of Summer Grove-home of the best hot dog one recent visitor has tasted, since since a visit to Pine Meadow Golf Club last year.
Summer Grove’s staff is delighted they have the approvals and the money to put Summer Grove back in a great shape. By May expectations are that course conditions will see a night-and-day level of improvement.
Summer Grove has six sets of tee’s with yardages running from 6,919 on the tips, to 5,131 up front. A full sized range and putting green.
The golf course starts with two holes that while not being sharp enough to be a dogleg, do curve right. But then the third hole actually does dogleg left. But then the par 3 fourth hole awaits, and it’s an island green.
The par 3-4th hole at Summer Grove.
Summer Grove has plenty of challenges but none are overbearing.
The rough isn’t too deep. There is not an excess of bunkers, water yes but golfers won’t feel like they are playing between ponds all through the round.
Tree’s in some strategic locations, but none of the holes feel like they are about wide as a bowling lane. There is room to work the ball on your longer shots, from on the tee or in the fairway.
The par 4, 413 yard tenth hole is a good hole to start the back nine.
There are holes that have some significant elevation change. One of them is the 18th hole, where the tee box sits at least 50 yards up and over the fairway below.
The greens are in good shape, and have plenty of subtle breaks, without having serious humps and bumps.
Two “signature holes” are the par 3, fourth hole with it’s island green and the par 4, 475 yard finishing hole the 18th.
So if you enjoy the Jemsek courses in the Chicago area, try the one in the Atlanta area. Traveling south this spring, book a tee time at Summer grove by calling (770)-251-1800 or online at SummerGroveGolf.com.