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Flat Rock, Alabama

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Dogwood Hills is a golf course you need to know about. It's a Golf Digest Four-Star-Rated facility, so it's a golf course worthy of note. And it's conveniently located not too far off Interstate 59, just south of Chattanooga. But when you add the story of owners Bryce and Doris Slater, who built the course with their own hands, it's even more interesting.

The first time I visited Dogwood Hills, it was to ask for directions to a neighboring golf course I was unable to find. Doris patiently drew me a map and sent me on my way. The next time I visited Dogwood Hills, it was to survey the course for Golf Buddy, the golf GPS company. The third time I visited, I brought my 17 year old son to play the course. And the fourth time was when I shot the photos of the course for this page. Each time I've enjoyed the course more than the last.

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Charming is a word I seldom use, but for Dogwood Hills it's a fitting description. As you turn off Highway 71, it's clear that this is an unusual property. The one-lane, paved road back to the club house is about a quarter mile long, and feels more like a family driveway than the entry to a golf course. Doris's touch is immediately evident, with garden areas dotted here and there, and more being installed all the time. Bryce's work is obvious once you step onto the course. Not only did he design the course, but he cleared it himself, going thru multiple chainsaws in the process. He knew the land well, having grown up practically across the street, and had designed the course before they closed the deal on the land. It took three years, though, before the front nine was ready for play and along the way, both Slaters worked in the Jackson County School System. Bryce grew tomatoes and corn in the fairways to help finance their golf adventure. And they took advantage of a 14 foot deep vein of coal on the property, selling about 6 acres of the coal for additional financial assistance.

The story of the building of Dogwood Hills is much longer than I have space for on this page, but if… no, when... you play Dogwood Hills, be sure to ask Doris or Bryce a couple of questions, and then sit back and enjoy their company and the stories.

Now, about the golf course. It's a beauty, taking full advantage of the natural topography of the land. I say "natural topography", but Bryce moved lots of dirt to shape this "natural" layout. The two nines are roughly divided into the front nine "on the hill" and the back "in the valley", with the gorgeous 17th bridging the divide. Water plays an important role in many of the holes, so controlling your ball is key to a good round.

Bryce and one other man do an amazing job of maintaining Dogwood Hills. The fairways are lush, the greens roll beautifully, and the natural contours of the land do a good job of defending the course. It's short… just under 6300 yards from the back tees and 5940 yards from the Whites… but it's a great round of golf. There are 4 or 5 houses scattered around the front nine, and four cabins that are available for rent for golfers who want to enjoy a long golf weekend. But for the most part the golf course is simply a golf course. Not the centerpiece of a residential development. And if you're fortunate enough to play Dogwood Hills when there aren't many golfers on the course, I guarantee that you'll understand why I consider Dogwood Hills to be a very special place, indeed.

THE PARTICULARS