Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill not only separates itself from other clubs around Elmore County, but since it first opened in 1999, the facility also arguably has risen above most other golf courses across Alabama and the country.
Located on more than 600 acres in Prattville, just inside Elmore County’s western line, RTJ-Capitol Hill boasts 54 holes of championship golf. It is the only location on the renowned statewide RTJ Golf Trail founded by David Bronner and includes a world class 360-degree practice area.
“In my opinion, it’s one of the unique golf complexes in the country,” Capitol Hill Director of Golf Mike Beverly said. “First of all, our practice facility is one of the best in the country, probably one of two in the Southeast that’s 360-degree large facility. Two putting greens, a bunker, chipping areas – so it’s a world class practice facility.”
Of the 26 sites on the RTJ Trail, Capitol Hill is the only club that offers three championship courses, Beverly said.
“There are several 54-hole sites, but the others have short courses. That’s definitely our selling point on why we are the busiest. People can come here for multiple days, stay and play three championship courses and not have to change hotel rooms,” he explained.
RTJ-Capitol Hill, which is only closed on Christmas Day, offers two membership plans and honors the RTJ Trail Card.
The Red plan covers all greens fees, but the individual pays for cart rental at $20 for 18 holes. This plan runs $1,500 annually.
The Platinum plan costs $1,800 per year and covers greens fees but not cart rental, but this plan includes unlimited range balls, a locker and the USGA handicap fee, as well as discounts on food and beverages for the member and guests.
The Robert Trent Jones Trail also offers a Trail Card that state residents can purchase for $40. The card features deeply discounted rates on rounds of golf at each site across Alabama, including Capitol Hill where 18 holes of play with a cart runs $96.
The Capitol Hill club offers a full golf shop in the clubhouse, two meeting rooms, a food/bar operation and a teaching academy featuring two full-time instructors, including PGA Director of Instruction Robbie Blackwell.
The club includes more than 1,500 acres of golf on three Bermuda grass courses – the Judge, the Legislator and the Senator.
The Judge, which opened in 2000, was the most recent of the three courses to open. This course was named one of the 10 public courses in America worthy of hosting the U.S. Open by Golf Magazine and is the host course for the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic.
According to Beverly, each course presents its own distinctions and challenges for players from five sets of tees, another selling point for the facility.
“They are all great golf courses. The other thing I think is unique about our facility compared to others with multiple holes around the country is the golf courses are distinctly different types of layouts,” Beverly said. “You’ve got a Links-style golf course in the Senator. You have a more traditional, parkland-style on the Legislator. The back nine is really cool; you get some elevation change and bring a little bit of the Judge in, three or four holes around the swamp; then, you finish up next to the Senator. The Judge is just the Judge: Water on 14 of the 18 holes, beautiful views.
“It’s neat to not have holes that look the same because the topography is so different from the top of the property to the bottom. People love coming here because the courses are so different. Even though you’re at the same place, it doesn’t feel the same.”
Intimidation surfaces immediately on the Judge with the opening tee shot on No. 1. This par 4 at 415 yards from the black tee overlooks the Alabama River and the fairway from 180 feet up.
“The elevation is intimidating,” Beverly said. “I tell people to play to the 150-yard post. It’s a risk/reward deal, and being the first swing of the day, hit it 150 to the middle of the green and get out of there as fast as you can. The further you hit it, you’re bringing in hazard to both sides.”
On the Senator, Beverly labeled No. 17 a “love/hate” hole. The 559-yard, long par 5 separates itself from the rest of the Links course with a double water hazard.
“You’ve got water off the tee, you’re landing across the ravine, and everything kind of narrows up. If you want to go for it in two, the green’s elevated, and you’ve got the second hazard.”
Hole 15 provides the only other elevated tee box outside of the Judge’s opener, but the 407-yard par 4 troughs in the fairway before cresting back up at a severely sloped green that gets golfers talking.
“There’s a front, middle and back with the slopes, and it’s very distinctive. The back pin location is very tough to get to,” Beverly said. “I have guys coming in complaining about how much they hate it.”
Above all, Capitol Hill provides players with memorable challenges that keep them coming back, Beverly said.
“That’s kind of what Dr. Bronner, when he built the Trail, wanted – to make them tough. People remember the tough holes and talk about them because if you birdie it …”
That’s something to talk about.
The RTJ Trail Card can be purchased online at rtjgolf.mybigcommerce.com/trailcard/. Book a tee time online at capitolhill.play18.com/teetimes/searchmatrix or call 334-285-1114.
