When you approach the tee shot on Emerald Mountain Golf Club’s No. 12 hole, be prepared for Mother Nature to throw at you just about everything she has to offer: 10-foot alligators, a straight must-shot to avoid hazards, and again, 10-foot alligators.
The Ward Northrup course weaves through deep ravines, rolling hills and the untouched wetlands where the alligators like to watch golfers seize up on the 12th tee. Cozied in along the Tallapoosa River, the signature hole at this championship play is a 418-yard par 4 from the back tee, and it defines the unique identity of the rest of the course.
“You’re going to hit it straight, or you’re going to lose some golf balls,” Emerald Mountain’s General Manager Erich Flynn said. “It’s intimidating because you could go out to the driving range and hit 100 straight balls. Then you’re going to go to 12; hit your first one and flare it right because everybody does; then, you’re going to overcorrect and hook it left. That’s just the way it is.
“Then you’ll see the gator down there by the green – everything else will be fine. Then go to No. 13, a par 5 that you might could birdie, and you’re off to 14.
“A big 10-foot gator is out there now on No. 12, a momma and babies. Takes a couple minutes longer because everybody wants a picture, everybody wants to say they saw it. That’s unique.”
Marilyn Hawkins, who plays the course at least once a week, said she’s had plenty of run-ins with the course reptiles and has seen as many as four alligators at one time.
“I love them,” Hawkins said. “My husband and I look for them. They are fascinating creatures. I try to hit it straight down the middle every time and not worry about it. That’s just part of nature, and if you hit it near the water, just keep your head on a swivel.
“The gators don’t take anything away. They add to the beauty of golf. We don’t challenge them. We also don’t feed them. They can have the right of way.”
That’s the epitome of Emerald Mountain Golf Club, a full 18-hole, traditional-styled course laid out in the center of the Emerald Mountain neighborhood and at home in the bountiful wildlife that lives in the flat marshes and rolling hills.
“There have been four or five owners before we got it. The thing I can vouch for, I’ve lived up here for 20 years now,” Flynn said. “I played the course day one in 2001. Played it with my son, then eventually, the grandkids. It’s such a good course. People come in, and whether they’ve played it or not, I can look them in the eye and say this is one great track. We hope when people leave here they have good things to say.”
Presently, the club’s back nine are the only holes available for play, as the crew has been working for the past three years to repair the front side, which was severely damaged by a flood seven years ago. The owners have compensated players with a great discount. Golfers can play the back nine twice – 18 holes with a cart – for $20, plus tax.
The original 18 holes played at 7,023 yards, 72 par, and the facility offers a driving range and practice putting green, as well as a pro shop. Located on site, Top of the Hill Grill serves burgers, hot dogs, seafood platters and a variety of beverages. The restaurant also features a meat-and-three menu on Sundays.
“Whether you’re a youngster coming out just starting, a woman golfer, played all your life, enjoy playing the longest tees or a senior, the availability is there for everybody. Consistent staff, good people, very helpful,” Flynn said. “We got the driving range, which is doing very well, and the putting green.
“It’s a fun course to play, but it’s a tough course. People will go out, come in and say they had a great time. It has a lot to do with us, but also the dollars and cents. When it’s $20 versus $40 or more, it feels better.
“I feel like we make people feel like they’re at home, at their own course whether they’re from here in town or not.”
Emerald Mountain Golf Club is located at 245 Mountain View Drive in Wetumpka. Call 334-514-8082 for tee times.
