Editor\u2019s Note: This feature originally ran in the February\/March \u201826 edition of the LaGrange Living magazine, a publication produced bi-monthly by the LaGrange Daily News. If you would like to pick up a copy of the LaGrange Living magazine or subcribe to the magazine, please visit our office at 115 Broad Ste 101.<\/p>\n
On rolling terrain just outside downtown LaGrange, a quiet stretch of fairways and towering trees carries more than a century of local tradition.<\/p>\n
For generations, families, golfers and community members have gathered at Highland Country Club, a private club with a story stretching back to the early days of American golf in the South. <\/p>\n
What began in the early 1920s as a place for residents to play golf and socialize has grown into one of the region\u2019s enduring institutions \u2014 offering recreation, dining and a community hub while preserving its historic character.<\/p>\n
Today, the club continues to evolve while maintaining its roots. General Manager Kevin Ziemet says the goal remains simple: to create a place where members feel at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cHighland Country Club proudly offers our members a full range of recreational and social experiences, including championship golf, tennis, swimming, and exceptional dining,\u201d Ziemet said. \u201cWhether enjoying a relaxing round on the course, a friendly match on the courts, or a memorable meal with family and friends, our members enjoy a welcoming community and outstanding amenities year-round.\u201d<\/p>\n
A gathering place for celebrations<\/p>\n
While golf remains the centerpiece of the club, Highland has long been known as a gathering place for major milestones and celebrations.<\/p>\n
Its clubhouse and event facilities regularly host an array of gatherings, bringing together residents from across Troup County and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe host a wide variety of events at Highland Country Club, from weddings and bar mitzvahs to retirement celebrations, holiday parties and numerous golf tournaments,\u201d Ziemet said.<\/p>\n
The setting \u2014 with its views of manicured fairways and traditional clubhouse architecture \u2014 has helped make the venue a popular destination for both large celebrations and more intimate occasions.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur beautiful and versatile facilities allow us to accommodate everything from large, elegant receptions to intimate member gatherings,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a true point of pride that Highland provides the perfect setting for both grand occasions and personal milestones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Events have long played a role in the club\u2019s connection to the broader community, providing a setting where residents mark important moments in their lives.<\/p>\n
A private club experience<\/p>\n
Highland operates as a private club, meaning access to its golf course and amenities is primarily reserved for members and their guests.<\/p>\n
But the club encourages prospective members to experience the atmosphere firsthand.<\/p>\n
\u201cHighland Country Club is a private, member-only club; however, our members are welcome to invite guests to experience the course and amenities,\u201d Ziemet said. \u201cWe also extend the opportunity for prospective members to visit, play a round, and enjoy some of our exceptional dining \u2014 giving them a true taste of the Highland experience before joining.\u201d<\/p>\n
For those interested in membership, the process is designed to be welcoming and community-focused.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo join Highland Country Club, prospective members are invited to visit the club for a personal tour and to experience what makes Highland special,\u201d Ziemet said. \u201cAfterward, an application is completed and submitted for review and approval by our board of directors. It\u2019s a simple, welcoming process designed to ensure each new member is a great fit for our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Membership options range from social access to full golf privileges, allowing individuals and families to tailor their experience at the club.<\/p>\n
A storied golf course<\/p>\n
One of Highland\u2019s greatest draws is its historic golf course.<\/p>\n
The course opened in 1922 and was designed under the supervision of legendary golf course architect Donald J. Ross, whose work helped shape the landscape of American golf in the early 20th century.<\/p>\n
Ross, known for designing classic courses that emphasize natural terrain and strategic play, left a lasting mark on the game. His portfolio includes many of the most celebrated courses in the United States.<\/p>\n
For Highland members and visiting guests, playing the course is both a sporting challenge and a step back in golf history.<\/p>\n
\u201cDonald Ross is a huge part of Highland\u2019s appeal,\u201d Ziemet said. \u201cRoss is considered one of the greatest golf course architects in history, known for creating layouts that are both beautiful and strategically challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ross\u2019 philosophy emphasized strategic shot-making rather than brute strength, a design principle that remains evident at Highland today.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis design philosophy emphasizes natural terrain, thoughtful routing, and greens that reward skill and strategy, which means every round at Highland is a unique experience,\u201d Ziemet said. \u201cFor golfers, playing a Ross-designed course isn\u2019t just a game \u2014 it\u2019s a chance to step onto a piece of golf history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Highland\u2019s history also includes visits from some of golf\u2019s most iconic figures.<\/p>\n
Among them was Bobby Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest amateur golfers in history and co-founder of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.<\/p>\n
Jones played exhibition matches at Highland during the early years of the club, helping bring attention and prestige to the course.<\/p>\n
The connection underscores Highland\u2019s place within the broader history of golf in the Southeast.<\/p>\n
Over time, the course expanded from its early design into a full 18-hole layout capable of challenging players of varying skill levels. Despite renovations and updates over the decades, the original Ross-inspired character remains intact.<\/p>\n
A new generation of golf leadership<\/p>\n
Highland\u2019s golf program is currently in a period of transition with the loss of its golf pro.<\/p>\n
Ziemet said the program remains strong under the leadership of assistant professional Trevor Poole.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re currently in a period of transition at Highland Country Club, as our longtime golf professional has accepted a new opportunity closer to family,\u201d Ziemet said.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Poole is helping lead golf operations and instruction for members.<\/p>\n
\u201cFortunately, our golf program remains in excellent hands with a talented and dedicated team led by assistant golf professional Trevor Poole,\u201d Ziemet said.<\/p>\n
Poole played collegiate golf at Point University, where he developed both competitive skills and a strong understanding of the game.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Editor\u2019s Note: This feature originally ran in the February\/March \u201826 edition of the LaGrange Living magazine, a publication…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":54348,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1271],"class_list":["post-54347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-masters-tournament","tag-masters-tournament"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54347"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54347\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}