Shoal Creek golf course renovates for upcoming international tournament

Even 18 months out from hosting an international golf tournament, Shoal Creek is well into the process of making sure the golf course is picture perfect for the big week.

“This is going to be the biggest region tournament in the world that year. I think that’s a really amazing thing, and we’re really excited,” said Chris Graham, general manager of Shoal Creek golf course’s club. 

Shoal Creek was selected by the United States Golf Association to host the 2018 Women’s Open Championship from May 31 to June 3 in 2018. 

Caroline Little, president of Shoal Creek Properties, said one way they have started prepping for the event is through renovations. 

“Specifically, there have been some golf course renovations headed up by the Jack Nicklaus team. It’s mostly completed, but there are still a few things he’s got to do to prepare for the 2018 USGA Women’s Open tournament,” Little said.

The Shoal Creek golf course originally was opened and designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1977. Seven years later, the Professional Golfers Association Championship was at the 7,154-yard course. In 1984, Shoal Creek hosted another PGA Championship, as well as the 1986 U.S. Amateur and the 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur. From 2011 to 2015, it also hosted the Regions Tradition on the Champions Tour. 

“We are delighted to have that international exposure so that people can see what our communities are about,” Little said. “I think the 2018 tournament is not only going to be great for the community but Shelby County and Birmingham, too.”

Little said new homes are being built around the golf course during the next month, some individually owned and some custom-made. With the Shoal Creek area being a low-density community, Little said they take pride in how everything has been developed over time and work to ensure nothing is clear-cut. 

“I think what might be different about Shoal Creek is it’s not just a golf course in the sense for the community. You’re in the woods. The golf course is wonderful, but it’s not the sole reason why a lot of folks move out there,” Graham said.

The Shoal Creek property area is a wooded area in the southern foothills of the Appalachians. The golf course has mountain and cottage lots near the water, a swimming pool, tennis courts and fishing lakes.

Every year since the Great Recession, Little said the Shoal Creek community has improved, and it has more activity than ever. This is the momentum she said they definitely hope to continue to build on and move forward in the years to come. 

Little said they take pride in the growing gated community and how secure and private it has stayed even as the traffic in the area continues to grow.

“I did hear that Eagle Point is closing, and that’s happening around the country. You hate to hear it for the community, for the people that live there,” Little said.

Little said Shoal Creek was really fortunate to stay afloat. In many ways, she said Shoal Creek was slow to grow, and that ultimately proved to be helpful for their community. 

Little said because they are a gated community, a lot of people don’t know what is behind the gates. If anyone is interested in touring the new development and custom homes they are building, Shoal Creek would be happy to showcase their property.