Fairways of Canton

Fairways of Canton is a semi-private 18-hole golf course located in Canton, Georgia.

Fairways of Canton opened in 2007. The course was designed by Rocky Roquemore and redesigned in 2010-2011 by D. J. DeVictor. The course underwent a full renovation. Numerous bunkers were removed and replaced with tightly mowed chipping areas. The greens are now Mini Verde Bermuda.

The Fairways features a challenging mountain layout, a knowledgeable staff, and a first-class golf clubhouse. The par 72 layout, which plays 6,600 yards, features a much steeper overall design than most golfers ever experience. Golfers accustomed to playing other courses in the metro Atlanta area may be surprised by The Fairways' deep bunkers; short, narrow fairways; and small greens. Like many old-style courses, The Fairways can at times prove much more punishing than typical modern layouts.

"The Fairways is like my tribute to the way golf used to be," Roquemore said.

The Fairways of Canton is a daily fee course, open to all the residents of the entire Canton community, and located within Laurel Canyon. The Fairways features a challenging mountain layout, a knowledgeable staff, and a first-class golf clubhouse. This is a difficult course with narrow fairways, hidden greens, and very steep slopes on many holes. Very unforgiving to those who struggle to hit the ball straight or accurately as shots in the rough many times result in lost balls and penalty strokes.

Blue tees: par-70, 6,603 yards, 73.4 / 143

White tees: par-70, 6,113 yards, 71.0 / 139

Yellow tees: par-70, 5,351 yards, 68.2 / 133

Green tees: par-70, 4,763 yards, 69.3 / 131

The course closed in August 2010 but looks to be reopening in June 2011. The city-owned golf course is under new management. Next Generation Golf based in Marietta signed a lease to take over the Fairways of Canton.

Now how is this for a sweetheart deal...

Next Generation will pay no rent to the Canton Building Authority on their 15-year "lease." The city will begin sharing in the net revenues beginning in year 11 of the lease with its initial take starting at 5 percent. The city's share would increase by five percent per year maxing out at 25 percent of net revenues in year 15.

The agreement includes an option for Next Generation Golf to purchase the course at 50 percent of fair market value after two years.

Rocky Roquemore, the developer and original leasee and operator of the course built through a public-private partnership with the city government, closed the course on Aug. 1 2010 because the course was operating at a loss. The city invested $3 million into the project, thinking it would be an economic development tool as well as an amenity for residents.

Since the course closed, the city has been saddled not only with continuing payments on its investment in the project, but also the cost to maintain and advertise the property.

So, if I understand this correctly, Next Generation gets the course for operating costs for the next 10 years and gets to keep profits. If all works well, they can buy the course at any time after year 2 for 50% of market price. Sure looks like a free test drive and the city gave up a lot to save the $5000 a month they had been spending to "maintain" the course and protect their $3,000,000 investment.