Escalante Golf, a distinguished owner and operator of high-end golf properties spanning 17 states, has successfully acquired Hawks Ridge Golf Club, located in Ball Ground, Georgia.
Since its inception in 1999, Hawks Ridge has consistently been recognized among the nation’s Top 200 Modern Courses and as one of Georgia’s premier golf destinations. This upcoming June, the club will have the honor of hosting final qualifying for the 126th U.S. Open Championship, marking the ninth occasion it has been selected for this prestigious event.
The club was founded by childhood friends Mike Nixon and Joe Jillson, who embarked on an extensive search for the ideal location in the greater Atlanta area. Their endeavor culminated in the discovery of a secluded parcel approximately an hour north of downtown.
Following a comprehensive nationwide selection process, Bob Cupp was chosen as the course designer. Cupp, known for his work on courses like Pumpkin Ridge (Oregon) and Liberty National (New Jersey), had previously collaborated with Jack Nicklaus on Muirfield Village in Ohio, a personal favorite of the founders. Leveraging a remarkable 550-acre expanse of wooded, rolling terrain, Cupp crafted a golf course lauded for its strategic shot values, a compelling blend of hole lengths, and consistently exceptional course conditions.
From its opening, the club’s on-course excellence has been matched by a welcoming off-course ambiance. Beyond the 18-hole championship course, Hawks Ridge offers a nine-hole par-3 course, a spacious clubhouse, a tavern-style restaurant, a state-of-the-art training facility, a helipad, and two four-bedroom member cottages. This combination of superb golf and relaxed luxury has been instrumental in attracting a membership that includes prominent athletes and accomplished business leaders from Atlanta.
David McDonald, President/Partner at Escalante Golf, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are honored to assume stewardship of Hawks Ridge and continue its esteemed legacy as a club celebrated for exceptional golf and genuine camaraderie. Mike and Joe demonstrated remarkable vision in seamlessly integrating world-class course architecture with a relaxed club atmosphere. They established a standard of excellence that perfectly aligns with our team’s commitment to delivering an outstanding golf experience daily for our members and their guests. The Hawks Ridge membership comprises not only skilled players but also wonderful individuals. Mike and Joe built a true players’ club, designed to be cherished for generations. We are prepared and proud to preserve that legacy.”
Golf course architect Tripp Davis has been engaged to develop a master plan for the club. Davis, who completed a significant renovation of the Atlanta Athletic Club’s Riverside course in 2022 and is finalizing his original design, The Rose Golf Club, near Athens, Georgia, has a strong working relationship with Escalante. He has previously collaborated with the Escalante team on projects including The International’s Oaks Course (Massachusetts), BlackHorse Golf Club (Texas), and Black Diamond Ranch (Florida).
Jeff Kindred, COO of Escalante Golf, stated, “Our team is dedicated to ensuring that the Hawks Ridge practice facilities, instructional programs, tournament schedule, and culinary offerings enhance its already exceptional on-course golf experience. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to guide this iconic club, with its strong culture of excellence shared by both members and staff, into its next chapter.”
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Escalante Golf has strategically built a notable portfolio of exclusive clubs in key markets, which have hosted significant amateur and professional golf events, including the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships, the Charles Schwab Cup, the WGC Match Play Championship, and multiple LIV Golf events.