By the Decade

The 1960s and 1970s were a period of renovations and significant changes for the Atlanta Athletic Club and its facilities and membership. Where members once brought their families to play East Lake during the day and stay for dinner, in the early 1960s few remained on site after a round of golf. As fine as East Lake was, it was clear that it was not where the future was going to be. The geographical center of the membership was to the north of the city, in the suburbs of Marietta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Dunwoody, Alpharetta and Duluth, what developers called “the Golden Crescent.” Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

1966 AAC commissioned Robert Trent Jones to build a 27-hole course for $650,000.

Pictured: Yacht Club

1960 H.C. “Hickie” Allen begins to investigate the viability of purchasing property in north Fulton County. 1963 AAC purchases 614 acres for $420,000 from Ben

1967 May 17, 1967 River Bend CC opens and holds a contest to “Name the Nines: Big Bend, Waterloo and Long View.” 1968 At the April 2 Stockholder’s meeting, a Club-wide vote is taken and members vote 900 to 551 to sell the East Lake property. Bob Jones supported the selling of East Lake as members were not using it now that River Bend had opened.

Pictured: East Lake Aerial View

Summerour, who grew corn and cotton. The property is called “River Bend.”

1958 Lake Lanier Yacht Club opens on July 4, 1958. East Lake adds a 164-foot swimming pool and renovated the bathhouse and expanded the clubhouse and tennis courts.

1965 East Lake No. 2 course is sold to help finance the building of AAC’s River Bend Country Club.

1963 AAC hosts the 15th 1963 Ryder Cup championship at its East Lake Course. The American team is captained by Arnold Palmer and win by a score of 23 to 9.

Pictured: Arnold Palmer with Ryder Cup Trophy

Buz McGriff is named Athletic Director and serves the Club for 32 years.

Pictured: Buz McGriff