Escalante acquires Georgia’s Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga.

Escalante Golf, boutique owner and operator of luxury golf properties across 17 states, acquired Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga. 

This June, Hawks Ridge will be one of 10 U.S. courses to host final qualifying for the 126th U.S. Open Championship, marking the ninth time it has been selected for this honor. 

Childhood friends Mike Nixon and Joe Jillson founded the club after searching far and wide for the best land they could find in greater Atlanta. Their quest led them to a secluded parcel about one hour north of downtown.  

After an extensive nationwide process, they selected Bob Cupp as the course designer. Cupp, whose credits include Pumpkin Ridge outside of Portland, Ore., and Liberty National just west of New York City, worked with Jack Nicklaus on Ohio’s Muirfield Village, one of the founders’ favorite courses. Presented with an ideal canvas of 550 wooded, rolling acres, Cupp created a golf course that has received acclaim for its strong shot values, thought-provoking mix of shorter and longer holes, and exceptional conditioning. 

Beyond the 18-hole course, other feature amenities at Hawks Ridge are a nine hole par-3 course, spacious clubhouse, tavern-style restaurant, state-of-the-art training center, helipad and two four-bedroom member cottages.

“We’re honored to become the next stewards of Hawks Ridge, and to continue its legacy as a club known for great golf and genuine camaraderie,” said David McDonald, president and partner at Escalante Golf. “Mike and Joe possessed incredible vision when they successfully combined world-class golf course architecture with a laid-back club vibe. They established a standard for excellence that seamlessly aligns with our team’s mission to deliver an amazing golf experience every day to our members and their guests. The Membership at Hawks Ridge is one composed not only of higher-caliber players, but great people as well. Mike and Joe built a true players’ club, one to be enjoyed for generations to come. We’re prepared and honored to preserve that legacy.” 

Golf course architect Tripp Davis has been retained to create a masterplan for the Club. In 2022, Davis completed an extensive renovation of Atlanta Athletic Club’s Riverside course and is currently putting the finishing touches on an original design, The Rose Golf Club, outside of Athens, Ga. Davis and Escalante enjoy a close relationship, as the heralded architect has worked with the team at The International’s Oaks Course (Bolton, Mass.), BlackHorse Golf Club (Cypress, Texas) and Black Diamond Ranch (Lecanto, Fla.).  

“Our team is committed to ensuring the Hawks Ridge practice facility, instruction programming, tournament schedule and culinary offerings are complementary to its exceptional on-course golf experience,” added Jeff Kindred, COO, Escalante Golf. “We are excited for the opportunity to bring this iconic club – one with such a strong culture of excellence shared by both members and staff – into its next chapter.” 

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