The Golf Club Of Tennessee: 5 Shocking New Updates That Make It A Dual-Course Masterpiece
The Golf Club of Tennessee (GCoT), a private sanctuary nestled in the rolling hills of Kingston Springs, has undergone a monumental transformation, effectively doubling its championship pedigree and solidifying its status as one of the most exclusive and compelling private golf experiences in the United States. As of late 2025, the club is no longer defined by a single world-class course, but by a spectacular 36-hole complex that features the work of two of golf's most revered modern architects, Tom Fazio and Gil Hanse.
This dramatic expansion, highlighted by the highly anticipated opening of the new Upper Course in July 2024, has positioned GCoT for a new era of national recognition. From hosting major USGA championships to boasting a unique dual-architect design, the club has become a must-know entity in Middle Tennessee golf. The following five updates are essential for anyone tracking the most significant developments in high-end golf architecture and private club prestige this year.
The Founders and Visionary Architects: A Biography
The history of The Golf Club of Tennessee is rooted in the vision of influential Nashville business leaders who sought to create a pure golf experience without the distractions of residential development or tee times. This pursuit of excellence led them to commission two of the most celebrated names in golf course design.
The Founders: Bronson Ingram and Toby S. Wilt
- Bronson Ingram (1931–1995): A billionaire businessman and one of the principal founders of GCoT in 1988, Ingram was a monumental figure in Nashville's corporate and philanthropic landscape. He was instrumental in establishing the club’s initial vision for a world-class, golf-focused facility.
- Toby S. Wilt: Co-founder of GCoT, Wilt is a prominent Nashville financier and a highly respected figure in the golf world. He is famously known for his long-standing role as the first-tee starter for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Wilt was inducted into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 2017. Other founding members included George N. Gillett, Jr., David Wiley, and Chip Christianson.
The Architects: Tom Fazio and Gil Hanse
- Tom Fazio (Lower Course): Born February 10, 1945, Fazio is arguably the most prolific and highly-ranked living golf course designer. He has designed over 200 courses worldwide, with 46 of his designs ranked among *Golf Digest's* 200 greatest courses in the U.S. His work is known for its dramatic shaping, strategic bunkering, and aesthetic beauty.
- Gil Hanse (Upper Course): Born August 12, 1963, Hanse is renowned for his minimalist design philosophy, which emphasizes a natural, classic, and less-is-more approach to course architecture. His most famous original design is the 2016 Olympic Course in Rio de Janeiro, and he is a top restoration specialist for historic courses like Oakmont.
1. The Game-Changing Gil Hanse Upper Course (Opened 2024)
The single biggest development at The Golf Club of Tennessee is the addition of the 18-hole Upper Course, which officially opened to members in July 2024. This new course fundamentally alters the club’s identity, transforming it from a single-course experience into an elite, dual-course complex.
Designed by Gil Hanse, the Upper Course is a par-72 layout that runs along a high ridge, offering dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking views of the surrounding Middle Tennessee landscape. Hanse's minimalist design ethos is a deliberate contrast to Fazio's signature style. While Fazio is known for expansive, visually stunning earthworks, Hanse typically favors a design that looks like it was simply discovered on the land, utilizing natural contours and strategic bunkering to challenge players. The course’s debut instantly placed it among the most talked-about new courses in the country, and it will be the primary host for the upcoming USGA championships.
2. The Dual-Architect Pedigree: Fazio vs. Hanse
The presence of both a Tom Fazio and a Gil Hanse course creates a unique and compelling narrative for the club, one that few private facilities in the world can match. The two architects represent the pinnacle of modern golf course design, yet their styles offer distinct—and complementary—challenges.
The original Lower Course, designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1991, quickly gained national acclaim, earning the runner-up spot for *Golf Digest's* Best New Private Course in America. It is known for its beautiful Zoysia fairways and bentgrass greens, offering a challenging yet aesthetically pleasing round through the valley floor. The Lower Course is a perfect example of Fazio’s strategic and visually striking design philosophy.
The new Upper Course, by contrast, provides a different test. Hanse's work often requires more strategic thought and ground game creativity, emphasizing the natural terrain and classic design principles. Members now have the rare opportunity to experience two world-class, yet stylistically different, championship courses at one club, catering to every golfing mood and preference.
This dual-architect mastery is a significant point of topical authority, elevating GCoT's reputation far beyond the Nashville area and into the global conversation of elite private golf clubs.
3. Hosting Major USGA Championships in 2029 and 2034
The ultimate validation of the club’s new 36-hole complex came with the announcement that it will host two major USGA amateur championships. This news confirms the championship quality of both the Fazio and Hanse designs and solidifies GCoT's place on the national stage.
- 2029 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship: The Upper Course will serve as the main course for the competition, with the original Lower Course acting as the stroke-play co-host. The Mid-Amateur is one of the most prestigious amateur events in the world, limited to players aged 25 and older.
- 2034 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship: The club will once again welcome the nation’s top female amateur golfers aged 25 and older, showcasing the versatility and challenge of the dual layouts.
Hosting these events is a massive achievement, placing The Golf Club of Tennessee in the same conversation as other venerable USGA venues. The decision to select GCoT was heavily influenced by the new Hanse course, which provides the necessary capacity and architectural variety to host a modern, large-scale championship.
4. A Hub for Tennessee's Elite Golf Events
Beyond the national USGA events, The Golf Club of Tennessee continues to be the premier host for elite state and regional golf competitions, reinforcing its community importance and high standards. The club’s long-standing tradition of supporting local golf is evident in its 2025 schedule and nominations.
- 2025 World Golf Awards Nomination: GCoT is a nominee for "Tennessee's Best Golf Course 2025," an honor that speaks to the sustained quality of the Fazio course and the immediate impact of the new Hanse design.
- Sneds Tour Championship: The club is the site for the selection of the 2025 Tournament of Champions, a key event for the Sneds Tour, which supports junior golf in Tennessee.
- Charity and Amateur Events: The club has a long history of hosting significant events, including the Tennessee Golf Foundation’s primary fundraiser, Vince Gill’s "The Vinny" Pro-Am, and the Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee Golf Classic, further cementing its role as a pillar of Middle Tennessee golf.
5. Membership: Exclusivity in the Nashville Metro Area
Located in Kingston Springs, just a short drive from the booming metropolis of Nashville, The Golf Club of Tennessee is a highly exclusive, private members-only facility. Its commitment to a pure golf experience means it operates without mandatory tee times, a luxury that appeals to serious players and sets it apart from other prestigious private clubs in the Nashville area, such as The Grove, Richland Country Club, and Hillwood Country Club.
The club's focus remains squarely on superior service, exceptional facilities, and world-class golf. Membership is highly sought after, and pricing information is not made public, reflecting the club's private and exclusive nature. The addition of the Gil Hanse Upper Course and the securing of two USGA championships have undoubtedly increased the value and prestige of a GCoT membership, making it one of the most coveted invitations in the entire Southeast.
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