CourSeS
I’m a member at
East Lake GC and
although it’s private,
definitely play it if you
can. It’s my favorite
course because of its
rich tradition. The
clubhouse is like a
museum of the
game’s history.
Across the street,
however, is Charlie
Yates GC. It’s a par- 58
executive course Rees
Jones designed, and it
is a lot of fun to play.
It fits right in with the
Tee It Forward
campaign, which I’m
a big proponent of.
Plus it has views of
the Atlanta skyline. A
lot of people play
there the week of the
Tour Championship.
Another good course
is North Fulton GC—
Chastain Park to locals.
A fascinating fact is
that it used labor from
a nearby prison to
construct it. It used to
host some events,
including the PGA
Tour’s North Fulton
Open. No one will be
disappointed if they
play here.
very close to the
financial area and
some of the city’s
main attractions. … I
also like the Four
Seasons , and the new
Loews in midtown is a
wonderful hotel with
several attractions of
note within walking
distance.
busy, especially on
game day when
Georgia Tech is home.
Arthur Blank’s
Atlanta
my town
SportS have become SynonymouS with
the GeorGia capital—includinG Golf
Although born in New York and attending
Babson College in Massachusetts (where he graduated
in three years), Arthur Blank has lived in Atlanta since
1978, making him as qualified to speak about the city
and its attractions as he is running his many successful
businesses, including the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
“It’s a great city with so much going for it,” Blank
says. “It’s very diverse, which I like. It also has
something for just about everyone, from all the
different sports teams to fabulous restaurants,
museums, parks and some really good golf.”
Known for his football connection, Blank has golf
ties too, as the controlling owner of the PGA Tour
Superstore chain. “I love the sport and the social
aspect of it,” he says. “Spending quality time with
individuals, and walking and taking everything in.
Out on the course you have time, and the pace of life
slows down a bit. I like that.”
Spoken like a true Atlantan instead of a New
Yorker. —E. Michael Johnson
Don’t mISS
Obviously a Falcons
game is a great way to
spend time. We can’t
guarantee a win every
time, but we can
guarantee a good
experience. … The
Georgia Aquarium is a
wonderful spot. Try to
go on one of the
“behind the scenes”
tours. It really gives
you an idea of all that
goes into running the
aquarium.
Atlanta is home to
Coca-Cola and near
the aquarium is the
World of Coca-Cola
where you can learn
all about the history
of the soft drink.
where to Stay
The St. Regis Atlanta is
in Buckhead and offers
a very comfortable
setting in a more
residential area with
excellent shops and
restaurants close by.
I’m more familiar with
the larger hotels, so I’d
also recommend
the Ritz-Carlton
downtown or in
Buckhead. Both are
fine hotels that are
arthur Blank
Although he may be
best known as owner
of the NFL’s Atlanta
Falcons, Blank’s business résumé extends
far beyond football,
including co-founding
Home Depot in 1978
with Bernard Marcus.
Blank retired as cochairman of Home
Depot in 2001, but
took over as controlling owner of the PGA
Superstore chain in
2010. A 20-handicap,
Blank plays 30 rounds
a year and says, “I
enjoy practicing as
much as playing.”
Stan Badz/PGa tOUR; GRant HalveRSOn/Getty ImaGeS; COURteSy Of tHe fOUR SeaSOnS, COURteSy Of aRtHUR Blank
One of the best steakhouses anywhere is
Chops Lobster Bar. It
has wonderful steak,
seafood and chicken
with great sides too.
It’s one of the few
places you’ll be able to
find porterhouse lamb
chops. … Another of
my favorites is Kyma
on Piedmont Road.
The restaurant has
white columns and a
constellation display
on the blue ceiling for
a different atmosphere. The menu is
mostly seafood with a
Mediterranean touch,
and is a perfect
change-of-pace
restaurant.
The best sports bar
is a place downtown
called STATS. During
the college football
season it gets packed.
There are TVs
everywhere, and the
food is fantastic. … No
one should come to
Atlanta without
visiting The Varsity. It
probably serves more
hot dogs than
anywhere in the
world. It’s a great
place and is always
