400 Laurel Canyon Parkway, Canton; 770-720-1808
STAFF: Nathan DeVictor is the PGA Golf Professional; Brett Gratz is the Superintendent
PAR/YARDAGE: Fairways of Canton is a par 70 with four sets of tees: Black (6,500 yards); Blue (6,000); White (5,400) and Green (4,600).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 72.3/135 (Black); 69.7/129 (Blue); 67.0/121 (White); 67.9/119 (Green).
ABOUT THE COURSE: Fairways of Canton opened in 2007 but shut down in less than three years, as its overly demanding layout did not meet with public approval and other aspects of the facility left much to be desired. Rocky Roquemore, who helped design many of the newer Canongate courses, had done plenty of good work in the Atlanta area,
but Fairways of Canton was not well received. Atlanta-based designer D.J. DeVictor, part of the company that has taken over operations of the club, handled the renovations of the course, which recently re-opened after being out of commission for a year. DeVictor has made it a much more playable layout, removing bunkers and trees to widen the course and make it more forgiving around the greens, although plenty of trouble still remains, especially off the tee. DeVictor has done an admirable job, but several holes remain extremely challenging and may require another tweak. Apart from a handful of
par 4s, the layout is very playable, and a few of those holes may not be par 4s for much longer. The boomerang-shaped 15 and perilous downhill 7th are listed as par 4s, but will play as par 5s for all but the lowest handicappers, with the 7th offering a small target over a wetlands area with little bailout room and trouble behind. Other than those two holes and the 3rd, another treacherous par 4 with water seriously in play off the tee and on the approach, DeVictor has made Fairways of Canton a reasonable test, but one that is likely more of a challenge than the modest Course Rating/Slope numbers would indicate. There are a number of short and inviting par 4s and a scenic and reachable risk/reward par-5 18th, with the par 3s a fairly strong group. Some interesting greens complexes remain, and the new mini-verde Bermuda surfaces have some growing in to do along with the fairways, but the course is headed in a positive direction after its early struggles.