Forest Hills Golf Course, the historic Donald Ross-designed venue operated by Bobby Jones Links and owned by Augusta University, has fully reopened and is thriving once again after extensive damage from Hurricane Helene. The September 26, 2024 storm—unusual in its inland severity—downed more than 1,500 trees across the property and forced an all-hands effort to restore the course ahead of its planned fall reopening.
Forest Hills had closed in June 2024 for an eagerly anticipated greens renovation, with plans to unveil the updated putting surfaces on October 1. Instead, course staff and contractors found themselves clearing fallen timber, removing debris, stabilizing dangerous “widowmakers,” and assessing widespread damage. Despite many team members facing storm impacts at home, cleanup began immediately.
“It was a collaborative effort from the moment Helene moved out,” said Joshua Deal, Vice President of Operations at Bobby Jones Links and President of the Georgia Section PGA of America. “The team at the facility jumped right in—bringing in tree specialists, ensuring the property was safe, and prioritizing debris removal. Only once the major hazards were cleared could we focus on the outer areas and aesthetics. In those areas, the cleanup was essentially a six-month process.”…