Candler Park Golf Trust

Neighborhood stewards of Atlanta’s most accessible golf course

A community-led effort to restore, reimagine, and care for the historic 9-hole Candler Park Golf Course in partnership with the City of Atlanta. Our goal is simple: keep this course public, welcoming, and thriving for the next 100 years.

Help Us Build It

Why It Matters

More than just a golf course.

Golfer under autumn tree

Candler Park Golf Course was donated to the City of Atlanta by Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler and opened in 1927. Designed so his daughter could play when women were excluded from private clubs, it remains one of the most casual and welcoming places to play in the city.

  • A starter course where new golfers, kids, and families fall in love with the game.
  • A walkable nine in the middle of the city.
  • A piece of history that should feel like the neighborhood’s shared backyard.

We believe that with the right investment and a strong neighborhood partner, it can be financially healthy for the city and a better experience for everyone.

Our Vision

A muni course that feels like Candler Park.

Immediately Accessible

Affordable rates, walkable, and welcoming for first timers, families, and casual play.

Fun at Every Level

Architecturally thoughtful so beginners feel included and better players stay engaged.

Community Integrated

Neighborhood kids working in the shop. Birthday parties on the patio. Coffee worth walking over for.

Welcoming to Women

Living up to its legacy with programming where young women feel ownership, not like guests.

Financially Healthy

Generating sustainable surplus revenue for the city, without outsourcing soul and control.

Rough Timeline

How we get there.

Now

Formalize Candler Park Golf Trust as a nonprofit (501c3 pending).

Continue annual Candler Park Golf Classic fundraisers.

First Capital Project: Redesigned back patio in partnership with the city.

Soon (2026)

Run regular food, beverage, and coffee pop ups.

Expand community events and volunteer grounds days.

Complete course and facility master planning with an architect.

Ultimately (2027+)

Launch capital campaign (~$4 million) for renovation.

Begin phased construction while keeping the course playable.

Implement long-term stewardship programs.

What we are doing now

Focusing on making the day-to-day better.

Annual Fundraiser Tournament

Grow the Candler Park Golf Classic as a signature neighborhood event.

Patio Project

Partnering with the city on a ~$100k renovation to turn the back clubhouse area into a place people actually want to sit.

Pop Ups & Events

Coffee mornings, kids clinics, and volunteer work days to make the place feel loved.

Where this is going

A full transformation over a 3-5 year horizon.

World Class Design

Engage an architect who understands municipal golf: fun, walkable, and not punishing.

Course Renovation

Rebuild greens, tees, bunkers, and drainage while keeping maintenance sustainable.

Operations

Turn the course from an underperforming asset into a revenue generator, while keeping it affordable and public.

Founding Board

Neighbors, parents, and regulars.

Greg Hutcheson Matthew Hall Anna Freeman Jeremy Freeman Zac Toy Ontario Smith

Working in partnership with the Candler Park Conservancy, Park Pride, and the City of Atlanta.

Get Involved

Contact Us: candlerparkgolftrust@gmail.com