For 20 years, people have traveled from across the world to play golf at Robert Trent Jones at Grand National in Opelika.
Architect Robert Trent Jones designed a group of public courses for the state of Alabama in the early '90s.
"They built the trail in '92, and they built all the facilities at the same time," said Scott Gomberg, director of golf at Grand National.
Today, the golf trail consists of 26 courses at 11 different sites across the state.
"They really are amazing courses," said Ben Holmes, junior in marketing. "I've played at Hampton Cove in Huntsville and here. It's really nice."
To celebrate 20 years of business in the state of Alabama, many of the trails are offering a special deal all year.
"We are doing the entire trail--with the exception of Ross Bridge--$20 on the 20th," Gomberg said. "On the 20th of every month throughout the year 2012 we're doing $20 green fees."
The Wall Street Journal said the trail's normal prices, between $40 and $65, "may be the best bargain in the country."
The grounds at Grand National in Opelika are impressive and have been host to multiple tournaments.
"We've got 54 holes, 36 championship golf holes and 18 holes are par 3, short course," Gomberg said. "The facility has held the LPGA Tournament of Champions, the Nike Tour championship, the 2000 Men's NCAA Championship and the Ladies' 2004 NCAA Championship. It was voted the No. 1 public golf course by the readers of Golf World Magazine, and that's in the nation, not just local."
Gomberg said its amenities include a full club house, restaurant, pro shop and driving range.
Changes to Grand National started last year. Parts of the golf course were renovated, including the greens on the lake course and the driving range. This year, six total locations had major renovations to prepare for the anniversary.
Holmes said discounting prices for a year would help bring interest to the trails.
"It's a good price to golf normally, but $20 is a steal," he said. "I'm sure they'll be busy the 20th of every month this year."
Gomberg said Grand National has done well in recent years despite many golfers being affected by the economy.
"We have continued to do very, very well," he said. "Obviously the traveling rounds have gone down slightly with people not traveling as much as they have in the past, which we've seen in the past two years. This year it looks like the travelers are getting stronger."
Gomberg attributed the part of the course's success to the growth of local businesses.
"With our local market getting stronger, in addition to the local car industry with Kia and Hyundai, we have seen our local business just going through the roof. We are continuing to do very, very well."
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