McLemore, the acclaimed golf club and resort destination perched atop Lookout Mountain, has officially opened The Keep, its highly anticipated Bill Bergin and Rees Jones-designed cliff-edge golf course.
The Keep is open for play to Equity Investors and National members of The Keep, as well as resort guests staying at Cloudland at McLemore Resort.
A Golf Experience “Above the Clouds”
Already touted as one of the best new golf courses in the country, The Keep is a stunning example of what it means to play golf “above the clouds.’’ A mountaintop headlands course, the par-72 layout can stretch to more than 7,700 yards on five sets of tees and features five cliffside holes overlooking McLemore Cove that present golfers with breathtaking vantage points at every turn.
Vision and Design Behind The Keep
“Since the announcement of this project over two years ago, The Keep has been one of the most highly anticipated new golf courses, and we’re beyond proud to celebrate the official grand opening,” said Duane Horton, president of Scenic Land Company, the developer of McLemore. “Years of planning and hard work have made The Keep a global golf destination, and we’re excited to welcome guests from around the world to see what makes this course so special.’’
The project, Bergin said, presented “a rare opportunity’’ to take advantage of a site with such dramatic elevation and natural character.
“Our focus was to craft a layout that touches all of the natural beauty of the property, tests every aspect of a golfer’s game, and delivers unforgettable moments along the cliff edge of Lookout Mountain and McLemore Cove.”
“The Keep Golf Course is truly unparalleled,” Jones said. “It’s dramatic cliffside setting inspired a one-of-a-kind golfing experience. While the course carries a unifying theme, each hole has its own distinctive personality. It’s designed to offer a balance of challenge and playability for everyday golfers, while at the same time it is championship ready.”
Expanding McLemore’s Golf Offerings
McLemore now boasts a trio of distinctive golf experiences: two championship courses and a six-hole short course known as “The Cairn.” Designed to complement the grandeur of The Keep and the Highlands Course, The Cairn offers a more relaxed, approachable format ideal for families, beginners, or seasoned players looking to sharpen their short game. Each hole is thoughtfully crafted to showcase the natural beauty of Lookout Mountain while providing strategic challenges that reward creativity and precision. With its walkable layout and scenic vistas, The Cairn serves as both a warm-up loop and a standalone experience that reflects McLemore’s commitment to inclusive, world-class golf.
Before the opening of The Keep, the resort had already established itself as a premier golf destination with the Highlands Course. Famous for its jaw-dropping elevation changes and dramatic terrain, the Highlands Course features one of the most spectacular finishing holes in golf, as the 18th runs along the cliff edge from tee to green, delivering a breathtaking finale that leaves a lasting impression on every golfer who plays it.
Introducing Cloudland: A Luxury Mountain Retreat
In February 2024, McLemore introduced Cloudland – a marquee Curio Collection by Hilton hotel perched atop Lookout Mountain with stellar views of the surrounding North Georgia mountains. The luxury resort property offers 245 guest rooms, including 21 suites and 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art indoor meeting and event space.
At Cloudland, guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including four superb restaurants and bars. One in particular – Auld Alliance – named after the oldest alliance in the world between Scotland and France, which dates back to 1295, is the only restaurant in the United States that combines the rich flavors of Scottish and French cuisine.
Cloudland also features a cliff-edge infinity pool and bar, along with a full-service spa. Guests of Cloudland also have access to endless opportunities to explore Lookout Mountain and the surrounding area.
Exclusive Access and Membership Benefits
Those enrolled as Friends of McLemore receive limited access as non-members to the club’s stunning Highlands Course, clubhouse dining at The Creag restaurant and bar, and luxurious accommodations on the beautiful mountaintop Cloudland at McLemore Resort.
Photo: The Keep (McLemore)
