Forest Hills Golf Course Reopens Strong After Hurricane Helene Cleanup

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.”

Navigating Course Repairs After the Storm

In addition to tree loss, the heavy machinery required for removal created its own set of challenges. Cart paths sustained notable damage and quickly became a top priority to ensure safe navigation around the course. Since irrigation demand was low during the winter, repairs to the system were delayed—but once temperatures rose, crews uncovered significant pipe and line failures.

“Once we turned the water back on, we started finding issues one by one,” Deal said. “The superintendent and crew spent weeks isolating problems, repairing them, and playing ‘whack-a-mole’ as we worked through the system.”

Community Support and A Successful Reopening

Despite the setbacks, Forest Hills reopened just six weeks after the storm. The community response was overwhelmingly positive.

“People were incredibly supportive and eager to get back out on the course,” Deal noted. “The new greens were very well received, and the feedback helped build momentum through the recovery. Members kept telling us how happy they were to see Forest Hills back open and in great shape.”

The quick turnaround was crucial. April brings Masters Week—one of the club’s key economic periods—and Augusta University’s golf team relies heavily on its home course for practice and its annual collegiate event.

A Course That Endures

First opened in 1926—two years before Augusta National was established—Forest Hills Golf Course has long played a central role in Augusta’s golf history. Bobby Jones won the Southeast Amateur here the same year he achieved his Grand Slam.

“Forest Hills has been around a long time and is not going anywhere,” Deal said. “Even a devastating hurricane can’t keep this Augusta classic down for long.”

Today, with only minor cleanup projects remaining, Forest Hills stands fully restored and back to delivering the strong playing conditions and sense of community for which it has always been known.