McLemore Resort’s newest golf course, The Keep, has earned national recognition after being named Sports Illustrated’s Best New Course of 2025, placing the northwest Georgia destination among the elite in the golf world.
The honor was announced by Sports Illustrated following months of evaluation and preview play. The publication cited the course’s overall impact, design excellence and setting in selecting it as the top new course in the country.
The Keep officially opened in October and is the second course at McLemore Resort, located in Rising Fawn. The course is the latest collaboration between golf course architects Bill Bergin and Rees Jones, whose work has helped elevate McLemore into a nationally recognized golf destination.
According to Sports Illustrated, the success and acclaim of McLemore’s original Highlands course helped pave the way for the development of The Keep, ultimately leading to the resort’s continued expansion and national profile. The publication described The Keep as a course defined by its dramatic mountain setting and memorable playing experience.
Rees Jones, a longtime leader in golf course design, called The Keep “truly unparalleled,” saying its dramatic setting inspired a one-of-a-kind golfing experience that balances playability for everyday golfers with championship-level challenges.
The Keep is a private course, though access is available to guests staying at McLemore’s Cloudland Hotel, a Hilton property.