Ol' Colony Golf Course

Ol' Colony Golf Course in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was designed by Jerry Pate, the former U.S. Open champion who transitioned to course architecture in the 1980s. Pate, who won the 1976 U.S. Open at Atlanta Athletic Club, has designed several courses primarily across the southeastern United States. His work typically emphasizes playability for a range of skill levels while incorporating strategic elements that reward thoughtful course management. The course occupies land in west-central Alabama, where the terrain generally features rolling topography characteristic of the region's transition between the Appalachian foothills and the coastal plain. Tuscaloosa's golf landscape benefits from a climate that supports year-round play and allows for courses framed by native hardwoods and pines. Pate's designs often make use of natural land movement and water features to create variety in shot requirements and visual interest throughout the routing. As a public facility, Ol' Colony serves both local golfers and visitors to the Tuscaloosa area, which is home to the University of Alabama. The course provides an accessible option for daily-fee play in a market that includes both municipal and semi-private facilities. Pate's architectural approach tends toward traditional strategic design principles rather than extreme length or difficulty, making his courses suitable for regular play by club members and recreational golfers while still offering challenge from the back tees.