Two Alabama Clubs Announce Merger

The private Grayson Valley Country Club about 12 miles from downtown Birmingham and the semi-private Trussville Country Club will be merged and rebranded under the name of Country Clubs East, effective June 1.

"The advantage is if one of the courses is having a tournament or aerifying the greens, members and guests can still play at the other course," said Chris Rigdon, who will be General Manager/ Director of Golf of both operations. "Once you join, you're a member of both."

The Trussville club is an 18 holes, 6050-yard layout with four sets of tees that will remain open to both membership and public play, while Grayson Valley will be members-only.

The membership initiation fee will be $500, with monthly dues of $175 and a fee of $50 for monthly food purchases at either club. The Country Clubs East will also offer a non-golfer swim/tennis & fitness membership to the Grayson Valley's off-course amenities which include an Olympic-size swimming pool, weight room and four hard-surface tennis courts, A $250 initiation fee to join is currently being considered with a $120 monthly dues, and the $50 food allotment.

"The new format we have here is unique, where we have 36 holes of golf--18 at Trussville and 18 at Grayson Valley," added Chris. "Trussville is a par 71 that was built in 1967 and designed by a former farmer in the area, Murray Roper. Both back nines finish in uphill par 3s with multi-tiered greens. The club also features Mulligan's Bar & Grill. Grayson was designed in 1976 by John Lafoye and stretches out to over 6500 with 4sets of tees playing to a par 72.

A new online format, Teesnap, is currently in the works that will allow golfers to schedule tee times on their phone or computer.