## East Lake Golf Club: A Storied Institution at the Heart of Atlanta East Lake Golf Club stands as Atlanta’s oldest golf course and a historic landmark, deeply intertwined with the city’s sporting and social history[2][3][4]. Established in 1904 by the Atlanta Athletic Club, the club was designed to provide a premier athletic environment for its members, initially featuring a course by Tom Bendelow before Donald Ross’s redesign in 1913 elevated its reputation[2][6]. East Lake’s clubhouse, opened in 1925, is an impressive Tudor-style structure designed by Philip Shutze and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places[4]. The club’s legacy is inseparable from legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones, who honed his skills on its fairways and helped cement East Lake’s place in golf history[1][2][3]. ## Core Mission and Community Impact East Lake Golf Club is not just a private golf club; it is a catalyst for community transformation. After decades of decline in the mid-20th century, the club was revitalized in the 1990s through the efforts of businessman and philanthropist Tom Cousins, who led a restoration that honored its heritage while addressing social challenges in the surrounding neighborhood[3]. The East Lake Foundation, established alongside the club’s renovation, uses golf as a vehicle for broader urban renewal, focusing on education, mixed-income housing, and community wellness. This innovative model has drawn national attention for its holistic approach to neighborhood revitalization. ## Key Achievements and Current Status East Lake is renowned for hosting the PGA TOUR Championship, the culminating event of the FedExCup Playoffs, and has been the tournament’s permanent home since 2005[3]. Its course, restored by Rees Jones in 1994, remains a challenging test for professionals and a tribute to Donald Ross’s original vision[3]. The clubhouse underwent a significant expansion