Most golfers have heard of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. The now world-famous, state-wide golf courses have inspired duplicates from Maine to California. RTJ Trail was a project of the Retirement Systems of Alabama and the brainstorm of its CEO. Perhaps in the near future, a similar pattern of comparable golf courses will come to fruition because of the vision of another Alabama golf executive. The golfer with the idea was David Pursell. The vision was to build a world-class demonstration facility of proper fertilization, agronomy, and management techniques for golf course superintendants from around the globe. The golf course became reality on a family farm about 45 minutes from Birmingham, Alabama. The vision started to become reality in 2001 when the Pursell family of Sylacauga and the owners of Pursell farms began construction of David’s long time vision: a world-class research and demonstration golf course.  Eventually, a name needed to be selected and it was christened FarmLinks. The course was intended to improve the entire golf industry through its ability to serve as a laboratory and ongoing research facility for golf’s industry leaders.  Superintendents would come for a few days and would hear from top agronomy professionals. On June 4, 2003, the dream came to fruition as 550 guests, including family friend Jim Nabors, who was TV’s Gomer Pyle, and Alabama Governor, Bob Riley, made their way to Sylacauga to celebrate the official opening of the 7,444-yard, par-72, Hurdzan-Fry designed golf course.

As the world's first research and demonstration golf course, FarmLinks is literally a laboratory where golf's products of tomorrow are tested today. Companies like Toro, Club Car, BASF and Agrium Advanced Technologies have partnered with FarmLinks to create this one-of-a-kind, limited-play environment that's open to public play six days a week. So what does this mean for you, the Fairways’ golfer? It means that you are going to be stunned by the natural beauty and the incredible world-class upkeep of the FarmLinks course. Dramatic elevation changes and a variety of other features will keep challenging even the best of Golfers. Golfers that play FarmLinks can expect to encounter not only a variety of different grass types, but wild turkey, coyotes, an occasional robotic mower, and at least one state-of-the-art golf cart. Also, the course offers an all-inclusive rate. So, not only will you get a great round of golf, you'll enjoy a traditional, Southern-style lunch in the Club House, beverages and snacks, unlimited use of the practice facility, ice-cold apples on the course, and chilled mango-scented towels delivered to you on hot days.

Erle Fairly, President, was hired to create “the experience” which initially was to host executives in the golf industry and the superintendants at a 14,000 square foot, first class lodge. However, the lodge and guest house at Farmlinks are booked solid most weeks and left little opportunity for golfers to stay in this beautiful setting – that is until now! FGV talked with Erle and he said: “Farmlinks is adding 7 cottages and cabins, where each will have 4 bedrooms with a private bath and two queen beds. The project will be completed by June 1st and will give us the ability to have as many as 56 golfers stay for a few days in a world-class golf setting.” Fairways will begin offering these accommodations to its customers in the very near future.