Originally opened in October 1960 as the O.B. Keeler Memorial Golf Course, the club celebrated its grand opening by welcoming two of golf’s legends, Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead. A few years later, the name was changed to Pinetree Country Club, beginning the tradition and legacy that continues to define the club today.
Over the years, Pinetree has welcomed many of the game’s most respected figures, including Bobby Jones and Tommy Aaron. The club also played an early role in the career of Larry Nelson, a Kennesaw native who worked as a golf assistant at Pinetree before going on to a Hall of Fame career that included victories at the U.S. Open and two PGA Championship titles.
Pinetree’s reputation as a championship venue has been reinforced through its selection to host some of Georgia’s most prestigious tournaments. The club has hosted the Georgia State Amateur Championship in 1976, 1985, 2003, and again in 2013. It has also welcomed the Georgia Open in 2014 and the Atlanta Open in 2026, in addition to serving as a qualifying site for numerous Georgia and U.S. Amateur Championships.
Just as meaningful is the legacy found within the membership itself. Pinetree is proud to be home to four members of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. Their accomplishments reflect not only individual excellence but also the enduring tradition of championship golf that continues to define the club.
In 2007, with a commitment to preserving that tradition while preparing the course for the future, the membership undertook a comprehensive renovation. Architect Bill Bergin was selected to lead the project with the goal of maintaining the course’s original character while thoughtfully improving each hole. Construction began in mid-2007, and the course reopened in October 2008 to enthusiastic reviews from the membership, with many feeling the results exceeded expectations.
1960 Course first opened under the name O.B. Keeler Memorial Golf Course. The grand opening was marked with a match including Arnold Palmer & Sam Snead along with Amateur Golfers Tommy Aaron & Coby Ware.
Course first opened under the name O.B. Keeler Memorial Golf Course. The grand opening was marked with a match including Arnold Palmer & Sam Snead along with Amateur Golfers Tommy Aaron & Coby Ware.
1962 Course went under new ownership and the name was officially changed to Pinetree Country Club
Course went under new ownership and the name was officially changed to Pinetree Country Club
1967 Pinetree hosts it’s first of many Major Atlanta Area Championships with Charles Harrison winning the 1967 Atlanta Amateur
Pinetree hosts it’s first of many Major Atlanta Area Championships with Charles Harrison winning the 1967 Atlanta Amateur
1981 Former Assistant Golf Professional, Larry Nelson, wins the first of his three major championships winning the 1981 PGA Championship by four strokes over Fuzzy Zoeller
Former Assistant Golf Professional, Larry Nelson, wins the first of his three major championships winning the 1981 PGA Championship by four strokes over Fuzzy Zoeller
1990 Former Assistant Golf Professional, Larry Nelson, is inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
Former Assistant Golf Professional, Larry Nelson, is inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
2004 Pinetree hosts it’s first GA PGA Atlanta Open won by Kevin Durkin shooting -4 and winning by two strokes
Pinetree hosts it’s first GA PGA Atlanta Open won by Kevin Durkin shooting -4 and winning by two strokes
2013 Originally hosted in 1976, Pinetree hosts the GA Amateur Championship for the fourth time with Jimmy Beck winning the title in 2013
Originally hosted in 1976, Pinetree hosts the GA Amateur Championship for the fourth time with Jimmy Beck winning the title in 2013
2014 Pinetree hosts the first of two consecutive GA Open Championships with future PGA Tour player, Kevin Durkin winning by two strokes.
Pinetree hosts the first of two consecutive GA Open Championships with future PGA Tour player, Kevin Durkin winning by two strokes.
2016 Pinetree legend C. Layne Williams is inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
Pinetree legend C. Layne Williams is inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
2018 Robert J. “Yank” Flynn’s devotion to Pinetree and the game of golf left a lasting mark on the club for more than 50 years. A dedicated supporter of the Georgia State Golf Association, Yank was instrumental in bringing numerous GSGA championships — including four Georgia State Amateurs — to Pinetree, and in honor of his legacy, the MGA renamed its Member-Member tournament “The Yank” in 2018.
Robert J. “Yank” Flynn’s devotion to Pinetree and the game of golf left a lasting mark on the club for more than 50 years. A dedicated supporter of the Georgia State Golf Association, Yank was instrumental in bringing numerous GSGA championships — including four Georgia State Amateurs — to Pinetree, and in honor of his legacy, the MGA renamed its Member-Member tournament “The Yank” in 2018.
2018 Pinetree hosts the second of three GA Senior Championships with our very own Chris Hall taking the title
Pinetree hosts the second of three GA Senior Championships with our very own Chris Hall taking the title
2020 Pinetree Member, Brenda Pictor, is inducted in the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
Pinetree Member, Brenda Pictor, is inducted in the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
2025 Pinetree Hosts the GA Senior Amateur Championship for the second time with Jack Larkin Sr. winning by 3 strokes over GSGA Hall of Famer Bob Royak.
Pinetree Hosts the GA Senior Amateur Championship for the second time with Jack Larkin Sr. winning by 3 strokes over GSGA Hall of Famer Bob Royak.