STAY AND PLAY AT PURSELL FARMS

from Lake Martin Living November 2021

GARDEN TALK

Get out of here, you guys! No, seriously, get out of here and take a trip to Pursell Farms. Just a short drive from Tallapoosa County, Pursell Farms has so much to offer and even more ways to play. All year round, this 3,200-acre destination resort provides a variety of activities to challenge and excite visitors, new and old.

Nestled in the foothills of Central Alabama and surrounded by rolling meadows and woodlands, Pursell Farms is ideal for weekend getaways, golf trips, corporate events, sporting adventures and even weddings.

“We have a 26-acre wedding venue that we built just for weddings, and it has a beautiful brand new ballroom,” said CEO and co-founder of Pursell Farms, David Pursell. “I say brand new, but actually, the marble was sourced from Sylacauga’s marble quarry. The wonderful flooring is repurposed from Avondale Mills, a mill that operated in Sylacauga for over 100 years. We got their floors and refinished them. It is a beautiful setup.”

In addition to the ballroom, there is a ceremonial lawn for those who would like lakeside views on their wedding day. The expansive venue offers a beautifully manicured sloping lawn perfect for an open-air wedding or a tented reception.

“We believe we have the longest ceremonial aisle in the state,” Pursell said of the dramatic 175- foot aisle. “And there is a historic home that is just wonderful for the bridal party to prepare for the wedding on the day of the ceremony.”

The historic Hamilton Home is a restored Greek revivalstyle raised cottage built in 1852 by Benjamin H. Averiett and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Through COVID-19, we did more outdoor weddings than ever because people were canceling their in-town ballroom receptions and coming to us for tented receptions or receptions on our lawn. So we did 29 weddings in a year when so many other venues could not. I think that it’s because, in everyone’s mind, Pursell Farms has a wonderful wide open spaces,” Pursell said.

Pursell Farms is a truly expansive and beautiful place. When turning onto the property, the drive-in is 2 miles long. Guests pass pastures, golf fairways and even the longhorn herd before ever reaching The Inn, where everyone checks in before heading to their destinations.

The FarmLinks golf course has been rated the No. 1 all-access golf course in Alabama for eight years by Golfweek Magazine and the No. 1 golf course in Alabamaand No. 4 of Top 50 Courses in the US by Golf Advisor. The course is open seven days a week.

“FarmLinks offers a diverse layout and dramatic elevation changes that golfers love. The big

Beauty and Comfort

Clockwise from Top: A 2-mile drive winds through meadows, woodlands, and serene views; Spacious king bedroom at the Inn; Old Tom’s Pub features a pool table once owned by Jim Nabors, aka TV’s Gomer Pyle; Fall colors surround the 18th fairway and The Inn

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS COURTESY OF PURSELL FAEMS

news is that we are going to redesign all the bunkers on the course. The result will be lower face profiles in the fairways, significant changes to most of the green-side bunkers, and more player-friendly contours and surfaces,” said Pursell. “Upgrades will also include the installation of erosion barrier technology built into each bunker which will dramatically reduce damage caused by rain washouts.”

Pursell Farms also has the only ORVIS® shooting grounds in the South, and it is one of only three such facilities in the U.S. operated exclusively by Orvis experts. The compound features a superlative 15-station sporting clay course set amid rolling fields and a natural canopy of hardwoods that simulates true field shots from various scenarios, a fivestand course, Churchill Method wingshooting lessons and fly-fishing schools, and an Orvis retail store. Orvis experts, called trappers, teach all the schools, and accompany shooters on the five- and 15-stand courses.

“The shooting grounds are open rain or shine, yearround,“ Pursell said. “Interestingly enough, women are the fastest growing market for clay shooting, and we’re seeing more and more women on the courses.”

The farm also offers a utility terrain vehicle mountaintop experience. It is a guided tour where guests drive a UTV across old logging trails and crisscross up to the top of the mountain, where onlookers can experience the beautiful panoramic views.

There is yoga on the Mountain during the warmer months, and throughout the year, yoga is offered on the Arrington Vista in the mornings.

If peace and relaxation, coupled with a bit of fun, sounds like a delight, Pursell Farms might just be the perfect place to escape for a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

There would be no need to worry about where everyone would sleep with six different lodging options and three restaurants on the property, making a stay on the farm the perfect stress-free holiday. At Pursell Farms, the family can

The Great Outdoors

Clockwise from Top Right: Cabins and cottages surround a spacious putting green for overnight guests; Guests drive UTVs to the top of the mountain on a guided tour; Firepit at the Inn’s Arrington Vista is a cozy setting on cool fall evenings.

be family.

“The holidays are a special time here at Pursell Farms,” said Pursell. “While Thanksgiving seems to be sold out, we are looking forward to Christmas.”

“During December, we’re offering guest favorites such as a holiday cooking demo, a special reception and four-course dinner with beautifully-paired wines and our signature Paint Your Pet art evening, leading up to our gracious Christmas Eve dinner, and Christmas Day dining options,” said Pursell.

In addition to one-of-a-kind dining options with Executive Chef Joe Truex, there are complimentary activities for the families staying overnight, as well. These activities include roasting s’mores at the firepit outside The Inn, taking the family on a vintage wagon ride, driving the UTVs in a pasture and sipping hot chocolate on the Arrington Vista overlooking serene, panoramic views.

Also for overnight guests, Santa will be gifting a complimentary round of golf for Dec. 25 on the FarmLinks course.

Pursell Farms also has a few new offerings this year. For those staying in the four-bedroom cottages, cabins or the eight-bedroom Parker Lodge who love to decorate for the holidays, a tree and ornaments could be ordered in advance and decorated by the guests during the stay. There is also the option of pre-ordering breakfast sandwiches to be delivered on Christmas morning for all guests.

There are so many ways one could enjoy Pursell Farms. The only true way of knowing is to put feet on the ground at the farm, said Pursell.

For more information, room reservations, event tickets, dining reservations, golf round details or program pricing, visit Pursellfarms.com and follow the stories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.