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In 1947, an area encompassing 355 acres was purchased from the
Robert Heard and Robert Snowden families for approximately $400,000.
This beautiful tract of land bounded by Southern Ave., Goodlett,
Park, and Perkins was given the name "Audubon" and plans were drawn
to include a picnic and nature area, lakes, baseball and softball
diamonds and of course, the golf links. Today the park sports a
one-mile walking and exercise path, an indoor and outdoor tennis
complex, 18-hole golf course, golf driving range, an outdoor
basketball court, a baseball diamond, and the Memphis Botanic
Garden.
Bordering the west side of the park, the walking path and picnic area is
located in a beautifully wooded area and includes several barbeque
pits and exercise stands and an open air pavilion for public
functions. This area has the only access to pure artesian well water
in Memphis.
Just east of these woods, Audubon Park furnishes a lighted baseball and
softball diamond and the Leftwich Tennis Center.
A little serenity in the midst of a busy city is what
Memphis Botanic
Garden offers. Founded on five acres in 1953 on the southeast edge
of Audubon Golf Course, this collection of natural beauty has grown
to encompass ninety-six acres with twenty formal gardens. The most
popular among visitors is the
Japanese Garden of Tranquility where
the kids have fun feeding the koi fish. In 1964 the Goldsmith family
donated the Goldsmith Civic Garden Center to the people of Memphis.
It houses the offices, meeting rooms, library, and educational
facilities of the Botanic Garden. MBG offers many educational
opportunities for children and adults to learn about nature and the
environment. Several festivals and events are held here each year,
including the
Experience Art in Memphis
(formerly known as Memphis Arts
Festival). Currently undergoing
renovation, Audubon Lake has been the home of the Midsouth Fishing
Rodeo for many years. When finished, the lake will be limited to
senior and junior access.
Also adjacent to The Links At Audubon is
Dixon Gallery and Gardens.
Margaret and Hugo Dixon left their Georgian-style home, estate, and
collection of French Impressionist paintings for the entire city to
enjoy, and Memphians have enjoyed the presence of Dixon Gallery and
Gardens for 23 years. The permanent collection boasts French and
American Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, and one of
the finest collections of 18th century German porcelain in the
world. Special exhibits are featured throughout the year, and
open-air concerts are held in the gardens.
Audubon was designed by Memphis Park Commission personnel and opened in
1951. The course has undergone several alterations over the years to
enhance playability and afford a less dangerous environment for
automobile traffic on the streets bordering the facility. Audubon
enjoys a rolling terrain with scattered spectacular trees. The
western border of Cherry Rd. is lined with cherry trees and when in
bloom, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Generous fairways
allow the bomber a distinct advantage while very small greens demand
accurate iron play.
The Links At Audubon has played host to numerous local and national
tournaments and qualifiers. In the 50's and 60's several US Open
local qualifiers were hosted in conjunction with the local PGA Tour
event following the Memphis Open at the old
Colonial Country Club.
Phil Rodgers, a former tour player, established and still holds the
competitive course record of 62 during one of these Open qualifiers.
Audubon's driving range was the only site available for the touring
professionals to warm up and practice for the local tour stop. The
Audubon Junior Championship is one of the area's longest running
Junior events (formerly known as the East Memphis Optimist) and
several National Publinks qualifiers have been held at The Links At
Audubon.
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