Blackthorn Club
Jonesborough, TN, United StatesA premier private club in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains
Blackthorn Club
Blackthorn Club is an exclusive private country club nestled in the scenic foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Jonesborough, Tennessee. The Arthur Hills-designed championship course winds through dramatic elevation changes and lush hardwood forests, offering 7,147 yards of challenging play. As part of the Evergreen Clubs family, Blackthorn combines world-class golf with comprehensive club amenities in one of East Tennessee's most picturesque settings.
- Arthur Hills design woven through the Appalachian ridgeline terrain of East Tennessee, with water coming into play on seven of eighteen holes
- Crenshaw bentgrass greens known for their speed and subtle undulations, maintained in consistently immaculate condition
- The 8th hole's dual-route strategy over Boones Creek is the course's most discussed decision point, illustrating Hills's preference for variety over penal design
- Full-service aquatics center, racquet sports complex, and youth programming make the club genuinely multigenerational
- Located in Jonesborough — Tennessee's oldest town — with easy access to the Appalachian cultural corridor and Bristol Motor Speedway region
The Course
- Blackthorn Course — 18 holes, par 72, designed by Arthur Hills
Blackthorn Course · 8th (Par 5)
A 534-yard par 5 that plays along Boones Creek and forces a strategic choice: lay up safely to the right bank, or attempt to carry the water twice on the way to the green in two. Arthur Hills calibrated the risk-reward carefully enough that both decisions feel defensible from the tee — which is precisely what makes the hole memorable.
Restaurants & Bars
- The Blackthorn Clubhouse
On Property
Driving Range
Fitness Center- Aquatics Center
Racquet Sports- Youth & Family Programs
April - May, September - October
The Appalachian foothills of East Tennessee deliver crisp, low-humidity conditions in spring and fall, when the Crenshaw bentgrass greens roll at their truest and the surrounding ridgeline hardwoods are at peak color.
On the par-5 8th, the safe play hugs the right of Boones Creek — but members who know the hole tee off with a fade to set up the aggressive second-shot angle over the water to a green that rewards the carry. Arthur Hills designed it as a decision hole, not a penalty hole, and the distinction shows.
Joining Blackthorn Club
Private golf and country club. Blackthorn Club is a private, members-only club in Jonesborough, Tennessee, built around an Arthur Hills-designed 18-hole championship course and a full-amenity clubhouse. Part of the Evergreen Clubs network, it offers golf, tennis, aquatics, fitness, and dining exclusively to members.
Membership Categories
- Full Golf Membership
- Single Membership
Member Benefits
- 18-hole Arthur Hills championship course (4,846–7,147 yards)
- Practice range, short-game area, and practice putting green
- 16,800 sq ft indoor tennis, fitness, and lounge facility
- Three outdoor pickleball courts
- Heated pool with lap lanes and children's pool
- Full-service restaurant with executive chef
- PGA professionals on staff and instruction programs
- Men's and women's invitationals and group play events
- Private golf carts
- Children's playground and outdoor entertainment venue
- Initiation: By inquiry (publicly reported range: $0–$2,500; contact club for current fee)
- Annual Dues: By inquiry (publicly reported range: $0–$5,000/year; contact club for current dues)
- How to Join: Contact the club directly at (423) 913-3164 or visit blackthornclub.com.
Membership details → · (423) 913-3164 | 1501 Ridges Club Drive, Jonesborough, TN 37659
Blackthorn Club
Features &
Amenities
Blackthorn Club in Jonesborough, Tennessee is a private country club built on former farmland, centered on an Arthur Hills-designed championship course and a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse with a culinary program ranked among the top 20 private clubs in the country.
Arthur Hills Championship Golf Course
The 18-hole course was designed by Arthur Hills, ASGCA — twice named Golf Digest's Architect of the Year — and plays to 7,147 yards at par 72. Water comes into play on seven holes, and the routing is known for variety hole to hole with mountain views framing approach shots.
Award-Winning Culinary Program
The club's dining program was recently ranked 19th among all private clubs nationwide. Executive Chef James Allen has led the kitchen for over 15 years, offering casual bar service, al fresco dining on the Veranda, and private event programming in the 12,000-square-foot clubhouse. The Barn on Hole No. 13 — a replica of the original farmstead structure — serves as an outdoor entertainment venue.
Racquet, Aquatics, and Fitness Facilities
A 16,800-square-foot indoor facility houses tennis courts, a fitness center, and a member lounge, complemented by three outdoor pickleball courts. The outdoor pool complex includes a heated lap pool and a separate children's pool with swim lessons, aquatic fitness classes, and poolside dining throughout the summer season.
One Membership.
Dozens of Destinations.
Your visit to Blackthorn Club is coordinated by the LXV concierge — preferred tee times, dining reservations, room upgrades, and personalized welcome amenities, arranged before you arrive. One of more than 55 properties in the LXV network.
Getting
Here
Blackthorn Club1501 Ridges Club Dr, Jonesborough, TN 37659
Tel: +1 423 913 3164
Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI)
Approximately 13 miles north of Jonesborough, roughly 24 minutes by car. Served by American and Delta with connections through Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
Approximately 60 miles southwest, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car. Offers additional direct routes via American, Allegiant, and United.
Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
Approximately 114 miles southeast, roughly 2 hours by car. The region's largest hub with the widest range of domestic and international connections.