Point Clear, Ala. – Alabama's renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is recognized as one of the finest tours of public golf in the world. The 'Trail' now readies for its statewide celebration to mark its 10 millionth round of golf since opening 21 years ago.

The Trail features 468 holes of championship golf on 26 separate courses at eleven locations across Alabama. Lakewood Golf Club at the Marriott Grand Hotel in Point Clear features two of those courses, the "Dogwood" and "Azalea" layouts. Another 3 courses are found at Magnolia Grove across the bay in Mobile.

Known as "America’s Original Golf Trail", the vision of creating a golf trail came from Dr. David G. Bronner, the CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama. The golf course designs started with Robert Trent Jones after coming out of retirement and have continued with Roger Rulewich, Jones’ protégé.

The original courses opened in 1992 and additional courses have been added over the years. Prior to the Trail's opening Alabama Tourism revenue was under $2 billion. In 2012, tourism revenues exceeded $10.6 billion and the Golf Trail was the state’s top attraction.

“Instead of just honoring one person as our 10 millionth visitor, we are celebrating across the Trail and every golfer on Oct. 23 is part of the celebration,” said John Cannon, President of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. “Our golfers – local, regional, national and international – have been very loyal to the RTJ Golf Trail and this is a way of saying thank you while celebrating this significant milestone,” said Cannon.

WHAT: Started as a concept to enhance the image of a state, the Trail has turned into one of the most successful achievements in the golf industry. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail celebrates its 10 millionth round of golf since opening in 1992.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - all day.

WHERE:  Celebrations will be held at 11 RTJ Golf Trail locations across Alabama: Florence/Muscle Shoals (Shoals), Huntsville (Hampton Cove), Anniston/Gadsden (Silver Lakes), Birmingham (Oxmoor Valley), Hoover (Ross Bridge), Auburn/Opelika (Grand National), Prattville (Capitol Hill), Mobile (Magnolia Grove) and Point Clear (Lakewood Golf Club/Grand Hotel).