Local Legends

Extraordinary Exuberant Spirit

The picturesque twin-cities of Auburn and Opelika embody an extraordinary exuberant spirit that sparkles as the jewel of Lee County. Strong academic influences, paired with an enduring, pioneering character create a fantastic blend of tradition that is enhanced by the vivacity of the local community. These endearing characteristics that adorn the land and the people have helped to cultivate a distinctive collection of local lore.

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Legends, rivalries, history and so much more

The legend of the Iron Bowl divulges the clash behind one of the oldest rivalries in the state of Alabama: Auburn University versus the University of Alabama. The quarrel began with the in 1893 after Auburn defeated Alabama 32-22 in the final regular season game of 1893. Auburn considered the game to be the closer of the 1892 season, while the overwhelmed Alabama wanted to call the game the opener of the 1893 season. Though this dispute began a battle of iron wills, the game wasn’t officially dubbed the Iron Bowl until 1980 as a result of the thriving steel industry in Birmingham, Alabama where the game was played up until 1989 when it moved to Jordan-Hare Stadium when Auburn was hosting at home. During the first Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare Stadium the Auburn Tigers defeated Bama 30-20.

The annual game was suspended for a time between 1907 and 1948 because of disagreements about officials and pay. The game was reinstated after deciding that both schools would split proceeds. To this day the Iron Bowl is considered one of the greatest traditions in the state of Alabama.

Opelika

The Robert Trent Jones Trail Grand National Golf Course is the delight of Opelika. The picturesque greens and breathtaking fairways were the inspiration that recently lead Golf Digest to name the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Statistical Area the number 1 area for golf in the United States. The course hugs the edge of Sawgahatchee Lake in Northwest Opelika, and is what Robert Trent Jones himself considered the ‘single greatest’ site for a golf complex he had ever seen. The course has hosted the likes of the 1997 Nike Tour Championship, the 1998 LPGA Tour of Champions, and the 2000 NCAA Men’s Division 1 National Championship; just to name a few.

A legend in its own time, Grand National is the jewel of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

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