Atlanta Drive Golf Club - Justin Thomas' TGL Team And Who Owns It

All you need to know about Atlanta Drive Golf Club, who will have Justin Thomas in the team for TGL

Justin Thomas
(Image credit: Getty Images)

TGL is coming to the ATL!

In the state of Georgia that contains the home of the Masters at the famed Augusta National, it seems only right that it should be represented by a team in the inaugural season of TGL.

With a rich sporting history that includes the Falcons, Braves and Hawks, Atlanta will now have its own golf team in the Drive - which is one of the six franchises from across the USA taking part in the new TGL venture backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy

TGL will start on 9 January and will be played inside a purpose-built arena in Palm Beach, Florida in front of a live audience as well as being broadcast on ESPN.

Six teams of four players will battle it out in a unique matchplay format in TGL with holes being played partly on a simulator and partly on an actual short game area and putting green.

Atlanta Drive Golf Club will play against the other TGL teams in five regular-season matches, before four teams qualify for the postseason with semi-finals and a final championship series.

Atlanta Drive Golf Club Players

Justin Thomas during the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits

(Image credit: Getty Images)
  • Justin Thomas
  • Patrick Cantlay
  • Billy Horschel

Justin Thomas was the first player signed to Atlanta Drive, with the two-time Major champion then joined by fellow Americans Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel and Lucas Glover.

One of just six players to win two Majors and 15 titles before turning 30, Thomas has also lifted the FedEx Cup title and Players Championship crown when amassing career winnings of over $54million.

“Atlanta and the state of Georgia have been the home to some of the biggest sporting events in the country and I’m excited to represent fans there as part of TGL and Atlanta Drive GC,” said Thomas. 

“To be aligned with an owner like Arthur Blank and his incredible variety of businesses as they expand their golf portfolio, feels like a great fit for me. 

"I promise our team will compete hard to win championships and have a lot of fun along the way. We will represent Atlanta in the best way possible while helping grow the game everywhere through this unique TGL format.”

Both Cantlay and Horschel are former FedEx Cup champions, while Glover won the US Open in 2009.

“I could not be more excited to join Atlanta Drive GC and represent Atlanta in TGL,” said Cantlay.

“The city of Atlanta has a rich golf history and being able to bring a new and innovative golf product to its incredible fans is an honor.”

Who owns Atlanta Drive Golf Club?

Arthur Blank is the owner of TGL team Atlanta Drive GC

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Atlanta Drive GC is part of ownership group of Arthur M Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment, which is well versed in sports and entertainment.

Blank is the owner of the Atlanta Falcons from the NFL and also Major League Soccer side Atlanta United - who won the 2018 MLS Cup.

The fantastic new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has held a Super Bowl, is also owned by the group along with America's biggest golf retailer - PGA Tour Superstore.

And to tie-in with his other teams, Atlanta Drive's logo is in red, which is a primary colour for both the Falcons and Atlanta United.

Dick Sullivan, the CEO of the PGA Tour Superstore, will oversee Atlanta Drive in TGL and says the team's name and colour scheme all plays to the city's traits.

“Atlanta is a city known for its unwavering pursuit of growth and prosperity. This brand reflects who we are and what Atlanta has become,” says Sullivan.

“Steeped in a rich history of golf, the brand celebrates the city’s legacy while embracing the innovation in the sport that will continue to propel golf to the next level. 

"We are excited to bring this brand to life with some of the best golfers in the world representing our great city. And we’re committed to making this Atlanta’s team, and a club that everyone belongs to.”

Paul Higham
Contributor

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website.  Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.