When people talk about the transformation of Atlanta into a major sports and community hub, the name Tom Cousins almost always comes up.
On Tuesday, this legendary real estate developer and former NBA team owner passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind an inspiring legacy that stretched far beyond basketball.
How Cousins Brought the Hawks to Atlanta
Back in 1968, Tom Cousins teamed up with former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders to purchase the Hawks franchise. At the time, the team was based in St. Louis.
But Cousins had a different vision—one where professional basketball would thrive in the heart of Georgia.
So, the franchise moved to Atlanta, and the city’s sports identity was never the same again.
Cousins was instrumental in making Atlanta a key player in the U.S. sports scene.
The Hawks thrived, and fans flocked to their new home, The Omni Coliseum, a venue developed under Cousins’ leadership that served as a central sports landmark for more than 25 years.
A Lasting Impact on Atlanta’s Landscape
But Cousins didn’t just stop at sports. He was a titan in Georgia’s real estate world, and his work literally reshaped downtown Atlanta.
The areas we know and love today as bustling, vibrant parts of the city are partly thanks to his forward-thinking developments.
The Atlanta Hawks released a heartfelt statement honoring his life, describing Cousins as a “visionary builder of communities” and “unmatched philanthropist.”
They praised him not only for bringing the team to Georgia but for helping mold the entire downtown area into the thriving cultural space it is today.
East Lake: From Ruin to Rebirth
One of Cousins’ most remarkable achievements lies far from basketball courts—on the greens of East Lake Golf Club.
In 1995, Cousins purchased the once-dilapidated course, famously known as the home of golf legend Bobby Jones.
At that time, it was surrounded by a struggling neighborhood plagued by poverty and violence.
But Cousins had a bold idea: combine housing, education, and community support to revitalize the entire area.
That’s how the East Lake Foundation was born.
Today, East Lake stands as a model for community redevelopment across the country, with the golf course at its heart.
A Golf Legacy That Lives On
Thanks to Cousins’ commitment, East Lake Golf Club didn’t just return to life—it became iconic again.
The course has hosted numerous top-tier events and, since 2004, has been the permanent home of the PGA TOUR’s season-ending TOUR Championship.
This year marks the 25th time the tournament will be held at East Lake, and it will now also serve as a tribute to the man who saved it from collapse.
PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan spoke highly of Cousins, calling him “a visionary” with an unmatched ability to see potential where others didn’t.
Honored and Admired by Many
Cousins’ work earned him high praise and recognition in sports and civic circles alike.
In 2002, he was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
That recognition was followed by another great honor in 2018 when he joined the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
These awards reflect the deep respect he earned—not just for what he built, but for how he inspired others along the way.
What Comes Next for Cousins’ Legacy
Even though Tom Cousins is no longer with us, the work he began continues to grow.
His vision for community upliftment lives on through the East Lake Foundation, the Hawks’ enduring presence in Atlanta, and the downtown developments that serve millions of people each year.
At this year’s TOUR Championship, the city—and the golfing world—will come together to honor a man whose life was driven by purpose, imagination, and heart.
He may be gone, but Tom Cousins’ legacy is deeply rooted in the city he loved.
