Sometimes, the most lasting legacies aren’t just built on basketball courts or golf fairways—they’re cemented in communities.
On Tuesday, Atlanta and the broader sporting world lost one of its quiet powerhouses.
Tom Cousins, the visionary behind the Atlanta Hawks’ move to Georgia and the driving force behind the revitalization of East Lake, passed away at the age of 93.
A Game-Changer in Atlanta’s Sports Scene
Cousins wasn’t just a team owner—he was a sports trailblazer.
Back in 1968, he and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders made a bold move by purchasing the St. Louis Hawks and relocating the franchise to Atlanta.
That decision didn’t just give the city an NBA team—it marked the beginning of Atlanta’s rise as a major sports hub in the Southeast.
His impact is still felt today. The Hawks paid tribute to him with a moving statement, calling Cousins a “visionary builder of communities” and someone who left a “lasting imprint” on the heart of Atlanta.
The Omni Coliseum and a Vision for Downtown
Cousins’ influence extended far beyond the hardwood.
He was the mastermind behind the Omni Coliseum—Atlanta’s first real home for the Hawks.
More than just a sports venue, it became a central landmark that helped shape downtown Atlanta for 25 years, creating memories for fans and forging the city’s identity as a home for top-tier sports.
More Than a Developer—A Community Reviver
Outside the NBA, Cousins was a giant in real estate—but his work always aimed at something bigger than buildings.
He made headlines in the mid-1990s when he launched one of his most ambitious and impactful projects: the revitalization of East Lake.
Once a crime-ridden neighborhood, East Lake got a second chance thanks to Cousins’ vision.
In 1995, he founded the East Lake Foundation and purchased the rundown East Lake Golf Club—famous as the home course of legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones.
What followed was a complete turnaround, not just for the course but for the entire community around it.
Bringing Championship Golf Back to Atlanta
Thanks to Cousins’ efforts, East Lake Golf Club became a national treasure once again.
It has since hosted multiple high-profile golf tournaments and has been the permanent home of the PGA Tour’s TOUR Championship since 2004.
This year will mark the 25th time the tournament has been held there—a fitting tribute to Cousins’ enduring legacy.
PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said it best: “Mr. Cousins was a visionary… who had the unique ability to imagine what something could become and then make it happen.”
He added that this year’s tournament will honor and celebrate Cousins in a way befitting the man who changed so many lives.
Honored for a Lifetime of Service
Cousins’ contributions didn’t go unnoticed. In 2002, he was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, and in 2018, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame followed suit.
His name is etched in Georgia’s history not just for what he built—but for the people he empowered along the way.
A Legacy That Lives On
As the city mourns Tom Cousins’ passing, there’s no question that his spirit will live on in every game played in Atlanta, every young athlete inspired by opportunity, and every family who found hope in a neighborhood reborn.
More tributes and details are expected in the days ahead.