By David Droschak Hall of fame golf course architect Tom Fazio loves to rattle off his favorite features of mountain golf in North Carolina — hills, terrain, elevation, framing, definition, trees, natural streams, waterfalls. “All of these things come with the territory and then it’s just a matter of how you fit it in, how…
By David Droschak Considering his stellar work across North Carolina, it’s only fitting that favorite son Tom Fazio would be behind the design work of the first golf course to open in the state in five years. The “new” High Hampton was unveiled in late May to its members, and will start taking resort play…
By David Droschak So how has John McConnell systemically assembled a successful private golf course portfolio across four Southeastern states while many in the industry scoffed at his notion of a “regional golf network?” Already with more than a dozen top-notch layouts designed by the likes of Dye, Fazio, Palmer, Norman and Ross, McConnell has…
The Fitness and Wellness Center at Champion Hills — one of Western North Carolina’s premier golf communities — has been ranked among the Top 50 in the United State by Club+Resort Business, coming in at No. 44 on the inaugural list. A leading trade publication based in Cleveland, C+RB covers the operations and management…
Rumbling Bald, an award-winning golf resort on stunning Lake Lure, is offering a “Back to the Mountains Special” through June 26 with 20 percent off its studio, villa and vacation home lodging and no resort fee. Golf groups can pair accommodations with golf rounds on Bald Mountain Golf Course and nearby Cleghorn Golf and Sports…
By Brad King and Len Ziehm The Wyndham Championship returned to Sedgefield Country Club in 2008. Explaining the move back after more than three decades at Forest Oaks Country Club, southeast of Greensboro, tournament officials cited several key factors: the appeal of Sedgefield’s freshly restored, Donald Ross-designed golf course and its location closer to the…
By David Droschak For more than a half century, High Meadows Golf & Country Club has remained untouched, standing the test of time as one of the more playable and serene settings in the North Carolina mountains, attracting dozens of members from the Triangle area. Few courses these days – especially with all of the…
By David Droschak It’s fitting golf course architect Dan Maples spent some quality time with his legendary father Ellis Maples during the designing of Apple Valley at Rumbling Bald Resort, considering generations of families have for decades enjoyed special moments at the mountain retreat along with its splendid scenery and countless recreational offerings. The elder…
By Keith Jarrett For a half-century, Etowah Valley Golf & Resort has provided quality play for more than a million rounds and lodging for tens of thousands for visitors. And as the 27-hole layout in Henderson County celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, there are current and future plans to ensure those numbers of golfers…
By Keith Jarrett When the devastating effects of the Party Rock Fire hit Lake Lure and surrounding areas last fall, homeowners at Rumbling Bald Resort were among those forced to evacuate. Golf was the last item on anyone’s mind as the wildfire eventually spread through thousands of acres of this picturesque community, set in the…