By Kurt Dusterberg Andrew DiBitetto is in an unlikely situation, coaching a major Division I golf program at the age of 31. He’s on the young side, but he’s well prepared to be the head coach at University of North Carolina, a position he earned in July after the dismissal of Andrew Sapp. He may…
By David Droschak Whether you subscribe to the theory of global warming or just the luck of the summer weather draw, the dog days of August across central North Carolina have been getting hotter and hotter much of the last decade. The intense heat and accompanying humidity have played havoc on bent grass greens…
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 Brad King Golf and auto racing, at first glance, seem an unlikely pairing. Two sports that some don’t even consider to be sports, one involving taking your life in your own hands driving high rates of speed around a track; the other trying to use as few a swings as possible with a stick…
By Kurt Dusterberg Natalie Petersen was hoping to finish her junior golf career with a flourish. She was well on her way after winning her first two matches at the North Carolina Junior Girls Championships in June. But when she stepped to the tee for her third match, something felt wrong. “I pulled out my…
Seth Lomison had a fulfilling junior career. Now, the 20-year-old from Reidsville figures it’s time to start giving back to the game. Lomison, who works for the Tarheel Golf Foundation, is launching the inaugural Junior Hickory Fall Classic, where juniors can learn how to play with old hickory clubs of yesteryear in a competitive setting.…
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…
By Kurt Dusterberg Akshay Bhatia’s golf game is good enough that he can get out on the course with PGA and Web.com touring pros like Carl Pettersson, Carter Jenkins and Chris Wilson at TPC Wakefield Plantation. “It’s pretty cool because it’s not every day you can play with a guy from the web.com tour or…
By Kurt Dusterberg Emilia Migliaccio is accustomed to the routine of an elite junior golfer. One weekend she’s in Texas, the next in New York. And the life suits her to a tee. “I love traveling and living out of a suitcase,” she says. “It’s a good thing, since I want to go on the…
State hosts PGA Championship, Wyndham in consecutive weeks By David Droschak If you love golf and love the state of North Carolina, then you will love the month of August here. For the first time ever, North Carolina will host PGA Tour events in consecutive weeks with the PGA Championship set for Aug. 10-13…