| Golf |  |
 The Triangle is a true golfer’s dream. The seasonal splendors that unfold on the courses add to the beauty of the perfect golf shot, or the elusive birdie. You will find the public and semi-private clubs to be as challenging as the private courses. Except for an occasional hurricane or deep winter freeze, golf in the Triangle is virtually a year-round sport. Green fees are reasonable compared to other North Carolina metropolitan areas, coastal resort courses or the famed Pinehurst. While you will find weekday discounts, fees are typically elevated on Fridays, though lower than the weekend rates. Newer golf courses have joined the list of options. In fact, golf course communities are becoming quite popular in the Triangle area. Devil’s Ridge in Holly Springs and The Neuse Golf Club in Clayton, designed by John LaFoy, are two such courses built around housing developments that opened in 1991 and 1994 respectively. Golf Digest recognized both as top new courses in the ’90s. The Tournament Players Club at Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh joined the ranks of new clubs in 2000. Finley, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which opened in 1949 and was designed by George Cobb, underwent a facelift recently under the direction of Tom Fazio. Crooked Creek in Fuquay-Varina is another newcomer to the selection of courses. Opened in late 1994, it offers golfers a traditional design by Chuck Smith. As the name implies, you will find several holes that will test your skill with severe doglegs. And as soon as you are certain that you have mastered your precision, scattered bunkers will grade your approach shot. Considered one of the most popular golf courses in North Carolina, Hillandale Golf Course in Durham plays more than 45,000 rounds per year. Opened in the early 1900s, this course was originally designed by Perry Maxwell and later redesigned by George Cobb. The golf shop at Hillandale was voted the “Nation’s Most Outstanding” by the PGA of America. It is one of the best-stocked and largest shops in North Carolina. Another course that has seen plenty of play is Cheviot Hills Golf Club – opened in 1930. This course is absent of homes (except for the course owner’s) and is set in wooded terrain with rolling fairways. Tradition runs deep at Cheviot Hills. You will find a 19th-century clubhouse filled with friends who have played this course for 50 years. Looking for a little family tradition with your round of golf? You will find it at Duke University’s course. Washington Duke Golf and Country Club in Durham, considered one of the finest in the Southeast, opened in 1957. Rees Jones redesigned this Robert Trent Jones original in 1994. Cut out of Duke Forest, the grounds are ablaze with color at peak season. Spend the night at the inn adjacent to the course to soak in the splendor around you. This weekend retreat will confirm your relocation plans to the Triangle area. Keep it in the short grass! Triangle Area Golf Courses DURHAM COUNTY Croasdaile Country Club 3800 Farmgate Ave., Durham 919-383-2517; private The Crossings Golf Club Duke University Golf Club Falls Village Golf Hillandale Golf Course Governors Club Lake Shore Golf Course Lake Winds Golf Course Treyburn Country Club Willowhaven Country Club FRANKLIN COUNTY Green Hill Country Club JOHNSTON COUNTY The Neuse Golf Club Pine Hollow Golf Club Riverwood Golf Club ORANGE COUNTY Chapel Hill Country Club Finley Golf Course (UNC) Occoneechee Golf Club Twin Lakes Golf Course WAKE COUNTY Carolina Country Club Cheviot Hills Golf Course Crooked Creek Golf Course Devil’s Ridge Golf Club Garner Country Club Hedingham Golf Club Heritage Golf Club Hidden Valley Golf Course Lochmere Golf Club MacGregor Downs Country Club North Ridge Country Club Paschal Golf Club Prestonwood Country Club Raleigh Country Club River Ridge Golf Club Tournament Players Club Wake Forest Golf Club Wendell Country Club Wildwood Green Wil-Mar Country Club Zebulon Country Club |
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