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 With panoramic views and rolling hills characteristic of a mountain region, Western Carolina offers some of the finest golf courses in the state. In addition to the spectacular scenery, the mountain landscape creates naturally challenging courses that appeal to the avid golfer. However, the region is also appealing to the novice, as most courses prove to be both demanding and rewarding for all ability levels. More than 50 public and semi-private courses are scattered across the area, and a number of private and resort courses offer scenic play as well as exclusive amenities.The Asheville area features several courses designed by the pre-eminent golf course architect Donald Ross. Among these is the Country Club of Asheville, founded in 1894 and later redesigned by Ross. With rolling hills and undulating greens, the course is recognized by USGA and GOLF Magazine as one of the first 100 clubs in the country. Opened in 1899, the course at Grove Park Inn and Spa was redesigned in 1923 by Donald Ross and remains one of the oldest courses in the South. With tree-lined fairways and Bermuda grass, the course emphasizes accuracy over power and is hailed as one of the finest conditioned courses in Western North Carolina. In the center of Biltmore Forest – one of the wealthiest towns in the country – lies Biltmore Forest Country Club, another Donald Ross creation. The course is characterized by its rolling landscape and scenic views of the mountains. Water comes into play on seven holes. In 1999, the Biltmore Forest Country Club hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Another Donald Ross course is the Buncombe County Municipal Golf Course. Opened in 1927, this course is one of the oldest in Western North Carolina and remains one of the busiest, perhaps because of its affordability. Providing golfers with a leisurely walk on the front nine, the course becomes increasingly more strenuous on the back nine. The Hendersonville Country Club features a beautiful Donald Ross course that Tom Fazio redesigned in 1990. With tree-lined fairways, the course also includes lots of sand bunkers and water hazards. Also near Hendersonville, Champion Hills is a Tom Fazio design which the architect hails as “the perfect representation of my design philosophy.” Ranked the 10th best course in North Carolina by Golf Digest, Champion Hills features 14 holes that play downhill. The surrounding Champion Hills community spans more than 700 acres of hardwood and pine trees and offers wooded, golf and mountain view homes and homesites. The community also includes a club with tennis courts, a fitness center and a swimming pool. One of the most visited courses is Etowah Valley Country Club, located just west of Hendersonville on U.S. 64. Calling itself “a golfer’s paradise,” this course is located on a mountain plateau and features bent grass greens as large as 9,000 square feet. The original 18 holes follow a classic design, but the newest nine offer variety and are significantly more challenging. Ranked in N.C. Magazine as one of the Top 10 golf courses in the state, Mount Mitchell Golf Club is also one of the most scenic. Located near Burnsville about an hour northeast of Asheville, the course is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest. At 3,000 feet in elevation, the course is surrounded by the 6,000-foot peaks of the Blue Ridge and Black Mountain chains. The relatively flat course also includes the South Toe River, which winds through the course and comes into play on a number of holes. Rated four stars by Golf Digest, Reems Creek Golf Club in Weaverville offers 18 holes, a clubhouse and grill, a swimming pool and tennis court in addition to its spectacular views and breathtaking lakes. Located on 300 acres of rolling hills, Reems Creek features natural surroundings within close proximity to the conveniences of Asheville. Just south of Asheville in Arden, the Cliffs at Walnut Cove is a gated community spread out over 940 acres of custom homes and homesites. A Jack Nicklaus signature course at the Cliffs at Walnut Cove opened in April 2005. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHAMPION HILLS GOLF COURSE Golf Listings |
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