By David Droschak With dozens of Donald Ross-designed golf courses scattered across the state of North Carolina from Asheville to Wilmington, golf enthusiasts have debated for decades the best of the best. One Ross course that has often flown under the radar has been the Southern Pines Elks Golf Club, especially over the last decade…
By Brad King Brett Miller has worn many hats in the Carolinas golf industry. He’s a lifetime member of the PGA of America and former longtime president of the Great Smokies Mountain Golf Association, the area’s regional co-op of golf course owners promoting golf tourism. Miller also played collegiately at Western Carolina University, where he…
By David Droschak Tucked into the northwest corner of North Carolina, in the heart or Christmas tree country, bordering the rafting and canoeing experiences of the New River and just a 10-minute drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway, sits one of the state’s best golfing layouts. In case you haven’t been to Jefferson Landing Club…
By Brad King Hilton Head Island, a crown jewel of the hauntingly picturesque Lowcountry of South Carolina, continues to generate impressive headlines. For the third year in a row, Travel + Leisure magazine ranked Hilton Head as the “No. 1 Island in the Continental United States.” Meanwhile, Condé Nast Traveler proclaimed Hilton Head its top choice…
By David Droschak Bath County in Virginia has virtually stood still for years, where doors are left unlocked and you fish, hunt or play golf – and wake up the next day and do it all over again. Legendary touring pro Sam Snead was born and died here, but early in his pro career made…
A new book has hit the market about famed architect Donald Ross, who designed more than 40 golf courses across North Carolina. “Great Donald Ross Golf Courses Everyone Can Play,” written by author and former Pinehurst Resort historian Paul R. Dunn features history and photos of some of the state’s best and most unique layouts,…
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 David Droschak Joe Hardy turned 94 years old in January, and God willing, the founder and CEO of 84 Lumber will get to witness another remarkable accomplishment at his 2,000-acre resort in the scenic mountains of Southwestern Pennsylvania. What’s the ageless Hardy have up his sleeve this time at one of North America’s luxury…
By Brad King One of America’s groundbreaking resort destinations from the second half of the 20th century until today, Hilton Head Island is centrally located 40 miles north of Savannah, Ga., and 90 miles south of Charleston, S.C. Despite a recent hit from Hurricane Matthew, Hilton Head, S.C., remains nobly standing as the largest barrier…
By David Droschak Donald Trump is turning more than a few heads these days with his golf operation. The Trump National brand now owns 17 golf courses, most of them exclusively private with the “white glove” touch the billionaire real estate developer and his team deem appropriate. With a good share of private clubs across…