Nothing Like North Carolina
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-03-23
The Newly Renovated Grandover Resort & Spa In Greensboro, North Carolina Is Also Home To Two Terrific Golf Courses - Image Courtesy Grandover Resort
By Lisa Vlooswyk
North Carolina has it all, from endless beaches, delicious fare and world class golf that is available year round.
I started my trip in North Carolina at the Grandover Resort and Spa, 15 minutes from the Greensboro airport. It has recently gone through a US$10 million renovation that focused on connecting the community to the rich history of the Greensboro area by featuring local artists’ work and displaying photos featuring the impressive history in textile manufacturing in the area.
All 244 rooms and luxury suites, main lobby, pool, spa and restaurants were lavishly upgraded and remodelled.
The Grandover offers 2 fantastic golf courses, the East Course and the West Course, designed by David Graham and Gary Panks. The East Course tips out at 7,250 yards and punishes errant shots. The 18th hole is the signature hole with a large lake and waterfall protecting the green. The West Course is a bit more forgiving but both were a joy to play.
image courtesy Grandover Resort
The West Course At Grandover Resort In North Carolina
Before you leave Greensboro a must stop is Hops Burger Bar where you choose a 6, 8 or 12 oz. Angus Beef burger topped with anything under the sun such as pepper jelly, mango-jalapeno salsa, fried green tomatoes or Applewood smoked bacon.
The next stop was the iconic Pinehurst Resort, also referred to as the Cradle of American Golf. My first visit was to the famed Payne Stewart Statue that is located behind the club house in memory and honour of the late American golfer who won his 3rd major at Pinehurst months before his tragic passing.
image credit Lisa Vlooswyk
Lisa 'Longball' Vlooswyk Mirrors The Iconic Pose Of Payne Stewart After He Sunk The Winning Putt In The 1999 U.S. Open
I then teed it up on the newly opened, much talked about Cradle Course designed by Gil Hanse, located a pitching wedge from the clubhouse. This 9-hole short course was an absolute delight. Players are encouraged to use one of their logoed canvas Sunday bags to carry a putter and a few clubs. Holes range from 56 yards to 127 yards and include the same stunning features and test of skill found on their championship courses.
A sense of youth and vibrancy was evident with music being played throughout the course, a cold beverage station, groups of 5 and 6 players and free replay rounds. This will grow the game.
image credit Lisa Vlooswyk
The Famed Pinehurst #4 Course
Finally it was time to hit one of the famed tracks. There are nine 18-hole courses on site, all a fantastic test of golf. The most famous course is the Donald Ross designed #2 Course that has hosted PGA TOUR majors including U.S. Opens and the PGA Championship along with being a Ryder Cup Venue. The next most popular course is #8 designed by Tom Fazio.
Quickly playing its way into the hearts of golfers is the course I played, the newly redesigned #4. Gil Hanse, was charged with taking #4 to a more natural feel of the Sandhills of North Carolina. Massive cross bunkers stretch across the fairways peppered with natural grasses.
image credit Lisa Vlooswyk
The Caddies At Pinehurst Earn Their Keep
The rolling landscape and exposed sand areas give the course a brand new feel and look. My caddie made my day by regaling me with stories of the course, how it has changed and shaving several strokes off by giving me the perfect line off the tee and break of the putts.
I celebrated the round with a local craft beverage from the newly opened Pinehurst Brewery. It is sure to be a new 19th hole favourite in the area. That night I stayed at the famed and stately Carolina Hotel, one of three hotel accommodation options offered by the property located in the Village of Pinehurst. It truly is the perfect stay and play destination for the avid golfer.
The next morning I journeyed to Tobacco Road Golf Course in Sanford, North Carolina. This may be one of the toughest tests of golf I have ever faced. Course architect Mike Strantz said, “I don’t care if people think my courses are too hard.” Luckily, I love a challenge.
image credit Lisa Vlooswyk
The Unique Tobacco Road Golf Course
I was fortunate to play with golfers who had been before so they were able to help me with angles off tees and landing areas. There are many blind shots over bunkers and a premium is placed on accuracy versus distance. The course takes you on an adventure of elevation changes, waste areas, rolling hills, fescue, deep bunkers and slippery greens. I can’t wait to play again.
Craving some coastal golf I snuck over to Brunswick Islands. I played the Arnold Palmer signature course, Rivers Edge. There are a variety of elevation drops and climbs throughout the course and risk/reward shots coupled with stunning marsh and river views. My favourite hole was #9, entitled Arnie’s Revenge. This 570-yard beast forces two carries over water and a peninsula green with not much room for error. A par feels like an eagle.
image credit Lisa Vlooswyk
Brunswick Islands GC
Do not leave Brunswick Islands before having a walk down miles and miles of sandy beach at Bird Island Coastal Reserve, followed by a scrumptious seafood supper. I highly recommend both Jinks Creek Waterfront Grille and The Oyster Rock for fresh mouth-watering seafood and exceptional service.
My last round of the trip was at Lonnie Poole Golf Course located at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. It is the only collegiate course that Arnold Palmer designed. It offers fantastic views of downtown Raleigh. It has generous landing areas, mature pine trees and offers large waste areas with irregular shapes and jagged edges to give it a natural feel.
image credit Lisa Vlooswyk
Lonnie Poole Golf Course Located At North Carolina State University In Raleigh
North Carolina is the ideal travel location for the golfer looking for a wide variety of world-class golf, an abundance of stay-and-play options, and the perfect mixture of adventure and delectable dinning.
Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is an 8-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for Women. She is a Keynote Speaker, Golf Journalist and Golf Entertainer. She runs Golf Schools for Women in Canada and the USA and has her own Instructional Video. Lisa can be reached through her website www.lisalongball.com or through Twitter @LisaLongball
