Golf in NC

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Golfing Along I-95

Interstate 95, the paved artery that connects the East Coast from Miami to the Canadian border, traverses through North Carolina for 183 miles. Vacationers and business travelers with clubs in the trunk can find quality rounds within easy reach via short detours off this heavily traveled asphalt ribbon.

Heading north through the state, I-95 initially passes through Lumberton. Pinecrest Country Club is less than one mile off exit 17 and is open to the public. It features nine holes designed by Donald Ross and a second nine by Dick Wilson.

Next up the road is the military town of Fayetteville, located within 45 miles of the world renowned golfing mecca of Pinehurst. If a 90-minute roundtrip diversion to play Pinehurst No. 2 is more of a side trek than you can fit into your itinerary, you still have some excellent options.

Cypress Lakes Golf Course is among numerous choices in and around Fayetteville. Designed by the father of U.S. Open winner Raymond Floyd, the course is just 2.5 miles off the interstate and a worthy destination.

Anderson Creek, located 12 miles north of Fayetteville in Spring Lake, is a Davis Love III course that opened in 2001. The course was truly a labor of love for Love, a PGA Tour veteran who was born in the state and played collegiate golf at the University of North Carolina.

Continuing to head north on I-95, your next quality golfing option are 36 holes at Keith Hills Country Club. Take exit 73 off the interstate and head to the hamlet of Buies Creek, home of the Campbell University Camels. It is located 12.5 miles off 1-95 on U.S. 421. Ellis Maples designed the original 18 holes in 1974. His son, Dan Maples, created an additional 18 holes in 2002 that complements his father’s work.

Next in line north on I-95 is The Neuse in Clayton. Exit onto Hwy. 70 West in Smithfield, famous for being the birthplace of Hollywood starlet Ava Gardner. The Neuse is approximately a 20-minute ride in the direction of Raleigh. The Neuse is a demanding John LaFoy design that has garnered its share of kudos from various national golf publications. It is a favorite layout of many Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) golfers who don’t mind a short drive to the east.

One of the newest additions to the I-95 portfolio is The Links at Cotton Valley in Tarboro. Exit onto Hwy 64E and travel about 15 minutes to exit 485 in Tarboro. Rates are exceptionally affordable on this course that challenges every club in the bag.

Another I-95 destination in the northern part of the state is Northgreen Golf Club in Rocky Mount. Northgreen, located less than five minutes off exit 141, was designed by Bob Toski and opened for play in 1973. The course hosted the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament from 1989 to 1994 with British Open winner David Duval taking the collegiate event at the layout on two occasions.

These are just a few of the quality golf opportunities located short jaunts off of I-95. North Carolinians can be excused for calling this stretch of highway their own paved Grand Strand of golf.

By Patrick Jones

added: December 19, 2008

updated: January 2, 2009