Golf With Altitude

Sequoyah National Has Altitude And Attitude

It’s fairly common for golf courses to promise an eye-candy, well-manicured layout that provides the proverbial “challenge for players of all skill levels.” But let’s face it, sometimes you need something a little more rock-and-roll, a little more of a thrill ride than a sedate walk in the park.

That’s just what Sequoyah National near Cherokee delivers, along with some of the most incredible 360-degree mountain scenery east of the Mississippi. Not to mention there’s a casino fun palace right around the corner in case you’re looking for more action than your usual two-dollar skins game. Course designer Robert Trent Jones, Jr., in collaboration with PGA stalwart Notah Begay, moved over a million cubic yards of dirt to mold, mound and sculpt an eye-teasing, up-and-down test of golfing skill. Thankfully, most of the holes play downhill or are reasonably flat, with nine miles (yes, nine miles) of concrete cart paths to carry you on your merry way.

Jones gets things rolling with a twisty par 5, par 3, par 5 start, with #3 balanced at the top of the ridge and providing a panoramic view of things yet to come. The rest of the roller coaster layout features seriously elevated tees that will have you wandering close to the edge to guess on club selection, and then enjoying some lengthy hang-times as what goes up will eventually come down – hopefully in the right spot. There’s a sterling collection of five par 3s with not a push-over in the bunch – three stretch out 200+ yards and all have big, tricky greens. For example, #17 has a steep wooded slope encroaching on the left and a creek on the right that makes you feel you’re aiming down a tunnel – the green, however, is spacious and over 40 yards deep. And several short but imaginative par 4s may tempt you to bite off an angle, but only after accepting potentially high risk-reward possibilities posed by shot-gobbling bunkers and bushes. It’s definitely a strategic course where picking a reasonable target can pay dividends.

Developed and owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee, Sequoyah National is an ideal companion to the tribe’s 1,100-room Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel, as well as the numerous other area attractions and outdoor activities. In fact, the staff at Sequoyah National will not only satisfy your golf cravings, but also can create custom stay-and-play packages for buddies and families that mix cultural activities, fishing, biking, hiking, whitewater rafting and other outdoor adventures. But just remember that even a whitewater experience might feel a bit tame after encountering the peaks and valleys of the links at Sequoyah National.

By Gary Carter

added: April 6, 2011

updated: December 13, 2011