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If playing golf is a top priority while you're on vacation, you’ll appreciate these destinations where it’s easy to enjoy both tee times and summertime.
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Mountaine Aire Golf Course
Amazing Appalachian Mountains panoramas and few water hazards make this course a pleasure to play, though dramatic elevation changes will definitely keep you on your toes. The scenery is especially stunning on the second, third and 18th holes. More vivid vistas await in Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. Take the steep but short Summit Trail to the top of the dark 1,600-foot mountain (it’s colored by black metamorphic rock) for multistate views. Get a closer look at the rocks on the Rhododendron Trail.
Occano
The golf course at Occano consistently ranks as one of the top public courses in North Carolina. And while you might've never heard of the coastal town where it’s located, Merry Hill, you’ve certainly heard of the legend who designed the course: Arnold Palmer. With five sets of tees, golfers of all levels can feel comfortable while they take in the sound with every swing.
Etowah Valley Golf & Resort
Discover a great mountain escape at Etowah Valley Golf & Resort in the small town of Etowah (though the mountains are big). Etowah Valley features a 27-hole championship golf course of lush fairways and manicured bent grass greens. Plenty of amenities will keep your time pleasantly filled, including tennis courts, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a 6-acre lake and Zeke’s Greenside Tavern. Plus, it’s located only 15 minutes from Hendersonville, where the wineries, cideries and festivals make it perfectly suited for a summer day trip.
Waynesville Inn & Golf Club
Waynesville Inn & Golf Club just completed a massive renovation that repurposed Donald Ross' Carolina nine into an 18-hole, 6,500-yard beauty. Book a stay and tee off while taking in views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as the resort is located just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Let those views linger by choosing a guest room that features a private balcony overlooking the mountains or golf course. Also, be sure to venture out to explore downtown Waynesville’s restaurants and craft breweries.
Rock Barn Country Club
Plan your vacation with the country club experience in mind. At Rock Barn Country Club & Spa near Hickory, you can take a swing at the Tom Jackson Course. Dining options include Fresh Chef Cafe and The Spa Cafe, while the 20,000-square-foot spa could be a destination all its own. And the lodging options will make you feel at home, as fully furnished luxury townhomes are available for your stay. Speaking of furnished, you can’t spend time in this area and not visit Hickory Furniture Mart, like more than half a million people do each year.
Ocean Ridge Plantation
One of four big-cat-themed courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation, Leopard’s Chase is full of surprises that seem to leap out of nowhere. Scene-stealing highlights include greens tucked away on an island (hole four) and behind a waterfall (hole 18). With the course's proximity to the beach, an oceanfront room is in order: Ocean Isle Inn sits right on the beach, with rooms providing ocean or island views. The outdoor pool overlooks the water, too, and there’s a surfside gazebo for watching sunsets.
Pinehurst Resort
Pinehurst is synonymous with golf greatness, especially the resort’s world-famous course No. 2, a Donald Ross-designed masterpiece. It has hosted more championships than any other American course. The brand-new Pinehurst No. 10 boasts dune-lined fairways and 75 feet of elevation change along with signature pine trees that act as silent spectators. Satisfy your hunger for history and food in the surrounding Village of Pinehurst (which actually existed before the first golf course). Learn the legacy of the site through artifacts at Tufts Archives, start the day with fresh coffee and French pastries at Agora Bakery and Cafe, and take in the aromas of smoked meats and brewing beer at Pinehurst Brewing Company.