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From Cashiers' world-renowned resorts and courses in the south to the scenic Smokey Mountain Country Club in the north, Jackson County offers mountain golf in a variety of grand settings. Scenery is impressive, and dramatic elevation changes rare challenges.
PUBLIC COURSES
High Hampton Inn and Country Club - 1-800-334-2551
Imagine playing golf in a velvet-green park shadowed by two of the prettiest peaks in North Carolina - Rock Mountain and Chimney Top Mountain. The late George Cobb, a legendary golf architect who crafted more than 350 golf courses in America. The signature hole is the par-3 No. 8, with its green resting on a finger of land jutting into the lake, dwarfed by the sheer rock cliff of Rock Mountain. It's easy to understand why Golf Digest named it one of "America's Great Golf Holes." Amenities at the Cashiers club include a covered driving range and two putting greens; the course is part of the 1,400-acre historic High Hampton Resort.
http://www.highhamptoninn.com/
Sapphire Mountain Golf Club - 1-828-743-1174
Florida golf architect Ron Garl developed an 18-hole golfing jewel at Sapphire Mountain, east of Cashiers. Scenic splendor and creative design are combined in a par-70 layout. Sapphire Mountain includes a set of five par-3 holes, four of which are play over water. The island green on the par-3 No. 15 is a special treat. Another standout feature is the waterfall tucked beside the 13th green. Sapphire Mountain includes a full service mountain lodge-style clubhouse with a large rock fireplace.
http://www.SapphireMountainGolf.com
Highlands Cove -1-828-526-8044
Highlands Cove, just west of Cashiers, grabs your attention right out of the box. The front Highlands Nine is among the most spectacular mountain layouts anywhere; South Carolina architect Tom Jackson carved the first three holes some 4,700 feet in the peaks.
And there's variety, also. The Cove Nine takes a different approach, meandering through a flatter parcel of property often crossing mountain streams. Most holes there are level, with only a few elevated tees.
The clubhouse includes a popular restaurant, Nick's at the Cove.
http://www.HighlandsCove.com
Smoky Mountain Country Club - 1-888-572-0180
Smoky Mountain Country Club's 18 hole Thomas Walker design is a unique course built on valley floors, into mountainsides and across mountaintops. Carts are mandatory as there is 500 feet of elevation change, creating a true mountain golfing experience with spectacular views of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
SMCC underwent an extensive renovation in 1999 and 2000, with Walker as the chief architect. At least three holes provide drops of more than 150 feet, while the drop on the 505-yard par-5 fifth hole is probably closer to 250 feet.
The course features bent-grass greens, fescue fairways, Bermuda tee boxes and a driving range, as well as an upscale restaurant, The Oaks. SMCC is located in Whitter, not far from Dillsboro and Harrah's Cherokee Casino.
http://www.SMCCLodging.com
Red Bird Golf
Red Bird is an executive nine-hole course, which opened in August 2001 just east of Cashiers in the Fairfield Sapphire Valley resort complex. Red Bird is perfect for woman, children and beginning golfers because of its length.
Owner/architect Reid Horne designed a nine-hole layout of the six par-3s and three par-4s. All three par-4s are doglegs requiring two shots to reach the green.
The course features bent-grass tees, fairways and greens. There is a tee-to-green sprinkler system, which is unusual for an executive course, as well as a driving range.
PRIVATE COURSES
Trillium Golf Links - 1-828-743-3797
Built in 1998, Trillium is the creation of Morris Hatalsky, a former PGA Tour professional who now plays the Champions Tour. Trillium is a testament to Hatalsky's desire to build a playable mountain golf course. He designed a layout atop a 4,000 foot mountain that flows well and has several flat areas.
This par-71 course is known for it's five par-3s, each playing downhill. However, one of the better (and often overlooked) holes is the par-4 third. It's a downhill two-shotter that bends gently to the right around a tranquil pond. The green sits snuggled into a cove beside the pond.
Don't forget your fishing rod at No. 13. It's a short par-3 with a waterfall and trout stream.
Trillium has earned a four-star rating from Golf Digest, with facilities that include a driving range, fitness center and dining. Trillium is located above Lake Glenville, a few miles north of Cashiers.
http://www.TrilliumNC.com
Lake Toxaway Company
Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club
Wade Hampton Golf Club
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