"North Carolina Business" Magazine publishes an annual list of Top 100 designs in North Carolina (note: there are more than 700 courses in the state). Unfortunately, these rankings typically are published the same week as the Golfweek rankings. As such, these rankings tend to trump the GW rankings not only because of their regional impact but also because of the large number listed. It seems to be the encyclopedia in this area.
The NC panel of more than 100 is comprised of business executives, college golf coaches, sports writers, golf professionals, top amateurs, and gold industry leaders. The criteria are listed below: 1. Aesthtics 2. Conditioning
3. Routing 4. Flow 5. Strategy 6. Variety 7. Memorability 8. Design Elements 9. Fairness 10. Overall experience.
Below are the 2003 results:
1. Pinehurst No. 2
2. Old North State
3. Pine Needles
4. CCNC (Dogwood)
5. Grandfather
6. Charlotte CC
7. Linville Golf C
8. Elk River
9. Pinehurst No. 4
10. Pinehurst No. 8
11. Forest Creek
12. Quail Hollow
13. Mid Pines
14. Wade Hampton
15. Pinehurst National
16. Biltmore Forest
17. Treyburn
18. Tanglewood
19. CCNC (Cardinal)
20. River Landing
21. Landfall (Dye Course)
22. Finlay
23. Governor's Club
24. Tiger's Eye
25. Duke Univ.
26. Sedgefield CC
27. Tobacco Road
28. Pinehurst No. 7
29. Pinewild
30. Mid South Club
31. Linville Ridge
32. Old Chatham
33. Anderson Creek
34. Willow Creek CC
35. Grandover (East)
36. Mt. Mitchell
37. The Point Lake
38. TPC at Piper Glen
39. Ballantyne
40. Bald Head Island
41. Porter's neck
42. River Run CC
43. Bermuda Run CC
44. The Old Town Club
45. River's Edge
46. Gaston CC
47. Legacy
48. Crow Creek
49. Cape Fear CC
50. Brier Creek CC
51. Myers Park CC
52. Forest Oaks
53. Mimosa Hills
54. MacGregor Downs
55. Eagle Point
56. Hope Valley
57. Forsyth CC
58. Champion Hills
59. Raleigh CC
60. Tot Hill Farms
I disagree with a large portion of the list. At No. 55, I believe Eagle Point is the best Fazio design in the state though I often cannot tell them apart.
While Wade Hampton is No. 14 in the "State" to this panel, they are No. 11 (modern) in the "Country" to Golfweek. Explain?
Quail Hollow evidently moves into the Top 12 as a result of hosting the Wachovia Cup, a brand new PGA event in Charlotte? Similarly, Tanglewood's No. 18 ranking must be a product of the PGA and the Vantage Championships years back.
Old Town Club at No. 44 is a joke.....an automatic Top 6.
Roaring Gap Club is not in the Top 100?? Wow! Its one of the most preserved, original Ross designs anywhere, plus there is no better setting.
Underrated: Mimosa Hills, Raleigh CC, and Wilmington Muni (also not ranked)
CCNC (Cardinal) must have been propelled by Art Hills renovation. Check out the masterful work with the drainage. Catch basins are everywhere.
Linville Golf Club is a hidden gem and this panel found it! Good job!