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Ivan Lipko

Public Golf in NC
« on: June 01, 2012, 06:54:34 AM »
Dear sirs,
have used the search function but didn't find much new, honestly, didn't find much at all. I will have some time in a couple weeks when i could play a few (3-4) courses in NC, preferably Charlotte area.
Would appreciate it if you could come with a few good recommendations of public courses  - price isn't an issue.

Thanks a lot in advance.

PS: if needed i can travel quite a bit.
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Cory Lewis

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2012, 07:13:33 AM »
The Golf club at Ballantyne is the best public option in the Charlotte area.  If your willing to drive 2 plus hours that opens up the Pinehurst area as well as Grove Park Inn in Asheville.  Tot Hill Farm is about an hour and a half from Charlotte.
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Keith OHalloran

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2012, 07:16:49 AM »
The Greensboro area has some good options as wel. I have always liked Bryan Park, and Oak Valley in High Point is really good.
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David Schofield

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2012, 08:51:16 AM »
Tot Hill Farm is about 1.5 hours to the northeast (near Asheboro, NC).  Pinehurst (Pinehurst Resort, Dormie Club, etc) is 2 hours to the east.  Tobacco Road is another 0.5 hour northeast of Pinehurst (near Sanford, NC).
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Carl Johnson

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2012, 09:04:45 AM »
The immediate Charlotte area does not have an overabundance of good public golf.  The Ballantyne Resort Course is probably the best public course in the area.  Charlotte Golf Links is an early Doak course, but the upkeep has been weak.  Rocky River (in Concord) used to be pretty good, but I haven't been there in a while.  Also, Charlotte National Golf Club used to be a good public, but, again, I have not been there in a while.  The Tradition may be the best muni.  I think that Renaissance Park, another muni, has a good layout, but maintenance and condition have been poor.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2012, 09:30:29 AM by Carl Johnson »
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David Stewart

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2012, 10:45:53 AM »
Quote from: David Schofield on June 01, 2012, 08:51:16 AM
Tot Hill Farm is about 1.5 hours to the northeast (near Asheboro, NC).  Pinehurst (Pinehurst Resort, Dormie Club, etc) is 2 hours to the east.  Tobacco Road is another 0.5 hour northeast of Pinehurst (near Sanford, NC).

I agree you should head to the Pinehurst area. I would definitely play Dormie Club and Tobacco Road. You probably have to stay at the resort to get on No. 2, but it is an obvious inclusion. I would also highly recommend Mid-Pines.
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hhuffines

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2012, 10:48:34 AM »
What about the Club at Irish Creek?  Anyone played there recently?
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Jeff Shelman

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2012, 12:21:16 PM »
Club at Irish Creek is very good, but I don't know how open they are.

My only other opinion is don't drive the 1.5 hrs to Tot Hill Farm. If you are going to drive that far, drive the additional 30 minutes and go to Pinehurst. Way more options (Pinehurst resort, Mid-Pines, Pine Needles, Tobacco Road, Dormie) and way better golf. I think there are at least seven or eight golf courses in the Pinehurst area that are better than Tot Hill Farm.
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Bill Crane

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2012, 12:36:21 PM »
The C & C designed Dormie Club has access for a day, and a great reputation. 

Just west of Pinehurst.
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Carl Johnson

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2012, 03:08:35 PM »
Quote from: hhuffines on June 01, 2012, 10:48:34 AM
What about the Club at Irish Creek?  Anyone played there recently?

Yes, I have, but in Charlotte-area senior inter-club league play, and sometimes under reciprocal arrangements with my home club in Charlotte.  It is a very good course in the Charlotte area, but it is private, at least in theory, so I'm not sure you could just call and get on, but you could try.  If you could play it, it is much better than any of the public courses I listed above.  It is my favorite "away course" in our senior league.

Carl
« Last Edit: June 01, 2012, 03:33:10 PM by Carl Johnson »
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Bruce Wellmon

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2012, 03:13:34 PM »
Carl,
      What about Verdict Ridge access?
      Although I think driving to Pinehurst is the best option.
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Carl Johnson

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2012, 03:28:47 PM »
Quote from: Bruce Wellmon on June 01, 2012, 03:13:34 PM
Carl,
      What about Verdict Ridge access?
      Although I think driving to Pinehurst is the best option.

I do not know the status of Verdict Ridge for outside play right now.  I've heard (second hand) that the club has some "financial issues" (what else is new these days) so maybe they do accept outside play.  I did not mention it above because I don't normally think of it as public.  Personally, I do not like the design of the course and its residential community environment.  I have not played it in a good while so I do not know what the condition is.

Certainly Pinehurst is a much better option for public golf (esp. if price is no object) than the Charlotte area.  However, I would not want to stay in Charlotte and drive back and forth to Pinehurst everyday.  I'd stay in the Pinehurst area.  I didn't mention Pinehurst myself because it was not clear to me how far Ivan was willing to range, or that he was willing to make Pinehurst his base.  If so, then for public golf -- agreed -- Pinehurst area clearly better than Charlotte.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2012, 04:41:36 PM by Carl Johnson »
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Brett Waters

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2012, 11:49:29 PM »
I have never played it, but am under the assumption Verdict Ridge is open to the public. They have rates posted on their website and it found on sites like GolfNow throughout the week.
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Ivan Lipko

Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2012, 08:38:15 PM »
Thanks a lot, dear sirs! That was very helpful - will get back to this thread and post my impressions.
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JC Jones

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2012, 10:34:01 PM »
Check out www.clickitgolf.com for public golf in Charlotte and the Carolinas.
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I get it, you are mad at the world because you are an adult caddie and few people take you seriously.

Excellent spellers usually lack any vision or common sense.

I know plenty of courses that are in the red, and they are killing it.

Bart Bradley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2012, 10:39:34 PM »
I like Mount Mitchell in Burnsville quite a lot.  Reems Creek in Asheville is pretty good too.


Bart
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Matt MacIver

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #16 on: June 04, 2012, 07:30:26 AM »
I disagree that Ballantyne Resort is the best publi in the area. Check out. Carolina Lakes in Sun City, new Red Bridge (conditioning may be spotty), Springfield and Birkdale. Verdict Ridge is interesting but hard. Irish Creek is great and worth a call to see if you can get on.
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Ivan Lipko

Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #17 on: June 12, 2012, 04:16:06 PM »
So, gentlemen, i have just finished my second day in Charlotte, NC. The first day i played at the Ballantyne Resort course - for 55 dollars for green fee + cart it's an outstanding golf experience. Actually this is a really interesting course, with some beautiful holes set among the woods with creeks winding in between. The conditioning was really nice. The only thing that kind of spoiled the positive impression was the view of some huge office buildings - but again for that price and being in the center of a city - it is great.

The second day, thank to the kindness and  generosity of my host Carl Johnson, i player the Carolina Golf Club. Uuuughhh, what a course - huge fairways, fantastic green complexes and very good conditioning. I have to say this one is definitely in my top 15 courses - tests every aspect of your game: long shots (it is pretty long from the blue tees i played), short game, chipping and putting. It is also a delight to look at  - reminded me of some of the heathland courses around London.

Thus, i would like to say once again a big thanks to Carl for giving me this opportunity to play such a good golf course.
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Kris Shreiner

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Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2012, 05:24:49 PM »
Hope you are heading to Pinehurst! Dormie Club is a MUST. Southern Pines is a sporty Ross charmer. Any of the Pinehurst tracks are decent and #2, while extortionate to play, is at least worth walking around. The town itself oozes golf in a uniquely subtle manner. The people are warm and welcoming. The Pine Crest Inn or Magnolia Inn are super spots to stay overnight right near, or in the walking heart of town that don't kill you financially to stay there.

Cheers,
Kris 8)
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"I said in a talk at the Dunhill Tournament in St. Andrews a few years back that I thought any of the caddies I'd had that week would probably make a good golf course architect. We all want to ask golfers of all abilities to get more out of their games -caddies do that for a living." T.Doak

Ivan Lipko

Re: Public Golf in NC
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2012, 07:26:47 PM »
I will definitely head there next - but this will be my next trip, probably around September. For now i am heading to Cleveland.

Thanks for all the advice.
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