One of the things I find most interesting about golf in NC is the volume of largely unheralded Ross courses scattered around throughout the state. I doubt many of these tracks will ever crack anyone's top whatever list or be considered a championship test. Nevertheless, they exude a real golden age feel which, when mixed with small town charm, often produces a great experience. Now I love discussing the Shinnecock's of the world as much as anyone. But there is also a place for discussing these types of clubs that are often deeply rooted in small communities and which offer solid if not spectacular architecture at a very affordable price. So I thought I would show an example of a club that fits this mold, the Country Club of Salisbury. Here is the front nine:
#1 370 yard par 4. Downhill drive and an uphill approach with a creek running along the left side. A nice opening hole, although the tall pines guarding the front right of the green definitely need to come down. From the tee...
...and from behind.
#2 Par 4 392 yards. Fairway widens on the right side over the 2nd bunker. A relative ho-hummer.
#3 Par 5 535 yards. Reachable in two. Bends right and then left. A really nice hole. From the tee...
...the typical second shot...
...and from behind.
#4 Par 4 397 yards. I really liked this hole. Drive to the top of the plateau.
Then an uphill approach over a valley. One of the best holes on the course.
#5 Par 4 388 yards. Not one of my favorites. The road on the right side and the trees really narrow play.
#6 179 yard Par 3. Another solid hole, although trees encroach too much on both sides. The view from the tee...
...and from an angle short right of the green.
#7 Par 4 421 yards. A good two shot hole. Tee shot requires a fade...
...the approach is to a partially blind green
#8 Par 4 358 yards. A short hole with a creek running the length along the left side. From the tee...
...and the approach.
#9 187 yard Par 3. A very solid hole with a tricky green. The same creek on #8 cuts in front of the tree and up the left side of the hole. I liked this one a lot. From the tee...
...and from behind.
The back nine to follow