Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

1 week until Christmas and if you’re anything like me, you’ve got your fingers and toes crossed that you’ll find some new ammo under the tree. This has become a (welcome) trend for me the last couple years, as I hope to stock up on enough golf balls during the holidays to last me most of the following season.

In today’s newsletter, we’re reflecting on some of the courses we played for the first time in 2025 and handing out some awards to those that left a lasting impression. We also have news of ongoing improvement projects at a public practice facility in Charlotte that is already one of the city’s best, plus our typical news roundup from the week. Check it all out below and have a happy holidays!

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

I know what you’re thinking - “Luke, in your role as a bit-part blogger, I’m sure you’re travelling and playing new golf courses all the time!” Despite this common misconception, the existence of this publication has yet to persuade my wife or boss that I need more time away. In fact, a quick glance at the GHIN says I only played a handful of new courses in the Carolinas, but that doesn’t mean the year was short on memories! While I didn’t cover a ton of ground (OK - there was a 4-day trip to Sand Valley mixed in there…), I did see some fantastic and memorable courses in 2025. Without further adieu, let’s dive in to the list:

Note: This list only includes courses played for the first time in 2025.

I visited this Huntersville public in August for a CGA qualifier and quickly understood why it is in the rotation for so many Charlotte golfers. While a satellite view of the of the course doesn’t scream “must-play” for me given the routing style (i.e. residential golf), the corridors are plenty wide and the homes are set back far enough that they don’t feel intrusive.

The layout features quite a bit of elevation change, and while there were a couple holes that likely divide opinion (ex. the dramatically uphill 5th), most ranged from solid to mildly enjoyable. The greens were QUICK during my round - I hit my first putt on the practice green 20 feet past the hole and off the green! The weekend rate of ~$85 is a bit steep, but they are clearly investing in the conditioning and looking to present a premium product. Definitely worth the trip at only ~25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte.

I had seen this course jump up the North Carolina top 25 courses list early last year, but still had relatively low expectations ahead of my visit. I had heard very little about the previously defunct Pinehurst-area club, which had been closed for 8 years before a Kris Spence-renovation brought it back in 2023.

What I found was an interesting and varied routing that would be a worthy addition to any Sandhills trip. The course features 2 distinct sections - 1 set against a dry lake and another weaving through the pines. I was particularly enthralled with the stretch of 6-8 - a wooded section with wild land movement and a particularly English Heathland feel.

I was able to visit Quail Hollow only a month or so after May’s PGA Championship, and while it wasn’t playing as difficult as a major week, I definitely got the gist! The greens were still exceptionally firm - a characteristic that, combined with still-long rough weeks after the tournament, placed on huge premium on controlling your ball.

It’s hard and a bit silly to get over-analytical about a first-time trip to QHC. It was an amazing experience, and while some of the architecture isn’t my cup of tea (I enjoy a bit more space off the tee and ability to recover), the last 5 holes make for a thrilling finish. I have a much greater appreciation for the skill level of professional golfers for having seen it up close.

I feel like I’m barely scratching the surface after a single loop around the new Mike Koprowski/Kyle Franz design in Rembert, SC, but even 1 round was enough to recognize a brilliant and thoughtful golf course. Variety is the name of the game at Broomsedge - with 20 possible greens, a wide range of tee boxes, and generally large greens allowing for a plethora of pin positions, you’ll never play the same course twice. The layout received near-unanimous praise from contestants in October’s Carolinas Invitational, and the course will be back in the spotlight next year at the Carolinas Mid-Amateur.

Honorable mention to Old Field, which officially opens in spring 2026.

The irony is not lost on me that the course coming in as my favorite was bulldozed weeks later. I loved what I saw during a summer visit with close friends and a great host, but can’t wait to see what Andrew Green has in store when the course reopens next year.

CCC (the pre-2025 iteration) was everything I love in a golf experience - history, width, strategy, fun greens, and long views. My favorite stretch of holes was 4-6 - a series of par 4’s routed over some of the most interesting land, each with their own unique identity and character.

LOCAL BEAT

You might not expect Charlotte’s best public-access practice facility to sit tucked between car dealerships off a busy highway exit, but that’s exactly where you’ll find “The Pine,” also known as The First Tee Learning Center at Pineville. The facility, which serves as the home for First Tee programming for 850+ kids each year, is gearing up for another round of improvement projects to continue elevating the experience for all who visit.

The offering: The Pine has come a long way since opening in April 2021, when the First Tee took over the lease for the county-owned driving range. “It had become like a scrapyard,” said First Tee - Greater Charlotte Executive Director Daniel Fogarty. “There were 40+ junked cars out back, no irrigation, and one bunker without a practice green, so you just had to hit balls into the woods.”

Today, The Pine features a full suite of practice and programming spaces outfitted with modern equipment and technology. The covered hitting bays, which provide an all-weather supplement to the year-round grass range, were recently outfitted with overhead heaters, new hitting mats, and Toptracer range technology.

"The kids are loving [the Toptracer],” said General Manager Juanma Galante. “I've seen them spending more time here - they used to just hit a bucket, now they can't get enough.”

While the range stands alone as one of Charlotte’s best places to practice, the other offerings are what allow The Pine to truly shine. The indoor simulators and putting green, outdoor short game area, and the fantastic Doc’s Hill putting course give visitors no excuse for neglecting any area of the game.

Continuous improvement: On the back of the range upgrades, the team is set to kick off additional renovation projects during the slower winter months, which include renovating the restrooms and expanding the indoor programming space. “Every year we’re looking for little things we can do to be 1% better,” said Fogarty of the team’s approach.

Come one, come all: I can admit to feeling reluctant to take my kids to the golf course for fear of intruding on someone else’s experience. At The Pine, a place designed to introduce young people to the game (First Tee participants get free range balls!), this goes out the window. “We have parents that come in here with strollers, and we even had one guy who set up a playpen down by the range. There are not many places that are as inviting, especially in the world of golf,” added Galante.

Get involved: Visit The Pine at 10401 Cadillac Street, Pineville, NC and tell them 2DP sent you! Want to get involved with the First Tee - Greater Charlotte as a volunteer coach? Check out opportunities to do so on their website.

STORIES TO TRACK

Winter 2025 Edition of Carolinas Golf Magazine Released: The 2nd issue since the publication’s significant visual overhaul features some beautiful photography of fall golf in the North Carolina mountains, a story on the Asheville Muni's ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, and more. Read it here.

South Carolina Golf Association Announces 2026 Championship Venues: Highlights of the 2026 slate include the SCGA Amateur at Quixote Club and the Public Links Championship at Charleston Municipal Golf Course.

HOUSEKEEPING

This is the last newsletter of 2025! We’re taking a couple weeks off to recharge before what is set to be a busy 2026. Lots of exciting new content ideas planned for the new year - good time to share 2DP with a friend…

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