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We're returning to regularly scheduled programming after dipping our toes into the world of clickbait-y hot takes last week - thanks for all the feedback on our logo rankings!

Big news this week as a (former) Charlotte golfer captured a HUGE early season W at the Gasparilla Invitational. We also have a breakdown of some of the hottest destinations in Carolinas golf travel, plus tournament news from the PGA TOUR and local amateur events. Enjoy this week’s 2DP and if you’re liking the newsletter, please share it with a friend!

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

He doesn’t live in Charlotte anymore, but we can still claim him! Brown, a former Club Champion at Carolina Golf Club and frequent Charlotte City Am contestant during his ~10 years in Charlotte, took down one of the biggest prizes in Mid-Am golf last weekend, shooting a final round 68 (-2) to win the Gasparilla Invitational by 1 shot over Ohio’s Peyton White. View full scoring here.

After opting not to play a practice round on the renovated Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club layout (opting instead for a 90-hole “boys boondoggle" to prep for the event), Brown got off to a hot start with an opening round 67 (-3) and was tied for the lead after the first day. After going out in 32 during the second round and reaching -6 for the tournament, Brown was threatening to run away from the field, but a difficult back 9, which included 2 double bogeys, resulted in a second round 73 (+3).

Entering the final round 2 shots behind leader Christian Cavaliere and playing alongside reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Brandon Holtz, Brown’s prospects looked all but dashed after a bogey-par-double start. Sitting at +3 for the tournament, he played his final 15 holes in 5-under and closed with a dramatic up-and-down birdie from long of the 18th green that proved to be the winning moment.

Brown’s Gasparilla win puts an exclamation point on what has been a meteoric rise through the amateur golf ranks in recent years. After breaking onto the national stage in 2021 with his run to the semifinals of the U.S. Mid-Amateur, he has since secured big victories at the Lupton Invitational and the Georgia Mid-Amateur, solidifying himself as a mainstay on the elite Mid-Am circuit.

Huge congrats to Hayes and we look forward to covering his play as the 2026 season ramps up!

PRESENTED BY AVALON JOURNEYS

Avalon Journeys is a Chapel Hill-based golf travel agency with 20+ years of experience planning trips both domestically and abroad. Founder Jason Bryan is passionate about helping bring people together and making each journey seamless, memorable, and uniquely yours.

Ready to plan your next trip with a partner based here in North Carolina? Believe it or not, deadlines for 2027 bookings at some of the top UK destinations are fast approaching, so reach out today to start the process.

COURSES

The Carolinas remain one of the biggest draws in domestic golf travel, with new developments and old stalwarts attracting keen players from across the country. The mild weather, varied terrain, and diverse array of architecture have seen the region grow in popularity with visitors in recent years - a trend that shows little sign of slowing down. As the 2026 season approaches, here is a quick breakdown of ongoings at some of the hottest spots in Carolinas golf travel:

The Pinehurst area has continued to double-down on recent success, with both the namesake resort and its closest rival making significant investments in recent years.

At Pinehurst proper, Tom Doak’s new No. 10 course has become the de facto second best course at the resort, with No. 11, coming soon from Coore & Crenshaw, set to threaten for the aforementioned title. Pinehurst seems to have struck gold with the concept of the Sandmines, the second hub south of the resort’s main campus featuring work from the most prominent names in modern golf architecture.

The Pine Needles Resort, home of the fabulous Ross trio of Pine Needles, Mid Pines, and Southern Pines, also continues to aggressively invest. The Mid Pines hotel is set for a major overhaul in partnership with hotel chain Marine & Lawn, while renovation wizard Kyle Franz is already at work on the recently acquired Country Club of Whispering Pines.

The other Carolinas resort making moves is Palmetto Bluff, which has gone from 1 course to 3 in less than 3 years. The original May River course is now complemented by the Crossroads by King-Collins and Coore & Crenshaw’s Anson Point, making the coastal getaway a true player in the region's golf scene.

North and South Carolina are home to 5 of the 9 original courses Strantz designed, with the 4 publicly accessible offerings creating a “Strantz Trail" stretching from the Triad to the coast. It wasn't long ago that his work was seen as too quirky and severe, but my how the times have changed!

It’s been incredible to see how the popularity (and price point) of Tobacco Road has risen in recent years, and the duo of True Blue and Caledonia continue to be amongst the most sought after tee times in the Myrtle Beach-area. Tot Hill Farm, which was rescued from the bring of closure with a major restoration in 2022, may be the best of the bunch, now fully showcasing Strantz's ability to push the boundaries of conventional architecture with his bold features and artistic shaping.

Strantz operated in a pre-iPhone, but seemingly had a knack for creating golf holes that photograph well. His courses have become social media darlings and continue to attract throngs of visitors 20+ years after his tragic passing.

Both the Wilmington and Charleston municipal courses were recipients of smart, thorough renovations focused on delivering quality architecture at an affordable cost. These courses have become legitimate travel destinations, drawing in visitors eager to see some of the best examples in the country of how a city-owned course can thrive.

The Wilmington Muni remains one of the best deals in the region, with tee times on its Donald Ross layout peaking at $61. Charleston Municipal employs a heavier out-of-town tax (peaking at $90), but remains an incredible option for visitors, especially when compared to some of the high-priced and lackluster competition in the area.

We're excited to track the ongoing renovation efforts at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course as it looks to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The course had only recently reopened after major improvements prior to the storm, but the Donald Ross-designed front 9 seemed destined to be another major draw for those looking to beat the summer heat.

We’ve said about everything we can say about the region that has become America's hotbed for destination private club development! 21 Golf Club and New Holland Golf Club are set to join The Tree Farm and Old Barnwell on the list of high profile Aiken-area clubs, and while these destinations are not widely accessible to the public, it is possible to secure a (high priced) tee time during Masters Week.

While the flashy new builds in Aiken have commanded most of the headlines, there are still some amazing options that provide opportunity to experience this region. Aiken Golf Club and the newly reopened Augusta Municipal Golf Course make for a brilliant, affordable pairing that won't completely deplete your bank account, while the newly developed Broomsedge (UK model) and Candyroot Lodge (public stay-and-play opening in 2027) have opted for different business models enabling outside play.

STORIES TO TRACK

Jacob Bridgeman Snags First PGA TOUR Win at Genesis Invitational: The Inman, SC native and Clemson alum held off Rory McIlroy for his first PGA TOUR win at soggy Riviera Country Club. The Carolinas Golf Association posted some fun flashback photos of the 2016 Carolinas Junior champion - great to have another local name to track at the highest level.

Pine Needles Invitational Begins Friday: The 54-hole four-ball competition is a fixture on the early season amateur slate and attracts a strong field annually. Charlotteans John Varol and Will Register took home the 2025 title. Keep an eye on our social feeds for live scoring updates once they become available.

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