Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

We’re back after a short hiatus! In this week’s newsletter, guest writer Josh Bryan of Avalon Journeys returns with his best mountain golf recommendations for those looking to escape dog days of summer in Charlotte. We also have updates from the North & South down in Pinehurst, as well as the latest information on the first course at Candyroot Lodge. Read it all below and if you’re new to 2DP, remember to subscribe to get the newsletter delivered (almost) every week - it’s free!

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

There is something about summer in Charlotte that makes the mountains feel especially appealing.

By mid-July, temperatures are regularly pushing into the 90s, the humidity settles in, and even the most dedicated golfers start looking for a cooler place to spend a weekend. Fortunately, some of the Southeast’s most beautiful public-access golf destinations are tucked into the mountains of North Carolina, where elevations climb above 3,000+ feet and summer mornings still call for a light sweater.

Whether you’re planning a golf trip with friends, a long weekend with your spouse, or simply looking for an excuse to explore a different corner of the Carolinas, these 3 mountain golf destinations offer a refreshing escape.

If there is a golf destination that perfectly captures the charm of a Carolina mountain summer, it may be High Hampton.

Nestled in Cashiers at roughly 3,500 feet above sea level, High Hampton feels less like a golf resort and more like a timeless mountain retreat. The property centers around a historic inn overlooking a lake, with hiking trails, porches designed for lingering, and cool mountain air that feels worlds away from Charlotte.

The golf course recently underwent a recent multimillion dollar renovation by Tom Fazio and blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Rather than relying on dramatic elevation changes, the course embraces the natural contours of the valley, creating a walkable and visually stunning experience.

What makes High Hampton special isn’t simply the golf. It’s the feeling of slowing down. Morning coffee overlooking the lake, afternoons exploring Cashiers and Highlands, and evenings spent around a firepit make this one of the most complete mountain getaways in the Southeast.

Best For: Couples’ weekends, luxury travelers, golfers who appreciate atmosphere as much as architecture.

Nearby Courses Include: Wade Hampton Golf Club (private), Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club (private), Saphire Valley CC (Private) and Old Edwards Club (public)

For golfers seeking panoramic mountain views, Olde Beau is hard to beat.

Located along the Blue Ridge escarpment in Roaring Gap, the course delivers sweeping vistas that seem to stretch endlessly into Virginia. Designed by Tom Jackson, Olde Beau uses the mountain terrain beautifully, offering dramatic elevation changes without feeling gimmicky.

One of the things I appreciate most about Olde Beau is the value. While many mountain destinations have become increasingly exclusive and expensive, Olde Beau still feels approachable while delivering a premium golf experience.

After your round, you’re just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, making it easy to turn a golf trip into a mountain weekend filled with scenic drives, hiking, and exploring small Appalachian towns.

Best For: Serious golfers, value buddy trips, golfers who love mountain scenery.

Nearby Courses Include: Roaring Gap Club (private), Contentment (private), Cedarbrook Country Club (public), Highland Course at Primland (public)

It’s still there… for now! Despite a controversial proposal to redevelop the property, which faced significant pushback from the local golf community, there is still time to visit this mountain gem only minutes from downtown Boone.

Home of the Appalachian State golf team, the course sits in a valley and features a “core” routing (i.e. holes are not separated by houses, etc.). It is typically kept in great shape and can frequently be played for under $100, making it a great value option in an area most known for its private golf offerings.

Best For: Day trippers, walkers, golfers looking for excellent post-round food and drinks, golf paired with other outdoor activities.

Nearby Courses Include: Hound Ears Club (private), Grandfather Golf & Country Club (private), Linville Golf Club (private), Diamond Creek Golf Club (private)

If you’re building a mountain golf bucket list, these courses deserve consideration as well:

Waynesville Inn & Golf Club
Sequoiah National Golf Club
Springdale Resort (Canton)
Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure
Maggie Valley Club
Sugar Mountain Golf Club
Mountain Aire Golf Club (West Jefferson)
Smoky Mountain Country Club (Whittier)
Sky Valley Country Club (just across the Georgia line near Highlands)
Linville Land Harbor Golf Club
Sapphire National Golf Club

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? Reach out today to start the process.

TOURNAMENTS

Arguably the biggest amateur golf tournament in our region began earlier this week in Pinehurst, with match play set to begin tomorrow for both the Men’s and Women’s North & South Amateur Championships. The tournament, which is contested on Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 4, features 36 holes of stroke play qualifying leading to a 32-player match play bracket.

On the Women’s side, 2022 champion Emilia Doran fired back-to-back rounds of 70 (-2) to take medalist honors and earn the #1 seed. Doran, who lives in Charlotte and works as a golf broadcaster for NBC/Golf Channel, plays an extremely limited competitive schedule compared to most of the field, which is comprised of elite high school and college talent. Despite spending more time covering the game than competing in high-level tournaments, Doran has had some strong showings in big-time events, including a quarterfinal appearance at last year’s U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.

Also finishing in the top 5 in the stroke play portion was Elizabeth Rudisill, who won the recent Carolinas Women’s Amateur at Grandfather Golf & Country Club. Rudisill, a Myers Park High School graduate, is a rising sophomore at Vanderbilt University. View Women’s scoring/match play bracket.

In the Men’s competition, 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur champion Trevor Gutschewski edged out Canada’s Justin Matthews for the top qualifying spot. Narrowly missing out on match play were a slew of notables we’ve previously covered in 2DP, including Charlotte Catholic alum Will Hartman, UNC Charlotte’s Daniel Boone, and 2025 Palmetto Amateur champion Nate Gahman. Seeing this kind of talent fall outside the cutline speaks to the quality of the competition at the North & South, whose list of recent champions includes Nick Dunlap and Luke Clanton. View Men’s scoring/match play bracket.

STORIES TO TRACK

Architect Koprowski Shares Candyroot Routing, Design Details: Mike Koprowski recently joined Garrett Morrison of Fried Egg Golf on the Designing Golf podcast to discuss trends in public destination golf. Koprowski shared tons of information on his latest project, the first course at Candyroot Lodge, including details about the land, his approach to routing, and some of the key design decisions. Preview play for the first course at the new resort is still on track for Q4 2026.

3 Players Advance to U.S. Women’s Amateur at Old Town Club Qualifier: In a rare outside event hosted at OTC, recent Wake Forest graduate Morgan Ketchum made 8 birdies in route to a 7-under 63. Sarah Lydic and Carolina Wynns also qualified for the upcoming event at The Honors Course with rounds of 69.

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