Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

Let the record show that we launched our Great Golf Holes series back in October, but we did love Fried Egg Golf’s new video series that went live this week. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…

In this week’s newsletter, we’re breaking down Charlotte’s favorite muni, unpacking the impact of recent winter storms on January’s amateur tournament schedule, and mourning the loss of a local legend. All that and more in today’s 2DP…

COURSE REVIEW

Charlotte is home to prestigious clubs and highly acclaimed courses, but only one facility can stake a true claim as the central hub of the local golf scene. Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course exemplifies all the best qualities of municipal golf in America, offering quality practice facilities, interesting architecture, and affordable, accessible golf to all who visit.

The land: I hear a lot of Charlotte golfers (myself included) complaining about the city’s public golf landscape, which often requires significant windshield time, but next time you are ready to gripe, remember how lucky we are to have municipal golf 5 minutes from the East/West light rail station. Wedged between I-77 and the busy Remount Road, the property itself is unassuming, but it’s proximity to Charlotte’s urban core is its biggest asset.

From a golf perspective, the property is everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s mostly open, with holes 7 and 8 darting into a more wooded section. The land slopes gently down from the highway toward Irvin Creek, providing some nice elevation change and playing interest throughout the compact routing.

The layout: The golf course at Sifford is perfect for it’s audience, providing new golfers an entry point into the game while presenting just enough challenge for low handicaps. It’s not exactly a driving test for better players - it’s short, and almost every hole allows you to miss it in an adjacent fairway - but you’ll need to be sharp from 100 yards and in to go low.

With 5 par 4’s under 400 yards, there are plenty of wedge opportunities for those looking to score, but these gettable holes are balanced by real par 3’s (153 and 196), an uphill par 5 surrounded by trouble, and an opening par 4 that always feels longer than the scorecard number (might need to start hitting range balls…).

The greens, which are typically in fantastic condition given the price point, provide the test and defend par. These putting surfaces are significant sloped, often requiring players to aim outside the hole on short putts and commit to playing more break.

The vibe: Sifford is a genuine community hub and a place where folks gather from all walks of life. On any given day you might see youth programming from First Tee - Greater Charlotte (who have a presence onsite), busy professionals sneaking away from work, brand-new golfers hitting the course for the first time, or a putting match between members of the 70Fore Golf Social Club.

It’s a laid-back atmosphere with amenities for all. The range is often packed on a summer evening, and the short game area, which includes 2 chipping/pitching greens and multiple practice bunkers, is one of the best I’ve seen at a municipal facility. There is even a greenway running through the property, which brings non-golfers into the fray and contributes to the community feel.

Standout Holes:

#3 - 153 Par 3

Every time I step on this tee, I admire the hole’s quality and simplicity. Sitting on a ridge between the 2nd fairway and 4th tee, everything about this short par 3 feels perfectly placed. The green is angled from front-left to back-right, with a deep bunker guarding the front-right section. All of the hole’s hazards conspire to perfectly challenge a right-hander, with both common misses (short-right and long-left) punished by either the bunker or a large mound and drop-off on the left side.

The slightly downhill hole asks you to pick club, pick a shape, and put a solid swing on a short iron early in your round. This is a birdie opportunity for better players, but beginners will appreciate the accessible length and open green mouth, which accommodates a running shot well.

#5 - 286 Par 4

The 5th is a thrilling drivable par 4 that again manages to provide appropriate options for players across the skill spectrum. Playing around 250 yards adjusted for slope, going for the green is too tempting to pass up for most golfers, but requires tee shots to take on a stand of trees lining the right side. The green is well-guarded, protected by 2 bunkers and falling away on all sides. The putting surface slopes predominately from left to right, forcing players who bail away from the trees to land their next shot on a downslope.

The higher handicapper can always take less-than-driver off the tee and set up a doable approach shot, but those laying back need to be cognizant of the right fairway bunker, which is only ~225 yards from the tee.

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TOURNAMENTS

The Carolinas are typically seen as a year-round golf destination, but every once in a while a particularly fowl stretch of weather forces even the keenest players to take an extended hiatus. January’s back-to-back weekends of wintry conditions were ill-timed for competitors looking to knock off the rust, with at least 2 prominent amateur tournaments cancelled or postponed.

The Tree Farm Invitational, a new Mid-Am event originally scheduled for January 26-27, was impacted by the recent ice storm that swept through the Carolinas. The event is set to be rescheduled according to the folks at midamgolfHQ.

6-8 inches of snow in Moore County also prevented the Mid Pines Invitational from taking place. The resort has opted to cancel the event in order to focus on its other annual four-ball tournament, the prestigious Pine Needles Invitational, which is set to take place later this month.

For those eyeing the weather and scoping out a long awaited return to the course, the 10-day forecast does seem to be calling for a warmer stretch starting early next week. While Punxsutawney Phil is predicting 6 more weeks of winter, I’m optimistic that you’ll be back out on the course soon, and you might just end up being thankful for this short forced offseason.

STORIES TO TRACK

Quail Hollow Club Mourns the Passing of Long-Time Director of Golf Scott Davenport: Davenport, who took the head job at Quail Hollow in 1999, died on January 30 after a brief illness. Fellow Charlottean and Golf Channel personality Gary Williams gave a touching tribute to Davenport’s legacy on his 5 Clubs show earlier this week. Our prayers go out to the Davenport family and all who knew and loved Scott.

First Tee - Greater Charlotte Partners with Oak Stump Strategy for Marketing, Storytelling Support: Oak Stump Strategy, a local boutique marketing agency founded by Danny Christiansen, will be working with the local chapter to help highlight the organization’s impact on young golfers across the city. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Danny to create content about the impact and life-changing experiences that First Tee offers,” said First Tee - Greater Charlotte Executive Director Daniel Fogarty.

Christiansen, who spent time with several large agencies before founding Oak Stump Strategy in 2023, has recently worked on projects for Landmand Golf Club and Charlotte Country Club. “We’ve always believed the game of golf is a powerful vehicle for character, leadership, and growth, on and off the course,” Christiansen commented. “Partnering with First Tee - Greater Charlotte allows us to help amplify the incredible work they’re already doing, and we’re thankful to play a small role in telling those stories and extending their reach.”

Spots Going Fast for Carolinas Mid-Amateur Qualifying: Demand is strong for a chance to qualify for April’s championship at Broomsedge Golf Club, with both Charlotte-area qualifiers already over 70% full. Sign up ASAP so you don’t end up on a waitlist like yours truly.

Registration Opens Monday for North Carolina Senior Amateur Qualifying: The entry window opens Monday, February 9 at 8 PM. This year’s championship will be held May 5-7 at Cutter Creek Golf Club.

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