Now the Sandhills are in the middle of something bigger - a multi-front expansion that looks, increasingly, like a modern golf economy rather than a single iconic resort town. New-build golf is arriving on land once torn open by industrial sand mining. A national governing body has planted a permanent flag here. Independent owners are investing in lodging, food and beverage, and classic courses across Moore County. And tourism officials are positioning the region to keep momentum long after the roars of the 2024 U.S. Open faded.

The Sandmines: A New Kind of Pinehurst Expansion

The most visible signal of the new era is Pinehurst's "Sandmines" property - a 900-acre tract south of the village that once served as a sand mine, later as the famously rugged "The Pit," and now as the setting for Pinehurst's latest golf ambitions.

Pinehurst Resort opened No. 10 in 2024, a Tom Doak design that immediately landed on architecture travelers' must-play lists and broadened the resort's appeal beyond the traditional No. 2 pilgrimage.

But the bigger story is what comes next. Pinehurst No. 11 - designed by the duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw - is under construction and slated to open in 2027. The resort has also telegraphed a broader "coming this year" push for 2026, including new dining and retail additions designed to make Pinehurst feel less seasonal and more like a year-round campus.

Importantly, the Sandmines project is being built as "pure golf" - a phrase that resonates in a market where new courses are often paired with real estate. Pinehurst's play is different: invest in golf that draws destination travelers, then build the supporting ecosystem (shop, restaurant, lodging over time) to capture longer stays and repeat visits.

The USGA's Pinehurst Bet

While Pinehurst expands on-course, the game's governing infrastructure has expanded off it. USGA opened its new headquarters campus in Pinehurst - Golf House Pinehurst - alongside the USGA Experience and World Golf Hall of Fame, a public-facing attraction intended to make the destination more than a resort visit.

For the Sandhills, this matters in a way that goes beyond symbolism. A permanent USGA presence helps stabilize year-round visitation and elevates the region's relevance to the broader golf industry - equipment, rules, championships, junior development, and the media ecosystem that follows it. In plain business terms, it's another anchor institution that keeps Pinehurst in the national conversation even in non-major years.

Investment Spreads Beyond the Resort Gates

What makes this moment feel different from past booms is how much activity is happening outside Pinehurst's direct orbit.

One major storyline is the continued reinvention of classic properties - the kinds of places golfers have long loved for the Ross bones but tolerated for dated lodging and limited amenities. That's changing as outside hospitality groups and local owners chase a higher-end "stay-and-play" expectation shaped by destinations like Bandon Dunes and Streamsong.

Another is consolidation. In a fragmented market of golf properties, the owners who can package multiple courses, reliable accommodations, and an improved food-and-beverage experience can compete harder for the traveling golfer - especially the buddy trip crowd coming from the Midwest and Northeast.

It's not only about luxury, either. The Sandhills economy has always depended on volume - groups returning year after year - and smart operators are increasingly balancing premium offerings with accessibility, aiming to keep the "everybody can come" feel that helped build the region in the first place.

Tourism Numbers Make the Argument

The money is showing up in the countywide math. Moore County reported $860 million in visitor spending for 2024, ranking among North Carolina's top tourism counties.

That's the kind of topline figure that changes how developers, restaurateurs, and hospitality operators look at a market. It also gives tourism officials leverage: when you can point to rising lodging and food-and-beverage spending, it's easier to justify new marketing, infrastructure improvements, and the kind of downtown vitality that turns a "golf weekend" into a broader lifestyle trip.

For travelers, this is part of what makes the Sandhills increasingly compelling: you can still build a trip around pure golf, but the off-course options - dining, a museum-quality Hall of Fame experience, and more varied lodging - are becoming reasons to extend the stay.

What It Means for Golfers Planning a Trip

So how should a traveling golfer think about the North Carolina Sandhills right now?

First, the center of gravity is expanding. The classic Pinehurst core is still essential - No. 2 remains the soul of the destination - but the Sandmines gives the region a second "must-see" node, with a different aesthetic and energy.

Second, the destination is becoming more future-proof. The USGA campus signals permanence. Tourism spending signals stability. New golf signals confidence. And when you see multiple operators investing at once, it often indicates a market transitioning from "hot moment" to "long-term engine."

Finally, this is a rare window when you can feel a place changing in real time - new corridors being cut through pine, new kitchens and dining rooms being reimagined, and new visitors arriving not just to play a famous course, but to see what the Sandhills will become next.

For the first time in a long time, Pinehurst isn't the only headline - it's the lead sentence in a longer story about the business of golf, and why the Sandhills may be built for the next decade of American golf travel.

For the first time ever, a record number of 20 golf courses in the Sandhills region are ranked among the Top 100 in the state by the North Carolina Golf Panel. Pinehurst No. 2 has once again secured the top spot as the best golf course in the state, while Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club and the Dogwood Course at The Country Club of North Carolina flip-flopped the third and fifth positions. Pinehurst No. 4 retained its position to round out the Top 10. A total of 14 courses from the Sandhills area are listed among the Top 50.

Woodlake Country Club in Vass cracked Top 100 rankings for the first time at No. 91. After a renovation project of the old Ellis Maples course by Kris Spence in 2022, the course has quickly risen as one of the finest hidden gems in the Sandhills.

> "The Pinehurst area is known as the home of American golf for a reason and having one-fifth of the best golf courses in the state here makes a huge statement to the quality of golf we enjoy," said Phil Werz, president and CEO for Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen. "Next year, we will see the debut of Pinehurst No. 11, plus renovations are underway at Legacy Golf Club and 72 holes from old favorites at Foxfire and Whispering Pines. For us, golf is a way of life and the foundation of the state's tenth best tourism economy."

The North Carolina Golf Panel was founded in 1995 and is recognized as the most authoritative statewide source of golf course rankings in a state that boasts some of the nation's best courses. The 185-member panel is composed of golf media, club professionals and general managers from many outstanding courses, accomplished amateur players and college golf coaches, and others who play an active role in promoting golf in North Carolina. The results of the panel poll can be found in the April issue of Business N.C. magazine.

The 20 Top 100 Courses in the Sandhills area include: Pinehurst No. 2 (#1); Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club (#3); The Country Club of North Carolina (Dogwood, #5), Pinehurst No. 4 (#10); The Country Club of North Carolina (Cardinal, #13); Pinehurst No. 10 (#14); Pinehurst No. 8 (#18); Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club (#24); Dormie Club (#30); Pinehurst No. 9 (#36); Mid South Club (#37); Forest Creek Golf Club (South, #38); Forest Creek Golf Club (North, #42); Pinehurst No. 7 (#49); and Southern Pines Golf Club (#64) and Talamore Golf Club (#72); Pinewild Country Club (Magnolia, #78); Woodlake Country Club (#91) Tot Hill Farm (#97) and Longleaf Golf & Family Club (#98).

The panel also ranked the Top 60 Courses You Can Play and the Pinehurst area once again dominated the list with 17 locations, or nearly 30 percent of the clubs. The top eight include Pinehurst No. 2, Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, Pinehurst No. 4, Pinehurst No. 10, Pinehurst No. 8, Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club, Pinehurst No. 9 and Mid South Club. Pinehurst No. 7 is 15th. Other golf clubs among the Top 60 You Can Play include Southern Pines Golf Club (#21); Talamore Golf Club (#23); Woodlake Country Club (#30); Tot Hill Farm (#33); Longleaf Golf & Family Club (#34); Pinehurst No. 6 (#45); Legacy Golf Links (#46) and Tobacco Road Golf Club (#49).

> "A trip to Pinehurst is a must for any golfer who has a love and appreciation of the game, regardless of skill level," said Kevin Brafford, executive director of the N.C. Golf Panel. "That's how golf enthusiasts around the world feel, so in that vein, how lucky are we in this state to have the quality and quantity of courses available to us? The Sandhills is one of one."

Pinehurst No. 2 will host additional U.S. Open championships in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047. In 2029, Pinehurst No. 2 will once again host back-to-back men's and women's U.S. Open championships, a repeat of the only course in America to host that tandem of historic events in 2014. Pinehurst No. 2 will also host the 2027 U.S. Women's Amateur.

For more information about all golf courses in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area, visit HomeofGolf.com. For the complete list of the Top 100 Courses for 2026, Top 60 Courses You Can Play and other rankings, visit NCGolfPanel.com. Or, for additional coverage, pick up the April issue of Business N.C. magazine.

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# Top 100 Courses for 2026 *(second number is previous year's ranking)*

1. 1. Pinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst 2. 2. Grandfather Golf and Country Club, Linville 3. 5. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines 4. 4. Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte 5. 3. The Country Club of North Carolina (Dogwood), Pinehurst 6. 7. Old Town Club, Winston-Salem 7. 8. Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro 8. 6. Elk River Club, Banner Elk 9. 9. Old Chatham Golf Club, Durham 10. 10. Pinehurst No. 4, Pinehurst 11. 11. Old North State Club, New London 12. 15. Cape Fear Country Club, Wilmington 13. 12. The Country Club of North Carolina (Cardinal), Pinehurst 14. 14. Pinehurst No. 10, Aberdeen 15. 18. Raleigh Country Club, Raleigh 16. 19. Forsyth Country Club, Winston-Salem 17. 17. Charlotte Country Club, Charlotte 18. 16. Pinehurst No. 8, Pinehurst 19. 21. River Landing (River), Wallace 20. 22. MacGregor Downs Country Club, Cary 21. 20. Eagle Point Golf Club, Wilmington 22. 23. Rock Barn Country Club (Jones), Conover 23. 24. Governors Club, Chapel Hill 24. 25 Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club, Southern Pines 25. 29. Treyburn Country Club, Durham 26. 30. Biltmore Forest Country Club, Asheville 27. 26. Country Club of Landfall (Dye), Wilmington 28. 32. River Landing (Landing), Wallace 29. 28. Country Club of Landfall, (Nicklaus), Wilmington 30. 27. Dormie Club, West End 31. 44. High Point Country Club (Willow Creek), High Point 32. 42. Occono Golf & Boat Club, Merry Hill 33. 31. Starmount Forest Country Club, Greensboro 34. 34. Champion Hills Club, Hendersonville 35. 33. Prestonwood Country Club (Highlands), Cary 36. 35. Pinehurst No. 9, Pinehurst 37. 38. Mid South Club, Southern Pines 38. 36. Forest Creek Golf Club (South), Pinehurst 39. 40. Myers Park Country Club, Charlotte 40. 45. Greensboro Country Club (North), Greensboro 41. 41. Bryan Park (Champions), Browns Summit 42. 39. Forest Creek Golf Club (North), Pinehurst 43. 37. The Club at Longview, Waxhaw 44. 43. Linville Golf Club, Linville 45. 46. Grandover (East), Greensboro 46. 47. Finley Golf Club, Chapel Hill 47. 50. Forest Oaks Country Club, Greensboro 48. 52. Lonnie Poole Golf Course, Raleigh 49. 49. Pinehurst No. 7, Pinehurst 50. 53. Waynesville Inn & Golf Club, Waynesville 51. 51. Hound Ears Club, Boone 52. 54. Country Club of Asheville, Asheville 53. 56. Duke University Golf Club, Durham 54. 57. The Cardinal by Pete Dye, Greensboro 55. 55. Ballantyne Country Club, Charlotte 56. 59. Mimosa Hills Golf Club, Morganton 57. 60. Porters Neck Country Club, Wilmington 58. 48. Trump National Golf Club, Mooresville 59. 61. Bald Head Island Club, Bald Head Island 60. 62. The Club at 12 Oaks, Holly Springs 61. 58. The Hasentree Club, Wake Forest 62. 63. The Currituck Club, Corolla 63. 72. Grandover (West), Greensboro 64. 70. Southern Pines Golf Club, Southern Pines 65. 64. Pinewood Country Club, Asheboro 66. 65. Carolina Country Club, Raleigh 67. 74. Springdale Resort, Canton 68. 71. High Meadows Country Club, High Meadows 69. 73. Blowing Rock Country Club, Blowing Rock 70. 67. Cedarwood Country Club, Charlotte 71. 68. Hope Valley Country Club, Durham 72. 78. Talamore Golf Resort, Southern Pines 73. 66. Gaston Country Club, Gastonia 74. 76. Crow Creek Golf Club, Calabash 75. 94. The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation, Raleigh 76. 80. Kenmure Country Club, Flat Rock 77. 77. Croasdaile Country Club, Durham 78. 75. Pinewild Country Club (Magnolia), Pinehurst 79. 81. Carmel Country Club (South), Charlotte 80. 79. Alamance Country Club, Burlington 81. 92. Crystal Coast Country Club, Pine Knoll Shores 82. 82. Kilmarlic Golf Club, Powells Point 83. 99. Morehead City Country Club, Morehead City 84. N/R Wilson Country Club, Wilson 85. 83. Providence Country Club, Charlotte 86. 69. Prestonwood Country Club (Meadows), Cary 87. N/R Beaufort Club, Beaufort 88. 84. Mill Creek Golf Club, Mebane 89. 97. Deep Springs Country Club, Stoneville 90. 85. Bright's Creek Club, Mill Spring 91. N/R Woodlake Country Club, Vass 92. 86. Jefferson Landing, Jefferson 93. 88. Mooresville Golf Club, Mooresville 94. 90. Thistle Golf Club, Sunset Beach 95. 93. Linville Ridge, Linville 96. N/R Bentwinds Country Club, Fuquay-Varina 97. 95. Tot Hill Farm, Asheboro 98. 98. Longleaf Golf & Family Club, Southern Pines 99. N/R Rocky River Golf Club, Concord 100. 96. Brook Valley Country Club, Greenville

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## Visit Pinehurst Southern Pines Aberdeen

Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen is the economic development agency responsible for travel and tourism promotion, product development, and visitor services for Moore County, N.C. The organization devises strategies to enhance the County's tourism brand value and product to accommodate the next generation of visitors, thereby stimulating the local economy and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. In 2024, Moore County ranked as the tenth largest tourism economy in North Carolina, generating $860 million annually in visitor spending, which supports the second largest employment sector in the county.

With full lake access set to return, guests can once again enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, and lakeside recreation throughout the spring and summer seasons. The timing also aligns with several of Rumbling Bald's most popular events, including Memorial Day Weekend and a July 4th Celebration with fireworks over the lake during the nation's 250th anniversary year.

"This is a moment our community and returning guests have been looking forward to," said Jeff Geisler, GM at Rumbling Bald. "We expect demand to be high as travelers plan ahead for the lake's comeback season, and we strongly encourage guests to book early to secure their preferred lodging and dates."

To help guests stay informed, Rumbling Bald encourages visitors to follow official updates from the Town of Lake Lure at www.townoflakelure.com for the most current information on lake access and restoration progress.

Advance bookings for the 2026 travel season are now available, and early reservations are recommended for popular weekends.

Frost is water vapor in an above-freezing atmosphere that encounters a surface that is below freezing and changes from water to ice. When you see frost, it means the grass blades, the plant crown, and the water in the plant are below freezing. We delay golf on frosty mornings because any traffic in these areas compresses the plant and allows the ice (expanded water) to slice or break through the cell wall, causing severe damage to the plant. Frost is a short-term weather condition that is inconvenient for golfers and course staff, but it is imperative for maintaining healthy grass and good playing surfaces in the spring and summer.

Green covers are an entirely different animal and are vital for warm-season turf survival in the cold months in the Southeast. We will never use covers to keep the frost from lying on the grass, but we will put them on before winter weather events, which helps combat winter damage that could occur on turf exposed to prolonged cold. These strong cold fronts bring rain/snow, high winds, and frigid temperatures, with the potential for the conditions to persist for multiple days afterward. Green covers create an environment around the turf that drastically alters the temperature and moisture beneath them compared to the surrounding air. In simple terms, it is warm and moist underneath the protective layer compared to the surrounding climate. Covers are permeable to a point but do wonders at protecting against moisture loss from high winds and low humidity, and at helping keep the turf properly hydrated for multiple days while covered.

At Rumbling Bald, we have both warm- and cool-season turf on our green surfaces, which require different levels of attention and maintenance depending on the season. We have already begun raising heights on the ‘Champion’ bermudagrass at Apple Valley Golf Course and will continue until it goes dormant in November and December. If we need to cover greens at Apple Valley during these months, we can do so without any last-minute cancellations on the tee sheet. After the greens go dormant, we will close Apple Valley in January and February and direct all play to Bald Mountain Golf Course, which has Dominant Plus bentgrass, a cool-season grass. We may have to endure frost delays at Bald Mountain during January and February, but once it warms up in the late morning, there is always a place to play golf at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure.

Why Fall is the Best Time for Golf in North Carolina

When turf growth slows down, the course plays better. The summer roller coaster of heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms, coupled with the rapid growth of warm-season grass, can create a lush, green course that looks beautiful but often plays soft and slow. While “lush and pretty” works great for photos on social media, it can also mean thicker rough, less roll in the fairways, and slower putting surfaces — all of which stretch out round times.

Golf at Bald Mountain and Apple Valley This Fall

Whether you are at Bald Mountain or Apple Valley, Rumbling Bald delivers one of the best fall golf experiences in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Towering tree-lined fairways, vibrant foliage, and sweeping views of Lake Lure make this season the perfect time to play with family and friends. Superintendent’s Tips for Fall Golf

Whether you are squeezing in a quick nine after work or making a day of it at Rumbling Bald, here are four simple ways to make the most of your round:

• Watch the ball. Everyone in your group should watch each shot until it lands. Use reference points like trees, bunkers, or markers to make locating balls faster.

• Use bright-colored balls. High-visibility balls, like neon yellow or orange, may not be everyone’s favorite, but they stand out in fallen leaves and save time.

• Play with patience. Our maintenance crew clears leaves and debris throughout the day, especially on putting surfaces. You may encounter leaves in your line, but know the team is working continuously to keep greens smooth and playable.

• Carry a tool for leaves. Old-school methods like sweeping with a towel or hat still work, but today’s small, battery-powered leaf blowers are handy to keep in your cart. They can make a surprising difference during fall rounds.

Experience Fall Golf at Rumbling Bald

Fall golf in North Carolina is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the game. The crisp air, mountain views, and colorful scenery make this season one of the most enjoyable times to play. Whether you choose Bald Mountain or Apple Valley, Rumbling Bald offers a golf experience that feels both challenging and rewarding.

To check availability or book a tee time, call the Pro Shop directly at 828.694.3042.

Still Thinking Summer" Our Summer Swing & Stay package continues through August and includes a $100 gift card per player to use on-site for food, drinks, or merchandise. It’s a strong finish to the season and a great value for groups.

To learn more about these opportunities, check availability, or customize a package for your group, email Grant Jones at gjones@rumblingbald.com.

Still Thinking Summer" Our Summer Swing & Stay package continues through August and includes a $100 gift card per player to use on-site for food, drinks, or merchandise. It’s a strong finish to the season and a great value for groups.

Like the clan it gets its name from, MacGregor Downs Country Club in Cary, NC, is one of the oldest golf courses in the area. The Club opened for play in 1967 and was founded by real estate developer Greg Poole, Sr, on what was then a remote tract of land in Wake County. Originally, the Club was to be an all-men's club; a place where Poole could gather with his buddies, drink scotch, and enjoy a fine cigar. However, after playing the course, Poole's wife and daughter became fond of it, so it soon became a family-oriented facility.

Poole also saw the real estate development potential, so he purchased the surrounding land which is now the MacGregor Downs community. This premier luxury community offers secluded elegance and sits tucked away amidst the rolling hills, mature trees, and sparkling lakes-homes in the community range from around $600K to $5.3M.

In the early days, the Pooles ran the Club, and with low dues, were able to attract 150 families to join. Fast forward to 1982, when the Pooles sold the club to its members, who realized a more structured hierarchy was necessary for the Club to be successful. They hired industry veteran Russ Curtis, who put together an all-star staff that implemented cutting-edge operational and marketing programs. For five years, things moved in a positive direction. Net membership increased. The average member age declined, and 700 kids were involved in various programs. The club has almost zero debt and has hosted a PGA Tour event and numerous USGA qualifiers.

As time wore on, MacGregor Downs faced the same problems that many member-owned clubs faced. A volunteer board of directors limited its effectiveness. Members who resigned from the club were owed refunds, and incoming entry fees and dues were not enough to cover much-needed capital improvement projects. When the club tried to assess the membership base, it resulted in more resignations.

After performing a Capital Reserve Study near the end of 2013, it was discovered that membership had dwindled to 652 families. Of those, 331 were Golf Members and 122 were Tennis Members, down over 100 net golf memberships since it peaked in 2002. Although the club had experienced a growth of 13 net golf members in the past year, refund clauses and past Board refund practices took nearly all the incoming monies and paid them out to resigned members.

Left with practically nowhere to turn and facing some expensive yet much-needed capital improvements, MacGregor Country Club turned to Concert Golf Partners, experts in revitalizing and rejuvenating floundering clubs. In 2014, Concert Golf Partners purchased MacGregor Downs and immediately set in motion over $4 million in capital improvements. The last 10 years have seen a completely renovated golf course, clubhouse renovations that include the banquet room and locker rooms, and an enclosed outdoor 19th Hole patio.

As you make your way around the golf course, you'll experience tremendous views and challenging play, regardless of your skill level. The course routing is a giant circle running clockwise around MacGregor Lake. Both nines are hilly and tree-lined and finish close to the clubhouse. On the first hole, you'll cross MacGregor Lake and won't face it head-on again until the 18th hole, although it does wind its way behind the fourth green.

MacGregor Downs offers golfers five sets of tees with three more "hybrid" yardages listed on the scorecard. Yardages range from 3,950 for juniors to 7,003 yards for low handicappers. The fairways are well-groomed, and the greens are incredible, fast, and true rolling with subtle undulations that may leave you scratching your head. Inside the pro shop, the friendly you'll find logoed apparel from well-known manufacturers as well as hats, balls, and other golf accessories. The knowledgeable golf staff can offer tips and tricks that may help you play your best round.

There are several memorable holes on the golf course, but none more so than the 18th hole, which is as visually stunning as it is challenging. Tee off from an elevated tee box over the shimmering waters of MacGregor Lake; how much water is up to you. From the White Tees, the shortest carry is straight ahead - not exactly at the hole on a dogleg right par 4 - but can be the difference between hitting that Pro V1 again or fishing a new one out of your bag. This shot requires about a 165-yard carry; go straight at the green and you'll need about a 260-yard carry to clear the water. Once you find the fairway off the tee, you'll have a long to mid-iron into the green. It's one of the most intimidating holes out here!

Besides golf, MacGregor Downs Country Club has several popular amenities. The Fitness Room features top-of-the-line Cybex equipment, a Bravo Trainer, and free weights. The Club has partnered with several personal trainers who can help you put together the perfect workout regimen.

Should you prefer the courts over the course, MDCC offers 8 clay courts and 2 additional hard court surfaces. The club added 4 pickleball courts in 2024 so members can enjoy the fastest-growing sport in America. Inside the tennis building, you'll find a Pro Shop, locker rooms, and a covered viewing area overlooking the courts and beautiful Lake MacGregor. Each fall, the Club hosts the Breast Cancer Classic Tournament.

The Junior Olympic swimming pool at MacGregor Downs is the summer gathering place for families and members. Like the tennis courts, the pool facility is located in a magnificent lakeside setting. Kids love the diving board and water slides, while adults enjoy the reserved lap lanes. There's a separate zero-entry kiddie pool with a water mushroom, and certified lifeguards are always on duty. The full-service Saint Andrews Room Bar and Grill serves all of your poolside favorites. In 2024, the kiddie pool is being replaced later this summer with a modern splash pad and is sure to become the center of attention for families to enjoy.

Most private clubs take pride in their dining facilities and cuisine, and MacGregor Downs is no exception. Members have three dining rooms to choose from, and each one's decor embraces its Scottish heritage. The Club's Executive Chef and his team's culinary ingenuity create seasonal menus as well as new and exciting creations. These dining areas can quickly be transformed into spaces that can host small private functions or provide additional space for larger functions.

Since its opening in 1967, MacGregor Downs has built a reputation as one of the most prestigious private clubs in North Carolina. Members enjoy a clan-like environment, building long-lasting relationships with other members and developing close-knit friendships. It's one of two Concert Golf Partners properties in the area. The Club at 12 Oaks is a super family-friendly club with a championship golf course and a ton of amenities that the entire family can enjoy. And it's a mere 20-minute drive away. I mention this because Concert Golf now offers a Premier Golf Membership that allows you and your family to take advantage of all of the amenities at both clubs for one low, monthly fee. Several other membership programs are also available.

If you're new to the area or are thinking of moving there, check out MacGregor Downs Country Club and see why MacGregor Downs is consistently rated one of the best courses in the Southeast. To arrange a visit, give them a call at (919) 467-0146 or visit www.macgregordowns.org.

Whether you’re here for adventure, relaxation, or quality time with family and friends, you’ll find it all at Rumbling Bald.

Outdoor Amenities Reopening

This season, dive into fun at our:

• Trout Stream Pool Complex & Lazy River – Make a splash at our family-friendly water haven or enjoy a leisurely float along the Lazy River. • North Shore Beach Cabana – Treat yourself to hand-scooped ice cream, bask in the sunshine, or gear up for fun. Kayak and other lake rentals will be available this year at Bald Mountain Lake*. • Summer Adventure Camps – Keep the kids entertained with exciting activities designed to create lasting memories.

Endless Ways to Enjoy Your Stay

At Rumbling Bald, the choice is yours. Whether you prefer to stay active or take it easy, there’s something for everyone:

• Golf at Two Scenic Courses – Test your skills at Apple Valley and Bald Mountain Golf Courses, each offering beautiful views and a challenging experience. • Mini Golf & Weekly Racket Sports – Fun for all ages with putting contests, pickleball, and more. • Wellness & Relaxation – Recharge your mind and body at our Wellness Center, offering weekly fitness classes and a full fitness center. Or, indulge in the ultimate self-care at our Spa & Salon, featuring a complete menu of services designed to help you truly unwind. • Delicious Dining – Start your day with Starbucks Coffee at The Bear’s Cup Café Bar, then savor fresh, flavorful dishes at our on-site restaurants, perfect for casual bites or refined meals.

Family-Friendly Fun & Entertainment

Make your evenings as special as your days with:

• Marshmallow Roasts on the Beach – Gather around the fire for sweet treats and storytelling under the stars. • Live Music at the Beach Bandstand – Enjoy the sounds of summer while soaking in beautiful lakeside views.

To see the complete schedule of our Memorial Day Celebration events, visit our Memorial Day Celebration Page. For a complete list of all our events and activities, visit our Calendar of Events.

Whether you’re here to pack your days with fun or rejuvenate in nature’s tranquility, Rumbling Bald is your perfect retreat. Plan your getaway, pack your sunscreen, and get ready to kick off the season your way!

Call 828.694.3015 or Book Online now! The mountains are calling—are you ready to answer"

PLEASE NOTE: Lake Lure is currently unavailable for swimming or rentals as the Town of Lake Lure continues its restoration/clean-up efforts. The exact reopening timeline is unknown for 2025. Portions of our beach have reopened. Remember, when accessing the reopened portions of the beach, please be mindful to stay only in the permitted areas by the pavilion and playground. We greatly appreciate the cooperation from our members and guests during this time. We encourage you to support local businesses as they work to reopen—your patronage makes a difference and helps our entire community move forward. Thank you for being part of the recovery.

In an area rich with some of the world's most treasured golf courses and traditions, Woodlake Country Club in Vass, N.C., is emerging as an attractive destination for both golfing tourists and locals who have discovered a rare golf gem that offers pure value and doesn't take forever to play.

Woodlake Country Club, nestled in the sandhills of North Carolina not far from such legendary golf locales as Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles, and Tobacco Road, was named the 16th best course you can play in North Carolina by GOLF.com. When you consider that Pinehurst alone has 10 18-hole courses and all of them are good to great, it puts into perspective how far Woodlake Country Club has come.

And, all things considered, it happened in a short amount of time.

The club's half-century history met unexpected challenging times in 2016 when Hurricane Matthew raged through the area. Heavy rainfall forced the Army Corps of Engineers to compromise the dam and drain the gated community's once-thriving 1,200-acre recreational lake. The result was that not only did club members and locals lose their beloved boating and gathering haven, the golf course also lost irrigation and the course and lake club - the heart of the community - eventually closed.

Fortunately, the club was bought out of foreclosure in 2021 by Atlantic National Capital. The new owners - the Allison family who owns and runs North Carolina-based Systel Business Equipment - partnered with Bobby Jones Links to not only bring the course and club back, but to raise it to heights it never reached before. An ambitious plan and a hopeful beginning, fortuitously aided by golf's newfound post-pandemic popularity.

Since that time, Woodlake has been operating to a grateful clientele from a new 3,500-square-foot clubhouse with amenities like pickleball, swimming, a new fitness facility, and most importantly, a golf course that is better than ever. The original Ellis Maples design first opened in 1971, with many holes built close to the lake, but it was never as good as it is now, or will be in the near future.

The Allison Family brought in architect Kris Spence, a renowned Donald Ross and Ellis Maples expert, to lead a full restoration and rebuild of the course, including a newly designed 18th hole. The work on the par-72 course, which can stretch to more than 7,200 yards, included new Tif Eagle greens, a new irrigation system, and exacting standards for pristine turf conditions.

General Manager Jeff Crabbe, who came to Woodlake in August of 2023 shortly after the course reopened, said being ranked 16th is amazing, but they aren't done yet.

"I think when the lake comes back, with the aesthetics of that, we could be top 10 in the state," said Crabbe, whose career includes a decade-long stint at Pinehurst Resort. "We opened at a time when this area needed another golf course for people to join or just play. Many of the area courses have become so busy that you are seeing five- or six-hour rounds of golf. We're still building our membership, so even when it's a beautiful day, we're in that temporary phase where they just show up and go to the tee."

The long-anticipated construction on the dam has begun. When that happens, everything will have come full circle. And even though the course is receiving impressive reviews at present - while it features a bit of a South Carolina Lowcountry look, with marshes and wetlands bordering many holes - when the 1,200-acre lake returns on holes 1,2,3,4,17 and the newly designed 18th, the course will really be spectacular.

There's never been a better time to play or become a member, and Woodlake is presently open for daily-fee and resort play. Guests can book stay-and-play packages at Woodlake's six luxurious one-bedroom condominiums. The Woodlake experience is a worthy addition to any Sandhills golf trip itinerary. To add this unique course to a visit to the Pinehurst Resort courses, Talamore, Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, and Mid Pines brings a fresh new dimension for golf aficionados visiting the region for prime golf.

Dues and initiation fees are surprisingly attractive currently, especially for a club that has added nearly 200 members in less than two years. Crabbe expects membership will increase as more amenities open but will still be of tremendous value in this coveted golf market. For locals, there's never been a better time to consider membership at one of the most dynamic and growing clubs in the golf-rich region.

The club continues to improve under new ownership and expertise of Alpharetta, Ga.-based Bobby Jones Links, a premier golf management company that operates more than three dozen courses in 11 states.

Crabbe, a graduate of the PGA Professional Golf Management program at nearby Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., said having Bobby Jones Links' expertise and experience at their disposal is invaluable.

"They have other clubs that are similar to ours, so we can always share ideas and best practices," Crabbe said. "Their relationships with vendors is certainly helpful. I would say more than anything, just the support of the professionals that they have on staff picking the phone up and having someone to call is extremely helpful."

When Crabbe started at Woodlake, the course had already been open for a couple of months, so he didn't see it at its worst. But he did see the pictures.

"I've been in the golf business a long time - 22 or 23 years - and I can't believe the quality of the golf course and the club amenities that we have compared to the old pictures," said Crabbe who gives much of the credit to superintendent Chris Dwiggins and his crew. "There were trees in the bunkers, there was grown-up brush that was eight to 10 feet tall. It's amazing what has been done to bring this course into a position to become one of the best golf experiences in a state full of legendary places to play. To see the conditioning of the golf course that we have now, it's hard to believe that it's only been a brief period of time."

Not to be overlooked is the brand-new clubhouse with its patio dining and excellent cuisine at Maples Grille, led by award-winning Executive Chef James Regan. Crabbe said the membership is learning just how good the dining experience is at Woodlake. Most recently, a group of members were able to go back into the kitchen with Regan and learn how to prepare a multi-course meal of stuffed mushrooms, marinated beet salad, Steak au Poivre, and Chocolate Mousse.

"I can't believe it's been only 16 months." Crabbe said of rebuilding the member experience. "I love every second of this chapter in Woodlake's history."

Chances are, as many more golfers discover the new Woodlake, they will grow to love it, too.