Golf courses in Durham share many of the characteristics often associated with Durham itself – variety, diversity, and richness in texture and experience. Visions of great shot potential have lured some of the game's most respected designers here where they have sculpted golf courses out of rolling hills, former tobacco farm-land, through tall pines, hardwoods, alongside water and atop wetlands. Their talents and efforts have resulted in a game for every golfer and every level of skill and motivation.
There are ten 18-hole golf courses in Durham, a number that belies the fact that Durham is the state's 17th smallest land area. But even more telling of course quality and suitability is the national and regional recognition all ten courses have attracted. These outstanding courses are ranked among the best in the Carolinas;an area that defines golf for many players around the world.
Durham courses offer uncommonly good access. Seven of its ten courses are public or semi-private. The other three are private but offer guest access or reciprocal club benefits.
Durham's first golf property, Hillandale Golf Course, was designed by George Cobb, on his way to becoming a world-renowned architect and masters consultant. Established in 1911, Hillandale is still public and meets every skill level with four sets of tees ranging from 6,400 to 4,800 yards. Its pro shop, which has been ranked as one of the "Top 100 Golf Shops in America" every year since 1988 by Golf Shop Operations Magazine, is staffed with three Class A PGA Professionals. Even the rain doesn't keep Hillandale fans away, according to recent "Golfer of the Month," Mike Yellin. The Hillandale Golf Annual "Demo Day" is coming up soon (April 5th) when vendors demo their equipment.
Two other Durham courses, both private, began under the design of George Cobb, Willowhaven Country Club in 1957, with co-designer Matt Jenkins, and Croasdaile Country Club in 1966.
In the mid-fifties, Durham also caught the attention of legendary Trent Jones, perhaps the most recognizable name among golf course designers, for the Duke University Golf Course project. Delayed by the onset of World War II, the golf course, which sits on 120 acres of Duke University Forest, opened in 1957. From the beginning, Duke University Golf Course captured national attention and after only five years of opening, served as host to the 1962 NCAA Championship. Years later, when an upgrade was in order, this record was repeated. In 1994, Rees Jones lovingly renovated his father's art, setting the stage for the 2001 NCAA Men's Golf Championships. Zagat Survey has rated the course one of "America's Top Ten University Golf Courses."
Duke University Golf Course has been called a best kept secret. Because of its name, it is often assumed that it is available only to Duke affiliates but it is a public course, now open seven days a week. By all accounts it is a beautiful and challenging course with seemingly limitless shot opportunities. Offering a "world of your own" atmosphere, the course is serene among the pines. There are no buildings until the end of the front nine where the Washington Duke Inn and the club house scroll into view from the background. Guests feel pampered here under the service-oriented philosophy. Rarely do golfers have such easy access and proximity to a AAA Four Diamond and Mobil Four Star lodging property and restaurant as they do with the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club and its Fairview Restaurant.
While professionals and amateurs both set new game goals, Duke University continues to raise the bar for college golf. Duke's recruitment and development of talent has resulted in their Men's Golf Team being ranked sixth nationally. The Women are the reigning NCAA Champions.
More public space opened up for players of the green with semi-private Willowhaven Country Club in 1957 and Lakeshore Golf Course in 1962. Designed by J.M. Utley, Sr., Lakeshore Golf Course features narrow and tree-lined fairways. The fast greens are well bunkered and there are water hazards at ten of the 18 holes. Willowhaven's signature hole, #18, is a 186-yard, par 3 and requires a shot over water. This 6,400 yard course is home of the Herald-Sun Golf Classic and the DurAmateur. Lake Winds Golf Course, designed by Don Mason;established in 1982, is also semi-private and is close in size, measuring 6,365 yards from the championship tees.
Durham's newest golf courses, both semi-private, were immediate award winners. The Crossings Golf Club opened in 1997 and was quickly recognized by Carolina Golf magazine as one of the top ten best new courses in North and South Carolina. The Crossings was designed by Ron Garl, whose sensitivity to environmental concerns is said to have set the standard for courses in harmony with nature. This challenging course is laid out over acres of wetlands and rolling terrain.
In contrast, Falls Village Golf Course, built in 1999, is situated among 400 acres of hardwoods. William Daniels, protégée of Lee Trevino, designed this public course that was ranked best new course in North Carolina shortly after opening.
In addition, the Durham area has recently been blessed with another gem. The Preserve at Jordan Lake, a semi-private course designed by Davis Love III and his design group Love Enterprises. This is Love’s second creation in the tarheel state. In 2001 Anderson Creek near Fayetteville was voted “best new course” by NC magazine. The layout features streams, elevation changes, hardwood forest and rock outcroppings which make for a beautiful and natural setting.
Durham's public and semi-private courses, together with private courses -Croasdaile Country Club, the famous Hope Valley Country Club Golf Course, and Treyburn Country Club - have hosted major events including NCAA Men and Women's Championships, Carolinas PGA, NC Open, US Open Qualifier, and the Duke Childrens' Classic, an annual celebrity fundraiser to benefit childrens' health-care programs at Duke University Medical Center.
But even the most devout golfers cannot live by golf alone. Fortunately, in Durham, every other essential and a great many options and pleasures are readily available too.
Durham is a rapidly emerging destination, attracting visitors with its broad spectrum of places to stay, things to do and places to dine and shop.
Durham now boasts the highest percentage of AAA Three-and-Four-Diamond-rated guest rooms in the state. Its more than 60 lodging facilities range from full-service hotels to bed and breakfast inns, from limited service hotels to deluxe hotels and golf resorts.
Great food and dining experiences are easy to find (and a must to enjoy in Durham) with over 300 restaurants waiting to serve. Durham's reputation for attracting talented and innovative chefs has been self-perpetuating. Thirteen dining establishments, known as Uniquely Durham, have garnered national and international acclaim. This, in addition to a long list of local favorites and chain restaurants that you would expect to find in larger cities and fine shopping districts.
Away from the green, visitors to Durham will discover the Museum of Life and Science, ranked the #4 family-friendly museum in the southeast, and three of the state's historical sites. For those willing to give other sports a chance, two of the nation's best collegiate basketball teams can be found in Durham, the Duke Blue Devils and NCCU Eagles (NCAA Division II). And, one of the top ballparks in the country provides perfect seating to take in Triple A baseball with the Durham Bulls.
It doesn't end there. Durham has performing arts in full bloom year round which include the Durham Symphony, Mallarme Chamber Players, Broadway at Duke Series and concerts at the beautiful Carolina Theatre.
Hundreds of cultural and musical festivals call Durham home, many of which are internationally known such as The American Dance Festival, the Bull Durham Blues Festival, and the NC International Jazz Festival. Two of the nation's largest festivals – CenterFest and Festival for the Eno bring thousands together for arts, crafts, food and music.
Shoppers will be delighted with the array of choices: from eclectic Ninth Street and historic Brightleaf Square to the modern amenities of Northgate Mall and The Streets at Southpoint, Durham's new 1.3 million square feet shopping, dining and entertainment destination.
It has never been easier to design a golf-centered vacation. Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau through www.durhamgetaways.com is offering golf packages. Golfers can customize their own Durham Getaway to include rounds at several courses while at the same time booking their lodging, rental car and tickets to features.
Visitors to Durham have easy access. Durham is an hour's flight or a day's drive from 54% of the nation's population and is accessible by RDU International Airport. It is traversed by Interstates 40 and 85 and US Highways 15, 70, and 501. Its lodging properties are conveniently situated on I-85, I-40 and clustered around downtown, Durham-based Research Triangle Park and Duke University.
Reprinted with permission from Pub Links Golfer Magazine/North Carolina Edition
and North Carolina Golf Trail.
