Carolina Golf Getaways; Escape The North

Carolina Golf Getaways

If — like me — you are a northern climes golfer who is tired of the cold and snow, a getaway to the Carolinas may be just what the doctor ordered. Pinehurst, Rumbling Bald and Cherokee Valley  have some deals waiting for you, while Sea Pines Country Club beckons for relocation:  

Golf Groups, Buddy Trips Find a Home at Pinehurst Resort’s Reimagined Manor Inn

New North & South Bar Opens in Manor Lobby with Leading Selection of Spirits

PINEHURST, N.C. – Pinehurst Resort’s Manor Inn has been reborn as a haven for golf groups and buddy trips. Fitting, considering the 43-room hotel on the corner of Magnolia and Community Roads was a favorite of a young Arnold Palmer when he visited the “Cradle of American Golf” during his salad days.

The King was always the life of the party during his days on the PGA Tour and would no doubt approve of the Manor Inn’s new look and esprit de corps positioning. One can almost envision him holding court in the Inn’s Library or embroiled in a poker game in the cozy Club Room.

First opened in 1923 and acquired in 1990 by the resort, golfers like Palmer and his father Deacon have gravitated toward Manor Inn’s relaxed vibe, cozy enclaves and off-the-beaten-path location a short walk from The Carolina Hotel and resort hub.

Now, that gravitational pull is even stronger, buoyed by a spacious, communal lobby, larger king and double queen rooms with hardwood floors and two finely appointed hospitality suites that accommodate groups up to 20 (available for the entire length of stay).

The centerpiece of lobby is the North & South Bar. Featuring a vast selection of fine whiskey and craft beers from Pinehurst Brewing Co. next door, the bar is adorned with vintage advertising and photos paying homage to the historic North & South Amateur Championship, played at Pinehurst since 1901.

The resort’s Donald Ross Golf Package is an excellent option for experiencing the Manor Inn and a sampling of Pinehurst’s championship golf lineup. It includes a two-night stay, three rounds of golf, overflowing breakfast buffet and dinner, daily.

For more information or to check rates and availability, visit www.pinehurst.com.

Cherokee Valley Course and Club Announces 2020 Membership Plans, Golf Packages and Opening of Core 450

Family Club, P.B. Dye Designed Course in Upstate South Carolina Readies for Record Year

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. – Cherokee Valley Course and Club, Upstate South Carolina’s premier family club and mountain golf destination north of Greenville, has released its 2020 membership plans and golf packages.

Membership at Cherokee Valley, a member-focused facility open to outside play, requires no initiation fee, food and beverage minimums or assessments. Six value-packed plans are designed for today’s modern lifestyle, each requiring only a one-year agreement.

One of the best club values in the state, Platinum Membership ($200 month family, $165 single) includes full access to golf, the resort pool, golf training facility and spacious practice range. It also features use of neighboring North Greenville University’s (NGU co-op) fitness center and reduced rates for select sporting and special events.

Gold Membership ($175, $145) offers seven-day-a-week access to Cherokee Valley’s P.B. Dye-designed course, while Silver Membership ($125 / $100) entitles families or singles to unlimited golf on Saturdays and Sundays. Ideal for busy professionals, the Young Executive Membership ($135) offers full weekday and weekend access.

The Sport Adventure Membership ($1,200 / year family, $1,044 single) grants unlimited use of the training facility (with fitness equipment) and practice range, and includes two rounds of golf monthly, player development classes, the NGU co-op and pool.

For learn more about memberships, golf packages and other programs and amenities, visit www.cherokeevalleyclub.com, or contact assistant director of operations Lauren Landreth at [email protected] or (864) 895-6758 x2. 

Rumbling Bald Readies for Spring with New Golf Packages

36-Hole Resort on North Carolina’s Stunning Lake Lure Ideal for Golf Groups, Buddy Trips

LAKE LURE, N.C. – Rumbling Bald, the 36-hole golf resort on North Carolina’s stunning Lake Lure, announces new golf packages for 2020, customized for golf groups of any size, and ideal for weekend or weekday buddy trips.

Starting at $345 per person, resort’s “Hole-in-One” package features a two-night stay, two rounds of golf on the Apple Valley and Bald Mountain courses, breakfast both days and complimentary, unlimited range balls. Lodging options include the recently updated Apple Valley Studios and two- and four-bedroom Fairway Villas.

Paying homage to the 2020 Ryder Cup at Destination Kohler’s famed Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, Rumbling Bald is offering a limited availability “Ryder Cup Package.” The resort’s expert golf vacation planners will design an exciting, Ryder Cup team formatted event for golf groups in search of an unforgettable experience.

The Ryder Cup Package starts at $589 per person and includes: three nights lodging; three rounds of golf scored and handicapped; complimentary replays on either course; a team shirt and resort hat; private, one-hour opening reception with wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres included; and unlimited use of the practice facilities.

To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www.rumblingbald.com, or email [email protected]. To book packages directly, or to speak with golf vacation planner, call (828) 694.3072.

Sea Pines Country Club Caps Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Renovation

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – Visit for a week or a month, relocate and stay for a lifetime. This is the unofficial mantra around Hilton Head’s premier private club, Sea Pines Country Club.  The fact of the matter is, an estimated 50% of repeat island visitors eventually move here year-round.

A luxury, Lowcountry lifestyle beckons them, often consisting of golf, tennis, biking the island miles of dedicated multi-use paths and leisurely walks along one of America’s most underrated beaches. The island’s subtropical climate is ideal for year-round outdoor activities and pursuits.

A private, invitation only enclave situated just behind the gates of famed Sea Pines Plantation, members are not required to live “inside the gates.” The club sets up perfectly for those relocating to Hilton Head or east Bluffton who want freedom of residential choice. 

The club is well-positioned for the next wave of relocations, invigorated by a visionary plan for the future and ample capital investment.

Sea Pines Country Club’s “re-imagination” began with a $2.7 million renovation of the main clubhouse in 2017. This first phase resulted in an entirely new dining facility, the Blue Heron Pub and Grille, a 24-meter outdoor pool and resort-style deck, as well as an indoor saline and children’s splash pool.

In 2019, the club leveled-up its health and wellness game with the debut of a stunning new $3 million fitness center. Completely renovated and expanded from 2,500 to 7,300-square-feet, the new facility features the latest cardio and strength training equipment, as well as a grab-and-go café and infrared sauna.

Fitness notwithstanding, golf is still major draw at Sea Pines Country Club. The Club Course is the only private course inside the Sea Pines gates. Originally designed by Arnold Palmer and Frances Duane in 1973, it opened just four years after neighboring Harbour Town at Sea Pines Resort.

The Club Course is a quintessential example of Lowcountry golf course design, with its narrow, tree-lined fairways, doglegs, subtle green complexes and lagoons. There’s a since of intrigue on every tee box as to what comes next.

New for 2020, Sea Pines Country Club debuted a four-court pickleball center and bocce court, capitalizing on the global popularity of these socially-driven activities. The 60-foot long bocce court overlooks the expansive tidal marsh behind the clubhouse

For more information about the club and membership, visit www.seapinescountryclub.com.