Scenic Mountain Golf in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC
Western North Carolina offers a wide variety of adventures for visitors. A visit to Transylvania County presents unique opportunities with a plethora of waterfalls and hiking trails. The more adventurous may tackle fly fishing, mountain biking, or rock climbing. While others are delighted in the mesmerizing waterfalls and gentle hikes in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. For many golfing in the western North Carolina brings excitement, the thrill of mountain golf, and the fantastic long range vistas.
Having visited Brevard, North Carolina in the past, this year we decide to get to know this welcoming town for a longer visit. Boasting enchanting waterfalls, miles of trails, and the intriguing Cradle of Forestry, the area has plenty to keep us busy. In downtown Brevard we find a delightful variety of eateries, shops, and a welcoming charm. On past visits to the western North Carolina Mountains, we always enjoy the challenge and fun of golfing the local courses. Taking a break from our hikes and seeing waterfalls (over 250 in Transylvania County), we are thrilled with playing two championship golf courses in the area. Connestee Falls Golf Club and Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club are each an easy drive from Brevard, Asheville, and Hendersonville, North Carolina. These semi-private golf courses live up to both offering a mountain golf experience with scenic views and plenty of challenge for golfers of all levels.
Connestee Falls & Batson Creek Falls
The Connestee Falls Golf Club is actually named for the Connestee Falls. Before heading up the road to the clubhouse, we stop to see the scenic falls. The Falls are easily viewed from a 50-yard boardwalk. Following the boardwalk to the overlook there are actually two separate waterfalls. To the left is Connestee Falls and across the ravine is Batson Creek Falls. The two falls meet to create the “The Silver Slip.” Now, we are ready to test our skills at mountain golf at Connestee Falls Golf Club.
Connestee Falls Golf Club
Traveling the winding road to the top, we arrive at the scenic Connestee Falls Golf Club. With a quick check-in and warmup on their practice range, we are ready to tackle this mountain course. A George Cobb designed gem with a 3,200ft elevation that stretches 6,517 yards from the tips. We look forward to an afternoon of exciting mountain golf and long range vistas.
On the front nine, we quickly learn to pay attention to the GPS on the golf cart. We find a variety of challenges from fairways that drop off to creeks to cross to elevated greens. Each challenge adds a unique dimension to playing the hole well or frustration with poor shots. The greens are testy so it takes a bit to read them and putt well. Bunkers add an extra test to our golf talents. The front nine winds through a parkland setting among the forest and along the hillsides. Exciting holes are No. 4 a par-4 that has a large water hazard before an uphill fairway to the elevated green. On No. 6 a par-4, the green is elevated and tucked into the left edge at the end of the fairway. Hurrah! I am thrilled with a par. Wayward shots to the left are quickly lost in the tall grasses on a steep hillside on the left of the fairway.
Arriving at the back nine there are significant elevation changes and some fantastic panoramic views. Adjusting to hillside lies and paying attention to the nuance of each hole definitely keeps us alert. Beware! On No. 11 a par-5 the fairway drops off. Ugh, we each lose our balls in either the creek or the tall grasses or rocks. It is a lot more carry than we realize. Fantastic views and a picturesque overlook with benches, are a distraction on No. 14. A great photo op! Club members have sponsored flower beds at each tee box adding to beauty of the course. The remaining holes are dramatic with elevation change and challenges offering great mountain golf.
On No. 17 a par-3 deer are enjoying an afternoon snack in the fairway grasses. Finishing on No. 18, it is a great day of golf in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Golfers of all levels will definitely enjoy a mountain golf experience with challenging greens, scenic views and abundant wildlife.
Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club
Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club offers a tranquil setting and a variety of activities. We arrive on a beautiful Autumn Day with magnificent Carolina blue skies. It has been many years since we played Cummings Cove so we are looking forward to experience their par 71 course with its 6,415 yard layout. Unique features of the course are the three par-3s on the front while the back boasts three more very unique par-3s with see-forever views. Back-to-back par-5s create a spectacular finale.
Starting with a par-5, the front nine is tight with a bit flatter terrain. Then the course shows off the mountain and hills with elevated tees overlooking the fairways on No. 3 and No. 4 both par-4s. The first two par-3s on the front are challenging, but the par-3 No. 8 is dramatic. This par-3 is tricky with an elevated green above a craggy slope with water to carry and hillside behind it. Missing the green whether short, long, right or left results in a lost ball or unplayable lie. I am THRILLED to land on the green and make my par. Finishing with bogey’s on the par-5 No. 9, we make the turn to tackle the back nine.
Take plenty of club! No. 10 is a long par-3 with a peninsula green. Extra club is definitely required to land on the green. As the course winds through the top of the mountain, each hole brings its own personality and requirement for playing it well. Be sure to take time to admire the spectacular scenery on the back nine with several holes offering 50 miles of mountain vistas.
Plus the back nine boasts three premier par 3 holes that have miles of views and three par-5 that provide plenty of challenge to test our skills. Awesome Richard pars all of these demanding par-3s on back nine. The three par-5’s keep us alert as they twist and turn along with elevation changes. Finishing the back-to-back par-5s of No. 17 & No. 18 with bogeys and pars is a grand finale to our day of golf.
Cummings Cove exceeded our expectations. It offers demanding mountain golf with some spectacular views. Golfers of all skill levels will truly enjoy this exciting and dynamic golf course. We like the different layout with the 6 par-3s along with the five par-5s that keep us alert to their uniqueness and nuances.
Mountain Golf in Western North Carolina
Both Connestee Falls Golf Club and Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club offer everything to make golfing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina excited. On both courses we find the thrill of elevated tees looking to fairways below, tree-lined fairways, lakes, streams, waterfalls and some amazing long range views. Pay attention to the GPS for fairways that disappear and definitely take time see the magnificent views. The staff at both courses was friendly and most welcoming. A great feature is that both courses are open year round. Plan an exciting round or two of golf at these fun mountain golf courses while visiting Brevard, Asheville or Hendersonville, North Carolina.
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