The No. 4 course in Pinehurst and Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill — two old, established courses that were bulldozed, redesigned and rebuilt in the same year by the same architect, Tom Fazio, were expected to battle it out for the title of North Carolina's Best New Course of the Year. But it didn't turn out exactly that way, because an upstart new course called The Point Lake & Golf Club came between them, like a peacemaker in a fight.

As many predicted it would, Pinehurst No. 4 easily won the voting to claim the crown, amassing 1,598 points from members of the North Carolina Magazine Golf Panel. The surprise came in the second-place finish by The Point, a Greg Norman design built on the shores of Lake Norman near Charlotte. It edged Finley, the UNC-Chapel Hill course, by 1,215 to 1,106 points.

Left: The 552-yard 16th hole at The Point requires a long carry over water.

Twelve courses that began full play during the 2000 season, and which met other minimum criteria, were eligible for the award and were rated by members of the panel. Pinehurst No. 4 and Finley were eligible because their extensive renovations, including the rerouting of several holes, meant they looked and played differently when they reopened.

Panelists rated five elements about each course on a 1 to 5 scale — course design, condition, pace of play, service and overall rating. One-hundred-five of the 135 panelists played and completed a ratings card by the deadline for at least one of the new courses. The voting season runs from one Labor Day to the next to accommodate courses opening in the fall.

Panelists are allowed to only vote for courses they play, a rule that can help or hurt courses depending on their location. Highlands Cove, the Tom Jackson design that's tucked high up in the western reaches of the state, apparently suffered from that rule. It drew favorable reviews from the 15 panelists who managed to get up there. Highlands Cove's 268 points meant it averaged nearly 18 points per panelist — an impressive number out of a maximum 25 — yet it still finished last. Only two panelists, Gordon White, the retired New York Times sports writer, and Michael Dann, a Carolinas Golf Association official, played all 12 new courses.

The historic Pinehurst No. 4, meanwhile, is centrally located and made itself accessible to panelists. The Donald Ross-designed course originally opened around 1920. In 1973, it was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones, and nine years later his son, Rees, did the same. Somewhere along the way, however, the course lost much of its character and was often described by players as “too hard to enjoy.”

Needing another stellar attraction at the main clubhouse, where courses No. 1 through No. 5 are located, Pinehurst management selected Fazio to redesign the course in keeping with the traditions of its No. 2 Ross masterpiece.

It's evident that Fazio succeeded. “The course is all we hoped it would be,” says Pinehurst president Pat Corso. “Fazio created a beautiful and a challenging course that we are very proud of. It's a gem.”

Pinehurst No. 4 has been so impressive since it reopened last April that panelists ranked it 11th in the state's top 100 courses this year, up from 41st before its rebirth. It plays to 7,117 yards from the back tees and has a par of 72. There are 180 bunkers on the course, including 20 on one hole, a straightaway par 5. Although Fazio says he didn't set out to establish a “feel of No. 2,” many panelists have commented that the two courses are similar in many respects.

A panoramic view from the fourth hole offers spectacular beauty that includes a five-acre lake and views of four holes. Fazio was able to use Ross' original routing except for three holes.

The Point opened on Labor Day 1999 and features a layout that makes good use of the scenery and terrain of the massive lake. Its maximum length is 7,037 yards, has a par of 72, a rating of 73.6 and a slope of 142.

“Our acceptance has been fantastic,” says The Point head pro Brian Glasco, “and we continue to receive accolades from members and guests. Obviously, we are very proud of the course and the unique facilities here.”

The Point was selected as the state's 60th best course in its debut on the Top 100 list. Finley was rated 22nd overall, up from 42nd a year ago.

Want to test these courses for yourself? To make a tee time at Pinehurst No. 4, call 910-295-8125. For The Point, call 704-663-4653, and for Finley, call 919-962-2349.

The nine remaining new courses have plenty to offer as well. Here are a few words about each, as listed in the order of their ranking:

Tot Hill Farm (336-857-4455) in Asheboro is the work of Mike Strantz, who designed Tobacco Road, last year's Best New Course. It took some getting used to, but the more our panelists played it, the more they liked it.

Tiger's Eye (910-287-7227) is a Tim Cate design located in Sunset Beach. It's a links course with 60-foot elevation changes and an island par 3.

Crow Creek (910-287-3081) gives you a reason, besides eating, to visit Calabash. Cary's Rick Robbins designed a front nine that is links style with a back nine that is wooded cypress.

Rivers Edge (800-RIVER-18) in Shallotte keeps you at the coast for another day. Arnold Palmer's design group carved this layout, which features seven holes winding along the Shallotte River.

TPC at Wakefield Plantation (919-488-5200) joins Piper Glen in Charlotte as North Carolina members in the family of courses owned and operated by the PGA Tour. If you want to play this Hale Irwin design, you'll need to know someone — the club is private.

Castle Bay (910-270-1978) sits just north of Wilmington and is one of the state's true links courses. It's also rare in another way — its owner, Randy Blanton, is also its designer.

Falls Village (919-596-4653) is located just east of Durham on Highway 98. Bill Daniels favors tradition in his designs, and he didn't stray from that here as most of the holes are marked by tree-lined fairways.

Skybrook (704-948-6611), just northeast of Charlotte in Huntersville, is a well-groomed course that offers a variety of holes in a design typical of architect John LaFoy.

Highlands Cove (828-526-4185), as mentioned above, was well received by the panelists that ventured to the mountains. Despite its location, the Tom Jackson design features 13 level holes.


Next year's crop of new courses

After several years of astounding and abnormal growth, North Carolina has only five courses that are open in 2001 for their first full calendar year. Listed alphabetically, they are:

Anderson Creek Golf Club in Spring Lake is designed — and owned — by Davis Love III. It's a semi-private facility that's expected to open in mid-summer. Golf pro shop: 910-814-2115.

Brier Creek Country Club is located near the RDU Airport. A private club, the course was designed by Arnold Palmer and opened Sept. 30, 2000. Golf pro shop: 919-206-4653.

Eagle Point Golf Club is a private, gated club in Wilmington. The course was designed by Tom Fazio and officially opened for play Sept. 8, 2000. Golf pro shop: 910-686-4653.

Eagle Ridge Golf Club is a joint design by Tom Kite and Bob Cupp that debuted Oct. 15, 2000. It's semi-private and located in south Raleigh near Garner. Golf pro shop: 919-661-6300.

The Tillery Tradition Country Club is located on Lake Tillery in Mt. Gilead, centralized between Charlotte and Pinehurst. The semi-private course was designed by J.T. Russell & Sons and opened to members only Aug. 5, 2000. Golf pro shop: 910-439-5578.

Return to Golf Directory index