North Carolina Composite Course + Call for Grievances

Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

We have our first guest contributor as Stephen Edwards, Founder & President of Twilight Golf Club, shares an Eclectic 18 (i.e. every hole from a different course, keeping consistent hole numbers) from North Carolina courses he visited this year. Yes - this exercise requires one to have played 18+ unique courses in 2024, making me ineligible for the task. Big thanks to Stephen for his support and congrats on playing some GOLF this year.

We’ll also start preparing for next week with a request for reader submissions - more info below!

PRESENTED BY

2024 YEAR IN REVIEW

Twilight Golf Club President Stephen Edwards Shares his 2024 North Carolina Eclectic 18

After seeing a composite course from The Golfer’s Journal year-in-review earlier this month, I decided to create my own from unique courses played in 2024.

The goal was to create a par 72 using only North Carolina* (one small exception) courses comprised of 6 par 5s/4s/3s with a mix of gettable and difficult holes. Really fun exercise - especially when its cold and dark outside!

3,215 Out / 3,307 In / 6,522 Total

#1 – Tobacco Road Golf Club – Par 5, 558 yards

If you’ve been to TR before, you get it. This opener is as cool as it gets.

#2 – True Blue Golf Club – Par 4, 354 yards

I had to make an exception early as a Strantz fanatic and let one South Carolina course onto the list. This was my favorite new course played in 2024. The 2nd is a risk reward par 4 and I want another crack…

#3 – Tot Hill Farm Golf Club – Par 3, 177 yards

Almost witnessed by 8 year old make an ace on “The Rock.” Such a wild hole - and the walk up to hit your tee shot on 4 over the green is almost too much for my heart.

#4 – Mimosa Hills Golf Club – Par 4, 406 yards

You more than likely just birdied the short par 5 3rd hole and can buy your buddies some brews off the back steps of the clubhouse where this tee sits. This routing is a perfect old school walk.

#5 – Springdale Golf Course – Par 5, 464 yards

2-shotter here at this neat recently built facility. Carve out time for the Tavern and the putting course!

#6 – Greensboro Country Club (Irving Park) – Par 3, 160 yards

Finally crossed off the last course in the Triad top 25 list thanks to Taylor Johnson. This hole is a Ross classic with a 3-tiered green amongst an incredibly unique neighborhood routing.

#7 – Biltmore Forest Country Club – Par 5, 517 yards

Having grown up in Asheville as a non-golfer, I had no idea how special BFCC really is until recently. This par 5 has a blind approach shot into a kicker green - PURE.

#8 – Old Town Club – Par 4, 402 yards

The classic answer would be to include 4 or 17, but as a Wake grad I love using the University’s cupola as a start line for a cut before the reveal of Maxwell’s double green. Chefs kiss…

#9 – Legacy Golf Links – Par 3, 177 yards

First time playing this Nicklaus sandhills course and I wanted a par 3 closer for the front 9. Hard to come by, but what’s more fun than sticking one close before a glizzy at the turn?

#10 – Sequoyah National – Par 4, 410 yards

Sequoyah is WILD and it’s hard to pick one hole from this large scale Palmer design. The 10th is a central fairway amongst the four holes furthest from the clubhouse in the shadow of the Smokies.

#11 – Southern Pines Golf Club – Par 4, 321 yards

This hole can play well below the number as a huge kicker on the left of the fairway makes it drivable! Such a cool section of the restored property.

#12 – The Cardinal by Pete Dye – Par 3, 220 yards

Pete Dye claims this is the hardest par 3 he ever designed, so if you can walk away with a par here you will RUN to the next tee! Home of Mike from Chasing Scratch, LGLG.

#13 – Carolina Golf Club – Par 5, 524 yards

Kris Spence turned this hole into a beauty with some well placed cross bunkers. It also happens to be my favorite 2024 memory when new father David Edwards holed out for eagle in our Member-Guest tournament.

#14 – Bryan Park (Champions) – Par 3, 229 yards

Anytime you get to play this highly touted muni it’s a reminder how blessed we are in the Triad with access to high quality and affordable golf. Amazing lake views at twilight!

#15 – Olde Beau Resort & Golf Club – Par 4, 346 yards

OB is the best mountain golf value in NC - full stop! The infinity look off the back of 15 is the cherry on the top. Definitely hit a tee ball into the valley behind the green before you go.

#16 – Roaring Gap Club – Par 5, 529 yards

As I reflect on it, I think RG might be my favorite course in NC. Mountains, incredible restored Ross, walkable, views, and vibes. The shared fairway par 5 is as good as it gets.

#17 – Old North State Club – Par 3, 198 yards

Fazio knew what he was doing when he placed this hole right up against Lake Badin. In some ways you wish it was your last shot of the day… so long as you don’t rinse it.

#18 – Waynesville Inn and Golf Club – Par 5, 530 yards

This place is near and dear to my heart as WNC raised me and the community there got hit hard by Helene. The 18th is a dang good golf hole and TGC will be there for an event in 2025.

Bonus Categories

Best Turnhouse/Hospitality: Woodlake Country Club! Not only did they host the TGC Presidents Cup last minute, they also make a mean ranch water.

Best E9: Asheboro Muni. Worth a quick twilight loop - so dang cool.

Best 19th Hole: Thistle Dhu putting course in Pinehurst. Send it!

CALL FOR GRIEVANCES

Festivus is upon us and you know what that means - it’s time for the Airing of Grievances! Have a complaint or general frustration with Charlotte golf? Course you can’t stand, hole that has your number, or a driving range pet peeve - get it off your chest by emailing it to [email protected]. The best/funniest submissions as selected by yours truly will be featured in next week’s newsletter.

QUICK LINKS

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free below for news and perspectives on golf in the Queen City.

Do you have recommendations for future newsletter content? Send them our way.