Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa

If you are searching for a classic, challenging, diverse, scenic, fun and fair golf experience, look no further than the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa in Waynesville, North Carolina. Established in 1926 (the Carolina course) and designed by legendary golf course architect Donald Ross, this golf destination was originally called the Waynesville Country Club and nicknamed the 'Gem of Western North Carolina.' Now, it's a 27-hole design which features three different nine-hole circuits - Carolina, Dogwood, and Blue Ridge. Nestled at the foothills of the Balsam Mountains, 45 minutes west of Asheville, any 18-hole trek around this course will feature a tour through two out of the three layouts. It really doesn't matter which combination of nines that you play because each course represents a special opportunity to enjoy 'Mother Nature,' while in pursuit of 'Old Man Par,' in a magical and memorable mountain setting. Each nine-hole course is a par 35 and the distance from the tips for each course is less than 3,000 yards. But don't dismiss these courses because of their relatively short yardages. As they say, 'don't judge a book by its cover.'

Carolina, Dogwood, and Blue Ridge have their own characteristics which differentiate themselves from one another and from other courses in the Waynesville area.
The Carolina course, originally acres of cow pasture, was the first of the three courses to open - in 1926. This is a classic Donald Ross design where the greens are small and mounded. Precision iron play is a must if you want to pursue par at Carolina. Here, the first two holes are driveable par fours. Both are less than 300 yards from the back tees, but the presence of well-placed sand bunkers on these two holes forces many good players to play conservatively and hit their three woods off the tee. Truth be told, though, the slight uphill gradient of these two holes adds an element of difficulty which you don't recognize until you set foot on the tee. Also at Carolina, the par five sixth hole only measures 463 yards from the back tees, but distances can be deceiving, as they say. Birdies at the sixth are well earned and bogeys are more common than one might expect.

Changes in elevation are common at Dogwood, which opened in 1929. This nine-hole course winds its way through a pair of coves. At Dogwood, you can get off to a great start if your short irons are sharp since the first four holes feature two short par fives and two par threes. If you can't 'get home in two' on the par five 1st or the par five 3rd, you should be left with a short iron for your third shot, hopefully leaving you with a makeable putt for birdie. The second and fourth holes are medium length par threes, where securing a deuce is always the goal. The second hole is actually shorter than it appears on the card since it is significantly downhill from tee to green.

When you play Blue Ridge, which opened in 1986, get ready to play from the outset because three out of the first four holes are the three most difficult holes on this course. The first hole is somewhat narrow and uphill; water protects the third green which prohibits any attempt to reach the putting surface in two; and the fourth hole is a left-to-right 90-degree dogleg, where your second shot is usually hit from a sidehill/downhill lie. If you can play the first four holes in par or one over par, you have a great chance of breaking 40. By the way, the eighth at Blue Ridge is the shortest of the 27 holes at Waynesville. While it's only 122 yards from the back tees, it's no 'stroll in the park.' Please remember that most putts at Blue Ridge break toward the nearby mountain stream.

Scenic vistas abound at Waynesville and like so many golf courses in western North Carolina, you rarely hit the same shot twice unless the goal is to consistently hit 280-yard tee shots with your driver. Check out the course's website (www.TheWaynesvilleInn.com) or call 828-452-4617 so you can make plans visit the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa this year.

With access to first-class accommodations at the Waynesville Inn (Mountain View Rooms, Historic Rooms, and Fairway Double Rooms); wonderful in-house dining options (Cork & Cleaver and the Tap Room Sports Bar & Grill); free wi-fi; a fitness room; and day-trip access to the Biltmore Estate, Grandfather Mountain, The Blue Ridge Parkway, zip lining, white water rafting, and horseback riding, you will be challenged to say 'no' to a getaway at the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa. Simply put, it's an irresistible opportunity.