When it comes to scenic golf, perfect temperatures, immaculate courses, etc., it is hard to find a better locale than the High Country of Western North Carolina.
The areas around Boone, Blowing Rock, Linville and Banner Elk offer some of the most beautiful and interesting golf in all of America.
There are approximately 660 golf courses in North Carolina and if you had to rank them by scenic locale, Western North Carolina's High Country would probably have 90 per cent of the top ten such courses.
There are dozens of beautiful private golf courses in the High Country, but there are also several courses open to the general public -- conditionally and unconditionally.
While much of the U. S. swelters under 90-degree heat and high humidity of July/August, High Country golfers are usually knocking the ball around in 70ish temperatures while soaking in postcard-like views all over the place.
One such scenic public course is located at Sugar Mountain, just outside Banner Elk, N. C.
This is not a course designed to challenge you, but to provide you memories you can cherish forever.
Sugar Mountain Golf Course is what is known as an executive course, in other words a short course. The 36-year-old Sugar Mountain course, designed by Frank Duane, an associate of Arnold Palmer, has three sets of tee boxes, playing about 4,560 yards from the back. But don't be fooled: This is not a piece-of-cake course. The fairways are generally tight and the greens are sloped and very fast.
The course, managed by Tom McAuliffe, has a restaurant with huge picture windows overlooking beautiful mountain vistas -- and first-class food as well.
The course, on North Carolina Highway 184, has a course rating of 61.1, a slope rating of 94.
Green fees are very moderate at $32 to $40 (including cart) and the spectacular views alone are worth the green fees. Golf packages, some including housing, are available. For info: (828) 898-6464 or the website www.seesugar.com
Not far from Sugar Mountain is Beech Mountain, another course featuring spectacular views and offering a longer layout.
The 18-hole, par 72 course has a course rating of 69.4 and a slope rating of 128 on bluegrass.
Originally designed by Willard C. Byrd, Beech Mountain opened in 1969. The layout underwent a tee renovation and lengthening project in early 2008 by architect Tom Jackson. The course – which now plays to 6,225 yards – is memorable for its ridge-top location with long-range vistas stretching to Tennessee and Virginia. You can even see Kentucky on the clearest days.
This course also offers a fantastic restaurant with to-die-for views.
“If you like mountain vistas, there aren't many courses built on a ridge top at this elevation,” says general manager Brian Barnes. “Most people think of mountain golf courses as being 3,000 feet in elevation or less. Our elevations range from 4,200 to 4,700 feet, which adds to the coolness. I’ve seen July days where it is 55 degrees and foggy in the morning. By afternoon it’s a perfect 72 with bluebird skies. You don’t sweat and you can wear comfortable clothing.”
Beech Mountain is primarily a private course but golfers can play there if they stay in any number of private rental units in the area. A listing of such rental properties is available through the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 800-468-5506. To contact the golf facility directly call 828-387-4208 or visit their website at www.beechmountainclub.org.
There are also several other High Country courses offering golfers great mountain views, perfect temperatures and other amenities, including:
-- Boone Golf Club, Boone, N. C. This course, on U. S. Highway 321, in one of the High Country's most interesting towns, is 6,680 yards long from the tips and plays to a par of 71. Designed by Ellis Maples, the 50-year-old course is rated at 69.1 with a slope rating of 124. Info: toll free: (866) 264-8760 or (828) 265-4659 or online at http://www.boonegolfclub.com.
-- Mountain Glen Golf Club just outside of Newland, N.C., on Highway 194 toward Elk Park. Opened in 1963. The golf course features 6,723 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par 72. The course was designed by George W. Cobb. Info: 828-733-5809, 828-733-5804, or the web site: www.mountainglengolfclub.com.
-- Mountain Aire Golf Course, West Jefferson, N.C.. features 6,404 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 69.8 and it has a slope rating of 122. Mountain Aire golf course opened in 1952. Info: 336-877-4716 or 336-877-4718 or the web site at http://www.mountainaire.com.

This story was published on 12 Jul 2009.