The sweetness of summer is evident at Elk River Club—the weather couldn’t be more perfect with highs around 75 degrees, and mother nature is putting on quite a show. The pinks and purple flowers of the native Catawba Rhododendron thrive on exposed ridges, the fiery flame azalea light up grassy meadows and clusters of Mountain Laurel flowers cover dense thickets in the forest. You’re thankful for the rich aroma of your morning coffee, this morning’s songbirds and the view from your back deck. The yellow birch tree’s shiny yellow and silvery bark with its curly strips has always been your favorite. You listen to the latest episode of the Links magazine podcast before you’re on your way to the club’s Signature Jack Nicklaus Golf Course. Keep reading for more about Summer Golf at Elk River Club.
The natural topography of the course set against the Blue Ridge Mountains is beyond magnificent. Your early morning tee time allows you to fully appreciate the meticulous care given to the course by the staff. The daily pre-dawn maintenance requires a team of 20 and includes mowing 35 acres of bentgrass fairways, cutting 19 greens and 75 tees, and raking more than 50 bunkers. You have played the course countless times but never tire of the challenge of the four par threes. When you reach the back nine, the landscape transforms into a mountain scene that couldn’t be more beautiful.
Described as “a tale of two nines” in a Links magazine article, the piece spotlights how the course has just the right amount of elevation change: “The front nine has an open, meadow-type feel with tall native grasses lining the holes, while the back is a more traditional tree-lined mountain design, with greens cut into hillsides, downhill tee shots, and small streams wandering into play.” In a 2005 letter, Jack Nicklaus wrote, “This unique property has allowed us to create a truly dynamic golf course with varying golf strategies that are enjoyable for members yet challenging enough for world-class tournament play.”
There are many reasons to make Elk River Club your second home—you’ve always loved the North Carolina High Country, and the Equestrian Center here is one of the finest in the state. The 50,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse, summer camps for the grandkids, pool complex and wellness center add to the family fun. The Club’s Signature Jack Nicklaus Golf Course certainly tops the list.