A Grand Experience

"The influence of fine scenery, the presence of mountains, appeases our irritations and elevates our friendships."

   - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American poet

If I were told that I could play only one golf course for the rest of my life, I would be happy playing those rounds at the Mount Mitchell Golf Club. It's one of the best combinations of natural beauty and interesting golf that I've experienced.

It's situated in the South Toe River Valley just off the Blue Ridge Parkway on N.C. Highway 80 at the foot of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. I've often described it as a little green jewel set amidst some of the most scenic vistas you'll ever encounter.

Your adventure begins when you hit your first tee shot against the backdrop of the mountains, continues by the trout pool on #2 through narrow corridors of spruce, hickory and oak trees on #'s 3, 4 and 5 to an amazingly difficult green to putt at #7 and then to what should be easy pars on #'s 8 and 9, but often aren't. Over the years at least two of our group have fallen into the stream in front of #9, but always undeterred they've played on, wet clothes and all. An interesting aspect of the front nine is how flat it is. There's no elevation change, even though you're over 3000 feet above sea level.

Starting the back nine, you encounter your first elevated green at #10, and it's as devilish to putt on as was #7. Number 11 is a short downhill par 3 that falls off to the river on the right, then you're back on level ground at #12, an extremely tight par 5. Numbers 12, 13 and 14 are as beautiful a stretch of holes as you'll see anywhere, right up there with "Amen Corner" at Augusta. The club's signature hole, #14, a dog-leg left, is viewed as one of the best in the area, and is arguably the toughest on the course. Few in our group would disagree.

Until you reach #18, where the tee is about 30 yards above a wide fairway and a large green fronted by a swiftly moving stream, there's little elevation change. The fairway here is so invitingly huge that the temptation is to really try and rip it. This often results in a big hook or slice, putting you behind trees and making it virtually impossible to hit the green with your second shot, not that we haven't tried many times. 

Building this beautiful place was the brainchild of Jim Floyd and Lee King who saw the potential in the development of the property when no one else could. Blessed with some luck and the innocence of youth, they succeeded in creating something that people will be enjoying for years to come.

When my friends and I visit Mount Mitchell we rent one or two of the many private homes that surround the course and enjoy our non-golfing time as much as the hours we spend chasing the little white ball. Early fall is my favorite time to be there. The foliage is so gorgeous then that it makes the way you're playing seem of little importance. You just stand on the tee taking it all in and wondering how in the world you stumbled across such a magnificent place.