By Bill F. Hensley With the quickly approaching US Open Golf Championship coming to Pinehurst No.2 in June, PubLinks Golfer Magazine thought you might want to know a little more about its renowned designer, Donald Ross and a few other great golf architects who have left their impressions on our North Carolina soil.
Donald Ross, the famed Scottish golf architect, has been dead for more than fifty years, but many of the classic courses he designed still rank among the state’s finest.
Take a look at the state’s top ten courses last year as selected by the North Carolina Magazine golf panel, for example. The legendary designer had four courses in the elite grouping—Pinehurst No. 2, Pine Needles, Charlotte Country Club and Linville Golf Club-- and shared another with Tom Fazio (Pinehurst No. 4) for a 4 1/2 total.
Ross’ work was clearly a majority with Ellis Maples having two—Grandfather and the Country Club of North Carolina’s Dogwood course-- Fazio 1 1/2, (the Old North State club and a redesign of Pinehurst No. 4). Jack Nicklaus had one—Elk River-- and Quail Hollow in Charlotte was a combination of George Cobb, Arnold Palmer and Fazio.
Additionally, the first three courses in the second ten continue the pattern. Fazio had two courses—Pinehurst No. 8 and Forest Creek in Southern Pines—while Ross had one (Biltmore Forest in Asheville).
“We are indeed fortunate to have so many Ross classics in the our state,” offered Kevin Brafford, director of the rating panel. “And Fazio seems to be taking over where Ross left off. Obviously there is no shortage of great courses to choose from.”
Ironically, Ellis Maples—who studied under Ross and was one of his top assistants—demonstrated that he had learned much from the old master. His Grandfather Golf and Country Club and the Country Club of North Carolina’s Dogwood layout are both ranked in the top five.
Nicklaus broke into the elite category with his great Elk River course in Banner Elk. His National design in Pinehurst is ranked 14th.
Charlotte’s prestigious Quail Hollow Country Club, host of the annual Wachovia Classic, was originally designed by George Cobb. Later, it was tinkered with by Palmer and created in its present state by Fazio.
Nationally, Ross was credited with more than 400 golf courses, many of which remain unchanged over the years. He moved to Pinehurst from his native Scotland in 1900 and remained there until his death in 1948.
From a modest beginning over a hundred years ago, North Carolina has 565 golf courses today, including 384 which are open to the public. The state ranks tenth nationally, according to the National Golf Foundation. Florida leads all states with 1073 courses, followed by California, Texas and Michigan.
North Carolina’s top ten courses: 1. Pinehurst No. 2 Pinehurst Donald Ross
2. Old North State Club New London Tom Fazio
3. Grandfather Golf and CC Linville Ellis Maples
4. CCNC (Dogwood) Pinehurst Ellis Maples
5. Pine Needles Southern Pines Donald Ross
6. Charlotte CC Charlotte Donald Ross
7. Elk River Banner Elk Jack Nicklaus
8. Pinehurst No. 4 Pinehurst Donald Ross/Tom Fazio
9. Linville Golf Club Linville Donald Ross
10. Quail Hollow CC Charlotte G. Cobb/Palmer/Fazio
