FEATURE STORY

Deercroft
Golf & Country Club

Deercroft is believed to be the only design by Gardner Gidley, a landscape architect by trade.

Opened in 1983, Deercroft was voted among the Top 50 courses in the state for five consecutive years by Golfweek magazine. Golf Digest has called it the "best-kept secret in the Sandhills."

Deercroft has been somewhat overshadowed by the plethora of newer courses that have opened in the region, but can still boast that it was considered a tough enough challenge to have hosted the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School back in 1986 and 1987. Mike Donald, runner-up to Hale Irwin in the 1990 U.S. Open, and Pat McGowan are a couple of the pros who passed through Deercroft on the way to earning their playing cards.

Holes 13, 14, 15 on the back side will put your game to the ultimate test. This stretch of holes, all par 4s, are handicapped the third, first and fifth toughest on the course.

Chris McDonald, Deercroft's director of golf, arrived on the scene four years ago with the challenges of speeding up the greens and keeping the course dry. He said his initiative was to "create a well-conditioned golf course at a reasonable price."

With this diverse layout in excellent playing shape and with a peak green fee of just $55 (non-package), his mission can be considered accomplished at one of the best of the grizzled veterans in the Sandhills lineup.

Deercroft Golf & Country Club
30,000 Deercroft Dr. (yes, 30,000)
Wagram, N.C. 28396
(800) 787-7323
Fax: 910-369-3542
golf@deercroft.com
deercroft.com

Beacon Ridge
at Seven Lakes

The PGA of America wants its teaching professionals to be able to give lessons, sell merchandise, promote the game and excel at playing it. Beacon Ridge is home to the 2003 and 2004 PGA of America Ability Test. It speaks volumes that golf's most prestigious organization of teaching professionals considers this layout as a worthy gauntlet to test the all-around skills of those trying to break into its ranks.

The Tear Drop and Hooters tours have also conducted tournaments on this Gene Hamm gem that opened in 1988. The locals also appear to love it, too, considering the membership at this semi-private course bulges near 400.

General Manager Dean Allgeyer mentioned the back-to-back holes of 15 and 16 as two of the holes players consider favorites. The first, an uphill par 3, plays to 187 yards and is well protected in front by bunkers. The 16th hole is a tantalizingly reachable par 5 at 475 yards.

The Beacon Ridge course lies inside a 3,000-acre neighborhood that could pass itself off as a nature preserve. The community's Lake Auman covers 820 acres. The course's Mt. Vernon-style clubhouse strikingly resembles a smaller version of George and Martha Washington's abode overlooking the Potomac River.

Beacon Ridge at Seven Lakes
6000 Longleaf Dr.
West End, N.C. 27376
(910) 673-2950
beaconridgegolfcc.com

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.