Tom Fazio’s Seminal ‘Mountain Masterpiece’ Moves Up Four Spots
(HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.) – Champion Hills, home of Tom Fazio’s seminal “Mountain Masterpiece,” is 35th in the North Carolina Golf Panel’s (NCGP) ranking of the “Top 100 Golf Courses in the State,” moving up four spots from last year’s list.
The NCGP Top 100 is comprised of both public and private courses, of which there are over 600 in the Old North State. The vaunted list includes U.S. Open Anchor Site Pinehurst No. 2 at Pinehurst Resort, storied Grandfather Golf and Country Club, Pine Needles Lodge and Club (host of the 2022 Women’s U.S. Open), and Quail Hollow Club (site of the 2022 President’s Cup), as well as other noted Western N.C. courses like Wade Hampton Golf Club and Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club.
“North Carolina is one of the best states for golf in the U.S., and the NCGP’s rankings are respected from the mountains to the coast,” says Champion Hills PGA Head Professional Scooter Buhrman. “We’re honored to be ranked once again and look forward to an exciting year ahead.”
Founded by beloved public relations specialist Bill Hensley who passed away in 2022 at 96, the NCGP consists of approximately 175 members from the mountains to the coast. Since its inception, it has emerged as the authoritative source of golf rankings in a state that boasts many of the country’s most highly-regarded layouts. The panel’s unique composition includes media, club professionals, general managers, accomplished amateur players, prominent business figures, and others who actively promote golf in North Carolina.
Published annually in Business North Carolina, the rankings are determined by a scoring system in which panelists consider these factors, among others: routing, design, strategy, memorability, fairness, variety and aesthetics. Panelists can vote only for courses they’ve played. In addition to the Top 100, they also vote on the “Top 50 You Can Play,” plus the best dozen courses in each of seven regions in the state. For 2022, there are two specialty rankings: “Best Shorter Courses” (under 6,500 yards) and “Best Resorts.” All current rankings will be posted at NCGolfPanel.com.
Champion Hills is Fazio’s former home course and club. The legendary golf course architect devised a brilliant route wending through heavily forested hills, deep ravines and cool mountain streams in a scenic Blue Ridge Mountain setting. He and his team of shapers pulled ridges into valleys and filled hollows to create “playing platforms,” providing golfers with level lies amid 350 feet of elevation change.
The course has moved up significantly over the past three years in Golfweek’s “Top 200 Residential Golf Courses in the U.S.,” and continued enhancements planned for 2023 and beyond will further elevate playability and conditioning. Champion Hills is one of the few golf courses in the Carolinas to feature five sets of tees rated for women, responding to the growth in this rapidly expanding player segment.
About Champion Hills
Champion Hills is a private boutique club in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, situated just south of the acclaimed “Main Street Town” of Hendersonville and 45 minutes from burgeoning Asheville. Its Tom Fazio-designed “Mountain Masterpiece” is ranked among the top private courses in the state and country by numerous media outlets and rating services. Champion Hills is managed by Troon Privé, the private club operations division of Troon, the world’s largest golf management company.
Resident-members enjoy a balanced and relaxed lifestyle steeped in golf, tennis, fitness, hiking and swimming, all surrounded by the recreation, entertainment and culture of Western North Carolina. Unlike many private, seasonal, mountain communities, Champion Hills offers year-round golf and activities, as well as casual and fine dining options.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 750-plus locations, including 740-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses around the globe. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf and ICON Management. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.
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