The Links at Cotton Valley occupies land in Tarboro, a small town in eastern North Carolina's coastal plain region. Tom Johnson designed the course, which opened in the late 1990s as part of a residential development. Johnson, a North Carolina-based architect, has worked on several courses across the state and the Southeast, typically creating layouts that work with the natural terrain and vegetation of their settings while remaining accessible to a range of golfers. The course sits on relatively flat to gently rolling terrain characteristic of the coastal plain, with routing that likely incorporates natural corridors, stands of pine and hardwood trees, and possibly wetland areas or creek corridors that are common to this part of North Carolina. The design emphasizes strategic options from the tee and around the greens rather than dramatic elevation changes. Water features and bunker placement typically define the challenge on courses in this region and architectural style. Cotton Valley functions as a semi-private facility, serving both members and daily-fee players. The course is part of the broader golfing landscape in eastern North Carolina, a region with numerous courses that cater to local residents and visitors exploring areas between the Research Triangle and the Outer Banks. The club offers a relatively relaxed atmosphere typical of courses in smaller North Carolina towns, where golf remains a social and recreational anchor for the community.