Cullasaja at Cullasaja Club

Cullasaja Club sits in the mountains of Highlands, North Carolina, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. The course occupies terrain characteristic of the southern Appalachian plateau, where elevation changes and natural contours shape the routing. Palmer and Seay, who collaborated on numerous projects during their partnership, worked with the existing topography to create a layout that moves through forested corridors and opens to mountain views at intervals. The design dates to the late twentieth century, part of the period when Palmer's firm was active in developing courses for private residential communities in the Southeast.

The routing takes advantage of the natural grade, with holes that climb and descend through the property. Fairways are framed by hardwoods and rhododendron, and several holes play across or alongside natural drainage features. The greens are contoured to match the character of the terrain, and bunker placement reflects the strategic principles Palmer favored—rewarding accurate approach shots while penalizing misses. Water comes into play on select holes, though the design relies more on elevation and angles than on forced carries.

Cullasaja Club serves a private membership drawn largely from seasonal residents and those with homes in the Highlands area. The club operates within the context of a gated community, typical of mountain developments in western North Carolina. The setting offers a temperate climate during the warmer months, and the course remains a centerpiece of the property's amenities.