Highland Country Club's course in Fayetteville represents a Donald Ross design from the early twentieth century that has undergone modern refinement by architect Rich Mandell. Ross, who shaped hundreds of courses across the American South during his prolific career, brought his characteristic design principles to this North Carolina layout: strategic bunkering, crowned greens with subtle breaks, and routing that works with the natural terrain rather than imposing dramatic earth movement. The course sits in the Sandhills region of North Carolina, an area known for its sandy soils and rolling topography that made it particularly suitable for golf course construction in Ross's era. The terrain allows for good drainage and firm playing conditions, and the layout features the kind of modest elevation changes and pine-framed corridors typical of courses in this part of the state. Mandell's restoration and renovation work has focused on recapturing Ross's original design intent while updating the course for contemporary play. Fayetteville's military presence at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) has long influenced the character of local clubs, and Highland serves both military and civilian members. The course provides a test of strategic golf where placement matters more than pure distance, reflecting Ross's belief that thoughtful shot-making should be rewarded. The greens remain the primary defense, requiring careful approach play and a deft touch on the putting surface.