Laurel Ridge Country Club

Laurel Ridge Country Club sits in the mountains of western North Carolina near Waynesville, a region known for its elevated terrain and natural beauty within the Blue Ridge range. The course was designed by Bob Cupp with contributions from Jim Holmes and Gus Grantham, reflecting a collaborative approach that characterizes some mountain resort and residential developments in the area. Cupp, who worked extensively with Jack Nicklaus before establishing his own practice, brought experience in shaping courses that work with dramatic topography rather than against it. The routing takes advantage of the natural elevation changes and wooded corridors typical of the region, with holes that move through ridgelines and valleys. Mountain courses in this part of North Carolina often feature significant slope and require strategic club selection given the altitude and uneven lies. The design likely incorporates native grasses and hardwood stands that frame playing corridors, with views extending toward surrounding peaks depending on the property's specific elevation and clearing. Laurel Ridge serves a private membership and functions as part of a mountain community, a common model in the Waynesville and Maggie Valley area where golf complements residential amenities. The club provides a year-round facility in a region where seasonal weather patterns influence play, with cooler temperatures at elevation offering relief during summer months. The course represents the type of mountain golf that has drawn residents and second-home owners to western North Carolina since the latter decades of the twentieth century.