Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Talamore Staying Ahead of the Curve

There are plenty of reasons for excitement at the Talamore family of country clubs

(Village of Pinehurst, NC/Philadelphia, PA) – These are exciting times for the Talamore family of country clubs.

The “family” consists of Applecross Country Club in Downington, Pa., along with Talamore Country Club in Ambler, Pa., and two Pinehurst area golf courses as part of the Talamore Resort — The New Course at Talamore and Mid South Club in the famed Sandhills of North Carolina. Membership includes privileges at all four clubs.

Located less than 40 minutes west from Philadelphia, Applecross CC recently unveiled its highly anticipated, state-of-the-art golf clubhouse. A residential golf community featuring a broad array of first-class club amenities, including a Nicklaus Design golf course on which Michael Nicklaus served as lead architect, Applecross debuted in 2010 and has emerged as one of the Philadelphia area’s most innovative and progressive golf communities.

The stunning new Applecross clubhouse opened this spring and is approximately 15,000 square feet throughout three levels, including golf locker rooms, a pro shop and club offices. Soaring at the third level with stunning views of holes No. 18 and No. 19, The Eagle’s Nest is a member’s lounge with a 30-seat bar, expansive covered deck and an open timber frame design. The new clubhouse is expected to greatly enhance the Applecross membership experience.

Meanwhile, there is similar excitement around Pinehurst, N.C., where the renowned Talamore Resort has undergone an extensive facelift. Talamore Golf Resort first made headlines for its famed stable of llama caddies and unparalleled customer service. Today, Talamore has grown to become one of the Sandhills’ premier golf getaways — which is why more than 90 percent of the resort’s customers return or refer new business.

Last summer, a quarter century after this popular Pinehurst resort first opened, the green complexes at Talamore were converted from bent grass to Champion Bermuda and have received rave reviews. The Talamore green complexes were restored to their original 1991 Rees Jones design by recapturing the greens surrounds, which had been heavily encroached by native Bermuda grasses. In addition to true rolling and lightening fast greens, the new strains of Bermuda are providing significantly better playing conditions year round.

Talamore’s latest line of improvements, additions and upgrades included a renovation of the Talamore clubhouse and golf course — now named, appropriately, The New Course at Talamore — unique resort activities such as weekly Pig Pickins’ at the Talamore Pavilion and Southern breakfast buffets in the resort’s popular Sodfather’s Grille.

Now, Talamore’s partner property across famed Midland Road at the Arnold Palmer designed Mid South Club is undergoing a similar golf course restoration and greens conversion, along with numerous other club enhancements.

Following up on the successful remastering at Talamore, the greens at Mid South Club are being converted to Champion Bermuda this summer. To ensure the design continuity of the putting contours, Mid South and Talamore employ the “no till” method pioneered by Champion Turf Farms out of Texas. More than 700 courses nationwide have Champion Turf including Pinehurst No. 2 just up the road.

While the Mid South greens remodeling project is being conducted, the club is also adding a new set of forward tees to many holes. These new tees promise to be a welcome addition to the golf course and are expected to provide a more player friendly approach for those just learning the game — as well as those looking to move forward for a more enjoyable playing experience. Mid South is also busy improving the club’s cart path system, with most areas being removed and restored with a natural packed sand base. The paths will be re-concreted where necessary due to grade or traffic patterns.

Also in store for 2017 at Mid South are member facility upgrades to include the addition of basketball and pickle ball on one of the tennis courts, as well as a new barbecue and hospitality area at the Mid South pool. Other main clubhouse enhancements are being finalized with an eye towards rolling those out later this year.

In all, these current projects are among the more than $6 million in capital improvements at Talamore’s four North Carolina and Pennsylvania facilities. Which is why members of the “family” have plenty of reasons to be excited.

For information call (800) 552-6292 or visit www.TalamoreGolfResort.com for the latest golf package information.

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