Scaling New Heights at Talamore Golf Resort

Both layouts at Pinehurst’s Talamore Golf Resort — The New Course at Talamore and The King’s Course at Mid South — catapult up the North Carolina Top 100 rankings following major renovations

(Village of Pinehurst, NC) — Talamore Golf Resort near the Village of Pinehurst, N.C., recently performed major renovations on both its golf courses — The New Course at Talamore and The King’s Course at Mid South — and both were rewarded with impressive jumps in North Carolina’s prestigious Top 100.

The King’s Course at Mid South moved up six spots to No. 53 in the state, while The New Course at Talamore catapulted a whopping eight spaces to No. 92. Given that North Carolina has been described as having “50 Top-10 golf courses,” earning high marks is no easy task.

The North Carolina Golf Panel is comprised of golf media including some of the top daily newspapers in the state, as well as golf club professionals, noted amateurs, college golf coaches and business leaders.

Each year, the Panel provides a well-researched list of the top golf courses in the state. The Top 100 is determined by a scoring system where panelists consider among these factors: routing, design, strategy, memorability, fairness, variety and aesthetics. The 2018 rankings are in the April issue of Business North Carolina magazine and at NCGolfPanel.com.

Members of the Panel also voted on the top dozen courses in six regions of the state and ranked the top five courses per region in three specialty categories, including “Hidden Gems.” The New Course at Talamore was ranked No. 3 best Hidden Gem in the Sandhills. In addition, the Village of Pinehurst Area Chapter of the National Golf Course Owners Association recently named The New Course its “Course of the Year 2018.”

In 2016 — a quarter century after Talamore Golf Resort first opened — the green complexes on The New Course were converted from bent grass to Champion Bermuda and have received rave reviews. The New Course’s green complexes were restored to their original 1991 Rees Jones design by recapturing the greens surrounds, which had been encroached by native Bermuda grasses.

Not to be outdone, Talamore’s partner property across the street, the Arnold Palmer-designed King’s Course at Mid South, underwent a similar golf course restoration and greens conversion along with numerous other club enhancements.

Last summer, The King’s Course — the only Palmer Signature course in the Sandhills — also installed new Champion Bermuda greens along with a host of other course renovations. Some greens increased in size by as much as 40 percent, as the many years of Bermuda encroachment were removed.

In addition to true rolling and lightening fast greens, the new strains of Bermuda are providing significantly better playing conditions year-round.

In all, these projects are among $6 million in capital improvements at Talamore’s four North Carolina and Pennsylvania facilities.

Talamore Resort’s anniversary changes had a broader mission than just greens conversion. Better course conditions, more playable layouts and more convenient golf cart access throughout the courses were all on the list. The New Course removed 75 bunkers from the original layout — re-contouring the areas to blend with the surrounding shaping, providing more forgiveness in the landing zones and around the greens — and added some new, signature sod wall bunkers. Also, the New Course now allows full cart access to all its holes with significantly enhanced access everywhere, and improved walk on and off to greens.

Talamore also received a major clubhouse renovation that included an expanded bar, enclosed rear patio and comfortable seating with a unique new old time, rustic feel.

The King’s Course at Mid South also performed a clubhouse overhaul, along with its course renovation. The back porch was enclosed to include a new bar with indoor and outdoor seating, and big-screen TVs for sporting events. The main floor received a full cosmetic overhaul with new furniture, flooring and a few other special touches to provide a unique and updated feel.  Club Members now have a dedicated Kids Area with PlayStations, Nintendo’s, comfortable beanbag chairs and more.

A new deck with pergola covered seating, outdoor living spaces with fire-pits geared up for “S’mores Night” are also in store. Upstairs at Mid South is the adult’s only Crow’s Nest, which boasts the finest views and bartending in the area. Comfortable seating indoors and out makes this the ultimate private club hangout out.

Alongside the Palmer and Jones’ centerpieces are a plethora of club amenities including pools at both properties, Jacuzzis, kiddie pool, tennis, basketball and even pickle ball. More than 50 member-only social and golf events adorn an active, year-round calendar at the clubs. Member Guests, Men’s and Ladies Day, the club’s famous Putt-Putt, Casino night, Pumpkin Painting, Guest Chefs, Chili cook off and more provide something for all ages and tastes.

Members can also enjoy seamless privileges with Talamore’s two highly renowned clubs in Pennsylvania — Talamore Country Club and Applecross Country Club by the Nicklaus Design group. Championship golf, exceptional private club dining, pools, fitness and great local accommodations make Talamore’s pair of Pennsylvania clubs a unique and fun experience for all members. Members have access to all club events so they can plan their trip around special events at all the Talamore clubs.

Learn more at www.TalamoreGolfResort.com