Renowned Architect Andrew Green to Renovate Cardinal Course of The Country Club of North Carolina

(PINEHURST, N.C.) – Architect Andrew Green, acclaimed for his masterful restorations, has been selected by the The Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) to renovate its Cardinal Course.

Green’s work on the Cardinal Course is scheduled to begin the fall of 2028 with reopening expected in the fall of 2029.

Andrew Green“With the plan approved, our attention now turns to the details and execution of the Cardinal project,” Green said. “We are working closely with the Club and project team to refine the design, establish the construction sequence, and coordinate the many pieces necessary to move the project forward successfully.

“There is still important design work ahead. As we move toward construction, we will continue to study each hole, test ideas, and refine details to make sure we are getting the most out of the property and the plan.

“It is exciting to move into this next phase. We have a clear direction, and now our responsibility is to work through the details and execute the project in a way that delivers the best possible golf course for the membership.”

McDonald & Sons Golf Course Builders has been selected as the construction firm to work with Green on the project. The two have collaborated on numerous projects in recent years, and McDonald and Sons is also where Green got his start in the business. He spent 12 years with the firm before branching out on his own.

The Cardinal Course originated as a nine-hole layout designed by Willard Byrd in 1970, making CCNC a 27-hole facility at the time. Nine additional holes were added in 1981, completing the course under the direction of Robert Trent Jones Sr. The most recent course renovation was completed by Arthur Hills in 2001.                                                                     

Some of Green’s most applauded recent work includes renovating an enviable group of courses that have hosted many Major championships such as Congressional Country Club’s Blue Course (2022), Oak Hill Country Club’s East Course (2021), Inverness Club (2020), Scioto Country Club (2022), Wannamoisett Country Club (2022), and East Lake Golf Club, home of the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship (2023). His work at Interlachen Country Club (Minn.) and Chevy Chase (Md.) Club earned Golf Digest’s 2024 and 2025 Renovation of the Year awards, respectively.

Two of Green’s original course designs – Firefly in Spring Hill, Tenn., and Kawonu Golf Club in Greenville, S.C. are scheduled to open in fall of 2026 and spring of 2027, respectively.

More of Green’s work can be found at this link: https://greengolfandturf.com/

“Andrew Green’s work is undoubtedly successful and eye-opening,” said club president Charlie Rivers. “His vision for the future of the Cardinal Course at CCNC is equally innovative. The membership is enthusiastic about watching this project come to life. A newly invigorated Cardinal Course adds to the luster of the golf at CCNC as it offers the opportunities to host high-level competitions. We are extremely honored to work with Andrew and can’t wait to see the new Cardinal Course.”

Hunting Creek Country Club Unveils the Overlook

New pool complex builds upon years of investment and continuous improvement at the Prospect, Kentucky club

(Prospect, Kentucky) — Hunting Creek Country Club has opened The Overlook, a sophisticated new poolside facility designed to bring an elevated level of comfort, hospitality and style to one of the Club’s most popular gathering places.

The Overlook features a dramatic vaulted roofline, exposed structural beams, and stone accents, creating a natural connection to the Club’s existing architecture. The open-air design offers a distinctive personality to the pool complex, while a consistent palette of neutrals ties the property together. An increased use of blues reflects the surrounding water, bringing a fresh, resort-inspired quality to the space.

This addition is part of a multi-year commitment to reinvest in the Club’s facilities, creating spaces that feel connected, intentional, and distinctly part of Hunting Creek. The transformation gained significant momentum with the Club’s extensive clubhouse renovation and expansion, which introduced refreshed dining, social, fitness, and recreational spaces, establishing a modern architectural direction for the property. The momentum continued with the addition of the Pavilion in 2023, followed by four dedicated pickleball courts in 2024, and now The Overlook in 2026.

Rather than approaching each project individually, Hunting Creek has focused on creating a cohesive campus. The Overlook was designed to complement the architecture established throughout the renovated clubhouse and Pavilion, carrying forward many of the same materials, finishes, and design elements. The result is an environment that feels upscale, modern, and fresh while remaining unmistakably Hunting Creek. Each investment is made with the goal of enhancing how members use the Club.

“With The Overlook, we have transformed a deteriorating, outdated pool building into a magnificent facility that will be a crown jewel of our club,” said General Manager Zeke Larson. “It will allow us to better serve our members, enhance their enjoyment of the club, and help introduce Hunting Creek to future members. Most importantly, The Overlook represents the culture we have worked hard to establish: one that is never satisfied with standing still and is always looking for ways to be better and do better.”

Hunting Creek Country Club is proudly managed by Troon Privé, the private club operations division of Troon. For more information on Hunting Creek Country Club, visit www.huntingcreekcc.com.  

3 Best Public Golf Courses in North Carolina You Can Play for $100 or Less

Hyland Golf Club

North Carolina is one of the best golf states in the country, but you don't necessarily need to spend $200, $300 or more to play a memorable course.

From the Sandhills to the Charlotte area, there are public-access courses that combine strong architecture, interesting layouts and reasonable green fees.

After looking at current 2026 rankings, course information and published rates, here are three North Carolina public golf courses worth putting on your list if your budget is $100 or less.

1. Hyland Golf Club — Southern Pines

• (910) 692-6400

Typical 2026 rate: About $90-$95

If you're heading to the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area and don't want to pay resort-course prices, Hyland Golf Club deserves a look.

The 18-hole public course in Southern Pines was designed by Tom Jackson and stretches to 6,723 yards. Golf Digest lists it as a public course and gives it a 3.8/5 panel rating.

More importantly for this list, current published pricing puts Hyland at $90 on weekdays and $95 on weekends in the pricing data available for 2026.

That's significant because you're playing in one of America's greatest golf destinations without automatically paying resort-level prices.

Hyland also offers the type of Sandhills setting golfers travel to North Carolina to experience: pine trees, rolling terrain and a layout that requires thoughtful shot-making.

Why play it: Pinehurst-area golf without a Pinehurst Resort price tag.

2. Rocky River Golf Club — Concord

Rocky River Golf Club

Typical 18-hole rate: $66-$86

Just outside Charlotte, Rocky River Golf Club offers a completely different experience from the Sandhills courses.

Designed by Dan Maples, the 18-hole public course stretches to nearly 7,000 yards and winds through rocky hills and natural wetlands. Golf Digest currently lists the course as public with a listed rate of $86.

Published rate information puts public 18-hole play at approximately $66 Monday through Thursday, $76 on Friday and $86 on weekends and holidays.

That's a pretty compelling combination of price and pedigree.

And there's a bonus for sports fans: the course sits near Charlotte Motor Speedway, so you can actually see and hear the racing facility during portions of the round.

Why play it: A legitimate championship-style layout for considerably less than $100.

3. Tot Hill Farm — Asheboro

Tot Hill Farm

• (336) 857-4455

Potential rate: From about $75

This might be the most intriguing course on the list.

Tot Hill Farm is another Mike Strantz creation, and if you've played Tobacco Road, you know Strantz wasn't interested in building boring golf courses.

Tot Hill Farm opened in 2000 and features dramatic elevation changes, unusual angles, rock formations and some truly memorable holes. Golf Digest describes it as a daring collection of holes and notes that the course has undergone significant improvements in recent years.

Current golf information lists green fees starting around $75, although pricing can vary by date and tee time, so you'll want to verify the exact rate before booking.

That's what makes Tot Hill especially interesting for a golfer on a budget. You're getting Mike Strantz architecture without necessarily paying the premium associated with some of the state's better-known destination courses.

Why play it: If you like dramatic golf courses with personality, Tot Hill Farm may be the most memorable round of the three.

What About Tobacco Road?

Tobacco Road is the obvious omission.

It's one of North Carolina's most highly regarded public-access courses, and the 2026 North Carolina public-course rankings have it near the top of the state's daily-fee options.

The problem is the $100 cutoff.

Current pricing information shows Tobacco Road ranging from approximately $75 to $150, depending on the date and circumstances.

So, yes, you can potentially find a round for $100 or less. But I wouldn't describe it as a reliably sub-$100 course.

That's an important distinction if you're actually planning a golf trip around a firm $100 budget.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for North Carolina golf that won't blow through a $100 budget, these three give you very different experiences:

Hyland Golf Club gives you Sandhills golf near Pinehurst.

Rocky River Golf Club gives you a highly regarded public course near Charlotte.

Tot Hill Farm gives you the Mike Strantz experience at a potentially very reasonable price.

And if you can stretch your budget or find the right tee time, Tobacco Road is another course worth investigating.

One final warning: golf-course pricing changes by season, day of week, tee time and dynamic pricing. Always check the course's current rate before booking, especially if $100 is a hard ceiling.

SuperStroke Brand Ambassadors Jackson Koivun, Wyndham Clark and Patrick Cantlay Celebrate a Team USA Presidents Cup Triumph

16 out of 24 Presidents Cup players used SuperStroke putter grips while Clark and undefeated Koivun used SuperStroke on all 14 clubs.

(Wixom, MI) – SuperStroke, the No. 1 Putter Grip in golf and the leader in innovative Tour-proven golf grip technology, congratulates Brand Ambassadors Jackson Koivun, Wyndham Clark, and Patrick Cantlay, who helped the United States team earn a 17 – 13 come-from-behind victory in the biennial Presidents Cup matches.

Koivun – the 21-year-old PGA TOUR rookie and reigning 3M Open champion, who plays with a Zenergy Pistol 1.0 putter grip and 13 SuperStroke Crossline 2.0 Full Cord club grips – helped the U.S. team earn 2.5 points by going undefeated, winning one and halving one Fourball match and winning his crucial Singles match 2-UP on the final day of competition.

Clark – the reigning U.S. Open champion, uses 13 SuperStroke REVL Player Cord club grips on his clubs and a SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0 17” putter grip – earned one point for the U.S. team in the five matches he played, going 1-4-0 despite putting up excellent putting statistics throughout the week.

Cantlay, an eight-time winner on the PGA TOUR who uses a Zenergy Flatso 1.0 putter grip, earned two points for Team USA, including a full point for his 2 & 1 Singles victory.

Clark (+3.2), Koivun (+3.11), and Cantlay (+0.78) were among the week’s leaders in Strokes Gained: Putting.

The United States team’s come-from-behind win marks the largest final-day comeback to secure the Presidents Cup. It also clinched the Americans’ 11th straight trophy with their overall record improving to 14-1-1 across 16 editions of the biennial matches.

SuperStroke Brand Ambassador Sungjae Im played admirably in five matches for the International Team, going 2-2-1 while using a Zenergy 1.0PT putter grip. Im won his Singles match convincingly, closing out his opponent on the 17th hole by a 3 & 1 margin.

In all, 16 out of 24 Presidents Cup participants were using SuperStroke’s putter grips and seven of the top 10 performers in Strokes Gained: Putting category were using SuperStroke putter grips. Koivun and Clark had SuperStroke grips on every club in their bags.

“SuperStroke congratulates the U.S. Team, including brand ambassadors Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark, and Jackson Koivun, on a thrilling Presidents Cup victory,” said SuperStroke Vice President of Marketing Ryan Harris. “Seeing Jackson go undefeated in his first Presidents Cup was electrifying while exceptional play by Patrick and International Team member Sungjae Im – and 16 of the 24 players using SuperStroke Zenergy putter grips in the competition – was incredible.”

Hundreds of top professional golfers trust SuperStroke grips. In 2025, SuperStroke users won 66 tournaments on golf’s major tours, including 25 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, for a total of more than $68 million in first-place prize money in those events.

SuperStroke’s putter grip line is a product of relentless innovation, fueled by feedback from more than 600 tour pros. From signature shapes and sizes to cutting-edge materials, SuperStroke delivers unprecedented features into every putter grip while connecting golfer and putter like no other product on the market.     

For more details on SuperStroke’s range of innovative golf grips and to keep up with the latest news from the company, visit https://superstrokeusa.com.     

California Bans Tee-Time Brokers From Reselling Municipal Golf Course Reservations

California is taking aim at a practice that has frustrated golfers trying to get tee times at some of the state's busiest municipal golf courses.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation prohibiting third-party brokers from advertising, selling or transferring tee-time reservations at publicly owned golf courses without written permission from the course operator.

The new law comes after a controversy in Los Angeles involving brokers who were accused of using online booking systems to secure desirable tee times and then reselling those reservations to golfers at significantly higher prices.

According to the Los Angeles Times, some brokers were charging as much as $40 in booking fees for tee times at Los Angeles municipal courses. The practice became particularly controversial because golfers already faced difficulty getting reservations through the normal booking system.

How the tee-time scheme worked

The issue became widely known in 2024 after golf influencer Dave Fink brought attention to what was happening at Los Angeles-area municipal courses.

Brokers were allegedly using online systems to grab tee times as soon as they became available. Those reservations were then advertised on social media and other platforms, including the Korean messaging app KakaoTalk, with customers paying additional fees to obtain the coveted times.

Following Fink's reporting and videos, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks announced an investigation into the practice.

The controversy wasn't simply about golfers paying a little extra for convenience. The concern was that people who wanted to play their local public courses were competing against third parties that were securing tee times for the purpose of resale.

And this isn't a small issue in terms of the number of courses potentially affected. California has more than 200 municipally owned golf courses, according to Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward, who authored the legislation.

California's new law targets the resale

Under the new legislation, third-party brokers cannot advertise, sell or transfer reservations at publicly owned golf courses unless they have written consent from the course operator.

Ward said public golf courses are intended to serve the communities that support them and argued that residents shouldn't have to compete with brokers purchasing tee times and reselling them at inflated prices.

The legislation represents a significant response to the debate over how public golf courses should manage increasingly limited tee-time inventory.

For golfers, the issue is bigger than California. Online tee-time booking has become an increasingly important part of the public-golf experience, and the ability to quickly secure popular times can have a major impact on who gets to play and how much they pay.

What about the brokers?

The controversy also has a legal history beyond the tee-time issue.

The Los Angeles Times reported that two tee-time brokers were arrested and charged in 2025 with failing to report $1 million in income to the IRS. One of those brokers, Ted Kim, defended his actions at the time, saying he was simply booking tee times for himself and did not believe he was doing anything illegal.

The new California legislation specifically addresses the resale of municipal-course reservations rather than simply making the act of booking a tee time through an online system illegal.

That distinction matters. The law is aimed at preventing third parties from turning public-course tee times into a resale business without authorization from the course operator.

Why this matters for public golf

Municipal golf courses are designed to provide public access to the game, and tee-time availability can be especially important for local golfers who don't have access to private clubs.

When desirable tee times disappear almost immediately after becoming available, golfers can understandably question whether they're competing against other players or against automated systems and commercial brokers.

California's new law doesn't eliminate the basic problem of limited tee times. Popular municipal courses can still be difficult to book, particularly during weekends and peak playing periods.

What it does is establish a clear restriction on one particular practice: buying or securing public-course tee times and then reselling them without the course operator's written permission.

How this affects you

If you play municipal golf in California, the new law could make it easier to understand who is legitimately selling or transferring tee times and who isn't. It does not guarantee that you'll suddenly have an easier time getting a Saturday morning tee time, but it does prohibit unauthorized third-party resale of reservations at publicly owned courses. For golfers outside California, the bigger question is whether other states or municipalities will consider similar rules as tee-time demand and online booking technology continue to evolve.

Golf Bunker Rake Rule: Should the Rake Go Inside or Outside the Bunker?

If you’ve ever played golf with someone who insists that a bunker rake must be left outside the bunker, there’s a good chance this debate has come up.

But what does the USGA actually say?

The answer might surprise you: There is no Rule of Golf requiring bunker rakes to be placed either inside or outside the bunker.

However, the USGA does have a recommendation.

The USGA recommends putting the rake outside

According to the USGA, bunker rakes should generally be placed outside the bunker and away from areas where they could interfere with play.

That's a recommendation, though, not a Rule of Golf.

So if your home course keeps its rakes inside the bunkers, that's perfectly permissible. The course's Committee can establish its preferred rake-placement policy.

Why does the USGA prefer rakes outside?

There are a couple of reasons.

One is that a rake sitting inside a bunker can create a potentially difficult situation if a golf ball comes to rest against it.

Under the Rules, a rake is a movable obstruction. If you move the rake and your ball moves, you generally have to replace the ball. But if the ball won't stay in its original position because of the slope of the bunker, things can get considerably more complicated.

There's another consideration: where golfers leave the rake inside the bunker.

Players will often leave it along the edge of the bunker, where it can potentially stop or deflect a ball and leave the next player with a difficult lie.

The USGA has specifically noted that keeping rakes outside the bunker can reduce those potential problems.

But there isn't a universal answer

This is the part that gets lost in the debate.

The USGA acknowledges that there isn't a perfect answer.

A rake outside the bunker can potentially deflect a ball into the bunker. A rake inside the bunker can affect a ball that lands in the sand.

Maintenance also matters. Some courses prefer rakes inside bunkers because it makes mowing around the bunker easier, while other courses prioritize keeping them outside and out of play.

So the best rule for golfers is pretty simple:

Follow the course's preferred rake placement.

If the course doesn't specify where the rakes should go, the USGA's recommendation is to put them outside the bunker, in a location where they are least likely to affect play and are still accessible to other golfers.

So, inside or outside?

USGA recommendation: Outside.

USGA Rule requirement: Neither.

The Committee at the golf course gets to decide.

And now I'm curious: Where do you think bunker rakes should go?

Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Private Summit Rock Clubhouse Recognized in Golf Inc.’s “Clubhouse of the Year” Honors

Sweeping Hill Country views, timeless architecture and thoughtful design shine as the private clubhouse is lauded for naturally inspired touches.

(HORSESHOE BAY, TX) – Horseshoe Bay Resort, part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitudes collection, is proud to announce its Summit Rock Clubhouse, the luxurious and thoughtfully designed gathering space for the private 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Summit Rock course, was awarded second place in Golf Inc. Magazine’s Clubhouse of the Year competition.

Set atop a majestic elevation of rocky Texas Hill Country, the Summit Rock Clubhouse was inspired by the local architecture, specifically the historic German farmhouses endemic to the region. The design has created a focal point that feels both timeless and contemporary, establishing a strong visual identity for the Summit Rock members while remaining authentically rooted to the iconic surrounding Hill Country.

“It’s a tremendous honor to have the Summit Rock Clubhouse awarded in Golf Inc.’s Clubhouse of the Year competition,” says Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Managing Director Randy Zupanski. “Our ownership, Summit Rock members, and staff feel a great sense of pride each time they enter this incredible gathering venue. The elevated, luxury design touches are awe-inspiring yet still provide a warmth and sense of home while taking great advantage of light and the expansive views of the Summit Rock course and miles and miles of amazing Hill Country panoramas.”

An artful collaboration between clubhouse architects Three Architecture, interior design firm Murphy Cramer Design, and construction contractors Jacob White Construction, the clubhouse conveys the sophistication expected of a premier private club while avoiding excessive ornamentation. The architecture relies on proportion, material authenticity and careful detailing to create a sense of permanence, warmth and understated luxury.

The Summit Rock Clubhouse’s public spaces were positioned to maximize views and natural light, while service and support functions were integrated discreetly. The resulting design minimizes unnecessary circulation, supports efficient building operations and creates a clear organizational structure for members and staff.

“The ideal golf clubhouse — as an idea — has a particularly tricky needle to thread: It needs to be enticing and alluring enough to draw people in but not overshadow the golf course itself,” the Golf Inc. editors said in the announcement of the 2026 Clubhouse of the Year winners. “The winners of our 2026 Clubhouse of the Year competition achieved that ideal in spades, while still delivering world-class facilities that would make the Hulk green with envy. The overwhelming sentiment from this year’s slate of winners was the idea that a clubhouse should be welcoming and inviting. The design ethos writ large was to encourage members and guests to linger and enjoy the atmosphere, furnishings and amenities. In a sense, the clubhouse should be somewhere you want to spend the time just as much as your own home.”

Golf Inc. editors went on to say the clubhouses showcased in the Clubhouse of the Year Awards excel at complementing the natural golfing environment, providing socially centric spaces, displaying aesthetic and functional excellence and importantly, solving operational and revenue-generating realities necessary for long-term financial feasibility.

“The vision for the Summit Rock Clubhouse was to create a gathering place that was deeply connected to the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and to celebrate the region’s rich Texas German heritage. Drawing inspiration from the warmth, craftsmanship, and timeless character of Hill Country German farmhouses, the design interprets these influences through a contemporary lens,” said Geoffrey Cramer, AIA/Partner of Murphy Cramer Design. “With carefully framed views of the course beyond, the interiors feature a thoughtful palette of natural materials, handcrafted details, refined textures, and a curated mix of furniture and artwork that create an authentic, welcoming environment that feels uniquely connected to its surroundings.”

One of the finest and most highly ranked golf courses in Texas, Summit Rock is the private, members-only golf course at Horseshoe Bay Resort. A Jack Nicklaus Signature design, Summit Rock opened in the fall of 2012. The 7,246 yard, par-72 layout covers stretches 200 spectacular acres. The course showcases the natural Texas terrain in both a lower expanse of pastureland framed by mature Texas live oaks and a majestically elevated and rugged section that showcases sweeping views of Lake LBJ and the surrounding Hill Country. An expansive practice facility complements one of the most exquisitely manicured courses in the state. The course features 007 Creeping Bentgrass on the greens, 419 Bermudagrass on the fairways and tees, with Buffalograss accents used in the naturalized roughs.  

Visit www.hsbresort.com for more information.