A Must Play in Raleigh?

[verse214]

Hi All,

So i'm heading down to Raleigh NC for business next week and was wondering if anyone had a must play course in that area (that rents out clubs as well). I'm excited as I have never played outside of NYS.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[wachesawgolfer]

outside NYS?

[Q.Q.Quillume]

outside NYS?

New York State?

[verse214]

yeah.. sorry.. new york state..

any suggestions?

[Q.Q.Quillume]

I'm not exactly well versed in Raleigh area courses - but -since nobody else has replied I figure a not too good answer is better than none at all.

I think the Duke University course is reputed to be outstanding. That's just a few miles from Raleigh.

And the UNC (Finley) course in Chapel Hill (Fazio design) is also reputed to be outstanding. Roughly 29 miles from Raleigh (at least it's reputed to be 29 miles from NCSU Bell Tower to UNC Bell Tower.)

I haven't played either course in several years, so I can't tell you for sure how good they are, but they are the only courses anywhere near Raleigh I have any degree of familiarity with.

And, of course, I have no idea in the world whether they have rental clubs. Maybe the respective websites (links above) give that info.

[tjy355]

Mike Stranz's most excellent Tobacco Road is less than an hour south.

Pinehurst, a little farther.

[wachesawgolfer]

Mike Stranz's most excellent Tobacco Road is less than an hour south.

That's right, Pinehurst is less than two hours from Raleigh directly south, an easy one day excursion. For that matter, Myrtle Beach is 3.5 hours away. Take 40 east to Wilmington and drive down US 17 south to Brunswick County, NC and you have lots of courses like the big cats group in NC without even going into SC.

[omnimax]

Unfortunately, you'll be in Raleigh a little too soon to play the new course at NC State. It is supposed to be opening March/April 2009. If you have a return trip be sure and check it out.

http://www.lonniepoolegolfcourse.com/default.asp

[JasonInRaleigh]

River Ridge, River Wood, Eagle Ridge are favorites of mine.  If it's after dark there is a fun Par 3 with 27holes in Apex (20 mins SW) called Knight's Play.