Elk River Club Golf Tour

     Once you exit the tunnels beneath the airstrip and enter the secured environment that defines the Elk River Club, be prepared for an unparalleled experience. Original developers Harry and Spencer Robbins envisioned "one of the great clubs in America" when they introduced Jack Nicklaus to the regional media as the "course designer elect" in 1982. The 2,100 acre property was nothing less than a scenic wonder, and the Robbins brothers, in concert with Golden Bear, Inc., would spare no expense in getting the most from this natural resource. "There are already some great clubs in this area," reasoned Harry Robbins back in 1982, "but we feel the Elk River Club facilities place it in a different category altogether, and we intend to build the finest possible."
     Fifteen years later, you can judge for yourself if the Robbins' lofty prophecy has come to pass. In that span of years the private, low density residential community has matured, the Nicklaus designed championship golf course being its center. And while all of Elk River's facilities, from it's unsurpassed Equestrian Center, to the swimming, tennis and Clubhouse offerings that are second to none, it remains the people, the membership and staff of Elk River, that best define the character of the Club.
     Since it opened in 1985, the beautiful Elk River Club golf course in Banner Elk has been highly acclaimed as one of North Carolina's finest.
     Many avid golfers believe the course signaled a turn-around in designer Jack Nicklaus' golf philosophy. Previously, the Golden Bear was accused of designing courses that were too difficult for the average player. "He designs courses that only he can play," was an often-heard rap.
     That isn't the case at Elk River, a four-tee course that offers golfers as much of a challenge as they like.
     "Elk River is imminently fair", offered Harry Nicholas of Charlotte, a veteran senior amateur. "I like it very much because, like all good courses, it rewards good shots and has no hidden pitfalls. There are no gimmicks here.....what you see is what you get."
     The course, which measures 6,942 yards from the championship tees, plays to par 72. From the back, the course has a 72.8 rating and a slope of 131.
     "I think participants in this year's North Carolina Open Championship will like what they find here," said Tournament Chairman, John Brabson. "The course is in excellent condition, as always, and the greens will putt fast but true. The winner might be the player with a magic touch on the greens."
     At Elk River Club, Nicklaus took advantage of the magnificent physical features of the land, creating a course that blends with nature. The swift-flowing Elk River comes into play on holes one, six, nine, sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen, lending natural beauty to the mountain layout.
     Speaking of mountains, only three holes can be described as "hilly" in this unique Blue Ridge Mountain setting. The par-three 12th hole and the par-four 13th climb the hill- side and the par-four 14th comes back to less severe terrain.
     The Elk River course, in reality, is two separate courses due to the vast difference in the two nine-hole layouts.
     The front nine is open, with mounds and gently rolling terrain. The first nine holes are reminiscent of links courses in Scotland or Ireland, with high grass bordering the fairways. Though the side is described as "open," trees are plentiful, while shrubbery and ponds catch errant shots.
     The backside is completely different. Each hole has tree-lined fairways, while three holes are described as "hilly." The 15th, a spectacular par-three that has become Elk River's signature hole, begins a rugged finishing stretch that ranks with the best. Parring in on 15, 16, 17, and 18 is not an easy task.
     Open competitors will find Elk River an inviting challenge. Gambling with a wood or long iron over water, players can reach some par-fives in two shots; the four par-threes are of varying length at 201, 173, 165 and 172, but tee and pin placements can make all four holes more difficult; the par-fours range from a short 319 yards (number 13) to a long 473 (number one) and 469 (number 14). But there's room to drive the ball, and that's a definite plus.
     Nicklaus is especially proud of Elk River because of it's beauty and the unique combination of short and long holes.
     "This is a very playable golf course," Nicklaus said in an Elk River promotional video. "The 11th hole is one of my favorites, a short but picturesque par-four. It fits where I can blend a short hole and then follow up later with length. I think the sixth hole is a beautiful par-five, followed by a great little par-four. But there's length, too, an overall good mixture."
     Players who would like to tackle distances less threatening than the championship tees can play from blue tees, offering a 6,181 yard layout, or the white markers at 5,508 yards. The red tees measure 4,961 yards.

Harry and Spencer Robbins-- Golf Course Developers
Opened 1982

Phone: 828.898.7979 Email: info@elkvalley.com
Site © 2001 Elk Valley Properties