Destination: Maggie Valley, NC
By Herschel Nathanial

Maggie Valley: 117 Golf Holes and One Great Experience

The world of a golf writer is not always a round of birdies. To be sure, I have stayed and played at many of the great golf venues in the country and have enjoyed every bogey of it. However, there is another side of golf storytelling that does not hit the pages of your friendly golf magazine or newspaper.. I have walked with architects through muck, mire and mosquito farms as they have pointed out the vision that they have for the land beneath our feet. I have jumped into too many golf carts without proper attire and have had to wrap myself into a 200 pound ball to keep warm while an owner showed me both nines. At a golf course opening, it rained hard and long and the only thing that kept us going was the dry wit of a member of our foursome. I teed it up in on a beautiful new course in Arizona just as sleet came at us sideways and covered us like a frosty popsicle, while knowing that in Michigan, it was a balmy 67 degrees.

Maggie Valley was none of the above.

In fact, it is one trip I still think fondly of, even though it was six years ago. We were in town for three days and were able to play and visit many of the 117 holes that are available to the golfing public. While the golf was good to excellent, (Maggie Valley was rated "One of America's Best" by Golfweek) the thing that really stands out in my mind is basically the experience of mountain golf.

In Michigan we talk about our up north golf and the natural beauty that surrounds the player. In Maggie Valley the golfers eye is drawn to the next hole and then the Smokey Mountains beyond, around and above it.. Maggie Valley, North Carolina is not a glitzy place, but more like a step back in time, more of an Otsego Club feel to it. There are wonderful places to hike, there is a running trail that takes you around the lake, and you can bike it as well. The people are friendly and extremely hospitable. There is a quietness to the area and you never feel rushed.

As I said, the life of a golf writer can be very good.

For further info contact the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce at http://www.maggievalley.org. MG