The
Blue Ridge Mountains are a gathering spot each summer for residents of the
Southeast and East Coast who are looking for cooler days, mountain air and
pristine rivers or lakes. Asheville is the capital of this terrain, located in
the southwestern corner of North Carolina. The City has received a lot of
attention as of late and is always on the top 10 list of cities to live in. The
historic Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is a great place to stay when visiting
the area. The Resort sits high on a hill overlooking the entire Asheville area.
At 2,100 feet above sea level, Asheville is very comfortable in the summer with
temperatures rarely above the low 80s.The Grove Park Inn features a classic
Donald Ross 18-hole layout, which was a great test in perfect condition.
The Golf
The
Grove Park Inn course was opened in 1899 and redesigned by Ross in 1924. The
layout is so good that very few changes have been needed. The course sits below
the hotel with most holes in view of guest rooms. I would consider this one of
the best hillside courses I have ever played. Although there is great elevation
change, it does not hinder play. This is a design feature which the old classic
architects used, which has sadly been lost on many present day course
designers. Hole No. 13 is a good example of this. At
370 yards on the card, it plays 30 yards longer due to the uphill tee shot and
approach. A good drive will leave the player on a plateau with a level lie for
his elevated approach. The approach must carry some yawning bunkers and avoid
the lateral hazard to the right. The 17th hole can be played from
190 yards and shoots toward the hotel. Your companion could watch to see your
par or birdie from their luxurious room. The course can stretch out to 6,700
yards and a par 70 from the tips, but there are multiple tee options for all
levels of player. The course was in excellent shape.
The
Grove Park Inn course is ranked as the eighth-best course in North Carolina,
which is very impressive considering that the state is home to the Pinehurst
area. Through the years, many of golf’s greats have played here. Remember Harry
Vardon and Ted Ray from the hit movie “The Greatest
Game Ever Played”? They made summer stops here to play exhibition matches. From
1933-1951 the PGA Tour made an annual stop here. Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino
and Gary Player have all played in competition or held exhibitions at the
course.
The Resort
The
Grove Park Inn was opened in 1913 at which time famed politician William
Jennings Bryan rightly said it was “built for the ages.” The massive stone and
wood structure must be seen to be believed. The Resort had been continually
upgraded and offers all the amenities one would expect from a luxury property.
The Great Hall serves as the lobby and restaurant area. We dined at the Sunset
Terrace, which offers outdoor seating with 180 degree views of the Blue Ridge
Mountains and the Ashville area. The food and service were both great.
The
hotel has a large sports complex for guests as well. It features three indoor
and three outdoor tennis courts. Racquetball is available and the complex
features a large state of the art fitness center.
The
Grove Park Inn spa has been ranked among the top 10 luxury resort spas in the U.S.
The spa is located on the lower level and has been built into the rock
foundation. It has recently been renovated, including beautiful natural
cavern-like pools. Most hotel rooms offer great views. For more information,
visit www.groveparkinn.com.
Asheville
There
is much to do and see in the Asheville area. I took a quick tour of the famous
Biltmore Estate, but would suggest you set aside several hours. Biltmore Estate
was built by the Vanderbilt family over 100 years ago and encompasses 8,000
acres. The Biltmore House is America’s largest house, boasting 250 rooms, 65
fireplaces, an indoor pool, bowling alley, priceless art and antiques. For
further information, visit www.biltmore.com.
Asheville
features a thriving arts community as well as a charming and historic downtown
area. Asheville’s downtown
is located only five minutes from The Grove Park Inn. With its colorful sights
and historic buildings, the city features more Art Deco architecture than any
other Southeastern city outside Miami Beach. The downtown is best explored on
foot with its streets lined with an inviting collection of restaurants,
bookstores and shops.