Presented by the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, the North Carolina edition of PubLinks Golfer Magazine and North Carolina Golf Trail.

All The Ingredients For A Perfect Golf Destination

When it comes to golf destinations, the state of North Carolina ranks among the most recognized in the world. With widely recognized areas as Pinehurst and the surrounding Sandhills, Brunswick County just north of the Grand Strand, and the scenic Blue Ridge mountains, the Tar Heel State can hold its own in any braggin' rights debate on the quality of its links. But North Carolina's ace-in-the hole in any such discussion is the quality of golf in and around its metropolitan areas. Chief among those is the Capital City of Raleigh.

The recipe for any great golf destination must, of course, include the main ingredient -- quality golf courses. Over the past 15 years, Raleigh has witnessed an explosion in quality golf courses. But like all recipes, it's the extra spices and special seasonings that really boost the flavor. For golf destinations that means the abundance and availability of things to do while the clubs are in the trunk. And they must be combined in such a way as to all be easily accessible. It is the combination of all these ingredients that makes Raleigh a tasty place to play.

The Main Ingredient

No discussion of golf in and around Raleigh can be carried out without mentioning the rich golfing heritage of the area. Over the years, every major professional golf tour has held events in the Capital City area.

During the 1960's the LPGA held its American Defender tournament at Raleigh C.C. In the past 15 years Raleigh area courses have been regular stops for the Senior PGA Tour (Prestonwood C.C. in Cary), Nike/Buy.com Tour (Prestonwood, Raleigh, TPC at Wakefield Plantation), and Hooters Tour (Wildwood Green, Prestonwood). In addition a host of minor tour events are held annually at area facilities, and LPGA and Senior Tour-affiliated pro-ams have been held at Governors Club and North Ridge, respectively.

Private club golf has always been found in high quality around Raleigh. Noteworthy among them is Raleigh Country Club, the last course to be designed and built by the legendary Donald Ross. The great designer's touches can be seen all over the course, and golfers who have a penchant for the history of the game owe it to themselves to find their way on to this course. New private facilities carrying recognizable design names such as Nicklaus (Governors Club in Chapel Hill), Palmer (Brier Creek) and Irwin (TPC Wakefield Plantation) continue the tradition of top-caliber private facilities around the Raleigh area. But until the mid 1980¹s the public golfer was relegated mainly to courses that by today's standards would be considered less than desirable.

The opening of Cary's Lochmere Golf Club began to change all of that. Coinciding with the onset of the golf boom, the area began an economic explosion led by the rapid growth of the Research Triangle Park. The demand for high-quality daily fee golf burgeoned. That demand has been met with the opening of nearly one new high quality semi-private or daily fee golf course per year over the past dozen years. As a result of the increased competition, combined with new technologies and increased demand, many of the older facilities have had to renovate their courses and update their facilities. The Raleigh area now boasts more than 20 daily fee or semi-private golf courses. While the private clubs have monopolized the big names, the new breed of daily fee courses have made Raleigh an unofficial home for the up and comers.

The Neuse Golf Club in Clayton opened quickly on the heels of its sister course, Devils Ridge Golf Club in Holly Springs (now private) approximately ten years ago. Both courses were the work of John LaFoy, a relatively quiet South Carolina designer by reputation, who possessed a creativity that made these two clubs instant successes. Both courses, along with Lochmere, are now under the Club Corporation of America (CCA) umbrella.

Developer Fred Smith has also opened two courses by local architect David Postlethwait -- Hedingham Golf Club, in Raleigh, and Riverwood Golf Club in Clayton. Riverwood, the best of the two, is a 27-hole facility with plenty of elevation changes and interesting holes. River Ridge, designed by Chuck Smith, opened near Garner in 1997. Playing over beautifully rolling terrain typical of the Raleigh area, River Ridge, like Riverwood and The Neuse, plays directly along the banks of the Neuse River. Another Smith course, Crooked Creek, is located just outside of Fuquay-Varina. With two very distinct nines, Crooked Creek is often said to have the best greens in the area. Like Crooked Creek, Ron Garl-designed The Crossings at Grove Park, on Highway 98 on the edge of nearby Durham, also boasts two distinctly different nines. The Florida-based architect's accomplishment here deserves extra attention. His rescue of work done by a previous architect turned a wetlands nightmare into a challenging, but playable, front nine while the back nine (mostly his own work) plays as well as any in the area.

Just a couple of miles up Highway 98 lies Falls Village Golf Club, a masterpiece of Lee Trevino protegee Bill Daniels. An example of old-fashioned what-you-see-is-what-you-get architecture, Falls Village has become a favorite among area golfers. Two of the most recent courses to open in the Raleigh area are have continued to raise the quality bar. Eagle Ridge Golf Club, just off Old Stage Road in Garner, is a collaboration of PGA Tour veteran Tom Kite and golf course architect Bob Cupp, widely recognized as one of the most creative thinkers in golf course architecture. It has quickly become a "must play" if you are visiting Raleigh.

Another required course is the recently-opened Heritage Golf Club in Wake Forest. Architect Bob Moore, a native North Carolinian, has designed courses along the West Coast and in Japan. Once North Carolina golfers play the Heritage Club, they will be thankful for his return to the Tar Heel State. A laid-back, but scenic front nine quickly transforms itself into a back nine that ranks among the best nine holes of golf anywhere in the area.

Golfers here are anxiously awaiting the opening of yet another new course to the area. Situated on the banks of Jordan Lake, the Davis Love-designed course, The Preserve.

Along with the new, much of the old has something to offer golfers in Raleigh. It is difficult to conceive of visiting the area, without taking advantage of an opportunity to play the world's longest par-5. The opening hole at Wake Forest Golf Club, which stretches to just shy of 700 yards, holds that distinction.

For golfers who are just learning the game or want to get out on the golf course without the benefit of a tee time, Raleigh's old guard still has plenty to offer. Wil-Mar Golf Club, Raleigh Golf Association, Wendell Country Club, Cheviot Hills, and Eagle Crest are typical of the older public courses that have worked diligently over the years to provide high-quality, affordable golf for the average player. Eagle Crest, a family-owned and operated converted dairy farm, was recently highlighted in Golf Business magazine for its family atmosphere and commitment to the game of golf.

A Lot Of Extra Flavor

The variety and high quality of Raleigh¹s golf offerings now rank among the most respected of any metropolitan area. But if high-caliber golf is the main ingredient in a great golf destination, it¹s the non-golf offerings that add the right amount of spice. And Raleigh has just the right amount of ingredients to provide plenty of Southern flavor. "There's hardly a year that goes by without some national publication or organization recognizing Raleigh as being one of the best places to live or work in the country," said Martin Armes of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Raleigh has so much to offer, whether you are living here, or just here to visit. "

The area abounds with rich history, an outstanding cultural and entertainment scene, marvelous museums, championship caliber sports teams, great shopping and a host of dining offerings that would make many areas jealous. Founded in 1792 as the capital city of North Carolina, a state rich in history, Raleigh¹s atmosphere remains one rich in respect for its Southern heritage as well as that of the state and country. Greater Raleigh is home to more than 20 free family-friendly attractions, including the N.C. State Capitol, built in 1841, the Victorian-era N.C. Executive Mansion and Pullen Park, which features a 1911 antique carousel.

The fearsome Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. The unique treasures at Exploris, an interactive museum about the world, and its IMAX Theatre, an internationally recognized art museum and the Sports Hall of Fame at the N.C. Museum of History.

These are just a few reasons why Greater Raleigh is becoming known as the "Smithsonian of the South." But as aware as it is of the past, Raleigh is also a city which looks forward. Over the last three years, Raleigh has seen the openings of the IMAX Theatre at Exploris, Amphitheatre at Regency Park in Cary, BTI Center for the Performing Arts , North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and Exploris museum.

For sports fans, the 21,000-seat multi-purpose RBC Center is home to the National Hockey League¹s Carolina Hurricanes, 2002 Stanley Cup Finalists, and the N. C. State Wolfpack basketball program. Within a half hour¹s drive, baseball fans can catch a glimpse of the AAA Durham Bulls or the AA Carolina Mudcats. For soccer fans, the area is home of Carolina Courage, 2002 Champions of the WUSA Soccer League.

If one thing is true of golfers, it¹s that they love their food as much as their golf. Nothing tops off a great round better than a great restaurant and Raleigh boasts a truly enviable variety of dining experiences that have become increasing global in nature with the tremendous influx of cultures into the Research Triangle area. Raleigh¹s City Market and Warehouse District are home to many of these outstanding restaurants, though you can satisfy any appetite anywhere in the city. From bistros to brewpubs to restaurants that cover the globe, the area offers great restaurants and authentic atmosphere. But Southern fare lovers need not worry. There's still plenty of country ham biscuits, North Carolina barbecue and hush puppies around every corner, and one strategically placed Krispy Kreme doughnut shop.

After dinner, the cultural and entertainment options are plentiful. See a top-notch performance by the North Carolina Symphony or Carolina Ballet. Rarely does a night pass without Broadway musical, theatrical production,opera other other offering at the spectacular new BTI Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

From early spring until well into the fall, the ALLTEL Pavilion at Walnut Creek regularly hosts concerts by national recording acts. Nightlife lovers can enjoy music and dancing of every sort, from smoothest piano lounges to uproarious comedy clubs to the loudest sports bars to the hottest dance clubs. You can even sample another regional specialty, Carolinas Beach music and shagging (that's a dance, for anyone that ain't from around here) at Loafers or Red's Beach Club.

Finally, Raleigh¹s founding fathers didn¹t dub this the City of Oaks for nothing. The lush green canopy that earned Raleigh that moniker over 210 years ago, has been steadfastly preserved and remains a part of the city's identity. Taking advantage of the natural beauty of the area, Raleigh boasts more than 4,300 acres of parkland and almost 1,400 acres of water, offering recreational activities year round. A nationally acclaimed greenway system spans 41 miles, providing walking, jogging and hiking trails that connect many of the city's 150 major parks.

In a state where great golf destinations are the norm, Raleigh probably isn¹t the first location that comes to mind. Yet when you look at all the ingredients of the perfect golf getaway, the Capital City area's combination of outstanding golf, weather suitable for play virtually year-round, fabulous dining and entertainment options, and an easily accessible location make it a tempting concoction.

For more information about Raleigh as a destination, contact the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-849-8499 or visit on-line at www.visitraleigh.com