Western North Carolina

Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville sits at the meeting point of the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers. Donald Ross chose the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina as the setting for many of the golf courses in his prolific career. It's no wonder, with the dramatically rugged and richly colored landscape and a temperate climate that allows for play 10 months out of the year. With such an ideal golfing environment, Ross was not the only famous name to see the area's potential. Arnold Palmer designed the golf course at the Carolina Club, which climbs across elevation changes of over 100 feet.

The Blue Ridge Trail, part of the Great Smoky Mountain Golf Trail, plays right through the central mountains area of Asheville. The golf courses on the trail play across incredible landscapes that you won't find anywhere else in the U.S. One excellent example is Beacon Ridge Golf & Country Club, which sits just minutes from the Village of Pinehurst. It is not as well known but favored by locals for its challenging but playable layout, incorporated seamlessly into the scenic Sandhills. It is home to the largest lake in Moore County.

Besides golf, this area of western North Carolina has been recognized as not only one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. but also one of the country's best places to live. Ever since the late 19th century, Asheville has been a popular destination for people from all walks of life to both live and visit. John Vanderbilt even chose it as the site for his 250-room Biltmore House, the largest home in the country.

The city has become a bustling hub for artists and entrepreneurs and it is also home to an impressively diverse and continually burgeoning culinary scene. From taking advantage of the wealth of opportunities for whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and hiking provided by the Appalachians, to enjoying downtown Asheville's Art Deco architecture, the city offers something for everyone.