Ava Romero
Diamond Creek Golf Club is a private golf club in Banner Elk, North Carolina, offering challenging golf courses with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The club was founded in 2003 by John McNeely and Wayne Huizenga, with the former taking the lead in designing the course to be something special—and also different. The result is a golf course that seamlessly integrates with the natural terrain, boasting impeccable playing surfaces and breathtaking views. Diamond Creek is consistently ranked as one of America's greatest golf courses, providing a premier golf destination for enthusiasts seeking a unique and exclusive golfing experience.
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What You'll Learn
- Diamond Creek Golf Club is a private members club
- It is consistently ranked as one of the best golf courses in the US
- The course was founded by John McNeely and Wayne Huizenga
- The course covers a lot of ground, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains
- The holes are challenging, with bentgrass fairways and blinding white sand bunkers
Diamond Creek Golf Club is a private members club
The club is consistently ranked as one of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest. The course, designed by Tom Fazio, is known for its challenging layout, which is delicately integrated into the natural terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The course covers a lot of ground, with each location providing a different view of the surrounding mountains.
The course itself is not an easy walk, measuring 7,175 yards from the back tees. Most members use carts to get around. There are no tee boxes at Diamond Creek, only distance markers. The holes are designed to visually showcase the mountain backdrop, with bentgrass fairways, bluegrass rough, and white sand bunkers. The course is known for its difficulty, with the signature hole being the uphill par four 9th, a three-shotter for most golfers, measuring 515 yards from the back tee.
The clubhouse at Diamond Creek exudes elegance and comfort, with a lived-in feel that resembles a family home. Members also have special privileges at Artisanal, an onsite restaurant open to the public, run by Chef Bill Greene, formerly of Le Cirque in New York City.
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It is consistently ranked as one of the best golf courses in the US
Diamond Creek is a private golf club in Banner Elk, North Carolina, consistently ranked as one of the best golf courses in the US. The course was founded in 2003 by John McNeely and Wayne Huizenga, who aimed to create a golf-focused club with a difference.
The course is known for its challenging layout, which is delicately integrated into the natural terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The course covers a lot of ground, with each location providing a different view of the mountains. The design is a credit to Tom Fazio, who shaped the holes to visually make the most of the mountain backdrop. Fazio believes that the classic tension in golf course design is between playability and difficulty, and Diamond Creek is firmly in the latter category. The course measures 7,175 yards from the back tees, with the signature hole being a brutal 500-yard par four from the back tees, and a tough uphill approach shot.
The course is also known for its impeccable playing surfaces, with bentgrass fairways that are sand-dressed to keep them dry and healthy, and lightning-fast greens with plenty of undulations. The holes run north-south, limiting sun glare, and the course features bentgrass, bluegrass rough, and white sand bunkers. The natural terrain is a key feature, with one million cubic yards of earth moved during construction, and the holes placed to showcase the surrounding hills and mountains.
The clubhouse is elegantly casual, with a lived-in feel, comfortable furniture, and personal photographs. It also features a book-lined lounge with hidden prizes, including 18th-hole flags from Augusta National, signed by Grand Slam winners. The club offers special privileges for members, including access to the onsite restaurant, Artisanal, open to the public, and led by Chef Bill Greene, formerly of Le Cirque in New York City.
Diamond Creek is ranked as one of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest, and in 2023/24, it was ranked as North Carolina's 4th best course and the USA's 77th best course.
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The course was founded by John McNeely and Wayne Huizenga
Diamond Creek, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is a private golf club founded by John McNeely and Wayne Huizenga in 2003. The club boasts a Tom Fazio-designed championship course, consistently ranked among America's 100 greatest golf courses.
Before founding Diamond Creek, McNeely was a golf professional at several prestigious private clubs, including New York's Winged Foot, where he was tutored by the legendary Claude Harmon. With his experience, McNeely knew that he wanted to create something unique when he ventured out on his own. Partnering with Huizenga, the duo set out to build a golf club that stood out from the typical country clubs in the area.
Their vision was to create a golf course that was accessible and focused solely on the game, rather than the real estate aspects often associated with country clubs. The result was Diamond Creek, a club that offers a challenging layout integrated into the natural terrain, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
McNeely and Huizenga's emphasis on golf is evident throughout the course. The course covers a lot of ground, with each hole offering a different perspective of the mountains. The bentgrass fairways are carefully maintained, and the greens are designed to be lightning-fast. The clubhouse, a comfortable and elegant space, is strategically positioned in the middle of the property, providing golfers with a comforting perspective as they look down upon it.
Diamond Creek is a testament to the founders' passion for golf and their desire to create a unique and exceptional golfing experience. Their vision has resulted in a club that stands out among its peers, offering a challenging and visually stunning golf course.
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The course covers a lot of ground, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Diamond Creek Golf Club in Banner Elk, North Carolina, is consistently ranked as one of America's 100 greatest golf courses. The course covers a lot of ground, with each location providing a different view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
From one direction, golfers can see Sugar Mountain, and from another spot, Beech Mountain appears. In the distance are Roan, Big Hump, Little Hump, and Green Mountains. High overhead loom the rock outcroppings known as Four Diamond Ridge, where the creek that gives the club its name flows through the property.
The course was designed by Tom Fazio, who shaped the holes to visually make the most of the mountain backdrop. The course measures 7,175 yards from the back tees, and most members use carts. There are no tee boxes at Diamond Creek, only distance markers. The bentgrass fairways are sand-dressed to remain dry and healthy, and the greens are lightning-fast with many undulations.
The course is challenging, with a mix of tree-lined and open parkland holes that will test a golfer's all-round game. The uphill par-four 9th hole is considered the signature hole, measuring 515 yards from the back tee. The course is private and generally playable only by members and their guests.
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The holes are challenging, with bentgrass fairways and blinding white sand bunkers
Diamond Creek Golf Club in Banner Elk, North Carolina, is a challenging course for even the most seasoned golfer. The course, designed by Tom Fazio, is known for its impeccable conditioning and charming beauty. The holes at Diamond Creek are meticulously crafted to provide a demanding and unique golf experience.
The fairways are covered in bentgrass, which is sand-dressed to maintain optimal dryness and health. This grass extends from tee to green, with bluegrass rough lining the course. The bunkers present an especially striking feature, filled with blinding white sand. The contrast of the white sand against the green grass creates a stunning visual effect that further enhances the golfing experience.
The course, measuring 7,175 yards from the back tees, is not an easy walk, and most members opt to use carts. The holes are strategically designed to showcase the mountain backdrop, with each hole offering a distinct and memorable view. The holes run primarily north-south, reducing sun glare and providing golfers with ever-changing vistas of the surrounding mountains, including Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, and the Green Mountains.
The course is designed to be difficult, and the holes present a variety of challenges. The championship tees, for instance, feature a brutal 500-yard par four, with a steep uphill approach shot. The uphill par-four 9th hole, measuring 515 yards from the back tee, is considered the signature hole and is a three-shotter for most golfers.
The Diamond Creek Golf Club is a private course, playable mainly by members and their guests. The club offers an exclusive and secluded golfing experience, with the course seamlessly integrated into the natural terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Diamond Creek Golf Club is a private club. Visitors and guests may only play if they are hosted by a member.
Diamond Creek Golf Club is located in Banner Elk, North Carolina.
Diamond Creek Golf Club is consistently ranked as one of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest. The course is known for its challenging layout, high-elevation views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and impeccable quality of the playing surfaces.
Diamond Creek Golf Club offers onsite dining options at Artisanal, a restaurant open to the public and run by Chef Bill Greene, formerly of Le Cirque in New York City. Members of the club also have special privileges at the restaurant.
