Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Wade Hampton Golf Club
Cashiers, NC • Private
Overview
Built during the period when Tom Fazio was still working with the existing landscape rather than bulldozing it, Wade Hampton is an exercise in restraint. The fairways flow through a natural valley between flanking mountain peaks. Some holes are guarded by gurgling brooks, but Fazio piped several streams underground to make the course more playable and walkable. Selected as Golf Digest’s Best New Private Course of 1987, it has never been out of the top 40 since it joined America’s 100 Greatest.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1991.
2025-'26 ranking: 27th.
Previous ranking: 32nd.
Highest ranking: 15th, 2007-2008.
Best in State: Ranked 1st in North Carolina since 2011-2022. Current: First.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Very good golf course in a beautiful setting. The scenery is elite being in the mountains. The Par 3s standout as the better golf holes. High level conditions, but wish the golf ball moved around more on the ground (more like links golf)."
Read More2025
Review
“The prettiest golf course I have ever played, plain and simple. These greens are absolutely fabulous and there were so many distinct golf holes through out the property. That said, the course from the Fazio / McKee tees provide a phenomenal challenge highlighted by their amazing par 3's, which may be some of the best par 3's I have ever played. The 241 yard third hole and 17, one of the signature holes in my opinion, are wonderfully designed using the land contours and aesthetics to provide a fun experience for all golfers. This is a must play!"
Read More2025
Review
“Play here at all costs. You will not be disappoointed."
Read More2025
Review
“Really a wonderful experience, from the time you pull in until the time you leave. The course never lets up, presenting one great hole after another. Beauty personified in a golf course."
Read More2025
Review
“I don't give 5 stars often, but this is one of the best. From the golf course to the experience, Wade Hampton gets the details right. Beautiful setting, strategic design that requires you to engage on every shot, and an attentive staff. Stay below the hole!"
Read More2025
Review
“Probably Tom Fazio's finest course in a beautiful mountain setting. The course was in all its glory with the fall colors popping. The course is not just a pretty face with numerous shot options and tremendous variety throughout. Conditions were excellent with greens that were very fast but rolling true. The staff was very accommodating. Do not hesitate to accept an invitation to play here."
Read More2024
Review
“A mountain course without the weird bounces and vagaries of those courses that many people don't care for. Fazio managed to route a challenging but fair course through the elevation changes."
Read More2024
Review
“Magnificent setting and stellar layout. Perfect greens. A real privilege to play"
Read More2023
Review
“An ultra private mountain course that looked like a post card in the Fall. Lots of good holes."
Read More2023
Review
“A spectacular mountain course recently renovated by Fazio. The bent grass conditions were outstanding, It should be on a golf purest Bucket List,. The views all around very spectacular."
Read More2023
