Wayne Freedman
Woodlake Country Club: Maples Course
Woodlake Country Club: Maples Course
150 Woodlake Blvd
Vass, NC 28394-8363
United States
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Overview
The courses at Pinehurst Resort and in Southern Pines garner most of the hype in the North Carolina Sandhills, but the soils, climate and pines add a unique character to all the golf here. One newly polished, under-the-radar example is the Maples Course at Woodlake Country Club, east of Pinehurst. Pre-pandemic economic trouble forced the club to shutter the course for several years, but in 2021 it embarked on a multi-year revival program of its 1971 Ellis Maples/Ed Seay design (Seay would shortly after go on to become Arnold Palmer’s lead architect). Designer Kris Spence, a Donald Ross specialist, oversaw the reconstruction of the course, slowly nurturing it back to life, honoring the original design while updating the infrastructure and making allowances for modern equipment and agronomical advances. Reopened in 2023, the course plays along and over a chain of lakes and wetlands with expanded fairways and playing corridors and a new 18th hole that runs the opposite direction of the old.
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Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
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Reviews
Review
“Lots of lakes and ponds, with some areas of up and down terrain with open areas with tall pine trees."
Read More2026
Review
“In a region filled with renowned golf courses, Woodlake Country Club might not blip the radar. That would be a shame for golfers seeking a Sandhills golf experience just half an hour north of Pinehurst, in Vass. This restoration of an Ed Seay/Ellis Maples design by Kris Spence threads through water, wetlands, and a rolling, natural landscape. In places, it reminds one of Pine Needles in nearby Southern Pines. The 450-521 yard, par-5, 8th, is a perfect example. Typical of Ellis Maples, this dogleg right plays from one high ground to another, with two steep uphill shots into the green. The setting is so quiet that you may hear the woods sigh when your approach lands short. Every hole feels natural. Most make perfect sense from the tee. For first-timers, the one exception would be the par-5, the 457-556 yard 2nd. This dogleg left has three sections, each separated by water. The tee shot requires a forced carry to an island landing area with bunkers on the left side. They are misleading. Maples used bunkers for framing and direction, but rarely to dictate strategy. To that end, players who challenge those bunkers will find themselves wet after a perfectly executed shot. As of June, 2026, the course's 12-hundred acre lake was still being brought back to life following Hurricane Matthew in 2016. That work does not get in the way of play. Conditioning was good. For 2026, expect to find a new course, growing in well. Fairways ran hard and fast, aided by a late spring drought. The Tiff Bermuda greens are large and forgiving. They held shots and rolled true. They're in excellent shape. The bunkers are soft, filled and fluffy. In summary, Woodlake Country Club is a good course with an Ellis Maples pedigree, and destined to improve with time."
Read More2026
Review
“Very nice layout and fun golf course to play. Personally, I didn't think the 2nd hole fit the other 17 holes which is pinned in with water. I actually enjoyed the up and down topography and variety of the golf holes away from the water. The shorter Par 3 you hit the same club and the longer Pars 3s the same. The Par 3 17th is a very demanding tee shot. I do like how the course will force decisions with the water on multiple holes. A lot of fun shots to play around the greens. Very enjoyable golf course."
Read More2024
Review
“Nice local private club. Challenging ,but very playable. new # 18 a bit out of character. water left and OB right. New bunkers and grassing on greens, excellent work by Spenses Team."
Read More2024
Review
“A great addition to the Sandhills of North Carolina. The revitalization of Woodlake CC is must to play . Aesthetically beautiful and a walkable course. It is challenging for all levels and fun to play. It’s 20 minutes from Pinehurst . Conditioning is very good and should only get better as it matures."
Read More2024
