

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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Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
Reviews
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
“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
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