Goodbye Monticello … Make Way for Crooked Tree 

By NAT WALKER 

A grand metamorphous has just been completed off N.C. 150 just west of U.S. 29 in northern Guilford County that will surprise and delight many area golfers.  Monticello Golf Club, a dated nine-hole course, has been reborn as Crooked Tree, a modern 18-hole layout.

Monticello Golf Club had languished for decades as a sleepy course serving the communities of Monticello and Brown Summit.  It opened in 1955 and did well until new 18-hole golf courses that sprang up around it in the 1960s and ‘70s siphoned away much of its clientele.

Crooked Tree is out to bring some of those golfers back into the fold and to attract new players who shun nine-hole courses.  

The new owners have created what amounts to a new golf course – adding 10 new holes, upgrading and improving eight of the original holes and eliminating one of them.  They have transformed the frayed nine-holer into an 18-hole layout featuring outstanding greens that compare favorably with any public golf course in the Triad.

To emphasize the dramatic improvements and to remove any negative attitudes people attached to the golf course, they gave it a new name – Crooked Tree Golf Course.

Although it is true that Luke and Debra Lambeth are the new owners, it is also true that the golf course has been in the family’s possession during much of its existence.  Luke’s parents, Phil and Dot Lambeth, built the original nine holes in the early ‘50s.  They later sold it to Luke’s grandfather, Carl Stanfield, and bought it back in 1972 after Stanfield died. 

Phil and Dot sold the course again in 1984, this time to Ed and Dimples King.  Two years ago, King approached Luke and Debra to tell them he was ready to sell and asked it they were interested in bringing it back into the Lambeth family.  Debra said they prayed about it and decided to give it a go.

And give it a go they have.  In addition to building 10 new holes designed by Tommy Pegram, they upgraded and realigned eight of the original holes.  They added a driving range and a new practice putting green.  And, they are nearing completion of a stately colonial style clubhouse that will contain the pro shop, grill and a banquet room that will accommodate up to 100 people.  Luke put in new cement cart paths throughout the course that will smooth the ride for the new E Z Go golf carts the Lambeths recently purchased.

To ensure that the golf course would be operated properly, they hired Ken Snipes, a seasoned Class A PGA golf professional to run and promote Crooked Tree.  Snipes is also a highly regarded golf instructor.

“The new golf course will be fun for people to play,” said Luke Lambeth.  “We have four sets of tees throughout the golf course that will satisfy short hitters and long knockers.”

With 36 sand bunkers (25 on the all new back nine and 11 on the front) and water in play on nine holes, golfers have to think their way around the course, Lambeth said.  “Crooked Tree is fun, but it is also challenging.  That’s what will make people want to come back and play the course again and again.”

Even without having played any of the 10 new holes, longtime regulars of Monticello Golf Club are looking forward to the Aug. 10 opening of Crooked Tree.

“I’ve been playing here since the mid-sixties and I want this new course to hurry and get opened,” Jerry Trammell said.  “The new holes will make you use more clubs than the old nine, which required a driver and wedge on many of the holes.  It won’t be that way any more because the holes are longer and the greens are bigger.”

Todd Yates said Crooked Tree is something special.  “It will be very challenging with some really tough holes.  It will rank up there with some of the top courses in the area.”

Harry Lambeth, a charter member of Monticello, has been playing the course since 1958 and says he has probably played more rounds there than anybody.  “I’m looking forward to the opening of Crooked Tree, yes sir.”

He and Donnie “Fuzzy” Barnett, are especially excited about the challenge of the par 3, No. 11 – an all-carry water hole.  “Oh, that will be a nice one,” said Barnett.

Luke Lambeth, himself and pretty good golfer, has his favorite holes at Crooked Tree.

“Length and water make No. 2 an interesting golf hole.  It’s pretty and it’s hard.  You have to play smart to the green.  You carry the water on the second shot to a slightly elevated green guarded by a trap on the low side.

“We moved the tee box back about 60 yards on No. 9 (formerly No. 5).  It’s a fun par-5 of 450 yards that can be reached in two, but the green only accepts good shots.  It’s a birdie or bogey hole, depending on how smart you play it.

“No. 11 should be a memorable par-3.  From the back tee it’s 185 yards and all carry across water.

“The hardest hole is one of the shortest.  No. 15 plays 390 yards and a pond in front of the green makes the second shot all carry.

“Our longest hole is No. 17 – 590 yards with an uphill tee shot.  It’s downhill from there with water behind the green.

“The finishing hole is 430 yards with a well bunkered green.  It’s a good finishing hole.”

An especially attractive location on the course involves the greens of holes Nos. 11, 14 and 17.  They converge around a four-acre lake and provide a pretty view.  “You can see all three greens at the same time,” said Lambeth.

The Lambeths hope Crooked Tree will attract league and tournament play.  “We have a golf course and banquet facilities in the new club house that will pleasantly accommodate most any group,” Debra said.  

Green and cart fees at Crooked Tree will be competitive and lady and senior golfers will be offered special reduced rates on weekdays, the Lambeths said. 

Unexpected delays in completing the clubhouse have caused the planned grand opening day, originally scheduled July 27, to be postponed until Aug. 10.

“The course is ready and I feel sure that golfers from all around this area will really enjoy playing Crooked Tree.  It is a user friendly golf course that will challenge both high and low handicappers,” Luke said.  “I look forward to hearing what people have to say after they’ve given it a try.”