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The Challenge Maintains High Level in Fifth Year By AL MILLEY GRAHAM – The Challenge at Hideway Farm gained statewide recognition in its first year of operation. Now, in its fifth year, the golf course has maintained that standard. The Challenge was voted the second best new public golf course in North Carolina when it opened in the spring of 1997. Last year the course was rated the 31st overall best in North Carolina, 39th this year by the North Carolina Magazine Golf Panel. "We have held our own among the best courses in the state because it's a great layout and it’s well maintained," said Mike Long, head PGA professional at The Challenge. "In 1997 we were second to Birkdale (Charlotte) as the best new public golf course. Since then, we have remained high among all the golf courses in the state with a 3 1/2 star rating," added Long in noting Birkdale presently ranks 74th overall in North Carolina with a 1 1/2 star rating. The par 72 course, located on Townbranch Road in Graham not far from the interstate, measures 4,870 yards from the front tee markers, 5,804 yards from the whites, 6,461 from the blues and 6,935 from the golds. The well-kept fairways enable even the medium to high handicapper to play the ball down. The large greens are fast with a lot of undulation and are in excellent condition. The greens are a blend of Crenshaw bent and Southshore bent and are totally sand-based, one of the few courses in the area with that distinction. The sand-base enables good drainage under the worst of rain conditions. "When we opened, our greens drained at 26 inches an hour," explained Long. "Most courses in the area have greens that are a combination of sand, peat moss and organic matter. Over the years the peat moss and organic matter pack and reduce the amount of drainage. "We are in our fifth year and our greens continue to drain well. Most of the credit for the success we have with our fairways and greens goes to Dale and his staff," said Long of Golf Course Superintendent, Dale Edmonds. The tees, fairways and greens have remained in excellent condition despite an abundance of play. The course totaled 30,000 rounds last year and is looking to top the 31,000-mark in 2001. The signature hole at The Challenge is the par-5 18th, playing 524 yards from the blue tees and 490 from the whites. For anyone but the longest hitters, the hole requires a good tee shot, a short iron over a hazard and about a pitching wedge over another hazard to a wide, but narrow, green. The rest of the course is also a challenge, but a fair one. Par-4s, as well as the 3s, can be reached with medium to short irons. The Challenge is owned by Larry Waggoner and was constructed on the site of his father's farm. It was designed by Barry Brantly and Shapemasters of Hilton Head, S.C. Despite being mostly a public course (The Challenge does offer memberships) Long has managed to make the course available for amateur and professional tournaments. The Challenge has hosted several Triangle Tour and Carolina Golf Association (CGA) events. The largest tournament, however, is the Challenge Invitational for amateurs. The tournament is scheduled this year for July 14-15. Entry fee is $150 with the field limited to 180 players. The field will be divided into eight flights based on handicaps. Golfers will play for prizes totaling more than $18,000 based on a full field. The entry fee will also include a practice round, practice balls, food and beverages. A long driving contest will be held Friday at 6 p.m. Entry should be made by July 9. Entries received after that will be $160. Former champions of The Challenge includes Steve Sharpe in 1997, Charles Smith in '98, Mike Goodes in '99 and John Marshall last year. "Our Challenge invitational has had some of the strongest fields of any tournament in the area," added Long. "In past tournaments, our first flight is made up mostly of 2-handicap players or better. Our championship flight is usually made up mostly of scratch players, with several plus handicaps." Long and Edmonds have been at The Challenge since it opened, both arriving in 1996 to prepare for the opening in May of '97. "I feel like I'm at home because I grew up in this area," said Long. "I became involved in golf at a young age and I owe that to Bill Hunter," Long added of the late Burlington sportswriter and golf writer. "I looked forward to his golf column every week and I always tried to do something to get my name in it." Long played mini-tour events and picked up a win in Florida. He has also won several Carolinas Section events, but admits, even at the young age of 35, those days are just about over. "My playing days just about ended when I got into the golf business. I stay busy running the course, and that's about all I have time for, that and my family," he added of wife, Lia, and children, 7-year-old Zeb and Allie, four. Long turned pro in 1988 and completed his PGA Class A program in 1993. He worked as an assistant to Mark Hopkins at Southwick Golf Course south of Graham, a course he grew up on as a youngster. Hopkins is presently the head golf professional at Glen Oak Country Club in Danville, Va. Long served as the head pro at Southwick from 1989 until coming to The Challenge in 1996. End of Article |
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