Jefferson Landing has high rank among state’s resorts

The town of Jefferson, in the nortwestern mountains of North Carolina, is a tidy burg of 1,000 souls and a million Frazer Firs. But change looms over the town like an April shower as visitors attracted to nearby mountain towns like Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk discover the unaffected appeal of the Ashe County seat.

So far, thankfully, growth proceeds in an orderly fashion, and no where is that more evident than at nearby Jefferson Landing, a sprawling golf resort community built over 500 acres of some of the best laying mountain land you'll ever see.

Following the initial ground-breaking 13 years ago, the resort has followed a patient development plan that will eventually include 200 townhomes and condominiums, and a like number of single residence homes. At its center sits the highly regarded Jefferson Landing golf course, designed by former PGA Champion Larry Nelson. Operated since its 1991 debut as a semi-private layout, club founders spoke of the day when the resort course would go private – accessible only to members and overnight guests. Although a long time in coming, that day arrives May 15, 2003.

"Our situation is unique here because we stand alone, away from the hustle and bustle," the resort's marketing director Jim Hickland observed. "But that can hurt you too. We never had a huge marketing budget, but if you don't keep it up every year, people can forget you're here."

That's becoming harder to do as Jefferson Landing's appeal matures along with the club's amenities and services. Last June the resort earned a rating of 4.5 Stars out of a possible 5 by Golf Digest. East of the Blue Ridge, only the venerable Pinehurst Resort holds a higher rating in the state.

"As a conference center goes, this is the best facility I've seen in the mountains," Hickland said.

The course was built over gently rolling farmland of loamy soil, as perfect for fescue as it once was for prodigious harvests of cabbage. Naked Creek, a tributary of the nearby New River, meanders throughout the layout, a natural irrigation system – and a hazard in play on 15 of 18 holes.

Nelson's routing is just as natural, revolving smoothly within a pastoral, bowl-like topography.

"This is a great layout," said head pro Dean Spainhour, "and there's a good mix of tee boxes for every player."

Five sets, in fact, assuring levels of difficulty for just about everyone. Measuring almost 7,200 yards from the tips, Jefferson Landing provides two sets of tees under 5,000 yards for seniors and ladies. The straightforward design presents broad driving areas and rough of the non-penal variety, which pays dividends beyond a player's stress quotient.

"Play keeps moving," Spainhour said. "A long round here takes four and a half hours."

But ‘A’ Players and 'wannabes' can pick their poison from the gold, blue or white tees. The course rating from the championship length is 73.4 with a slope of 137. The white tees offer a palatable rating of 66.4; the slope an easy climb at 115. Wherever you plant your peg, club selection and accuracy are critical, lest a player finds his game undressed in the omnipresent Naked Creek. Putting surfaces feature the subtle rollercoaster terrain favored by mountain golf enthusiasts. And greenside bunker location around the many elevated greens is superb.

>From the beginning the Carolina Golf Association has found Jeffferson Landing a popular venue for single-day handicap events. Ray Novicki, assistant director of the CGA, served on the first course rating team when Jefferson Landing opened for play.

"It was very pleasing on the eye," Novicki remembered, "a very fair course and enjoyable to play."

New on staff is superintendent Patrick Richie, who was charged with turf conditions at Pine Needles during the Women's 1996 U.S. Open. Richie is the point man as Jefferson Landing launches a campaign to further heighten its profile in the world of resort golf.

"We expect him to get the course where it’s supposed to be, that's our top priority, Spainhour said. His mandate is no small order at a golf course where turf conditions have consistently earned praise. But his new colleagues are convinced he's the man for the job.

"He's got tunnel vision and already the course looks better than ever," Spainhour said.

When the current clubhouse opened in 1999, Jefferson Landing – the destination resort – sent a resounding message to the convention and conference industries. The pro shop, grill room, banquet facilities and locker rooms are housed in the magnificent 32,000-square foot building.

With opulent features like 30-foot ceilings, massive exposed beams, and a lounge of paneled teakwood, the clubhouse somehow maintains the understated comfort of a family room.

"It's a good place," Spainhour said. "Good food, good golf course, and friendly service. Folks have been coming back here every year since we opened."

And with each return trip, guests have found more offerings from Jefferson Landing.

The resort is equipped to accommodate up to 200 overnight guests in lodging ranging from town homes to the Manor House, a red-brick colonial mansion just a sand wedge from the first tee. Of the 200 townhomes slated for the resort, more than half have been built and sold. The same sell-through level can be said of the home sites. Many owners enroll their properties in the resort rental pool.

As the four-laning of Hwy. 421 nears completion, the pilgrimage from the Triad becomes more convenient than ever. The county airport, with a landing strip nearly a mile long is gearing for expansion.

"We have the best mountain airport around," noted Jim Miller, who has directed real estate sales at Jefferson Landing from the beginning.

Group bookings for the summer are double those of last year and include a June visit by the NFL Alumnae Association as gridiron greats of yesteryear launch a $4 million fundraising campaign for NFL Charities.

In the face of uncertain economic times, Jefferson Landing is on the move.

"Every year there's been more building," Spainhour said, "and we're looking for more members."

Not so long ago Jefferson Landing was like the new kid on the block in a rich golfing community populated by the likes of Ross, Maples and Cobb. Slow but sure the resort has been embraced as a worthy addition to its neighboring giants in mountain golf.

And for all of that, today's Jefferson Landing has become much more than anyone in the neighborhood would have imagined.

For more information from Jefferson Landing write P.O. Box 110

Jefferson, NC 28640, call 1-800-292-6274 or check the internet for www.jeffersonlandingclub.com