Ross’s Choice of Land
Donald Ross walked the hills of Morganton in 1928, rejecting multiple tracts before settling on the ground now home to Mimosa Hills—a site he believed perfectly suited for strategic, enjoyable golf.
The verdict
Ross Architecture, Restored and Intact
Mimosa Hills is an archetypal Donald Ross test—strategic, walkable, and beautifully preserved. The recent Kris Spence restoration has put a shine on its old-school charm, making it a regional must-play for architecture fans and those who love pure golf.
Course DNA
Difficulty
74
Scenery82
Conditioning81
Shot Variety76
Walkability72
Green Complexity85
Wow Factor78
Design Quality84
Don't miss
Check the photo wall in the clubhouse for rare Ross-era images and original architectural drawings recovered during the restoration.
At a glance
Quick facts
Original Site Selection
Ross personally picked the property in 1928
Restoration Year
Restored by Kris Spence in 2002–2003
Hosted Tourneys
Three-time United States Hickory Open host
Greens Type
Classic Ross contours, extensively restored
Elevation Change
Significant, with both uphill and downhill holes
Routing Feature
Both nines return to the clubhouse
Course Atmosphere
Traditional Carolinas member club
Bunker Style
Cross-bunkering and restored Ross hazards
The design
The architecture
Mimosa Hills is a model of classic Donald Ross architecture—tightly routed across rolling Carolina hills, with cross bunkers, creative greens, and a walkable flow that never feels repetitive. The 2003 Kris Spence restoration has brought back Ross’s original green shapes and hazard lines, allowing strategic decisions on nearly every shot. Expect a traditional, cerebral test: position is everything, and bold approaches have both risk and reward. With mountain vistas, vintage features, and a seamless blend of challenge and fun, it’s among the region’s most pure expressions of the Golden Age style.
Donald Ross used the property’s natural movement, letting elevation and angles dictate both challenge and playability while keeping the walk pleasant and engaging.
Defining features
- Original Ross routing over natural contours
- Restored cross bunkers for strategic play
- Sloping, imaginative greens
- Doglegs and angled fairways
- Balanced set of par 3s and 5s
- Both nines returning to the clubhouse
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 3
Risk-Reward Ridge
PAR
5
YARDAGE
510
This reachable par 5 tempts big hitters with a go-for-it second, but Ross’s routing puts a premium on position with subtle tiers and angled approaches.
Play it smart
Play for the best layup angle—attacking the green in two is possible, but you must thread past cross bunkers and land on the correct plateau for any birdie chance.
Where it bites
Out-of-position tee shots quickly turn this scoring hole into a scrambler’s grind, as overreaching can leave tough lies and awkward recoveries.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching from the rough
Don’t chase the pin; aim for the fattest part of the green—Ross contours will punish bold but imprecise shots.
Tee shot on par 5s
Work to set up the perfect angle for your second; distance means little if you’re on the wrong side.
Long iron approach on hole 13
Play for the center and deep; a safe two-putt will always beat scrambling from below the green’s ridges.
Second shot on uphill par 4s
Club up for the elevation, but beware hidden back-to-front slopes that can race balls off the green.
Greenside bunker trouble
Focus on controlling trajectory—soft hands and eye for slopes are your only way to save par.
Short-sided after firm bounce
Accept bogey as a win; try to splash out to the big side and putt for the up-and-down.
Windy approach days
Trust your distances and use the ground game—roll-ons can undercut swirling mountain breezes.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Excellent, with firm greens and tidy fairways—restoration has kept the classic feel intact.
Pace
Generally steady private-club pace; no public crowding, but do confirm with the club ahead.
Vibe
Quiet, welcoming, and traditional—a member’s course steeped in Golden Age charm.
Dress code
Standard private-club golf attire; collared shirts are expected.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring Your Best Short Game
Ross greens reward sharp chipping and imaginative putts—practice slopes before teeing off.
02
Carry a Range of Clubs
You’ll need long irons for par 3s, but plenty of short approaches for scoring holes—be ready for all angles.
03
Respect Elevation Changes
Course management is key—plan for uphill and downhill shots to avoid costly misses.
04
Study the Greens Map
Pay close attention to pin placements and subtle breaks, especially on restored Ross putting surfaces.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1928
Donald Ross selects the Mimosa Hills site after walking several local tracts.
- 1929
Course opens with a full 18-hole Ross layout.
- 2003
Restoration project completed, unveiling original Ross greens and bunkering.
- 2019
Returns to Business North Carolina’s Top 100 Courses list.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Uncovering the Original Greens
During the early 2000s restoration, Kris Spence discovered layers of old topdressing, allowing crews to peel back the turf and reveal Ross’s original green shapes hiding beneath.
Host to Hickory Heritage
Mimosa Hills became the spiritual home of hickory golf from 2008–2010, proudly staging the United States Hickory Open and drawing vintage-club enthusiasts from across the country.
Untouched Ross Routing
Unlike many Ross courses, Mimosa Hills has changed very little since its 1929 debut—a detail celebrated by period golf architecture aficionados and club members alike.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Ross reportedly ruled out multiple sites before choosing the perfect ground for Mimosa Hills.
2
The course was lovingly restored by studying Ross’s actual hand-drawn blueprints.
3
Mimosa Hills hosted the United States Hickory Open three years running.
4
Original green shapes were found under decades of topdressing during the restoration.
5
Both nines are routed to return separately to the welcoming, porch-lined clubhouse.
Build the trip
If you're making a Blue Ridge golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Silver Creek Plantation
Public
Just down the road—a forgiving, fun test and easy add-on.
Sugar Mountain Golf Course
Public
Mountain golf adventure with dramatic elevation changes.
Linville Golf Club
Private
A fabled, historic mountain layout—classic architecture and stunning views.
Grandfather Golf & Country Club
Private
Top-tier mountain golf; extraordinary terrain and exclusivity.
Stay in Morganton for closest proximity, or opt for Hickory/Lake James for more lodging and dining.
Course DNA
If You Like Mimosa Hills Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Bald Peak Colony Club
Moultonborough, New HampshireWhy it matches: Bald Peak Colony Club is a natural next stop after Mimosa Hills Golf Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Taconic Golf Club
Williamstown, MassachusettsWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Taconic Golf Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match8.6
The Valley Club of Montecito
Montecito, CaliforniaWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Valley Club of Montecito's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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