Whittier, North Carolina
Sequoyah National offers a thrilling mountain golf challenge defined by dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Precision iron play and smart course management are rewarded on a layout that makes every club in the bag matter. It’s a uniquely Cherokee experience in a vivid natural amphitheater that will test even the boldest ball-striker.
Arrive early and take in the panoramic mountain views from the practice range, where the entire valley opens beneath you—a truly majestic warm-up experience.
Carved into the rolling spine of the Great Smoky Mountains, Sequoyah National plays like a dramatic amphitheater: broad panoramas unfold from every high tee, while fairways tumble and tilt alongside ravines, ridges, and native mountain foliage. Robert Trent Jones II and Notah Begay III create suspense with bold elevation changes, angled greens, and greenside bunkers that frame far-reaching vistas on every approach. The course rewards precise shotmaking and deft club selection, with demanding par 3s and smartly defended par 5s that keep even the best players on their toes.
Robert Trent Jones II brings his signature bold style and drama to the Smokies, dialing up visual impact and strategic choices with every turn.
A bold opening climb, this par five launches from an elevated tee with distant mountain backdrops, urging players to find a threaded landing zone before a daunting uphill approach. It sets the tone for a round where placement wins over brute force.
Favor the left side off the tee to set up a controllable second shot; lay up short of bunkers to attack the raised green with a short iron or wedge.
Aggressive plays risk steep drop-offs right and a penal greenside bunker complex.
Resort-style, well-manicured zoysia fairways with sharply defined bunkers and top-tier greens.
Scenic, destination-driven, with a strong Cherokee cultural presence and a welcoming, upscale atmosphere.
Mountain winds can shift suddenly; bring layers and account for gusts on every shot, especially on high tees.
Morning light makes the mountain views pop and avoids afternoon pace slowdowns.
The course’s dramatic elevation and some long transitions between holes make even fit walkers consider riding for full enjoyment.
With ravines, sloped fairways, and forest edges, lost balls are a real possibility—stash a few more than usual in the bag.
Sequoyah National opens as a new 18-hole RTJ II design
Hosts the Carolinas PGA Harrah’s Pro-Am and the Sequoyah Classic
Major bunker renovation and fairway conversion to zoysia
Continued recognition in Golf Digest state rankings
Host site for Hurricane Junior Golf Tour Sequoyah National Junior Open
Host site for APT Independence Open amateur event
Sequoyah National Golf Club stands on land owned and operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians—every round supports both the tribe's legacy and the local economy. The course is more than just a beautiful setting; it's a cultural beacon tying golf to the enduring story of the Cherokee people.
A 2020 bunker renovation saw all sand traps rebuilt with state-of-the-art capillary concrete liners and new Zeon Zoysia fairways, transforming course conditioning and elevating the playing experience to resort standards without changing the bold original design.
With three of the par 3s playing 189 yards or longer—including the 217-yard 13th and the 211-yard 17th—Sequoyah National’s mountain one-shotters are among the most daunting in the state and a true test of anyone’s long-iron mettle.
Owned and operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
One of the only Robert Trent Jones II/Notah Begay III co-designs.
Breathtaking vistas from nearly every tee and green.
Known for some of the longest and most scenic par 3s in the state.
Frequent host of regional pro-ams and junior events.
Another mountain course experience and convenient to Sequoyah National.
Classic Donald Ross mountain design in Asheville—historic and walkable.
Easy-to-access, contrasting vibe; a good change of pace from mountain target golf.
Affordable and accessible for a quick, fun round in the wider region.
Cherokee or Bryson City for quickest access; Asheville if you want a city base with broader amenities.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. McLemore (The Highlands Course) shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Sequoyah National Golf Club.
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in Bronze Buffalo Sporting Club at Teton Springs's own setting.
Why it matches: If Sequoyah National Golf Club is your kind of course, Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Community Sentiment
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