Del Ratcliffe, Managing Partner and COO of Pinnacle Golf Properties in Charlotte, NC, has an interesting story to tell about one of the company’s managed properties, Highland Creek Golf Club. Del’s grandfather was a very prolific moonshiner/bootlegger back in the days just before prohibition and well into it. The success of his moonshining business allowed him to open a premier steakhouse in uptown Charlotte. Upstairs from the restaurant was a speak-easy with gambling operations. The location of his moonshining operation is now the 16th hole of Highland Creek GC and remnants of the original stills are still visible to this day.
Alcohol seems to be the common theme at Highland Creek! In addition to a fantastic and fun-to-play golf course, the club recently opened its new Beer Garden and Taproom. The Taproom offers scenic views of the golf course through large picture windows. You can watch and see which one of your friends decides to go for the 18th green and who hits it in the water. Odds are it’s the same person!
Enjoy your favorite drinks from the full-service bar or venture outside to the patio area where the real fun is! There’s a concession trailer where you can order wood-fired pizzas and choose from eight beers on tap. You can also order from the clubhouse menu which includes burgers, sandwiches, and salads for lunch and dinner. Weekends are the busiest with live music and comedy shows, and events like car shows, craft shows, and cornhole leagues. The beer trucks are open Thursday – Saturday from 4 – 8 PM.
Although the Beer Garden and Taproom bring people together for the weekend, the main focus here is the golf course. Since opening in 1993, this Clifton, Ezell, and Clifton design has been rated both the best and the toughest public golf course in the area. Not only is the layout challenging, but it also incorporates some of the most picturesque golf holes in Charlotte.
Highland Creek Golf Club was designed using a lot of the land’s natural topography to preserve the area’s natural beauty. The course winds its way through towering trees and meandering creeks, and the upscale community surrounding the golf course provides a scenic backdrop, yet it’s set back far enough that it never causes any obstructions. Lush, well-manicured Bermuda fairways lead to smooth, grainless A1/A4 Bentgrass greens that roll fast and true. With four sets of tees, Highland Creek can be played from 5,080 to 7,043 yards, making it enjoyable for all golfers, regardless of age or ability.
According to General Manager Mark McLauchlan, the course designers and owners faced a dilemma when building the 18th hole. As it is today, it’s a short, 452-yard par 5 that doglegs right over water. Back then, a decision had to be made about either lengthening the hole to make it a legitimate par 5 or making it a game-breaking monster par 4. They decided to keep it a short par 5, hoping most players who scored well on the hole would leave with fond memories and return to play it again and again.
I found the best way to play this hole was to aim at the fairway bunkers on the left off the tee. With the slope of the fairway, balls tend to roll back to the right, and I found the middle of the fairway. I hit it well and was faced with the decision to go for the green in two or not. As I always tell my friends, “I didn’t come here to layup,” and hit a solid 5-iron that landed just short of the green and rolled up to within 8 feet. I was fortunate to make the eagle putt and now have a new favorite hole!
Highland Creek boasts some impressive practice facilities that include a full-length driving range, a chipping green, a practice bunker, and a 12,000-square-foot putting green. The clubhouse features a pro shop stocked with logoed gear from the game’s top apparel companies, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, and The Taproom. Highland Creek Golf Club is a great place to host golf tournaments, outings, and events.
Highland Creek Golf Club is one of 11 clubs in the Carolinas managed by Pinnacle Golf Properties. PGP is highly regarded in the industry and specializes in every facet of course operations and facility management. They offer new clients realistic projections and objectives and have a passion for the game – and business – of golf. Their courses represent some of the best layouts in the Charlotte, NC area.
If you fell in love with the course like I did, you may want to consider becoming a member. Highland Creek offers membership programs that will meet the needs of both individuals and families without breaking the bank. There are no application or initiation fees, just low, manageable monthly dues. Contact the pro shop or visit their website www.highlandcreekgolfclub.com for more information.