Asheville NC Golf Weekend

Golf Magazine/Golf.com, 7/10

Drinking Made Easy, 1/12

Golf Digest

T&L Golf

Fat Guy Foreword:  If you're looking for a golf weekend that's off the beaten path and involves more that just tee times and Budweisers at Outback, then Asheville is perfect for a buddy trip or a couples weekend.  In addition to a Western North Carolina golf portfolio that includes 3 classic Donald Ross courses and a Tom Fazio design, there's also great sightseeing at The Biltmore Estate, lots of country folk arts and craft stores to peruse, 11 microbreweries to sample, and plenty of outdoor activities in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

Golf Magazine's Travelin' Joe recommends:  The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa ($85-$149; 800-438-5800, www.groveparkinn.com), where the history of the hotel (ten U.S. Presidents have lodged there, including current First Golfer Barack Obama) is exceeded perhaps only by its classic Donald Ross layout, where savvy on uphill, downhill and sidehill lies will come in handy.

For another classic Ross experience at a fraction of the cost, the 6,420-yard, par-72 Asheville Municipal Golf Course ($17-$38; 828-298-1867, www.ashevilleparks.org) will satisfy. A flat front nine yields to a wildly hilly back side, capped off by the downhill plunge at the 222-yard, par-3 18th. 

Asheville, North Carolina
By Pete McDaniel , Golf Digest

Famed novelist Thomas Wolfe is its favorite native son. His contemporary F. Scott Fitzgerald was a regular at its only five-star hotel, The Grove Park Inn. Culture, climate -- four distinct seasons -- and a cosmopolitan flavor have made the small town of Asheville, N.C., a top tourist destination.

The fact that Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains defines its golf. It's true mountain golf, from majestic vistas to wondrous waterfalls. Ever hit a pitching wedge to a 185-yard par 3 or a 5-iron to a 110-yarder? The potential is there.

Donald Ross, who designed three daily-fee courses in the Asheville area, and Tom Fazio, a resident of Hendersonville, 25 miles away, are among the architects who used the terrain to create hilly, tree-lined fairways that make finding flat lies a rarity and accuracy a necessity. The Ross tracks (Linville, Asheville Municipal and Grove Park) and a number of other quality courses are within an hour's drive of Asheville.

For more information from our Best Places to Play Guide, including directions, green fees and reader comments click on the course names below.

1. 4 ½ stars: Linville G.C. / Linville
2. 4 stars: Mt. Mitchell G.C. / Burnsville
3. 4 stars: Reems Creek G.C. / Weaverville
4. 4 stars: Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa / Asheville
5. Asheville Municipal G. Cse. / not rated
6. 3 ½ stars: Springdale C.C. / Canton
7. 3 ½ stars: Etowah Valley C.C. & G. Lodge / Etowah

Other Places To Play: T&L Golf says drive the 90 minutes for another area big-rep Ross, Linville GC in Linville (828-733-4363, 1924 Ross, $62+, 6780/132), which requires a stay at the rustic Eseeola Lodge--no hardship there--but likely too far out of the way for those on a short vacation. Mount Mitchell GC in Burnsville, an hour north (828-675-5454, 1975 Fred Hawtree, $40-$79, 6475/141, 4.0/5.0 stars), is another low-key charmer with overwhelming views. Long-weekenders can try nearby Reems Creek GC (828-645-4393), a tough walk with pretty mountain vistas.

Where To Stay:  Midscale couples and buddy-trippers with Marriott points will gravitate towards Asheville's Courtyard Marriott, whose 2-room suites are perfect for a twosome, while their modernist Bistro converts from a convenient quick breakfast spot to a bar in the evening; the same goes for the rooms at Springhill Suites, where the complimentary breakfast buffet will help keep your budget down.

For something more upscale,T&L Golf says of the collossal on-premisis Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa (800-438-0050, $119-$389/night): "Opened in 1913 by E.W. Grove, who made his fortune with 'Grove's Tasteless Chill Tonic', and discovered Asheville while searching for a cure to his chronic hiccups. In truth, the hotel's a bit creepy in a Southern Gothic kind of a way. The teenaged and the antediluvian seem overrepresented on staff, with the associated shortcomings (skittish, overcasual, slow moving, hard of hearing). The rooms are small and the walls are thin. In recompense, however, you get blimp-like views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the spacious porches, a huge collection of Arts and Crafts lighting fixtures and furniture, and a remarkable $42 million, 40,000 square foot underground spa." AAA World loved the 80-minute, $180 massage there, which buys you an all day pass to the spa's 'water park' of 7 pools with New Age music playing underwater. Historical notes from the property include F. Scott Fitzgerald drinking and skirt-chasing at Grove Park while his wife received psychiatric treatment in town. "

If that all sounds like too much, T&L recommends other options including the elegant Inn on Biltmore Estate (800-922-0084, $149-$429/night) or any of the area's upscale B&B's, such as the Sourwood Inn (828-255-0690, $150-$180/night).

Where To Grub: Asheville's cuisine is open-minded and varied, in casual settings. T&L Golf digs Zambra (828-232-1060), a hip basement tapas bar with a notable wine list. Tupelo Honey Cafe (828-255-4863) serves up Southern Comfort food and lively atmosphere. Jerusalem Garden Cafe (828-254-0255) has a globe-trotting menu that careens from "Jordanian chicken" to "New York subs" to burritos and gyros. Get wired at Beanstreets Coffee House (828-255-8180). Sophisticated Cafe On The Square (828-251-5565) features flash-seared tuna or Cajun-fried eggplant. AAA World likes Flying Frog for fusion, Limones for MexiCali, Rezaz for Mediterranean, Early Girl Eatery for brunch, Mast General Store for Moon Pies among hiking gear and sundries, and Asheville Pizza Company for kids and movie watching. Live music at Stella Blue (Blues) or The Orange Peel (everything else).

Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To Asheville, 2012

"Asheville has witnessed a recent boom in the craft beer industry and has earned the title “Beer City USA” two years in a row. Unlike other Beer City winners like Portland, Oregon, Asheville is pretty small by comparison with a population of approximately 75,000. But even with its small stature Asheville offers up 11 different breweries and plenty of beer festivals. Zane and Steve plan to hit 9 of these breweries in one day to taste a beer from each. Then they will square off in an Asheville Beer Taste Test. Learn more about the breweries and their beers below.

WHERE WE WENT

  • Highland Brewing Company: Opened in 1994 as Asheville’s first brewery since prohibition, Highland Brewing Company began Asheville’s beer boom and is the largest local brewery, producing 15,000 barrels a year. Highland Brewing Company lives around the mantra: honesty, integrity, and respect which they try to show with every aspect of their business from the grain farmer to the grocery store owner. Thus creating a unique and authentic brewing process. 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite H Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 299-3370
  • Oyster House Brewing Company: Oyster House is the smallest brewery of Asheville and is known for creating small-batch, high-quality brews for beer and seafood lovers. Staying true to their name, Oyster House uses real oysters in the brewing process for many of their beers. 35 Patton Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 350-0505
  • Lexington Ave Brewery: Brewer Ben Pierson has created a stellar line up of unfiltered, naturally carbonated, additive free beers in LAB’s in-house brewery. They also offer great food, a number of original draft beers, and live music. 39 North Lexington Avenue  Asheville, NC 28801-2827 (828) 252-0212
  • Pisgah Brewing Company: Known for their quality and organic beers, Pisgah offers a number of high-gravity (more alcohol by volume) beers with a natural sweet taste. Pisgah also host a number of events and live concerts with their outdoor  and indoor stages. In addition to music, Pisgah has a full art gallery featuring local artist and their paintings. 150 Eastside Drive, Black Mountain, NC 28711 (828) 669-0190
  • Craggie Brewing Company: Craggie is a brewery with a heart, which is evident from the causes it supports, the vendors it does business with, and the way it inspires giving. Craggie sells beer with a conscience – organic in craft and whenever possible, brewed with local ingredients. From building the brewhouse with as much reclaimed or recycled equipment as possible, to discounting Willibechers for those who choose to donate to select non-profits, Craggie Brewing’s Public House is a place where the community can gather to have a good time while doing good for others. 197 Hilliard Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-3616 (828) 254-0360
  • French Broad Brewery: French Broad’s focus is to create traditional European style beers while still maintaining  the unique flavor of Asheville. French Broad also offers live musical entertainment and a friendly tasting room. 101 Fairview Road  Asheville, NC 28803-4301 (828) 277-0222
  • Wedge Brewing Company: Located in the River Arts District, Wedge Brewing Company near the train tracks, offers original style beers made with local ingredients.  125B Roberts St  Asheville, NC 28801-3128 (828) 505-2792
  • Asheville Brewing Company: Asheville Brewing company is known for the “infused” style beers. After the brewing process is complete, many of their beers are then infused with special ingredients (like jalapenos) to give them an added taste and a bit of a kick. 77 Coxe Avenue  Asheville, NC 28801-3621 (828) 255-4077
  • Green Man Brewery: Brewing Award winning ales since 1997, Green Man was founded in downtown Asheville, originally as a brew-pub. Dennis Thies, a beer industry vet, purchased the brewery in 2010. He expanded operations and made Green Man independent. With the help of John Stuart, Green Man has become known for consistent, traditional ales with a constant eye on quality. 23 Buxton Avenue  Asheville, NC 28801-4019 (828) 252-5502
  • Thirsty Monk: This pub provides customers with over 36 draft beer, 200 bottled beer choices and over 62 rotating tap lines. Many of which are locally brewed. Thirsty Monk also host a number of different beer events and even has a live online tap list.   92 Patton Avenue  Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-5470
  • Fat Guy Notes:  While touring Asheville's many micobreweries, leave the driving to someone else.  Hop on the Asheville Brew Cruise (www.ashevillebrewcruise.com) for a guilt-free way to fully enjoy Beer City.  Also, Sierra Nevada announced in January 2012 that they're building a large brewery in Asheville that will feature brewery tours, a tasting room, a restaurant, and possibly some outdoor concerts.

What We Featured

Highland Gaelic Ale-Highland Brewing Company

Moonstone Oyster Stout-Oyster House Brewing Company

Red Whitey-Lexington Ave Brewery

Solstice Belgium Triple-Pisgah Brewing Company

Craggie Antebellum Ale-Craggie Brewing Company

Wee Heavy Scottish Ale-French Broad Brewery

Third Rale Double IPA-Wedge Brewing Company

The Fire Escape-Asheville Brewing Company

Green Man IPA-Green Man Brewery

Fun Facts

  • An oyster produces a pearl as a result of a foreign substance becoming trapped inside its shell.
  • The largest oyster producing body of water is the Chesapeake Bay.
  • The US is the worlds third largest producer of raspberries.
  • The Pisgah National Forest covers 510,119 acres in the Appalachian Mountains.
  • Sap from spruce trees can be used to make chewing gum.
  • Because of its high vitamin C levels, spruce needles have been used to prevent scurvy.
  • Scotch ales are strong ales, and also known as “Wee Heavy”.
  • Beer has been produced in Scotland for approximately 5,000 years.
  • Jalapenos contain more vitamin A than any other plant food.
  • The substance that gives a jalapeno its heat is capsaicin.
  • Asheville Brewing Company has two locations, one of which contains a full sized movie theater.
  • Cask beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized beer, conditioned in a cask without nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure.
  • The term IBU stands for “International Bittering Units,” and refers to a measuring scale for beer."

Further Distractions: George Vanderbilt's 250-acre Biltmore Estates (800-543-2961, www.biltmore.com), the largest private home in the U.S., is astonishing inside and out. Consider the highlights list: 90-foot Tapestry Room, John Singer portraits, 10,000 volume library, the nation's most visited winery, Frederick Law Olmstead's magnificent gardens, and a bowling alley in the basement. Many of the craftsment who helped build the Biltmore stayed in Asheville, helping to make it the country's folk art capital. Hit the Allanstand Craft Shop (828-298-7928) at the Folk Art Center Building; the Appalachian Craft Center (828-253-8499); and the villiage of Black Mountain, 15 miles east of Asheville, dubbed "the front porch of Western NC."