Olde Mill Resort in Laurel Fork, VA
The award-winning Olde Mill – a resort, residential and mountain lifestyle community celebrating a $12 million renovation – announces enhancements to its Ellis Maples-designed course are rapidly approaching completion. Hallmarks of the project include adding a wall-to-wall irrigation system, layout changes to several holes and aesthetic transformations by Dan and Bradley Maples.
Pinehurst residents Dan (son of Ellis) and Bradley Maples (grandson) led the renovation of the family patriarch’s 18-hole, par-72, 6,833-yard championship layout and enhancements will grace almost every hole. However, the intent and shot values of Ellis Maples’ acclaimed design will remain intact. Opened in 1972, Olde Mill holds a 4½-star rating from Golf Digest magazine’s “Best Places to Play” (out of five possible stars) and features water coming into play on 16 holes.
“The course at Olde Mill which Mr. Ellis Maples conceived was based in large part on his respect and admiration for the work of legendary golf architect Donald Ross,” says Hagen Giles, General Manager, who has been at Olde Mill for more than 25 years. “Dan and Bradley did a great job helping us bring the course up-to-date without losing those classical, original design principles which have made Olde Mill such a highly regarded playing experience. With our enhanced playability for all types of golfers and upgraded overall layout, we’ve ensured that Olde Mill will continue to shine for years to come.”
The original Maples design stretched 6,833 yards from the tips. As part of the course renovation the back tees have been lengthened to 7,100 yards to further test better players while seniors, juniors, beginners and less-accomplished players will find the new layout more playable as other sets of tees have been adjusted to best embrace all level of players.
Cart paths were repositioned and bridges were rebuilt as well as all 70 sand bunkers renovated with sand from the Sandhills of North Carolina – adding to the regional flavor of the course. The Maples have been multi-generational Pinehurst residents and, of course, Donald Ross’ legacy there is well documented.
Other changes to the course include the 1st hole being switched from a par 4 to a par 5, while the reverse will occur on No. 18. Fairway and greenside bunkers were reshaped, removed or added on 12 of the holes. The 9th got new tee boxes and a fairway eight feet higher in elevation with two new bunkers along the left side of the fairway. And the work on No. 15 – which will perhaps be the most dramatic change in the extensive renovation – will include removing trees and bunkers and the fairway being completely repositioned.
Nestled in the serene Blue Ridge Mountains, Olde Mill’s expansive community is an awe-inspiring backdrop for golf, dining, leisure activities and relaxing at home with family and friends. Additional, extensive enhancements are ongoing at Olde Mill, including the addition of luxury yet affordable condos, manors and single-family, custom cottages and estate homes. Real estate prices range from $200,000 to more than $1 million.
Maples Restaurant at Olde Mill and The Tavern at Olde Mill have been completely renovated – including the addition of acclaimed Chef Ed Badgett – and offer culinary options as well as a variety of food, family and entertainment events.
Getting there: Olde Mill is minutes off Interstates 77, 81, 85 and 40; easily accessible from Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee; and roughly one hour from Blacksburg / Christiansburg, Virginia and the Roanoke, Winston-Salem and Greensboro airports.
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