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A Cool Mountaintop Retreat That Is Above All
For Immediate Release
June 14, 2006
Linville Ridge, North Carolina There is a place in western North Carolina where the mountains tower over lush valleys, where the average temperature is a cool 74 degrees all summer long, and spectacular vistas stretch for miles. That place is Linville Ridge, a decidedly unique mountaintop living experience.
Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Linville Ridge offers panoramic views that soar beyond the imagination. Created by The Lutgert Companies in Naples, Florida, it is a spectacular mountaintop golf community that is, both literally and figuratively, Above All. This private country club retreat features an outstanding collection of residences, eight Har-Tru tennis courts, a European-style spa, a fitness center, hiking trails, an international croquet court, golf and tennis pro shops, a heated swimming pool, a variety of culinary options and a spectacular 30,000 square foot Clubhouse. But it is the incomparable beauty of the golf course that truly sets Linville Ridge apart.
“The natural beauty of the North Carolina Mountains surrounding our golf course makes it one of the most beautiful settings for golf in the Southeast,” said Kurt Thompson, Golf Pro at Linville Ridge. “Guests of our members will often comment on the long range views that are visible from each hole.”
“I’ve never seen anything as pretty as Linville Ridge golf course. The vistas are magnificent,” said Bob Moser. “I’ve been a golfer all my life and I’ve played all around. I’ve never seen anything quite like Linville Ridge. It’s wonderful, we love it here and we love living here.”
Moser is from Greenville, South Carolina and has been a member of Linville Ridge since 1987. He purchased a home in 1996 and typically lives at Linville Ridge from May until the end of the year.
“In terms of physical condition, Linville Ridge is as good or better than any other golf course with which I’m familiar,” he said. “But what is head and shoulders above everything else here is the beauty. Nothing else around here is quite as beautiful as Linville Ridge. Other courses in the area can compare with the condition of the course at Linville Ridge, but the beauty of the place, they just can’t touch it.”
“Linville Ridge is one exciting place. I never get tired of playing it,” said Ed Sharp, a member and homeowner since 2001. “It just seems as though every time I play it there’s a different view. I see something different. It’s just a wonderful place to be as far as the challenge, the beauty and the views. I have never played a golf course that I don’t get tired of and I never get tired of playing Linville Ridge. We went to all of the clubs in the area and played all of the courses and we always came back to Linville Ridge. It’s beyond a doubt the greatest thing up there. It’s just amazing.”
Created by the renowned George Cobb, the Linville Ridge Golf Course is the highest golf course east of the Rockies, soaring on the fourth hole to an elevation of 4,950 feet. A true work of art, this championship course follows the topography laid down by nature over millions of years. Naturally lush and intentionally uncrowded, the course is as widely acclaimed for its playability as for its spectacular views of Grandfather Mountain and the Linville Valley.
“When George Cobb designed this golf course, he certainly took players of every skill level to mind,” said Thompson. “The fairways offer generous landing areas under perfect conditions. Each approach shot to the green offers a different look, and will often leave the higher handicap player some room for missed shots. On the other hand, the highly skilled player can take advantage of their length off the tee and have the best opportunity to score with precision iron shots. With the consistently fast, undulating bent grass greens, even the player with a steady putter will be happy to walk away with a two putt.”
“It’s a very fair but challenging golf course,” said Moser. “You can make a birdie on a hole one day and a ten the next if you hit it in the wrong spot. The greens are the most challenging part of the golf course. The mountains create optical illusions sometimes, and you may think it will break one way and it will break another. You don’t really need to be long off the tee or play your long irons well, but you do need to be able to chip and putt in order to score well. It rewards good shots and penalizes bad shots just like a good golf course should.”
“You just need to keep it in the middle of the fairway and have a good short game. Putting is very important because of the way the greens are sloped,” said Sharp. “When you start out in the spring, the greens are one speed and by the time you get to the end of the summer, they’re lightening. That’s a challenge. The greens just slope away from you and it’s all down hill. You have to learn to read the greens and you have to learn the speeds.”
After owning a home in the Charlotte area for many years, Moser appreciates Linville’s cool summer temperatures.
“Usually there’s a 20 degree differential between here and Charlotte in the summertime,” he said. “If it’s 95 in Charlotte, it’s 75 here and we’ll get a breeze. A lot of times in Charlotte, it’s just still. A still 98-degree day with 90 percent humidity is awful. You don’t get those here. It’s 70-75 degrees, nice breeze blowing and it’s wonderful.”
“Linville is spectacular in the summertime. It’s cool,” added Sharp. “I live on a golf course right on the water in Clearwater and in the summertime you go out to play and within 20 minutes you’re soaking wet. You don’t get that at Linville Ridge.”
The Linville Ridge Golf Course has been honored by Golfweek Magazine as one of the 50 most distinctive development courses in the Southeastern United States and as one of the favorite courses in the Carolinas by the Golf Reporter.
The amenities found at Linville Ridge reflect the prestige of the community. Three distinct and exciting culinary options are offered to compliment an elegant mountaintop lifestyle. The Clubhouse, with its breathtaking surroundings and incomparable views, is a Lutgert masterpiece that features formal and casual dining settings. The Formal Dining Room keeps the tradition of coat and tie requirement for men on Saturday evenings, while the Grill Room has the same elegant menu and formal service with relaxed attire. Roasted and grilled meats, seafood, game, innovative appetizers and salad offerings are complemented by an on-premise bakery, providing all rolls, breads and desserts. An extensive wine list and formal bar and lounge accommodate the most discriminating member. This private "club" blends beautifully in the mountain landscape just below cloud level.
From the outdoor pavilions of The Belvedere and The Sandwedge, Linville Ridge offers the finest in casual dining. At The Belvedere, reservations fill quickly from mid-May until mid-October. The upscale bistro-style restaurant is located poolside. This indoor/outdoor pavilion-style facility is surrounded by mountain views. An over-sized, floor to ceiling stone fireplace adds to the atmosphere on cool evenings. The Belvedere boasts an innovative menu of fresh seafood, prime meats and sumptuous appetizers for first class casual dining. The Sandwedge is a casual spot for lunch and for casual dining twice weekly. The menu features homemade soup, breads, desserts, deli sandwiches and fresh salads. This 150 seat Golfer's Grill, with a full bar and extensive wine list, is open daily for "after-golf" socializing.
The Linville Ridge Spa and Fitness Center are both located in the Clubhouse. The 7,000 square foot spa provides the ultimate restorative experience. A captivating architectural design provides stunning views from the spa’s treatment rooms and salon area. The High Country’s finest professionals offer the very latest massage, facial, hair and nail services.
With its spectacular view of Grandfather Mountain, the Fitness Center is one of the community's most popular amenities. The 6,000 square foot facility includes steam, sauna, a complete line of cardiovascular equipment, a group fitness area, and strength training equipment. Services at the fitness center are meticulously tailored to meet the personal health and fitness goals of each individual.
The 8 Har-Tru tennis courts at Linville Ridge are open May through October. Members and their guests are afforded unlimited use of this outstanding facility as well as immediate access to the professional teaching staff. A full service pro shop offers racquet stringing, tennis accessories and apparel. Ball machines and backboards are available.
Golfers and tennis players enjoy Linville Ridge's separate golf and tennis pro shops. Each pro shop offers a wide variety of apparel and accessories as well as state-of-the-art equipment. Linville's professional golf and tennis staffs provide expert consultation and advice for equipment purchases.
Linville Ridge features two regulation size world-class croquet courts with a teaching pro and a vast inter-club program with area clubs. The heated swimming pool at Linville Ridge is open from June to September. Children's swimming programs are offered from mid-June through mid-August.
Linville Ridge is a place where man and nature live in harmony. First time visitors often find the unexpected beauty of the community overwhelming. They soon understand why it is easy to lose track of the days in the mountains. Troubles melt beneath the Carolina blue sky and life takes on an inexplicably joyous quality. This mountaintop masterpiece of handcrafted residences is clearly reserved for those who choose to savor their success. Home sites range from one acre to over ten acres. Prices start at $135,000 with view lots priced from $250,000. Luxurious custom homes, spacious cottages and town homes ranging from 2,200 to 4,000+ square feet, estate homes on minimum 8-acre lots and an exclusive mountaintop enclave at The Summit provide a relaxing setting for beating the summer heat.
Linville Ridge is an extraordinary place to enjoy the very best in casual elegance. Rental opportunities are available. Rental properties are private homes ranging from condominiums to Estate sized residences. Rates are determined by the size and location of the rental property. There is a one-month minimum rental period with priority given to long-term leases. All rental properties are furnished and equipped for basic housekeeping.
In addition to opportunities for new home construction, The Linville Ridge sales team has a variety of resale properties available in virtually every property category. Homebuyers will enjoy working with the sales team and will benefit from their extensive mountain property experience. Contact the Linville Ridge on-site sales office toll free at (800) 898-5150 or (828) 898-5151 for more information or visit www.Linvilleridge.com.
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