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The Past, the Present and the Future...
Bigger is not always better. In fact, small towns got preferential
treatment by the FHA* back in the early 1960's. The government,
in all its wisdom, decided that towns of less than 2,500 folks
could get a loan to turn farmland into a recreational facility.
Norwood, North Carolina was just such a town - 1,800 citizens
and lots of perfectly beautiful farmland just aching to be cultivated
for golf.
Norwood community leaders, including K.L. Young and R.L. Isenhour
rose to the challenge. They began work immediately to secure
a loan and they were so successful that Norwood became the first
town in the country to do so. The program was so new that no
rules has been established so it took many meetings, many long
lunches at local cafes, and probably some good natured arm twisting,
but the deal got done. However, there was a stipulation.
The FHA told the organizers that they would loan Norwood the
huge sum of $260,000 to build a golf course, but the town had
to come up with $40,000 of its own money.
Undeterred, Young and Isenhour began to sell charter memberships
to this un-built golf course. They were so successful that they
had more than enough money and members, so by early fall of 1963
construction began. One hundred sixty five acres of prime
pasture and farmland on Lake Tillery was purchased (a mere 2
miles south of Norwood), and J. Porter Gibson of Charlotte was
contracted to design and build the course. This was early fall
of 1963, and amazingly, one year later the course was open for
play!
The swimming pool, large brick clubhouse, and tennis court were
also finished and ready for the 375 charter members to enjoy.
Many obstacles had been overcome (damage from flooding rains,
more money had to be borrowed) but the topography of the land
was so ideal, its highest and best use was serendipitously found
in the growing popularity of the sport of golf.
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Expertly
shaping this prime piece of undulating farm
land, Gibson designed Piney Point by maximizing
the natural lay of the land itself. Very little
earth was moved - he wisely located the best
sites for greens and tees and designed the
course around them! Members are still
enjoying the well designed and executed facilities,
and each year thousands of golfers from nearby
towns visit Norwood for the pure enjoyment
of a great game among fellow golf enthusiasts.
As for the future, it is limitless. Piney Point
Golf Club continues to build upon the dreams
and ideas of those confident and visionary planners,
community leaders, and charter members who so
wisely selected the locale for a golfers paradise.
There is a constant drive for excellence and
a pledge to exceed the expectations of players
and members. Thus, in 1997 an ambitious greens
renovations project was under taken. Golf course
architect, Chip Powell, performed an extensive
evaluation of greens and bunkers, came up with
a plan, and in the summer of 1998 the rebuilding
work began. The goal was for all bunkers and
greens to meet or exceed USGA specifications.
Crenshaw Bentgrass was selected for greens and
419 Bermuda was chosen for the surrounds. A new
irrigation system was installed for each green.
By early December the course was reopened for
play and enthusiastically received by an excited
membership.
So great were the reviews, in fact, membership
reached its maximum capacity and the Board of
Directors was forced to review the cap and raise
it from 475 to 500.
Piney Point is looking forward to continued growth,
but is committed to the belief that growth must
not be at the expense of quality. The golf experience
and quality of play will always be the priority
for management, staff, and membership.
Call 704-474-3985 today to secure your tee
time.
*Farmers Home Administration |
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