After playing Caledonia, we decided to try out a nearby nine hole course. We went back into town for lunch then turned around and headed south on Route 233 through the Michaux State Forest. We were on that road for about 10 minutes before a couple quick turns and a half mile drive on a gravel road. At the end of the gravel road is a clearing with South Mountain’s quaint clubhouse and the course!
We were just one of maybe five cars in the parking lot all afternoon – likely because of the first heatwave of the year! There was an event at the course earlier in the day too so that could have had something to do with so few golfers – maybe all the regulars got their golf fix that morning. Either way, it was just me and my friend out there.
As we learned after our round, South Mountain’s history adds to the experience! The course is adjacent to the current day South Mountain Restoration Center, which is a mental health facility. Apparently, back in the early days of the facility (the early 1900’s) its purpose was to treat those with tuberculosis. What we were told is that the golf course was built for the doctors who were on site!
From what I found the course was built in the 1920’s and it has many of the features consistent with that era. It is a fairly basic nine hole layout that would be easy to walk. Not only is it flat, but the tees are close to the greens. We weren’t prepared to walk this time though so we opted for a cart. Maybe next time we’ll walk if we make it back!
The layout is nothing like what I was expecting. I was thinking it would be a narrow, tree-lined course and wow, was I wrong! South Mountain turned out to be relaxing off the tee with many wide fairways. The course is a short par-36 with the traditional two par-5’s and two par-3’s. It is 2,907 yards and if you go around twice it has a rating of 66.1 and a slope of 114.
Without a doubt the biggest challenge here are the small, slightly elevated greens. You need to be extremely precise to hit a green in regulation. A couple of them look temporary sized! And, if you miss then you’ll have an awkward little chip that you might have to bounce a couple times into an up-slope.
The most interesting hole is likely the 290 yard, par-4 5th. As you stand on the tee you see a large tree overhanging the right half of the green. Once you realize that you have a choice to make. You can lay up with an iron down the left side for a good angle into the green or you can try to blast a driver up towards the green. I ended up in the left rough after a terrible 5 iron, yet I had a good look at the center of the green. I also drove one up about 30 yards short of the green and had to play a bump and run under the tree. It turned out to be a very fun hole!
The conditions turned South Mountain into a great find! The course is owned by the state and everything was lush. The fairways had plenty of grass and were cut fairly short. The greens were smooth but slower. Somehow I had a couple chips get away from me, as I thought the greens would be more receptive.
Like most nine hole courses, South Mountain won’t blow you away. Yet, I had a very enjoyable time golfing here with a friend. “Relaxed” and “fun” are the two words I’d use to describe South Mountain, so I’d suggest stopping by if you have some extra time while in the area.
#1 (365 yard par 4):
#2 (160 yard par 3):
#3 (341 yard par 4):
#4 (285 yard par 4):
#5 (290 yard par 4):
#6 (458 yard par 5):
#7 (130 yard par 3):
#8 (485 yard par 5):
#9 (393 yard par 4):
