Linville Golf Club, Linville, North Carolina

Linville Golf Club, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, is one of North Carolina’s most historic and beloved courses. Designed in 1924 by Donald Ross, it’s a classic example of his genius routing—meandering through valleys, crossing creeks, and rolling naturally across the mountain terrain. At just over 6,500 yards, this par-71 may not be long by today’s standards, but its small, contoured greens and well-placed bunkers call for precision and creativity. Surrounded by rhododendron and towering hardwoods, Linville is as scenic as it is strategic. I photographed the club twice in 2020—summer and fall—when guests of Eseola Lodge could still enjoy access. Today, with the club fully private, those opportunities no longer exist.