About Us
1929
Situated on a former dairy farm, Carolina Golf Club was the vision of Mrs. H. J. Dunavant. Shortly after the passing of her husband in 1929, Mrs. Dunavant was inspired to transform the rolling terrain of the family farm into a championship golf course. She hired famed Golden Age golf course architect Donald J. Ross to design what became the first 18-hole public course in the greater Charlotte metro area.
1958
In 1958, Carolina Golf Club became a private club when a group of regular patrons acquired ownership rights and assumed management of the club. The group replaced the original log cabin clubhouse—once located near what is now the 14th green—with a mid-century modern structure on the hilltop overlooking today’s 18th green. After operating for nearly 50 years as a private facility with minimal design changes or alterations to the course, the club acquired 43 acres of adjoining property in 2004 and embarked on an ambitious four-phase renovation and restoration master plan.
2005
The club hired architect Kris Spence, noted for his successful Donald Ross restorations throughout North Carolina, to lead the project, and Bradley Klein, noted author and Ross historian, to evaluate Spence’s plan for Ross authenticity. From 2005 to 2007, the club constructed two holes on the newly acquired land, renovated two existing holes to create the expansive practice range and short game area enjoyed today, and built an earthen dam to form the large lake that now serves as the course’s irrigation reservoir.
2008
In 2008, Carolina Golf Club closed for eleven months while the fourth and final phase of Spence’s master plan was implemented. More than 1,000 trees were removed to make way for rebuilt greens, tees, and bunkers. New fairway grasses were planted, and a modern irrigation system and pump station were installed—transforming Carolina Golf Club from its original 6,228-yard, par-70 layout into the formidable test of golf its members enjoy today.
2009
Since reopening, the course has hosted five PGA Tour qualifying tournaments for the Wells Fargo Championship, several City Amateur Championships, the 2011 Carolina's Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship, and the 2014 North Carolina Amateur Championship.
Past Participants have included former state amateur and state open winners, US Amateur and Mid-Amateur competitors, as well as former Masters participants.
Present
Over the years, Carolina Golf Club has been home to many outstanding competitive amateur golfers who have won a variety of events throughout the Carolinas and the Southeast. In 1973, Carolina member David Strawn finished as runner-up in the U.S. Amateur Championship at Inverness Club in Cleveland, Ohio, losing in the finals to Craig Stadler. In 1988, David Eger—who grew up at CGC and remains an honorary member—won the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas.
In 2018, Carolina Golf Club was honored to be the stroke play co-host for the 38th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship with Charlotte Country Club. Our very own CGC member and hometown hero Brett Boner took home a silver medal, being narrowly defeated on the final day by fellow North Carolinian Kevin O'Connell.
Located near the heart of Charlotte’s financial district, Carolina Golf Club boasts a vibrant, golf-loving membership. In recent years, the club has completed a series of clubhouse improvements, including a new covered patio and fire pit overlooking the Uptown skyline, updates to the dining room and bar, and a renovation of both the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Carolina Golf Club remains a true golfer’s golf club—and a hidden gem to those outside its membership.
