Welcome to Denver,
N.C., Where Lincoln
County's Verdict Ridge
is Worth the Finder's Fee

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

DENVER, N.C. - The roads from Charlotte, North Carolina to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina were flooded two ways to Tuesday - or however the saying goes. The upshot of it was that this Myrtle Beach golf writer, who actually resides in the Queen City of Charlotte, was stranded inland like a drunken sailor.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? I don't know, but if I had any designs on teeing it up during the weekend, it's going to be here in the home "burg." Floyd had brought down its wrath so hard on eastern North Carolina even the snakes are running for higher ground

So what else was there for me to do but break out the golf guide from the Charlotte Observer. It didn't take long for me to figure out that from a golfing standpoint, this could be a blessing in disguise.

Come to find out there are eighty golf courses within an hour's drive of downtown Charlotte (where I live the new urbanist dream of existing without a car except for the weekends when I drive insane distances to play golf.)

I needed a course that was close enough so I could get back for Sunday night football on time, but far enough away that I experienced that relaxing release that occurs when one leaves their familiar environs.

STUMBLING UPON THE "RIDGE"

What I found was the Verdict Ridge Golf and Country Club in nearby, yet remote, Denver, North Carolina. What I had discovered was a spectral representation of the incredibly diverse state that I now call home, wrapped up in one hell of a golf course.

Located approximately 35 miles north of Charlotte, you don't just stumble upon Verdict Ridge - you find it with all the deliberateness of a surgeon. Winding country roads take you through the lush landscape of the Piedmont and lead you to what has to be one of North Carolina's most underrated gems.

While rapping with Head Professional John Hughes, it occurred to me that something that he had said was the key to the overall feeling that you are playing at one extremely unique facility.

"The piece of property we had is unique for this area," said Hughes, beaming with pride. "There are a few hundred feet of elevation changes on site. There are five natural streams that run through the property."

Perhaps the biggest surprise came when I asked Hughes about the course architect. I wasn't expecting Fazio or Dye, but I was expecting someone of local report.

"What you play and what you see at Verdict Ridge is a combination of Eddie Knox, the owner, Land Design, Inc. who did the course on paper, and Jim Harbin with Shapemasters, Inc," explained Hughes carefully.

A collaboration, no doubt, but not exactly Crenshaw/Dye or Lehman/Fought. I have played factory produced layouts before and been both surprised and disappointed.

Explore the front and back nines of Verdict Ridge

Due Up - All Doubts Laid to Rest: The Front Nine at Verdict Ridge Makes a Statement Back Nine at Verdict Ridge Seals the Deal for one of the Piedmont's Best