The Back Nine at
Verdict Ridge Sets
Standard for Affordable,
Daily Fee Golf in Charlotte

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

But I can't seem to get the back nine at Verdict Ridge out of my head. So every Sunday I'm in town, I throw the clubs in the compact sports car (notice, no SUV), and head out for the charms of Lincoln County, North Carolina.

And every Sunday after I play the 10th hole, I know the 11th hole is on deck - a little slice of the Carolina coast, set in the rolling hills of the west Piedmont. The 11th, simply the best par-3 of the entire layout, is surrounded by coastal sawgrass that waves back and forth in the cool Carolina Breeze.

The hole is played as all cover over a protected wetland area. At first glance, this hole is a terror for the high handicapper, playing 178 yards from the middle blue tees. But trust your club selection on this hole; have faith in the club you usually take from this distance and let your shot run long into the wide, but shallow green.

With the 12th using a temporary green (an obligatory par of course), the 13th hole is the next piece of the highlight reel that is the Verdict Ridge back nine. Actually, the drive to this 159-yard, par-3 may be the best part of the entire experience at the 13th. The cart path dives into the think strands of North Carolina deciduous trees like Andruw Jones on the trail of a shallow fly ball to center.

The 14th hole, a 391 yard, par-4, will appeal to purists with its traditional routing and lack of contrived mounding. This dogleg left will surprise the first time player with a creek that bisects the fairway and is quite reachable with a solid draw off the tee.

But just as a good song builds up to its chorus (unless it's the Smashing Pumpkins), the first six holes of the back nine at Verdict Ridge build up to one of the better golf holes in all the Carolinas - the par-5, 16th.

Recognized by many as the signature hole, this 509 yard masterpiece will blow you away with its views of the surrounding piedmont, its pure and clever design, and perhaps most strikingly, its boulders.

The hole plays uphill off the tee to the middle of the fairway, and then from the middle of the fairway, the hole plays downhill to a green protected on the left side by a series of imported boulders.

The must see on this hole? As you approach the green along the cart path on the right side of the fairway, take the time to climb up on the boulders to the left and look out upon thick strands of lush trees surrounding the course.

It just wouldn't be right if the 17th and 18th holes at Verdict tried to steal the thunder away from the 16th, and fortunately they don't. Not that they are a couple of bad holes, or even average for that matter. Its just that the 16th will be the last hole to stick in your mind on the course, as well as the following week as you are trying to type the proverbial corporate memo at work.

As far as I am concerned, the Verdict is in; Verdict Ridge is a course to played and a sight to behold.