text: Maples estimates that about 75 percent of the shots golfers hit at Apple Valley are either level or downhill, virtually unheard of for a mountain course.
  Bald Mountain, on the other hand, represents what golf aficionados consider a true mountain course. Designed by W.B. Lewis, a protégée of renowned architect George Cobb, Bald Mountain’s elevation changes, particularly on the inward nine, offer a beguiling mix of uphill and downhill shots amidst a variety of doglegs and straight fairways. The 16th green on Bald Mountain is famous for serving as the backdrop of a scene from the beloved motion picture “Dirty Dancing” – one of numerous movies filmed in the area during the past half-century.
  This year’s biggest news around Rumbling Bald is Apple Valley’s transition from Bent grass greens to smooth-rolling Champion Bermuda. After exhaustive research and testing, Champion was chosen for its superior performance profile, heat tolerance and maintainability – serving up stimpmeter speeds up to 2 feet faster than similar ultra-dwarf cultivars. Other North Carolina courses with the grass include Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, site of the 2017 PGA Championship, and famed Pinehurst No. 2, host of the 1999, 2005, 2014 and 2024 U.S. Opens.
  Apple Valley’s greens transition began in June, as play was shifted to Bald Mountain. The summer’s ample rain and sunshine, coupled with the agronomic expertise of Director of Golf Course Maintenance Matt Lovell, allowed the popular Southern turfgrass to flourish and quickly take root.
  The course’s reopening in August, just three months after closing, was nothing short of miraculous. “There was a time just six months ago when we considered shuttering this project until next year,” says Rumbling Bald General Manager Jeff Geisler. “But our board and golf team held fast to our commitment of improving the golf product here every year. As it turns out, the timing was perfect. With everything that’s happened this year, we feel incredibly fortunate that Apple Valley reopened ahead of schedule.”
  Apple Valley’s new Champion Bermuda greens are a gorgeous, deep green hue and feel like rolling putts on new carpet, allowing consistency from start to finish. “Golfers are going to love putting on these greens and my staff is going to enjoy taking care of them,” says Lovell. “Bent grass requires more maintenance throughout the summer, from additional water to fans. With Champion Bermuda, we’ll be able to focus entirely on the golfer experience.”
  Rumbling Bald has completed several golf-focused enhancements across both courses over the past two years, including tree removal and replanting, upgraded landscape, and new E-Z-GO golf carts equipped with USB ports, complimentary coolers and bottled water.
  “Our golf courses are an invaluable amenity here at Rumbling Bald, and we’ve committed to providing guests with an outstanding playing surface from tee to green,” says Geisler. “Dan Maples’ layout and routing at Apple Valley is so pure from tee to green that smooth, true rolling Champion greens are the perfect fit.”
  Rumbling Bald offers golf packages combing rounds at both courses with the resort’s 150 sparkling clean vacation rental homes, condos and studios. Ideal for social distancing, they feature golf course and mountain views. Golfers can grab to-go meals from Legends on the Lake, the resort’s casual dining restaurant overlooking Lake Lure. At Apple Valley, Pinnacle Southern Kitchen serves hot dogs, wraps, snacks and has a full bar.
  Resort guest have access to an all on-site amenities and activities, including scenic Lake Lure boat tours, boat rentals, tennis, pickleball, a full-service spa and hiking trails. Families enjoy the Trout Stream Pool and Lazy River, winding its way through the outdoor pool area where guests relax under fan-cooled covered seating. It’s the perfect basecamp for exploring the natural wonders of western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains.