Old North State Club – Played February 2023
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 201 Old North State Club Lane, New London, North Carolina
- Year: 1992
- Architect: Tom Fazio
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 7,060 yards, Par 72, 74.9 Rating/147 Slope
- Green: 6,645 yards, Par 72, 73.1 Rating/143 Slope
- White: 6,264 yards, Par 72, 71.4 Rating/133 Slope (Men’s), 77.4 Rating/147 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold: 5,708 yards, Par 72, 68.7 Rating/128 Slope (Men’s), 74.4 Rating/140 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 5,024 yards, Par 72, 66.1 Rating/118 Slope (Men’s), 70.4 Rating/130 Slope (Women’s)
- Diamond: 4,088 yards, Par 72, 65.3 Rating/114 Slope (Women’s)
With Tom Fazio’s courses, you almost always know what you are going to get. His ceiling is not nearly as high as some of the all-time greats, but his floor is still pretty good. Old North State Club fits right into Mr. Fazio’s portfolio.
I got the chance to play it with a group of friends this past February. The timing is mentioned because shortly after the course underwent greens and bunker work. With the conditions I saw, that work was needed and hopefully, the course will be back to being in great shape when that is all done and grown in.
We’re going to have an abbreviated tour of the course this time because I just didn’t take as many photos during this round. Let’s get into it.
Hole 2 – 375 yards – Par 4
This view from the tee lays out the dogleg left with trouble crossing and running up the entire left side of the hole. Many shots on this course will cause some tension with water and trouble lurking.
Hole 9 – 419 yards – Par 4
The finisher on the front is a real test. Trees galore and a devious fairway bunker on the right make for a difficult tee shot. Deep bunkers around the green keep the pressure up until you hole out.
Hole 10 – 375 yards – Par 4
Don’t get suckered into the hero carry over the left bunker. There is plenty of room to the right to set up a good approach to this green that has a false front to watch out for.
Hole 14 – 179 yards – Par 3
We had a bit of a funny situation on my tee shot here. The only way to describe it was a bladed mid-iron that started out right but used the slopes to roll out to about six feet below the hole. Just the way I drew it up! As a show of good faith, I missed the putt.
Hole 16 – 404 yards – Par 4
The final three holes are the highlight of Old North State. They play along the lake, providing pretty views and asking you to hit some serious shots. The first of these holes, sixteen, plays downhill towards a narrow green jutting out into the water.
No matter how the round is going, take a moment to look out over the lake and enjoy the view.
Hole 17 – 186 yards – Par 3
Take note of the pin position on this hole because it will make all the difference for your tee shot. The green has a large slope running through the middle of it and if you’re on the wrong level pars will be quite difficult.
Old North State, as I mentioned earlier, is quintessential Fazio. There is nothing overly spectacular about it but it’s solid from start to finish. The finishing stretch is the lasting takeaway for me. With the recent work on the course, the members should be set up for some great conditions.