Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Sugar Mountain Clubhouse—The Village’s New Home for Golf and Tennis

A New Synergy is Born Atop Sugar Mountain

Story by Sam Calhoun

“Tennis skirts now brush golf slacks through the door,” said Tom McAuliffe, golf director at the Sugar Mountain Golf Club. “It’s a new synergy at Sugar Mountain.”

Welcome to the new Sugar Mountain.

In May, the Village of Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority (SMTDA) completed the largest capital improvement project ever attempted within the village limits when it opened the Sugar Mountain Clubhouse—a 5,000-square-foot golf and tennis shop, snack bar and golf cart garage, complete with a half-covered 2,000-square-foot deck overlooking the surrounding mountains.

The building replaced the metal shack where the golf club office used to be and the childcare center where the tennis office used to be. The tennis shop and the golf shop now share the same space on the same level as the new snack bar—serving everything from biscuits to club sandwiches from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. Below the entry level, a new garage holds the club’s 60 golf carts and chargers, and just off the snack bar, a wooden deck—complete with chairs and tables—offers valley views.

“The building exploits any view that the site possess,” said McAuliffe. “I think the building was long overdue. I think the Village of Sugar Mountain deserved this building—the region screamed for it.”

The Village of Sugar Mountain owns the Sugar Mountain Clubhouse and the SMTDA is funding its $800,000 construction cost. Lodging taxes collected by the SMTDA are primarily spent on advertising and promotion of the Village of Sugar Mountain, but roughly one-third of the funds can be spent on capital improvements. The SMTDA allocated $100,000 seed money for the construction of the Sugar Mountain Clubhouse two years ago and pledged $35,000 annually to pay off the debt.

“This municipal golf and tennis facility is surrounded by the region’s, arguably, best country club communities,” said McAuliffe, as he pointed out that the Sugar Mountain Golf Club and Sugar Mountain Tennis are located in the center of Beech Mountain, Elk River, Linville Ridge, Grandfather Golf and Country Club and Diamond Creek. “And we’re open to everybody.”

With the club’s economical rates and afternoon, fall and spring specials for both golf and tennis, anyone in the High Country can afford and is allowed to play at Sugar Mountain. The club is not private and is open seven days a week.

“The sports are prohibitably expensive, especially here, but we’re very accessible,” said McAuliffe. “This is the people’s golf course. Play here crosses all economic and cultural lines.”

Designed by Frank Duane in 1974, the Sugar Mountain golf course features nine par threes, eight par fours and a single par five. At an elevation of 4,000 feet, the course is known for its immaculate putting greens, laurel boundaries, many streams and panoramic views.

McAuliffe manages the course and golf shop. He was the longtime owner of Tom’s Custom Golf and writer for the Sundown Times and Mountain Times. McAuliffe now works at the golf course seven days a week during the summer and writes for Carolina Mountain Living. McAuliffe, who is also an avid skier, has played golf since he was 14. He was born in Ohio but moved to Charlotte when he was 12—he has not left the High Country since attending ASU.

Just across the showroom floor from McAuliffe in the Sugar Mountain Clubhouse is eight-year Sugar Mountain Tennis Director Lee Morrison.

Lee moved with her husband Frank Morrison and her son Ean from St. Augustine, Fla. eight years ago, leaving a promising career to raise her son in the mountains. After working at Sugar Mountain for one season, Frank Morrison took a job as the tennis pro at Grandfather Mountain Golf and Country Club and Lee took his position at Sugar. Lee does not act as Sugar’s tennis pro but she knows everyone who walks in the door and is happy to set up games for anyone.

Lee runs Sugar’s six fast-dry clay courts—the best in the business—that are rolled five to six days per week and watered every day. In addition to the courts, Lee runs the tennis shop that is “fully stocked with whatever you need,” Lee said.

“This building has changed people’s perception of Sugar Mountain,” said McAuliffe, who added that he still meets people who have no idea that Sugar Mountain offers golf. “I think it’s a symbol of the hospitality that Sugar Mountain offers. It gives us credibility.”

“We are now shining,” Lee said.

“Now we want to get better,” added McAuliffe.

The Sugar Mountain Clubhouse will be dedicated to David Nixon—a longtime resident and civic-minded citizen of Sugar Mountain—during the building’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The date of the ribbon cutting is yet to be announced.

“[Nixon] has always had the community at heart,” said McAuliffe.

According to McAuliffe, Nixon had the forethought to hold the golf course together and to help Gunther Jochl hold the ski slope together while Sugar Mountain incorporated as a village.

McAuliffe said the next step is to replace the golf course’s and tennis court’s irrigation and sprinkler systems. The systems have not been replaced since 1974.

“We’re looking to refine the product and make it better,” said McAuliffe. “We’re fortunate that the TDA will be able to help us.”

The Sugar Mountain Clubhouse—home to the Sugar Mountain Golf Club and Sugar Mountain Tennis—is located at 1054 Sugar Mountain Drive in Sugar Mountain. Tee times are available seven days a week starting at 8:00 a.m. and the six clay tennis courts are open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, click to www.seesugar.com or call the golf shop at 828-898-6464 or the tennis shop at 828-898-6746.

Rates for the Sugar Mountain Golf Club:

Spring and Fall:
18 holes with cart—$32
9 holes with cart—$20
Walk after 3:00 p.m.—$14

Memorial Weekend through Labor Day:
18 holes with cart—$40
9 holes with cart—$23
Walk after 4:00 p.m.—$14

Rates for Sugar Mountain Tennis:

General Fees:
Singles (2 people)—$24
Doubles (4 people)—$32

Discount Rates (after 2:00 p.m. and Sunday all day):
Singles (2 people)—$12
Doubles (4 people)—$16

Monthly Pass:
Unlimited—$225

Season Pass Rates for Village Taxpayers:.
Individual—$325
Family—$450

Season Pass Rates for Non-Taxpayers of Village:
Individual—$405
Family—$530