An area golf course is included in plans to build a destination resort community.
The golf course at RedTail Mountain in Mountain City has character to it. A Dan Maples’ design, (who also designed Grandfather Golf and Country Club), provides 400 feet of elevation change for golfers to deal with. The layout covers 6,724 yards from the back tees, and golfers will have a new putting green that covers 5,500 square feet near the newly-built pro shop by mid-August.
According to RedTail Mountain PGA pro Sam Adams, the signature hole is the third, a downhill 532-yard par five. The hole has a bend to the right near the green with a large rock wall behind the green. Make sure to hit the fairway off the tee or the hole will be harder to play, he says.
“I think as far as a mountain golf course, we have some true mountain holes,” Adams added.
More and more golfers have discovered the course and are visiting Mountain City from outside the area to stay and play at RedTail Mountain, Adams said.
“We’ve been getting excellent reviews from Tripadvisor and most reviews always mention the views,” he said. “This is a beautiful location for a golf course. This is not something you can duplicate.”
Of 36 reviews on Tripadvisor, 30 rate the course excellent or very good.
The property has over 5,200 acres which includes the 18-hole golf course facility. People can also hike, fly fish, play tennis, swim or enjoy other outdoor activities if desired. Also, the lodge has dining options including a popular Sunday brunch. The natural area also attracts animals as exhibited by a flock of wild turkeys gathered near the entrance gate to RedTail.
“Our goal is to be a world-class destination” said Lyle Habermehl of RedTail Mountain. “We want this to be one of those places that people from all over the world look to as a premier spot in the high country of the Appalachian Mountains.”
RedTail also has over 100 building lots available for houses, and out-of-town guests can stay at one of the condos near the lodge.
For more information about RedTail Mountain call 423-727-7600 or visit redtailmountain.com.
Sports writer Gene Renfro is an avid golfer and golf instructor, as well as official scorer for the Elizabethton Twins. Reach him at sports@elizabethton.com.