Get Hole

Get Hole
MOUNTAIN LIVING IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

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Get in the Hole: Throughout the mountains, mini golf awaits pro and amateur putters alike
Miniature golf, putt-putt, wacky golf—whatever you call it, you can’t ignore the sticking power of such a fun and accessible little game. We have a particularly strong native connection in North Carolina: Thistle Dhu in Pinehurst, constructed in 1916, was the fi rst 18-hole miniature golf course in the world. Mini golf then quickly became a national phenomnon. By its early height, before the Depression decimated the industry in 1930, there were some 25,000 courses in the US. In the decades since, mini golf’s comeback has been a colorful one, with the game evolving into crazy-kitschy courses bedecked with the simulated waterfalls, volcanos, and windmills that we love today.
Last year, my girlfriend Claire and I set out on a quest to play every mini golf course in Western North Carolina. It seemed like a choice date idea and way to get safely out of the house during the pandemic. What we did not expect was the richness of the experience, the diversity of the courses, or the addictiveness of the game. Here’s our guide to WNC mini golf, in all its small wonder
Lakeview Putt and Play - Arden P
Resting on the banks of Lake Julian, Lakeview is one of the newest area mini golf courses and offers a seriously tough 18 holes. Ramps, trick holes, and challenging embankments line a modern course. They even claim to have the longest hole in WNC, at 100 feet. Don’t be surprised when some hazards have a watery outcome for the careless putter. Open year-round, weather permitting. lakeviewputtandplay.com
Whistle Hop Brewing Company - Fairview D
One of the most distinctive courses in the region, the brewery decided to build their own six-hole course to add to their selection of games for the whole family. Enjoy a pint while you chip your way through this home-built and slightly janky short course packed with pass-throughs, split boxes, and bridges. And did we mention that the course is free for Whistle Hop customers? Open year-round. whistlehop.com
Chimney Rock Adventure Golf - Chimney Rock P
A part of the Broad River Inn, a historic stagecoach stop dating back to the 1890s. Grab a beer and dive into this top-notch course set directly on the banks of the river. Built in what clearly used to be a garden, the course is bedecked with some of the classiest kitsch we’ve seen—artificial deer, frogs, decorative flower pots. At $10 per game, it’s one of the pricier courses in WNC, but on the other hand, it’s also the only 18-hole course that has an onsite bar. Open year-round. broadriverinn.com
Laura E. Corn Mini Golf at Boyd Park - Hendersonville  I
Transformed from shuffleboard courts to a mini golf course in the 1960s and named for a 35-year veteran employee, this 18-hole municipal course has some of the most challenging holes in the state. Quirky and lightly educational, the links were designed to promote WNC attractions including the Blue
Ridge Parkway, the Carl Sandburg House, and Grandfather Mountain. 2022 will mark the last year for the historic course at its current location; a new city mini golf will be constructed at Edwards Park in 2023 to make room for a new fi re station at the current spot. hendersonvillenc.gov/parks
Tropical Gardens Mini Golf - Asheville  I
An Asheville institution, Tropical Gardens has loomed above Asheville’s bustling Patton Avenue for 31 years. Lavishly bedecked with curious pink flamingos, prancing zebras, towering giraffes, skulking tigers, and jubilant elephants sprawling the hillside—and what kind of tropical garden would it be without a waterfall and smoking volcano? A moderately difficult course, with manageable hazards, drop tubes, and a few pass-throughs, it’s an absolute mustplay. minigolftropicalgardens.com
Sunrise Mountain Mini Golf - Boone  I
Attached to the Sunrise Café, a homespun breakfast and lunch joint, Sunrise’s 18 holes wind their way up and down some steep terrain, making it one of the harder courses in the region. An older course with significant wear and tear, it’s best to play with a degree of caution, as it is easy to lose a ball in the forest on these links. sunrisegrillboone.com
Bear Creek Adventures Mini Golf and Gem Mining - Murphy P
In the midst of the stunningly beautiful mountain vistas of Cherokee County sits the elegant course of Bear Creek. Opting for less kitsch and more course, it certainly isn’t the most colorful greenway, but the way these 18 holes navigate the shifting terrain makes for formidable mountain links. Facebook: Bear Creek Adventures Mini Golf
Carpet Golf - Maggie Valley D
One of our favorite courses, Carpet Golf actually boasts two 18-hole courses with each hole designed around an array of props—old trucks, steam engines, jet airplanes, pirate ships, water wheels, and
wild stallions, to name a few. In operation since 1963 and of a clearly DIY nature, Carpet Golf proves to be simultaneously one of the most difficult and most enjoyable courses in WNC. This was, hands down, our favorite course of the roundup. A+ for kitsch appeal. Facebook: Maggie Valley Carpet Golf
Vic’s Place Mini Golf - Spruce Pine P
Founded by Kim Oberhammer in memory of her father, Victor, a professional golfer for 35 years, Vic’s Place spreads its greens beneath a canopy of shady trees. A great spot to slurp some shaved ice on a hot day and work your way through a very tricky course of water hazards, pin boxes, and split-level holes. There isn’t usually much by way of decor, but when we played in October they clearly went all out for Halloween. vicsminigolf.com
Fireside Golf Range and Mini Golf - Hendersonville P
Once the only course in North Carolina on the US ProMiniGolf Association circuit, Fireside has undergone renovations during the winter season after changing ownership during the pandemic. A pristine and challenging course that leans more on its terrain changes than hazards or tricks, it’s also home to Chip & Bogie, two very friendly goats who reside around the waterfall at the center of the links and assist with maintenance. Open year-round. firesidegolfrange.com

Games & Quizzes
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1 a

: an opening through something : perforation

The coat has a hole in it. a bullet hole

b

: an area where something is missing

His mother's death left a hole in his life.

: gap : such as

(1)

: a serious discrepancy : flaw , weakness

some holes in your logic

(2)

: an opening in a defensive formation

a running back's ability to find holes in the defensive line

especially

: the area of a baseball field between the positions of shortstop and third baseman

(3)

: a defect in a crystal (as of a semiconductor ) that is due to an electron's having left its normal position in one of the crystal bonds and that is equivalent in many respects to a positively charged particle

2

: a hollowed-out place

a hole in an apple

: such as

a

: a cave, pit, or well in the ground

dug a large hole with a steam shovel

b

: burrow

a rabbit hole

c

: an unusually deep place in a body of water (such as a river)

3 a

: a wretched or dreary place

How could anyone live in such a hole ?

b

: a prison cell especially for solitary confinement

threw him in the hole for two days

4 a
golf

: a shallow cylindrical hole or hollowed-out place in the putting green of a golf course into which the ball is played

b

: a part of the golf course from tee (see tee entry 2 sense 2 ) to putting green

just beginning play on the third hole

also

: the play on such a hole as a unit of scoring

won the hole by two strokes

5 a

: an awkward position or circumstance : fix

got the rebels out of a hole at the battle — Kenneth Roberts

b

: a position of owing or losing money

$10 million in the hole raising money to get out of the hole

1

: having a score below zero

2

: at a disadvantage

1

: to make an opening through or a hollowed-out place in (as by cutting, digging, boring, or shooting at) : to make a hole (see hole entry 1 ) in

The ship was holed along the waterline by enemy fire.

2

: to drive or hit into a hole

hole a putt The dogs holed the fox.

: to make an opening through or a hollowed-out place in something : to make a hole in something

The dog dug a deep hole .

Her putt rolled right into the hole .

She made a birdie on the seventh hole .

The course has 18 holes . Verb

She holed a long putt for a birdie.

holed the target with a round of shots

At the same time, Newsom helped dig his own hole by going after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his despicable stunt of flying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.

—

Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times , 28 Sep. 2022

The Chicago Bears are tied for the NFC North lead with the Minnesota Vikings at 1-0 while the reigning division champion Green Bay Packers and four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers are looking up from their 0-1 hole .

—

Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune , 15 Sep. 2022

Alan took a picture of Brandon at their fishing hole .

—

Michael Tobin, Fox News , 25 Aug. 2022

If three were to sign, that would mean Matt Wallace, Austin Smotherman (who had his own mishap on his last hole at the Wyndham Championship) and Lower would retain a full card and be exempt for The Players Championship.

—

Doug Ferguson, ajc , 23 Aug. 2022

McIlroy went from rough to gallery to fringe to bogey on his last hole for a 69 for only his second missed cut of the year.

—

Doug Ferguson, BostonGlobe.com , 12 Aug. 2022

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Predicting where the sport goes from here is sort of like trying to hole a shot from the fairway.

—

Paul Newberry, ajc , 26 Aug. 2022

There's also drill- hole tabs at the base for permanent installation.

—

Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics , 13 May 2022

Apple is moving to hole -punch displays this year, but the notch replacement isn’t quite as clean as on Android phones.

—

Chris Smith, BGR , 6 Apr. 2022

Add a few handfuls of worm castings to hole but no other amendments.

—

Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune , 2 Oct. 2021

With Cantlay in close, the Spaniard had to hole the chip to have any chance of a playoff.

—

BostonGlobe.com , 5 Sep. 2021

Proximity to hole leaders from 175-200 yards include: Collin Morikawa, Charley Hoffman, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Abraham Ancer, Daniel Berger, Will Zalatoris and Tony Finau.

—

Jay Ginsbach, Forbes , 17 June 2021

Betsy Wentz, founder of Studio B Interior Design, has an office/command center at one of three kitchen islands (more on those later) while her husband, a doctor, can hole away in a study.

—

Hadley Keller, House Beautiful , 30 July 2020

Brady was the butt of the joke (quite literally when his pants split down the back) until the six-time Super Bowl winner holed -out from the fairway on the Par-5 7th hole in the greatest moment of the event.

—

Carolyn Manno, CNN , 25 May 2020

MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster

1

: an opening into or through a thing

2 a

: a hollow place (as a pit or cave)

b

: a deep place in a body of water

trout holes

3

: an underground habitation : burrow

4

: flaw , fault

5 a

: the shallow cup into
Stepmom Gagging
French Hairy Milf
Fucking My Grandma Stories

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