Champion Hills Club, Western North Carolina’s premier golf community, is heading into the heart of summer riding a wave of momentum. At the center of the excitement is the acclaimed Tom Fazio-designed golf course, which has reopened and is playing better than ever.
Meanwhile, the club has invested in two projects that promise to further elevate its already exceptional lifestyle experience.
“From the very beginning, 2025 was going to be a big year for us,” said the club’s Board President Milan Turk Jr. “We had major plans in place before Hurricane Helene, which created unexpected challenges for the entire region, but we never stopped moving forward. Now, it’s full speed ahead.”
A Mountain Masterpiece, Renewed
Champion Hills' beloved Tom Fazio layout, widely regarded as one of the architect’s finest designs, returned to full play in May with the completion of the 18th hole, following a phased reopening in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
The result? A layout that retains its signature charm while boasting enhanced beauty and playability.
“Repairs to streambanks and hillside paths have made the course safer and, in many places, even more visually stunning,” said Turk. “Holes 15 and 16, in particular, are absolutely breathtaking now, more dramatic, more photogenic, and every bit as playable.”
In true Champion Hills Club fashion, the improvements were guided by Fazio’s design team, some of whom helped build the course more than 30 years ago. “That continuity was invaluable,” Turk noted. “They understood both the terrain and the original vision, which helped us emerge from the work with something really special.”
An Expanded Clubhouse Patio offers the Best Seat in the House
The club also unveiled a significantly expanded patio space at the clubhouse, the heartbeat of the club’s thriving social scene.
Featuring more comfortable seating, improved sightlines, updated railings, and enhanced shade structures, the expanded patio space offers members the perfect place to gather, dine, and enjoy Champion Hills’ famous mountain sunsets.
“We’ve added about 30 percent more square footage, and it’s made a huge difference,” Turk said. “Every social event now has a patio component. The views are unbeatable, and the fire pit has become a natural place for people to linger, toast and share stories.”
Pickleball Joins the Party
Champion Hills Club also opened three brand-new pickleball courts in July, adding a dynamic new layer to the club’s recreational offerings.
With more than 25 percent of the club’s members already participating in pickleball, the addition was both member-driven and future-focused. Champion Hills Club has also brought in a full-time pickleball professional to oversee lessons, leagues, and lively social play.
“Pickleball is incredibly popular because it’s competitive and fun, but it’s also one of the most social sports around,” Turk said. “It fits perfectly with who we are as a club: active, engaged, and community-minded.”
The Sweet Spot of Mountain Living
The vibrance of Champion Hills Club is about more than facilities. It’s a way of life that combines natural beauty, premier golf, and a thriving, close-knit community.
“We’re sitting at 2,500 feet elevation, which means cooler air, long-range views, and year-round golf,” he said. “It’s an unbeatable mix of comfort and beauty, and 2025 is shaping up to be one of our best years yet.”
For those considering a mountain club lifestyle, Champion Hills Club is sending a clear message: Western North Carolina is open, and this community is thriving.
“Come visit us,” Turk said. “We’ve invested in the experience. The golf is spectacular, the sunsets are unforgettable, and the welcome mat is out.”
For more information or to schedule a tour, visit www.ChampionHills.com or call (828) 696-1962.
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