Cumberland County hosts hundreds of thousands of golf rounds every year, bringing in millions of dollars to the local economy. How has this small community atop the Cumberland Plateau become such a destination for duffers and pros alike? Simple. It’s a matter of quality. Cumberland County’s golf courses are among the best in the state, and that’s what ensures that golfers of all skill levels keep coming back. In fact, the courses are so good that they attract people who want to make Cumberland County their home.

Linksters who have played golf in Cumberland County know how good the courses are. For those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure, take a look at these course descriptions and call for your tee time. We hope you have fun on our courses, and we’ll see you at the 19th hole!

Lake Tansi
Selected in 1994 by the Cumberland County golf community as the best course to play, Lake Tansi receives heavy play from diehard golfers who own property in Lake Tansi Village or visit Lake Tansi Resort. The course features a back nine built around a series of small lakes and creeks that beckon golf balls to a watery grave.

Lake Tansi Golf Course hosts an array of golf tournaments each season for residents and visitors alike. It is the home of the Lake Tansi Exchange Club Benefit Tournament, the Cumberland County Junior Golf Benefit Tournament and City of Crossville Tournament, Lake Tansi Two Ball, Hospice Golf Tournament, FCA Benefit Tournament, second round of the Signsmith Shootout and the second City of Crossville Golf Tournament to benefit Fair Park Senior Center.

Lake Tansi is a private course. To play you must be a property owner or a timeshare owner. You may also be the guest of an owner. The course opens at 7:30 a.m. each day. Costs are $26 for members and $46 for guests. The cost for guests playing with members is $33.50. This includes a cart. Call (931) 788-3301 for tee times and the Tansi POA offices at 1-800-600-9913 for golf package rates.

Stonehenge
Stonehenge, the only public course in Fairfield Glade, is a gem. Ranked by Golf Digest as one of the 15 best resort courses in America one year, its reputation continues to grow. It is ranked as one of the best values for a resort course in America. Stonehenge was ranked as the number one public course in the state for the third straight year by Golf Digest in 2001 and ranked fourth overall in Tennessee.

A variety of long and short holes, deceptively easy-looking greens and small challenging greens, Stonehenge provides a challenge to a golfer’s skill. The demanding course provides beautiful scenery, giving a modicum of relief to the golfer who falls prey to the difficult course.

The cost is $59 for 18 holes (M-Th) plus tax and $79 (F-Su) plus tax. Tee times are required. Call (931) 484-3731 or 1-800-GOLF-120.

Heatherhurst
Heatherhurst is the newest course at Fairfield Glade, and it is unique, as it consists of two 18-hole layouts—Crag and Brae, combining the fourth nine with the original nines—Mountain, Pine and Creek—to come up with the two names.

The physical challenge and terrain of each course is described by its names. Wide accepting greens over the entire course relieve the difficulty of the par-three holes.

Heatherhurst is a private club, and you must be a member of the Fairfield Glade Community Club, a property owner, a timeshare holder or a lodge guest. You may also play as a guest of a member. Heatherhurst is the host of the Tennessee Golf Association’s annual father and son tournament, and is one of the home courses for the Cumberland County High School golf teams, plus a number of Fairfield Glade tournaments.

The member rate is $27 plus tax for property owners and timeshare owners and $42 plus tax for guests. Call (931) 484-3279 for tee times.

Druid Hills
Druid Hills is the original course at Fairfield Glade and is still considered the home course by many Glade residents. The course is rolling, and the back nine offers some of the best views in the county of the surrounding mountains, especially from the fairway of No. 11 and the tee of No. 14.

As you gaze down at the long downhill fairway on No. 14 to the lake lurking at the bottom, your eyes are drawn to the haze-shrouded mountains in the distance and you can’t help but think that your drive could carry forever. The greens are well protected and a challenge at any time of the year.

Druid Hills is also the site of several tournaments, including the Fairfield Glade Member/Guest, Ladies Invitational and Member/Member.

Druid Hills is a private golf club, and to play you must be a member of Fairfield Glade Community Club, a property owner, a timeshare owner or a lodge guest. You also may be a guest of a member. The member rate is $27 per round with cart plus tax. The guest rate is $42 per round with cart plus tax. Tee times may be made up to five days in advance by calling (931) 484-3729.

Mountain Ridge
Mountain Ridge Golf Course, formerly known as Cumberland Cove, is located four miles from Monterey on Highway 70, and is one of Cumberland County’s oldest public course. The course features wide open fairways and big, soft greens. It is fairly flat but features enough character to the layout to challenge the expert golfer. It also features a completely stocked pro shop, as well as a planned snack bar and kitchen facility.

Mountain Ridge, LLC is the owner of the course, with David Leahman partner/general manager. Linda Baker and Angela Kilby are the pro shop attendants.

The par-72, 18-hole course measures 6,673 yards. The cost is $24 for Monday-Friday and $27 on weekends. Green fees for nine holes (weekdays) is $14 and $16 for nine holes on weekends. Tee times are not required, but may be made at (931) 839-3313.

River Run
Golf enthusiasts enjoy the four-season River Run Golf Club, a picturesque course created by acclaimed golf architect Ron Garl. River Run Golf Club features a layout nestled into the beautiful Cumberland Plateau terrain, weaving lush fairways into the gently rolling hillsides along the flow channel of the Obed River. The par-three third hole is a signature hole, while holes 13 to 18 are a blend of two par-threes, two par-fours and two par-fives, all challenging and strategic, and arguably the best finishing holes on the Plateau.

River Run also has a full-service snack bar and a driving range. A number of tees have been converted to Bermuda grass, and there has been new seeding on greens and fairways. The price is $27 plus tax Monday through Friday and $32 plus tax Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. The cost includes a cart. The general managers are Tony and Sammy Hicks, and the teaching pro is Kip Henley, former Golf Channel “Big Break II” champion. Call (931) 456-4060 for tee times.

Dorchester
Dorchester ranks high on many lists as the most fun course to play in Fairfield Glade, and is the site of many tournaments, including the Fairfield Glade Member/Guest, East Tennessee Seniors, the Ladies Invitational and the John Beatty Memorial Tournament.

Dorchester is a private club, and to play you must be a member of the Fairfield Glade Community Club, a property owner, a timeshare holder or a lodge guest. You may also play as a guest of a member. The member rate is $27 per round with cart plus tax. The guest rate is $42 per round with cart plus tax. Tee times may be made up to five days in advance by calling (931) 484-3729.

Deer Creek
Deer Creek Golf Course is quickly becoming one of the county’s premier courses and growing. The course itself continues to improve and the beauty draws many from far and near. The course is being targeted as more of a member-oriented club rather than a resort. Player club memberships are available; however, the course is open to the public.

There are various rates, including $20 on Sunday and Monday; $25 Tuesday-Friday for seniors 55 and over; $30 Tuesday-Friday; $37 on Saturdays; and $20 twilight rate every day after 1:30 p.m. A snack bar ¡s open to provide light meals and refreshments to the hearty soul. Tom Humphrey is the general manager, and Earnie Brown is the assistant general manager.

The course measures 6,521 yards from the back tees. The par-fives are accessible in two strokes, with low scores possible. Deer Creek has been the site of several golf tournaments in the past, including benefit events by the CCHS and Stone Memorial High School wrestling teams, the “Heart-in-One” Golf Tournament, the Cumberland County Cardiac/Pulmonary Alumni, Inc., Knights of Columbus and the first round of the Signsmith Shootout.

Deer Creek is located about five miles from downtown Crossville, off l-40 at the Genesis Rd. (exit 320). The public is welcome. Tee times may be made by calling (931) 456-0178.

The Bear Trace
The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park, which opened in June 1998, is one of four Jack Nicklaus-designed layouts in Tennessee, and was named as the third best public course in the state by Golf Digest and ninth overall for 2001. The design takes advantage of elevation changes, as well as natural features, such as flowing streams and clustered pines. The signature seventh hole, an enticing par, incorporates another of the state’s natural resources, layered flagstone, also known as Crab Orchard stone.

Bear Trace was named as one of the 10 best courses in 1998 by Golf Magazine, and has a log cabin for the pro shop and snack bar. Cumberland Mountain State Park is a 1,548-acre wooded park atop Cumberland Mountain, elevation 2,000 feet, America’s largest forested plateau. A lakeside trail winds between tall pines and hemlocks. Nestled among the hardwoods are rental cabins, a recreation lodge and a restaurant overlooking Byrd Lake.

Bear Trace will be the host of the Frontier Tennessee Women’s State Open for the fourth straight year, hosted the Tennessee Sectional Championship in 2006 and is one of the home courses for the Cumberland County High School golf team. The fees fluctuate from $32 to $59. They have a twilight rate of $35 after 2 p.m. There are senior rates of $29 M-Thu with in-state residents and $35 for out-of-state residents. Call (931) 707-1640 for tee times and other rates.