Last Updated on June 5, 2023
Location and lodging
Tucked along scenic Lake Lure and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rumbling Bald is secluded yet eminently accessible from several East Coast population centers. Charlotte, Asheville and Raleigh, N.C., Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn. and Greenville and Spartanburg, S.C. are a half-day’s drive or less.
Rumbling Bald approved a five-year, $8.5 million capital improvement plan with myriad upgrades and enhancements throughout the property, including their golf courses. In addition to Apple Valley’s new greens and the updates at Bald Mountain, golfers will encounter new branded signage at both courses and clubhouses. Apple Valley and Bald Mountain are also sporting new E-Z-GO cart fleets, bag drop areas and water coolers. And both practice ranges have new performance-engineered mats and spacious hitting bays.
The property’s 150 vacation rental homes, condos and studios are ideal for golf groups of various sizes and feature golf course and mountain views. Post round, golfers can relax at Legends on the Lake, casual dining along the shores of Lake Lure, or grab a hearty sandwich and cold drink at Pinnacle Southern Kitchen at the Apple Valley clubhouse.
Rumbling Bald is rich with amenities and activities, including scenic Lake Lure boat tours, boat rentals, tennis, pickleball, a full-service spa and hiking trails. Families enjoy the Trout Stream Pool and Lazy River, winding its way through the outdoor pool area where guests relax under fan-cooled covered seating. It’s the perfect basecamp for exploring the natural wonders of western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Golf courses
Apple Valley
Rumbling Bald’s marquee course, Apple Valley, stretches to nearly 6,800 yards and features expansive views of Bald Mountain and the surrounding Lake Lure area. Golf course architect Dan Maples estimated 75% of the shots at Apple Valley are either level or downhill, virtually unheard of for a mountain course. Shimmering mountain lakes adorn 12 holes, but water only occasionally comes into play.
New Champion Bermuda greens were installed on every hole in the summer of 2020, a superior ultradwarf turf that’s heat tolerant, easier to maintain in Rumbling Bald’s temperate climate and has speeds up to two feet faster than other ultradwarf turf cultivars as measured by a stimpmeter. Noteworthy holes include the par-3 8th, featuring a stunning view of Bald Mountain, and the par-3 14th with its panorama of Young’s Mountain.
Bald Mountain
Bald Mountain, Rumbling Bald’s original W.B. Lewis-designed mountain-style golf course, re-opened on April 1, 2021 after undergoing a series of enhancements to beautify its surrounds, increase overall playability and restore original shot values.
Throughout the 6,300-yard par-72 layout, tree canopy coverage was reduced, allowing for more sunlight to penetrate areas around tee boxes and green complexes. On several dogleg holes, tree lines were restored to their original borders, providing golfers more options on approach shots into greens. New turf was installed on several tee boxes and in fairways running up to green complexes.
Amenities and real estate
In addition to golf, Rumbling Bald homeowners have access to an onsite spa and salon, wellness center, three restaurants, beach and lakefront swimming and water activities and 125-slip gated marina. Some of the best hiking east of the Mississippi is only minutes away, and day trip options to myriad quaint Blue Ridge Mountain towns abound.
Residential offerings include single family homes and condos both on and off the golf courses. A quick check of inventory during this writing uncovered a one-bedroom condo under contract for $59,000, a fully-renovated condo for sale for 69,000 and a small selection of single-family homes in the $400s.
Rumbling Bald’s lot inventory is ample compared to neighboring communities, with most land offerings in the 0.8 to one-acre range, priced from $5,000 up to $79,000. Several lots have golf course views, while others offer lake views and direct even lake access.
For those who’d like to sample life at Rumbling Bald before considering a move, discovery packages are offered that include golf, a tour of the property, scenic boat tour of the lake and lodging in the retreat’s Apple Valley Studios. Guests can also book larger villas and luxury mountain homes and explore Rumbling Bald at their own pace.
For more information on Rumbling Bald, visit rumblingbald.com.
