Western North Carolina is home to natural beauty and, not coincidentally, the Balsam Mountain Preserve.
If you are a nature lover, it is a bucket list area to visit. You have the Blue Ridge Parkway at your fingertips. There is the cultural richness of Asheville, NC, and the surrounding hill towns and communities. After all, it is a mountain paradise to explore and experience.
Luckily for us, it’s also a golf-rich region. There are a handful of golf communities located in the mountains of western North Carolina. A newcomer is competing for attention, especially from individuals seeking to escape to the rural peace that the mountains offer. And, to its credit, this startup is rooted in preserving the natural scenery and beauty of Sylva, NC
This is it Balsam mountain preserve.
Balsam golf is a masterpiece of Arnold Palmer
Balsam Mountain Preserve is an Arnold Palmer signature course. The views are breathtaking. The road will leave you speechless. Immersed in beauty at every turn will satisfy your soulespecially if you believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Of the tips, Balsam Mountain Preserve has a course and slope rating of 73.8/152. It’s a beast and height plays a factor. (Thankfully, there are some tee shots and approach shots that are downhill or level.) I don’t have a lot of experience hitting at these elevations, and the ball was flying one to two clubs further on level shots alone. So calculating club selection adds to the challenge during your first round at Balsam Mountain Preserve.
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” That saying is never more true than here. Take a look for yourself on the breathtaking front nine.
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Golfing at Balsam Mountain Preserve is a constant ordeal
Making the turn on the back nine at Balsam makes you wonder, “Can this golf course maintain this level of brilliance?” The answer is a resounding yes.
Every hole at Balsam Mountain Preserve requires precision off the tee. However, as you play the golf course, you realize that it is more open than it appears. This is a testament to the architectural design that Arnold Palmer’s team achieves here. But beware: the tough, native grass is thick. The hilly terrain makes even the simplest shots from the fairway difficult.
See for yourself below.
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Why Balsam Mountain Conservation?
A golf and outdoor enthusiast will love what Balsam Mountain Preserve has to offer.
You have seen the wonder of the golf course above, which alone is enough to tempt any visitor. However, if you are an outdoor enthusiast, this unique place will call to your soul. At 3,300 feet above sea level, there is plenty of natural, untouched terrain to explore. Furthermore, you are not limited to BMP. You have access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and all its sights and sounds within a short drive.
In addition to hiking, Balsam Mountain Preserve has its own equestrian center. Walking at this height can be an ordeal for some, so give it a try exploring on horseback. There are approximately 42 miles of trails on the property. What better way to witness the masterpiece that is great outdoors?
Golf, hiking, horseback riding. Sign up.
But the complaint does not end there.
Convenience is a selling point
Travel to some mountain destinations can be time-consuming and complicated. In contrast, Balsam Mountain Preserve is approximately 40 minutes from the Asheville airport and directly off State Highway 74. This convenient location allows you to access Asheville and other surrounding amenities.
Real Estate Options
Balsam Mountain Preserve is a private club where the main focus is to get members on the property and keep them on the property. There are only 354 residences here, but there is a range of other accommodation.
- Custom residences
- If patience is not your virtue, it is custom residences available for purchase. These places vary in price and location on the property. They are wonderful properties designed and built by North Carolinians. These are the perfect option for someone looking to transition quickly into life at Balsam Mountain Preserve.
- homes
- These are where you dreams come true. If you feel like moving to the mountains, this is the space to build your dream mountain home. If you have a vision, Balsam delivers construction specifications and instructions since conservation conservation will always be at the fore.
- Partial ownership
- A more unique residence experience awaits through fractional ownership. There are two routes to fractional ownership – Dormitory Cabins AND Doubletop Residence Club the houses.
- The Lodge cabins are rustic and embrace mountain living with a modernized interior approach. These cabins sit at 3,700 feet and are located nearby MArKet.
- Each partial opportunity offers membership privileges to all owners, family members and their guests. The downside is that those privileges are limited to days due to fractional ownership. So choose your real estate option appropriately based on usage.
Your mountain paradise awaits you
A private mountain club is a great option. Of course, it’s not for everyone. However, if you want a mountain paradise, Balsam Mountain Preserve is calling your name.
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