Little River Golf ResortLittle River Golf Resort, previously Little River Farm, is an incredible Dan Maples design, owned and operated by the Oceanico Group. Little River Golf Resort incorporates unique terrain and natural features, including nearly 200 feet of elevation changes. The par 72 championship golf course offers full sets of tees for golfers of all skill levels, measuring from 4,850 to 7,018 yards.
Little River is rated 4 1/2 stars in the Golf Digest Best Places
to Play rankings and is listed in North Since the time of oiled sand greens and Donald Ross, Pinehurst has been known as the "Go To" place for serious golfers. Here in the Sandhills of NC - where golf can be played year-round on more than 40 courses, including the eight championship tracks at the Pinehurst Resort - "green gold" exists. That's what Oceanico Group owners Simon Burgess, from Manchester, England, and Gerry Fagan, from Ireland, understand well. Oceanico - a nine-year-old real estate development company that has established a strong presence in Portugal's Algarve holiday scene with several villa vacation communities and seven golf courses, including the new tracks by Christy O'Connor Jr. and one by Nick Faldo - has made the jump across the Atlantic to America. About four miles north of Pinehurst just off U.S. Hwy. 15-501, Little River Golf Resort is one of Oceanico's latest real estate projects in a portfolio of upscale golf and leisure resort properties adding up to more than $5 billion in assets, until now, mostly in Europe. When Burgess and Fagan visited the Carolinas with an eye to expanding their operations into America, the Sandhills area quickly captured their attention, not only because of the ideal playing conditions and beauty of the area but for Pinehurst's deep-seated history. "America is great at resort golf, but much of it is very modern and man-made with no history to it," said Burgess. "Then you come to Pinehurst, and you have so much (history). That's something you cannot build."
Oceanico purchased the 640-acre property in December 2007 from Little River Partners -
where a golf course was already established (1996) along with a The property came with its own unique history. A century ago it was an Ayrshire cattle farm and later an equestrian training facility with polo grounds and harness racing track. It was the site of the Olympic Equestrian Trails in the 1980s, and a jump from that event is a permanent fixture between the seventh green and eighth tee. Other reminders of its equestrian heritage are the horseshoe tee markers, the slick logo of a jockey on a race horse and neighborhood names like Pimlico Downs and Churchill Downs. A central recreation area is called Horsemans Park. Since acquiring the property, Oceanico has moved quickly to expand the development and has spent more than $2.5 million to upgrade the golf course, opening up tee boxes and polishing a jewel that could already hold it’s own, with any course in the Sandhills NC area. Designed by Moore County native Dan Maples, Little River Golf Resort course rolls up and down the hills through tall stands of trees with huge elevation changes. Once an equestrian landmark, "The Farm" has been transformed into a legendary championship golf course. From it’s elevation changes, winding rivers and thick forests, to its unsurpassed course condition, Little River Farm is a must play for everyone and has hosted numerous PGA Tour and amateur events. The front nine is equivalent to a Traditional Scottish Links and the back nine takes you to the mountains, with its incredible topography and vast elevation changes you'll feel as though you've experienced the best of both!! This Dan Maples design was sculptured from 450 acres of rolling hills that almost remind you of Scotland. The front nine is longer, less hilly and has more generous landing areas than the tighter back nine, which challenges with more elevation changes. Playing 7,018 yards from the tips (4,850 yards from forward tees), with four tees, this superbly maintained course provides enjoyable golf for all levels of players, but it is the subtleties that Maples has worked into the natural terrain that make it special.
For example, hole No. 4, a par-4 dog leg left, is well protected on all sides by Maples has employed some unusual features in his course. For example, he has added a fifth tee box on some holes, and hole No. 2 presents a double-feature par 3 with two greens and two approaches, the hole played from either on a rotating basis. Hole No. 16, a par 3, also offers risk and rewards. Carry from the tips 200 yards over a very large pond or head to the safer tee at 126 yards where the water threatens all along the left. Bottom line is, If you come to play in the Sandhills area, you've got to play "The Farm". It's a great outing that will burn landscape images and memories into your brain for years. Picture a cross between Mid South and Tobacco Road, only not quite as aggravating, with incredible course conditions and baby's butt greens. Set Up Your Golf Getaway or Vacation Package Today, and Come Play Little River Golf Resort With Us. It's A Great Way to Network with Business Associates or Just get away with friends or family.
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Carolina's Top 100 golf courses. After
playing Little River Golf Resort, you'll agree that you have experienced one of
the area's finest and fairest tests of golf.
clubhouse (2006)
and golf villas - while development plans were on the drawing board for condos
and homes.
waste areas and in the front bunkers. It's a fun test as a tree blocks your tee
shot at the turn. Brave hitters will cut the corner for an easy second shot in.
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