Wade Hampton Golf Club

Exceptional Living, Exceptional Mountain Golf

Wade Hampton Golf Club is the vision of the late A. William McKee, Founder and President of McKee Development and McKee Properties. It is one of several area developments known for award-winning design and sensitivity to environmental concerns.

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Its members and residents enjoy authentic social camaraderie and lifelong friendships against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain vistas and relaxed, rustic elegance.


The History

The property originally was owned by the Hampton family, wealthy South Carolina landowners. The legendary Confederate General and South Carolina Governor, Wade Hampton III, spent many summers hunting and fishing on the estate.

In 1922, the land was purchased by Sylva industrialist E. Lyndon McKee, Sr. who converted the estate into a summer resort called the venerable High Hampton Inn. An agreement with his heirs allowed his grandchildren, A. William McKee and Ann McKee Austin, to acquire a portion of the property.

When family land was divided in 1985, William and Ann partnered to create the renowned Wade Hampton Golf Club on what had been bridle trails and hunting land.

The Residential Community

This carefully designed residential community has narrow, tree-canopied roads that wind through natural vegetation. Encircled by 28,000 acres of national forest and rising 3,486 feet above sea level, the community is limited to 300 homesites for single-family residences.

Because its golf course lies on the valley floor of a mountain, some of the most dramatic homesites are away from the course on the surrounding ridges, with views of both the course and the mountain vistas beyond. Homesites range from .25 to 5+ acres.

The World-Class Golf

Wade Hampton Golf Club features a world-class, championship course designed by Tom Fazio. It is widely considered to be Fazio’s masterpiece.

Since its opening in 1987, the course has garnered consistent accolades. With fairways that flow through a natural valley between flanking mountain peaks, it provides one of the most memorable golfing experiences in the world. Dramatic views of Chimneytop, Rock and Whiteside mountains may be seen along its walkable course.

Current Golf Course Distinctions Include:

#1 – TOP 200 RESIDENTIAL COURSES, Golfweek

#3 – BEST MOUNTAIN COURSES, Golf Magazine

#26 – AMERICA’S 100 GREATEST GOLF COURSES, Golf Digest

#10 – TOP 200 MODERN COURSES, Golfweek

#1 – BEST PRIVATE COURSE IN NC, Golfweek

#1 – BEST RESIDENTIAL COURSE IN NC, Golfweek

#50 – 200 GREATEST INTERNATIONAL GOLF COURSES, Golf Digest

Wade Hampton Golf Club is considered by many to be an example of several design elements that have dominated course architecture throughout the years — a balance of new ideas with old traditions, of risk and reward with playability, of variety with subtlety. The course may be most memorable, however, for its breathtaking mountain views, set among stands of giant hardwoods and pines.

The community’s carefully structured development plan assures that the integrity of golf is not compromised by residential development. Homes with golf course frontage are confined to the perimeter of the course, and many holes have no development at all.

The Clubhouse & Activities

Understated in character, Wade Hampton Golf Club’s comfortable clubhouse is intended as a relaxed, low-key gathering place for its members. It serves as a rendezvous for post-golf activity and offers quality dining with a distinctive feeling of charm and mountain hospitality.

Its spacious dining area and bar overlook the golf course and Chimneytop Mountain. It includes formal dining in its Pavillion, casual dining in The Tavern, ladies’ and men’s locker rooms, a pro shop and other customary golf club amenities.

The community offers a full calendar of golf and related social activities. While Wade Hampton Golf Club is intended for the golf enthusiast, it also offers many other leisure activities such as bridge, mahjong and hiking groups.

Wade Hampton Golf Club Listings