Diamond Creek is peacefully nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Banner Elk, North Carolina where a population of fewer than 1,000 residents enjoy an elevation of over 4,000 feet providing a perfect summer climate. John L. McNeely and H. Wayne Huizenga’s idea to create a unique and unrivaled golf club in a part of the country that they have enjoyed for several years is based solely on the love for the game and an opportunity to share this coveted region with others.
While the golf course and supporting facilities were under construction, word began to spread and interest developed without promotion. Approximately a hundred people pledged to support the project through membership prior to the doors opening in 2003. Since this time, members have invited their friends and associates to visit Diamond Creek to introduce them to the same life changing experience they enjoy. From that point forward, an amazing project has matured and developed into one of the premier golf oriented destinations on earth.
Membership is now comprised of over two hundred and fifteen of some of the most influential people in the world. Members who are very discriminating come to their retreat in the mountains of Western North Carolina to take pleasure in one of the most breathtaking and surreal environments in which they can relax and truly enjoy what this area offers. Some visit this area as a hideaway while others come for adventure. Whichever is your passion, Diamond Creek will certainly exceed your expectations.
Currently, memberships are offered on an invitational basis following recommendation from an existing member or the membership board. Membership provides for the use of several facilities, which include a Championship Golf Course designed by world renowned Architect, Mr. Tom Fazio and a 35,000 square foot Clubhouse designed by prominent Classicist, Mr. Ken Tate.
Tom created the course in harmony with the natural surroundings and took great care and pride in protecting the native wildlife habitat that is abundant at Diamond Creek. While doing so, he created a wonderfully challenging and pleasurable eighteen-hole championship golf course. It enhances God’s creation while capturing dramatic vistas over a rolling landscape and incorporates wetlands, streams, waterfalls, native grasses and vegetation into an exciting layout that is fun to play and is consistently ranked very high in the state of North Carolina by Golf Digest.
When Ken Tate designed the Clubhouse in his mind, prior to putting pencil to paper, he envisioned a structure that blended with its surroundings. He used materials such as poplar bark for siding, native stone for the foundation, chimneystacks, porte-cochere, turrets, and black locust for the corbels, support beams, and hand rails. Other details include accenting the structure with copper finials and gutters to complete the look the owners and he desired. Wanting to create a feeling of comfort and bliss upon arrival, Ken Tate and John McNeely’s wife Sharon also knew from the early schematics that reclaimed lumber and hand-hewn beams from local barns should adorn the interiors. This structure is classified as an Old Linville Style architecture in which the feeling is rustic, yet sophisticated. The Clubhouse is well appointed with an eclectic mix of hand-picked furnishings, period art, Persian rugs, and other memorabilia collected over many lifetimes.
In addition to the Clubhouse and Golf Course, other amenities include Guest Cottages, a state-of-the-art Golf Training Center, Wellness Cottage, Equestrian Facilities with Riding Trails, Hiking Trails, a dining pergola, The Shanty, and an award winning restaurant, Artisanal.
The personnel team, who are hand-selected from all regions of the country and many parts of the world, are eager to please members and their guests in a genuine, sincere, and friendly manner that one can only find inside the gates of Diamond Creek. When you decide to slow down and enjoy life in color, Diamond Creek awaits!
As Featured in executive golfer
"No matter what tee you're on at Diamond Creek, you have gorgeous views because of its combination of elevations."
—Tom Fazio
Course Designer
and Diamond Creek Member
