When Tom Jackson walked the 1,450-acre property in Sapphire Valley that would become Burlingame Country Club, he didn’t see a blank canvas. He saw mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and old-growth forests waiting to become part of something memorable. His creative vision didn’t impose on the landscape. It collaborated with it.
The result? A championship 18-hole course that continues to mesmerize members and guests decades after opening. At elevations ranging between 3,000 and 3,500 feet, this championship mountain golf experience represents Tom Jackson’s masterful integration of strategic golf architecture with Western North Carolina’s natural beauty.
Tom Jackson: Design Philosophy and Career Legacy
Tom Jackson built his reputation designing courses that respect natural terrain while creating memorable golf experiences. His philosophy centers on collaboration rather than domination. Where other architects might move mountains of earth to achieve their vision, Jackson listens to what the land wants to be.
At Burlingame, this approach means every hole feels like it belongs. The routing follows natural contours. Water features exist because mountain streams already flowed there. Elevation changes create strategic interest without feeling forced. Old-growth forests frame holes rather than being cleared for unnecessary visibility.
Jackson’s career spans multiple decades and includes courses throughout the southeastern United States. His designs share common threads: strategic variety, playability for players of different skill levels, and integration with the natural surroundings. But each course expresses its unique setting distinctly.
At Burlingame, that expression means mountain golf that rewards thinking over pure power, patience over aggression, and appreciation of natural beauty alongside competitive excellence.
Signature Holes That Define the Burlingame Experience
Every hole at Burlingame tells a story, but certain holes have become signatures moments that members and guests remember years after their rounds.
Hole 3: First Par 5 Strategy
This 510-yard par 5 introduces players to the strategic decisions that define Burlingame. The fairway narrows at the 250-yard mark, tempting long hitters to challenge the squeeze. The smarter play? A controlled tee shot followed by strategic positioning for the third shot.
The green sits protected by bunkers and a false front that rejects short approaches. Players who resist the temptation to reach in two often score better than those who gamble aggressively. It’s mountain golf philosophy distilled: three good shots beat two risky ones.
Hole 11: Nature’s Cathedral
Playing through an old-growth forest to an elevated green, this 195-yard par 3 showcases Tom Jackson’s commitment to preserving natural beauty while creating memorable golf. The trees frame the shot without creating claustrophobia. The elevation change demands confidence in club selection. The swirling mountain wind adds complexity.
Members call this hole one of the most photographed at Burlingame. Guests remember it years later. It’s the kind of hole that makes mountain golf special challenging, beautiful, and impossible to forget.
Hole 17: The Dramatic Closer
At 185 yards across a ravine to an elevated green with mountain views beyond, this par 3 creates the kind of tension that defines championship golf. The forced carry triggers doubt. The elevation change complicates club selection. The surrounding beauty distracts from the execution.
It’s the penultimate hole, meaning scores often hang in balance. Players need to commit fully to the club and target, trusting their preparation and ignoring the consequences of failure. Tentative swings lead to disaster. Confident strikes get rewarded.
“Pick your club, pick your target, and pull the trigger,” experienced members advise. “And when in doubt, take more club.”
Elevation Changes and Strategic Mountain Golf Challenges
The elevation range at Burlingame 500 vertical feet between lowest and highest points—creates strategic complexity that flat-ground golfers don’t encounter regularly. Understanding how elevation affects play proves essential for good scoring.
Ball Flight Dynamics at Altitude
At 3,000-3,500 feet, golf balls fly approximately 10-12% farther than at sea level. A 150-yard shot becomes 165-170 yards. That difference matters significantly when selecting clubs.
But it’s not just distance. Temperature affects performance, too. Cool mountain mornings produce less distance than warm afternoons. Wind patterns shift with mountain topography, creating swirls and gusts that don’t follow predictable patterns.
Players who succeed at Burlingame learn to factor all these variables into their decision-making. Course knowledge accumulates over multiple rounds. What seems confusing initially becomes manageable with experience.
Reading Mountain Greens
The greens at Burlingame feature subtle breaks influenced by surrounding mountain slopes. What looks flat often has more movement than expected. Putts that appear to break one direction actually move the opposite way.
The key? Step back. Look at the overall terrain, not just the putting surface. Putts break toward the downhill slope of the entire mountain, not just the apparent grain of the grass.
This principle applies throughout Western North Carolina mountain golf, but learning it at Burlingame provides advantages when playing other mountain courses in Cashiers and Highlands.
Strategic Course Management
Mountain golf strategy at Burlingame rewards patience and conservative decision-making. Avoid double-bogeys by choosing smart lines over aggressive attacks. Accept par on difficult holes. Attack birdie opportunities when they present themselves.
Understanding which holes offer genuine scoring chances versus which demand respect makes the difference between good rounds and frustrating ones. Most members need several rounds before recognizing these patterns.
Natural Terrain Integration: Mountains, Rivers, Waterfalls, and Forests
Tom Jackson’s greatest achievement at Burlingame might be the way the golf course integrates with its natural surroundings. You’re not playing through a landscape. You’re playing within it.
Old-Growth Forest Corridors
Several holes play through sections of old-growth forest that existed long before golf came to Sapphire Valley. These trees are over a century old, frame holes without creating artificial constraints.
The forest creates strategic interest naturally. Wayward tee shots find trouble under the canopy. Precise approaches get rewarded with clear paths to greens. The visual effect creates both beauty and pressure, making shots feel consequential without artificial difficulty.
Water Features and Mountain Streams
Multiple holes incorporate natural water features mountain streams that flow regardless of golf’s presence. Jackson routed the course to make these streams strategic without forcing unnatural crossings.
Hole 2’s creek crossing at 240 yards creates decision-making off the tee. Do you challenge it or lay up? The water on 16 affects approach club selection and target selection. These aren’t artificial lakes dug for aesthetic purposes. They’re natural features made strategic through intelligent routing.
Waterfall Views and Mountain Vistas
Several holes offer glimpses of waterfalls and distant mountain ridgelines. These views could distract from golf, but Jackson positioned them so players can appreciate the beauty during moments of transition—walking between shots, waiting on the tee boxes, reading putts on the greens.
The course design respects that golfers came for both challenge and beauty. It delivers both without compromising either.
Elevation-Based Routing Strategy
The routing maximizes elevation gain while minimizing exhausting climbs. Uphill holes exist, but they’re spaced throughout the round, allowing recovery before the next demanding climb.
The flow feels natural. Transitions between holes make sense. You’re never questioning why Jackson chose a particular routing. The land simply flows hole to hole as if it always wanted to be a golf course.
Course Maintenance and Conditioning Excellence
Championship golf requires championship conditioning. Burlingame’s maintenance program ensures consistent playing conditions throughout the season while respecting environmental stewardship.
Turf Management at Elevation
Managing turf at elevation presents unique challenges. Shorter growing seasons. Greater temperature fluctuations. Different grass varieties from lowland courses. The maintenance team at Burlingame has developed programs specifically optimized for mountain conditions.
The result? Fairways that provide consistent lies. Greens that roll true. Bunkers that maintain proper sand depth and playability. Rough that provides a challenge without becoming unfair.
Seasonal Conditioning Programs
The maintenance calendar adjusts for mountain seasons. Spring brings aeration and overseeding. Summer focuses on water management during growth periods. Fall prepares the course for dormancy. The seasonal golf guide details optimal playing times throughout the year.
Environmental Stewardship
Maintenance practices balance playing quality with environmental responsibility. Natural areas remain untouched except where golf requires access. Chemical applications minimize environmental impact. Water conservation practices reduce consumption.
The course exists within a mountain ecosystem, not separate from it. Stewardship ensures it remains part of that ecosystem for future generations.
Tee Options for Every Skill Level
Burlingame offers five tee options, providing appropriate challenges for golfers with handicaps ranging from scratch to beginner. This variety allows families and friends of different abilities to enjoy rounds together without anyone facing inappropriate difficulty.
Championship Tees (Black)
At approximately 6,800 yards, the championship tees test even skilled players. Forced carries demand confidence. Narrow landing areas require accuracy. Length becomes necessary on several holes. This setup challenges club champions and low-handicap members.
Member Tees (Blue)
Around 6,300 yards, the blue tees provide a balanced challenge for accomplished golfers without demanding tour-level distance. Most club competitions play from these tees. They represent Tom Jackson’s intended championship experience for strong amateur players.
Regular Tees (White)
At roughly 5,800 yards, the white tees accommodate mid-handicap players, offering manageable distances while maintaining strategic interest. Most holes remain reachable in regulation. Scoring opportunities exist. Challenge remains present without becoming overwhelming.
Forward Tees (Gold)
Approximately 5,200 yards, the gold tees allow higher-handicap players and seniors to enjoy the course at appropriate distances. Par becomes achievable. Length stops dominating every hole. Strategy and short game determine scores more than power.
Family Tees (Red)
Around 4,600 yards, the red tees welcome beginners, juniors, and anyone learning the game. Every hole plays at manageable distances. The course introduces itself gently, building confidence rather than discouragement.
This range ensures Burlingame accommodates everyone from PGA professionals to nine-year-olds taking their first golf lessons—a testament to Jackson’s design philosophy that great golf should include rather than exclude.
Golf Tournaments and Member Events
The tournament calendar at Burlingame creates rhythm throughout the season, building community while providing competitive opportunities for members at every skill level.
Men’s Tournaments
Men’s golf features weekly competitions, seasonal championships, and member-guest events. Formats vary—stroke play, match play, better ball, scrambles—keeping competitions fresh and engaging.
The club championship crowns the year’s best player. Member-guest tournaments welcome friends and visitors. Weekly games provide regular competition for those who enjoy structured play.
Women’s Events
Women’s golf includes dedicated play days, seasonal tournaments, and social competitions. The formats emphasize both competitive excellence and social connection, recognizing that great golf encompasses both.
Ladies’ day competitions feature a variety of formats. The women’s club championship determines the season’s best player. Mixed events offer couples and families opportunities to compete together.
Mixed and Family Events
Husband-wife tournaments, parent-child events, and family scrambles bring generations together. These events recognize that Burlingame golf succeeds when it strengthens family bonds and creates shared experiences.
The Wednesday mixed golf event has become a club tradition—friendly competition followed by excellent dining creates the experiences members treasure.
The complete 2025 tournament schedule provides dates and formats for all member events.
PGA Professional Staff and Comprehensive Instruction
Burlingame’s golf instruction team, led by experienced PGA professionals, provides expert teaching for beginners through accomplished players seeking refinement.
PGA Professional Leadership
Head Golf Professional John brings decades of experience from prestigious clubs, including Old Chatham, Seminole, Jupiter Hills, and Elk River. His background provides both teaching excellence and operational expertise that elevate the entire golf program.
His tournament record includes over 40 professional wins, five-time MCPGA Player of the Year honors, and three course records. This competitive success informs his teaching philosophy—he understands what actually works under pressure, not just what looks good on video.
Lesson Programs and Formats
Instruction options range from private lessons to group clinics to intensive multi-day schools. Formats accommodate different learning styles and schedules.
Private lessons allow focused work on specific skills, mastering the short game, improving ball-striking, and course management strategy. Group lessons create social learning environments while developing technique. Playing lessons take instruction onto the course, where decisions are made.
Specialized Programs
Junior golf programs develop young players through age-appropriate instruction and competitive opportunities. Women’s programs provide welcoming environments for female golfers at every level.
Short game schools focus on the scoring shots that determine success. Playing strategy sessions teach course management specific to mountain golf challenges.
Technology-Enhanced Learning
TrackMan technology and video analysis provide data-driven insights into swing mechanics and ball flight. This technology helps diagnose issues quickly and objectively track improvement.
The combination of expert teaching, proven methodology, and modern technology creates a comprehensive instruction environment where motivated students improve rapidly.
Practice Facilities That Build Better Games
Championship golf requires championship practice facilities. Burlingame provides comprehensive areas for focused skill development.
Driving Range
The range offers mountain views while players work on distance and accuracy. Multiple target greens at varied distances allow specific practice. The range orientation minimizes wind interference during most practice sessions.
Range balls and practice station accommodations ensure members can practice extensively. Covered hitting areas provide shelter during weather transitions.
Short Game Complex
Specialized short game areas support focused work on chipping, pitching, and bunker play. Multiple practice bunkers with different sand depths replicate on-course conditions.
Chipping greens with various slopes helps players develop touch and distance control. Practice areas around greens mirror the challenges found on the course itself.
Putting Greens
Multiple putting surfaces near the first tee and practice areas allow pre-round preparation and focused putting practice. The greens maintain similar speeds to course greens, ensuring practice translates directly to scoring.
Golf Shop and Equipment Services
The pro shop at Burlingame provides everything from equipment fitting to apparel selection to expert advice on gear optimized for mountain golf.
Equipment Fitting and Selection
Mountain golf equipment needs differ from lowland setups. Staff members help identify clubs that perform well at elevation. Fitting services ensure equipment matches individual swing characteristics while accounting for altitude effects.
Apparel and Accessories
The shop stocks clothing appropriate for the mountain climate’s temperature variations. Layering options accommodate cool mornings that warm to pleasant afternoons. Rain gear addresses the unpredictability of mountain weather.
Expert Advice
Staff members understand the unique demands of mountain golf and can recommend equipment adjustments, clothing choices, and accessory options to enhance enjoyment and performance.
Comparison to Other Tom Jackson Designs
Tom Jackson designed multiple courses throughout the Southeast. While each expresses its unique setting, certain design philosophies appear consistently.
Shared Design Elements
Jackson courses typically feature strategic variety over forced carries, natural terrain integration over earth-moving, and playability across skill levels over championship-only difficulty. His routing follows natural contours. Water features exist where water naturally flows. Forests frame rather than constrict.
Burlingame’s Distinctive Character
What makes Burlingame unique among Jackson designs? The elevation range creates more dramatic strategic challenges than his flatter courses. The old-growth forest at Burlingame exceeds what exists at most of his other properties. The mountain views provide backdrops unavailable elsewhere.
Burlingame represents Jackson at his best—comprehensive strategic variety, complete terrain integration, and memorable beauty, combining into championship golf that never stops surprising or satisfying.
Member and Guest Play Policies
Burlingame balances member priorities with guest accommodation, creating policies that serve both groups fairly.
Member Privileges
Members enjoy unrestricted access to tee times seven days a week. Advance booking allows planning, while same-day options accommodate spontaneous rounds. Priority during peak times ensures members can always play.
Guest Policies
Members can bring guests with reasonable advance notice, subject to guest fees. The club welcomes visitors while maintaining the member-first philosophy that defines private clubs.
Prospective members can arrange tours and trial rounds to experience Burlingame before applying for membership. Contact Membership Director Jennifer Webb at 828.966.9200 for details.
Pace of Play Standards
Burlingame maintains pace-of-play expectations that balance enjoyment with respect for others. Four-hour rounds represent reasonable targets. Rangers assist when pace lags.
Seasonal Considerations for Mountain Golf
Mountain golf differs significantly from lowland play. Understanding seasonal patterns helps members maximize their enjoyment year-round.
Spring: Renewal and Variable Conditions
Spring brings new growth, wildflower displays, and variable weather. Temperatures can swing 30 degrees between morning and afternoon. Rain gear proves essential. The course awakens gradually, with conditioning improving weekly as the growing season progresses.
Summer: Peak Season Excellence
Summer offers ideal mountain golf—comfortable temperatures rarely exceeding 85 degrees, long days allowing evening rounds, and peak conditioning. Afternoon thunderstorms occasionally interrupt play but rarely last long.
This represents prime season at Burlingame. Tee times fill early. The social calendar peaks. The course fully showcases Jackson’s design vision.
Fall: Spectacular Beauty
Fall foliage transforms Burlingame into a photographer’s dream. The mountain backdrop explodes with color. Cooler temperatures return. Crisp morning air invigorates early rounds.
The season extends longer than on lowland courses due to the moderating effect of elevation. October and early November often provide excellent playing conditions with fewer crowds than the summer peak.
Winter: Limited Season
Winter limits play at elevation. Snow and frozen ground periodically close the course. But warm-day opportunities exist throughout the winter months. Members who monitor the weather can steal rounds on unexpected sunny days when lowland courses might still be too cold.
The off-season allows maintenance focus on long-term course improvements without disrupting play.
Experience Tom Jackson’s Mountain Masterpiece
Tom Jackson’s championship golf course at Burlingame Country Club in Sapphire Valley represents mountain golf at its finest. The integration of strategic design with natural terrain creates golf that challenges, satisfies, and inspires.
Whether you’re an accomplished player seeking a championship mountain golf experience, a developing golfer looking for appropriate challenge, or a family wanting golf that accommodates everyone, Burlingame delivers.
The PGA professional staff, comprehensive practice facilities, and member-focused programming ensure you’ll improve while enjoying the journey. The tournament calendar builds community and provides competitive opportunities. The mountain setting makes every round memorable.
Your private adventure starts here in the heart of Sapphire Valley, just minutes from Cashiers. Contact Burlingame Country Club at 828.966.9200 to schedule your personal tour and experience Tom Jackson’s mountain masterpiece firsthand.