FAIRWAY FEVER: Golf keeps drawing a crowd, though the pace slowed as health worries lessened.

After two fast-growth years spurred in a perverse way by the pandemic, interest in golf calmed down a bit last year. Nationally, the number of rounds played in the United States declined about 3% last year, according to preliminary estimates by the National Golf Foundation.

That follows a 14% spike in 2020 and 5% growth in 2021, when the pandemic encouraged more outdoor activity, industry officials say.

Still, courses remain packed and waiting lists for many clubs continue to lengthen as North Carolina's population growth ranks among the nation's leaders. And the North Carolina Golf Panel is pleased to share its 28th annual ranking of the state's best courses. The panel consists of about 175 business executives, golf industry members and media members who share a love of golf and the promotion of the sport.

Golf touches nearly every county in the state, generating $2.3 billion in direct spending and adding $4.2 billion to the state's economy, according to state figures. The 520 courses from Murphy to Manteo, along with associated industries, contribute 53,000 jobs and total wages of $1.3 billion.

There...