North Carolina's best golf courses.

• Author: Brafford, Kevin

Golf hews closely to tradition, so if 3 not surprising that--for the 18th-straight year and despite a major facelift that was completed last spring--the North Carolina Golf Panel has named Pinehurst No. 2 the best course in the state. Although not as old as No. % BmiMESB North Carolina is also forging quite a history with the panel, as this is the sixth-straight year its ranking of the best 100 Tar Heel courses appears in the magazine.

But while golfers do appreciate a legacy, they're not afraid to reward change--as long as it's for the better--as evidenced by the shifts in this year's list. Dormie Club in West End, designed by the Austin, Texas-based firm Coore & Crenshaw Corp., not only took home the Best New Course award, it ranks as the 22nd best layout in its rookie year. Carmel Country Club's South Course in Charlotte soared from No. 83 to No. 37 after...