The Waynesville Country Club in North Carolina had fallen on hard times, but a chance lunchtime golf game led to the revitalization and restoration of the historic property.
David Tart, principal/managing partner of hospitality management, development and investment firm Raines, was at The Foundry, a property the company was developing in Asheville, NC. “We were opening this property and spending a lot of time in western North Carolina,” he said. “Whenever that happens, you’re obviously looking for other opportunities. We like this part of the state.”
On an afternoon off, Tart decided to play golf with an employee of The Foundry. They made a tee time at Waynesville Country Club, a place he had never heard of before, 30 minutes west of Asheville.
“The first thing I saw was a historic inn that was pretty charming, but clearly in need of some repair,” he said. “That was followed by teeing off on a golf course that was equally in disrepair and overgrown. But what was most impressive was the real estate.”
Grey Raines Raines
Tart hadn’t even finished the round when he called Grey Raines, managing partner with the company, to let him know about the property. Tart recalled, “I said, ‘There’s something special here. I don’t know what the opportunity is, but let’s pursue this and take a hard look at it.’”
The firm reached out to the owner of the property, who had been trying to sell it on and off for a few years, who agreed to sell. “It was as much the owner understanding the capability that we had because he was being approached by a lot of people,” said Tart. “We have a strong track record in hospitality, but we also have a strong passion for golf. That lined up pretty well.”
The property that Raines purchased in April 2021 was in desperate need of a major facelift from the hotel to the golf course. “It was being run bare bones,” he said. “There was no sand in the bunkers. There were weeds everywhere. The overgrowth was pretty evident. For the hotel, you could tell that the rooms hadn’t been touched in 30 years.”
After purchasing the property, which was renamed Waynesville Inn & Golf Club, the company put a plan together for its revitalization under Woven by Raines, a specialized division providing a unique development and management approach to boutique hotels. “The hotel was easy,” said Tart. “That is what we do. We were able to understand what rooms we could completely transform and what elements we could keep.”
While they are involved with every project that the company develops, Tart said that he and Grey Raines were involved more on this one. “Grey and I probably were touching and feeling and influencing the direction of this project more than any other,” he said. “Grey was a college golfer. He certainly ignited a passion that I have for the game. We play a lot of golf, and we’re fortunate to experience a lot of different golf courses.”
Bobby Weed worked on the historic golf course, which was originally designed by legendary golf course designer Donald Ross
That passion led them to focus on the vibe they wanted to create for the entire property, which they describe as first-class golf with a bit of a laid-back western North Carolina feel. “It tells the story of what Waynesville Country Club used to be but brings in some modern touches with the interior design and food and beverage,” said Tart.
Of that design, he said, “It’s funny, when you look at the hotel, if you’re an architect or someone who designs buildings, what you are going to see is an odd mixture of design elements that don’t really work together—but maybe that is the character that it really has. It is a building that was built in 1926, with an addition in 1936, and another addition in the 1950s and so forth. That fits in with the vision we had, and we have embraced it.”
To keep that laid back vibe, one of the first things the company did was to drop the country club from the name. “It is a place for all who love the game,” said Raines. “If you love the game of golf and you want to be around people who love the game of golf, you want to be at a great hotel in western North Carolina with amazing amenities outside of golf.”
He said that the resort has quickly become his family’s “favorite place in the world” because of activities on and near the resort, including fly fishing, mountain biking and hiking. “All of it is right here at your fingertips, and we’re the front door to that,” he said. “I think that is what makes us so special.”
Activities like that make the resort a destination for non-golfers as well. “It’s for all walks of life,” said Kerry Ranson, president, operations/partner, Raines. “It is not just golf, for sure. The demographics from consumers’ perspectives really range from middle age to senior citizens and families.”
“We have seen a large contingent of guests coming in who have never stepped foot on a golf course,” added Raines.
The vibe isn’t just about the design. “It’s what you feel when you step on this property,” he said. “You feel welcome, you feel that you belong. There is no stuffy pretentiousness here. It is somewhere that you can come and enjoy yourself.”
The company made extensive improvements to the165-acre property including 72 newly refurbished guestrooms.
Raines built new four-bedroom Golf Cottages for members and guests of the property.
The inn offers nostalgia-infused rooms in the building dating back to 1926, while the Brookside rooms have a classic ‘60s roadside motel vibe.
“It is quite a different experience to go to the lodge that was built in 1926 and have that experience with unique spaces,” said Tart. “There is really no one room that is the same. They are spaces that drive the experience, and we know that is what the guest is looking for.”
The refurbished rooms are joined by new four-bedroom Golf Cottages, which Tart said are the perfect accommodation for a golf foursome that comes to play. “They’re as good as a custom home,” he said. “They are very close to the property, off the ninth green.”
The cottages are sold to an owner, and Raines splits the revenue when they are rented out.
The two restaurants, The Grille and the Watershed Tavern, have also been reconceptualized and renamed, offering a wider variety of dining experiences. The Grille caters to guests looking for American flavors, wood-fired dishes and classic American cocktails. The Watershed Tavern, named after Waynesville’s historic reservoir, features a rotating selection of wines, local brews and old-world favorites with a seasonal menu.
“We are really excited about our chef and our F&B team,” said Raines. “The quality and variety of food has been something that our members and guest have really responded to.”
The resort faces a distinct challenge when it comes to F&B, especially the variety of offerings. “We are not just servicing a guest who is with us maybe once or twice a year,” he said. “We have to create enough variety for that member who is coming in several times a week.”
David Tart Raines
Change of course
Of course, despite all the other amenities a property can offer, when “golf” is in the name of the resort, the actual course has to be top notch—and one that guests will want to play again and again.
In a “stars lining up opportunity” for the golf course renovation, according to Tart, they were able to turn to acclaimed course designer Bobby Weed and his company, Bobby Weed Golf Design, to update the historic golf course. The course was originally designed by legendary golf course designer Donald Ross, who designed dozens of courses across North America during the first half of the 20th century and is generally regarded as one of the top golf course designers of all time.
“We were actually introduced to Bobby Weed by a mutual friend,” Tart said. “He has extensive experience renovating Donald Ross golf courses. He’s worked in western North Carolina in golf courses like Grandfather Golf and Country Club and Linville Ridge Country Club [both in Linville], as well as the The Olde Farm — The Orchard [in Bristol, VA]. At the time, he was working for Michael Jordan to build Grove XXIII in Florida.”
He continued, “That was a pivotal moment in which Grey and I decided to pursue renovating the golf course. Bobby called us. Ironically enough, he owns property in Waynesville. He has a farm here and his wife Leslie Weed grew up going to Waynesville Country Club. There was a strong tie to the course, and he was very excited to get engaged with us.”
Weed, whose in-laws had been members of the club many years ago, noted that he had played the course 30 years ago and said it was in “deplorable” condition when he was brought in for the renovation. “They had really let the property run down,” he said. “It was not being maintained. I can’t imagine people playing in that condition.”
Kerry Ranson Raines
“We had a unique challenge in that we had a 1926 Donald Ross nine holes—and that is significant,” said Raines. “It was a big part of who we are at Raines and at Woven to honor and restore that history. As much as Bobby had the connections to the community and he wanted this, the ability to come in and develop a plan that restored that Ross nine and then build another nine holes that would all flow together was a big part of his resume. He had done it before.”
“Fortunately, we were able to get together, and we shared a lot of the same vision,” said Weed. “I shared with them what we should do to the golf course and the surrounding property. They were on the same page. So it was it was a real team effort from the very start.”
Weed’s restoration and new design paid homage to the original course and brought it from 27 holes to 18. ““We basically did a sympathetic restoration of the Ross golf course and updated it to the point where I think he would approve of what we ended up with today,” said the designer.
He created nine holes of the other 18-hole course. “We picked the best golf holes, had to build a couple of new holes and abandoned a number of golf holes,” said Weed.
Tart and Raines both say that the new course is pretty tough, something that is important for a course that a golfer will want to play more than once. “That was a goal—finding the right balance that allows golfers to step on the various tee boxes and be challenged, but want to come back,” said Raines. “That’s a tough test. They are walking off that golf course having a lot of fun, too.”
The reduction in holes from 27 to 18 allowed for a new practice facility that includes an illuminated Himalayan putting green, driving range, a short game practice facility and a wedge park.
Weed echoed what the Raines executives said about the resort’s aura. “The entire property has a really good vibe to it,” he said. “I always say the membership truly makes a club. Not only do we have a great membership, but we have an ownership group…Grey Raines and David Tart, they understand good golf. They play the game. They’re students of the game, which was really nice because they gave me free rein at what I’ve done for 40-plus years.”
Patrick Bradshaw Civil Design Concepts
Leaving a legacy
Raines said that there is no “cookie-cutter approach” to any of its properties, especially those in the Woven division. “We take the approach—especially with the historic properties—that we are stewarding these properties for a period of time,” he said. “They did not begin with us, and we want to set them on a path that they do not end with us. That’s a big focus on any of these historical assets. We want to be a good steward of the time that it is within our ownership and hopefully, we have set Waynesville Inn and Golf Club on a path for the next 100 years.”
That was the plan when the Raines team first sat down to discuss what they would do with it. “The goal is that this property will still be functioning 100 years from now with what our investment dollars have made,” said the executive. “It is a cool thing that we’ve put that together.”
The company has seen that with several events that had been discontinued during the hard times and that have now returned to the property.
“These were events that had gone on for the last 25 years and had gone away in the last five to seven years,” said Raines. “They’re really excited to get back on property. So, as much as we are creating new memories, we are also bringing back folks who have great memories of the club to rebuild those.”
That was something that surprised Tart. “Grey and I thought we discovered something that not a lot of people knew about,” he said. “Once we launched this project, a lot of people we would run into would say they knew Waynesville from other events and years ago.”
Ranson said he has heard memories from a lot of people when staying at the property. “When you walk out on the back patio, even for non-golfers, you walk out there with this unbelievable backdrop that it almost like a canvas of beauty with mountains,” he said. “It’s so interesting to sit out there with our members who aren’t golfers and hear these stories and what it means to them to see this place reinvented, but still with the history.”
Bobby Weed Bobby Weed Golf Design
In fact, membership in the golf club sold out before it was even open. “Our membership is a combination of local and national members,” said Raines. “So, you’ve got a local contingent that’s here year-round and those [from other areas]who have really embraced the club.”
The community has been extremely supportive of the project and what Raines has done. “I really can’t say enough positive things about the community of Waynesville, NC,” he said. “We are only a mile away from an amazing downtown. To work with a municipality that’s excited about a project and what we have going on is incredible. It is certainly a breath of fresh air for our team and our company.”
He sees the appreciation of the community for saving the property. “It was on a path to go away,” said Raines. “It was on a path where this history could have gone away.
Patrick Bradshaw, VP, Civil Design Concepts, was heavily involved with the project and bringing it to life. He was born and raised less than a mile from the property. “It’s just been part of my hometown for a number of years,” he recalled. “In the late ’70s and even into the late ’80s, you put on some of your best when you went to the Waynesville Country Club. It was a place of a little stature.”
He watched the property take a turn for the worse in the 1990s and 2000s and was saddened by it. “It’s a beautiful piece of property,” said Bradshaw. “I have always felt that that was a premier space from both a social and entertainment aspect. So, it was exciting to hear that the Raines folks were interested in that redevelopment and moving forward [with renovations].”
As a member—who has been asked by many locals to be invited for a round—Bradshaw has also seen that new vibe that was so important to Raines. “This is not your grandfather’s country club,” he said. “The game of golf is changing. There seems to be a drive to develop and portray a laid-back atmosphere, and a place that the whole family is truly welcome.”
Looking ahead
While the resort only recently opened, the team at Raines is already evaluating potential enhancements to the property and the guest experience. Already happening is single-family lot development on a couple of holes on the back nine that has seen a lot of interest from the community.
“I feel we have delivered a lot of value now to the community,” said Tart. “There are a lot of people moving to western North Carolina, and now Waynesville is pretty hot.”
Part of the purchase of the resort included “The Ridge,” an elevated developable property above the back nine. “We wanted to get to this place where we could get the resort open, deliver the product and look for further development in 12 to 24 months,” he said.
Through the years
Early 1920s
The property’s heritage dates back to Jack Welch, a local dairy farmer deeply invested in his land. As Waynesville gains a reputation as a health retreat, Jim Long acquires the farm and sees a golden opportunity. With the help of friends, he sets out to create an extraordinary golf course.
1926
Waynesville Country Club is brought to life from a sketch by legendary architect Donald Ross on a napkin. The first nine holes are crafted to perfection. The old dairy barn is given a new lease on life, transforming into a clubhouse with a card room, dance hall and a golf pro’s living area.
1929
Thanks to the passionate support of the community, the club purchases an additional 50 acres, paving the way for completion of the former Dogwood course, which played an integral part in the transformation of what is now the Back 9.
A look back at the history of the property
1935
The lodge is created with local stone and a pro shop in the basement.
1939
Visitors would often stay for a month or longer, prompting the need for additional lodging space. This leads to the construction of the Woodcrest building as a part of the lodge, which also includes a full kitchen and dining room.
1946–1962
W.T. Eller and his son-in-law, George Kimball, soon realize that Waynesville Country Club is a diamond in the rough. Following the purchase in 1946, they initiate a series of improvements that transform the club into a premier golf destination. The putting green is added, Brookside is constructed and the TapRoom is born, along with a 150-person conference space, pro shop and locker rooms.
1963–1976
A group of investors, including Jonathan Woody and General Sumter Lowry, purchase the property. Improvements continue, including the first-ever irrigation system and a modern swimming pool to replace the “old mud hole,” which used creek water for the pool supply.
1978–2002
Thanks to the new owners, Mr. and Mrs. William Hall, the hotel property undergoes an extensive transformation. Most of the rooms get a complete makeover. The grounds are significantly enhanced, and additional acreage is purchased for construction of the Blue Ridge Course, which is completed in 1986. The Dogwood and Carolina courses are also redesigned to provide golfers with an excellent experience. The four-story tower and pavilion are added and now connect the lodge and Woodcrest.
2003
The classic Golfview building is upgraded with 28 revamped course-side rooms. It was this same year that the old Brookside building is torn down to make way for a new version that opened its doors in 2005. These brand-new buildings offer a breathtaking vista of the inn and Balsam Mountains, along with a special and intimate connection to the course, which you can still find today.
2006–2011
In September 2006, the property is purchased by David Stubbs and Sammy Carver and in 2009 is officially renamed the Waynesville Inn – Golf Resort and Spa to emphasize a public facility and not a country club. The old dining room and kitchen in Woodcrest is made into a restaurant formerly known as Cork and Cleaver, open to the public and hotel guests for the first time. Additional amenities are added such as a spa to provide more entertainment opportunities for the non-golfer guest.
April 2021 – June 2023
The Raines Company purchases the Waynesville Inn – Golf Resort and Spa. The property undergoes a rebrand with a new logo and name—the Waynesville Inn & Golf Club—and undergoes an extensive refresh.
July 2023
The Waynesville Inn & Golf Club renovation is complete.
