Tillery Tradition

Wish I'd known: Tillery Tradition — Tillery, NC Location & logistics: This one's remote. Nearest Starbucks is 20 minutes away. The closest gas station (1.9 miles) is really more of a bait shop and was closed at 9am — bring what you need. Albemarle, about 20 minutes out, has a Walmart and full grocery if you need to restock. Where to stay: Lodging options nearby are limited. We stayed at the Badin Inn — a two-room suite ran about $180. Breakfast is included but prepackaged and pre-portioned continental-style — actually solid for a grab-and-go morning before an early tee time. No staff interaction the entire stay, which felt a little strange, but everything we needed was there. The course: In great shape, with new golf carts. Cart parking around the practice areas is well laid out — no parent traffic jams, which is worth calling out on its own. Walkability: Tough walk, and in the heat, players were visibly working to keep pace. TYGA allowed shuttling between holes and ran a golf cart shuttle for the longest walks. If you can forecaddie or shuttle for your player at this tournament, it's a real advantage. Play: Several blind tee shots and narrow fairways make it easy to lose a ball, but there's very little OB. On most holes, if you can find it, you can play it. Bathrooms: On-course restrooms have lights on a timer — you may need to feel around the wall for the switch, but they're there.

Course notes: Lots of blind shots. Green speeds are inconsistent hole to hole. We did have some standing water in bunkers. Narrow fairways reward accuracy off the tee. Course was in really good shape.