Only seven golf courses solely attributable to his name, but what an impact Mike Strantz had on golf course architecture. After originally intending study studio art, he moved on to agronomy and received a degree in turf grass management from Miami University. After a stretch with Tom Fazio as a shaper, he set out on his own. Several Myrtle Beach area renovations later, his first solo effort was Caledonia Golf & Fish Club on Pawley’s Island, SC. That was followed by True Blue, Royal New Kent, Stonehouse, Tobacco Road, and Tot Hill Farm.

Tot Hill is located about an hour northwest of Pinehurst on the southwest side of Asheboro, NC in the Piedmont region. It’s routed over a ranging tract of Uwharrie Mountain foothills with plunging fairways terrorized by Betty McGees Creek, massive boulders, a couple of ponds, and natural edged sand bunkers. The course reopened this fall with a significant renovation after new ownership acquired the course. In total, $3 Million was spent on removing 1,500+ trees, restoration of the sand bunkers, zoysia grass greens, in addition to renovation and repair of the barns and clubhouse. The result yields a challenging and truly enjoyable layout-a faithful restoration to Mr. Strantz’s original design standards.