Sanford, North Carolina – Tobacco Road unveiled its latest golf entity: The Matchbox 12-hole short course. What sets this short course apart is the environment and setting that gave rise to something unique. Owner and developer Mark Stewart wanted to use the land that’s adjacent to the 12th hole at his iconic 18-hole Mike Strantz design, but he wasn’t quite sure how it could be done. The site was tree-lined with Carolina Pines, and he didn’t want to level the ground. Upon stumbling into a social media post by the design team of Carlton Marshall – where the duo created a synthetic backyard par 3 hole in the woods at a nearby Airbnb, he was inspired to move forward with his idea. After some discussions with Strantz’s shaper, Mark White (who happened to know shaper Justin Carlton), they hatched the idea for a synthetic par 3 course in the woods next to the par 4 12th on the 18-hole course.
After much anticipation, on September 9th, along with several media outlets, and Stewart’s industry colleagues, we enjoyed a memorable day out at Tobacco Road for the official opening of the Matchbox. This wedge wonderland is inspired by work of the late Mike Strantz, featuring bold contours in a rustic setting, where creativity is king.
The talented duo of Justin Carlton and Lee Marshall have done several synthetic short courses around the country, never one set in the woods. The synthetic projects are just a small portion of their projects, the duo also does typical natural turf golf course renovations (including, a recent renovation to the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes course (home of the PNC Championship), and their next big project at Riomar on the coastline of Vero Beach in ’27).
Additionally, owner developer Mark Stewart had a brilliant idea to create a hole in the Matchbox that serves as a magical diversion between the 12th green and 13th tee of the Tobacco Road course – called the 12.5. It’s just a momentary detour that plays 58 yards. A glorious flick of a wedge through the pines, a tap in for birdie if you’re as fortunate (as I was), and your off to resuming your round on Tobacco Road’s epic par5 – 13th.
Most of the holes play between 40-85 yards, but the 2nd hole offers a few tees that range between 105-140 yards (we preferred to stay on the shorter tee on that hole for convenience – so I could carry just two clubs, my 58-degree wedge and putter).
Here are a few of our favorite concepts and designs on the Matchbox :
Brilliant creativity here by Carlton Marshall, using railroad tie pieces as an accent feature here on the 3rd green.
The 7th might be the toughest at the Matchbox, a 60-ish yard finesse shot over water to a severely contoured green.
The view of the green here from the 7.5 tee shows how tricky it can be; everything funnels towards the water. The 7.5 is a putting hole from this upper portion downhill – it’s treacherously fast.
The 9th features a cut through that reveals just enough of the narrow green and target to inspire your best shot. Such a cool concept here, keeping with the Strantz ethos of being visually stimulating, but not quite as difficult to navigate as it looks. Carlton Marshall did a masterful job of incorporating just enough quirkiness to keep your attention on all of the small details; it may take several spins around to notice all of the eye candy here.
The 12th plays downhill to an elongated green with the clubhouse set in the background.
The 12.5 hole is a diversion on the the 18-hole course that is on your path from the 12th green to the 13th tee of the Tobacco Road course.The 12.5 green differentiates itself with a flag from the primary Tobacco Road Course
Tee times for the Matchbox can be booked directly through the Tobacco Road website.
Cheers to Mark Stewart and his team for the vision and execution of something truly special for golf enthusiasts. I hope you get to Sanford, North Carolina to experience Tobacco Road and The Matchbox… it’s such a unique vibe. https://tobaccoroadgolf.com/
