Origins on Rea Family Land
Charlotte Golf Links was a public 18-hole golf course established in the early 1990s on historic family-owned land in south Charlotte, North Carolina. The Rea family, whose local roots date back to the 1700s, set aside 187 acres along Providence Road from their farmland to develop the course. Opened for play in 1992, Charlotte Golf Links transformed former pastures into a new recreational venue for the community. From the start, it was envisioned as more than just a golf facility – it was built on land cherished for generations, giving the course a special place in Charlotte’s local heritage.

A Beloved Community Golf Course
Charlotte Golf Links featured a links-style design with rolling terrain and pot bunkers reminiscent of Scottish courses. The course was designed by renowned architect Tom Doak and offered a unique Scottish-style “links” layout rarely seen in the region. Conveniently located just off the new I-485 loop, it quickly became a popular destination for local golfers. Charlotte Golf Links was a daily-fee (semi-private) course open to the public, and it “had been packing in players since its debut in 1993”. Many holes were characterized by rolling hills, creeks, and pot bunkers, giving Charlotte golfers a taste of Scotland in the Queen City. The course’s distinctive design and accessible location made it a beloved part of the community – a place where countless residents learned the game, held outings, or simply enjoyed a weekend round with friends.

Closure and Redevelopment
After roughly two decades of operation, Charlotte Golf Links faced the end of its run. In March 2014, the course was closed down to make way for new development. A major factor in the closure was the rising value of the land and the terms under which the course was developed. The golf course had been built on a 25-year land lease, and as Charlotte’s real estate boom accelerated, the prime south Charlotte property became far more valuable for commercial and residential use. Despite the course’s local popularity, economics won out – the landowners (the Rea family) saw an opportunity to repurpose the acreage for a higher use. The closure of Charlotte Golf Links was part of a broader trend in the region at the time, as several other courses in the Charlotte area also shuttered when faced with financial challenges or lucrative development deals. Longtime golfers were saddened to lose a favorite course, and members of the Carolina Trail golf group (of which Charlotte Golf Links was a part) even staged protests over lost memberships when the courses shut down. It marked the end of an era for Charlotte golfers, as the familiar fairways off Providence Road were about to be transformed.

From Golf Links to Rea Farms
With the golf course closed, the stage was set for a new chapter on the property. The Rea family partnered with prominent developer Lincoln Harris to redevelop the 187-acre site into a massive mixed-use community known as Rea Farms. Plans were drawn up in 2015 to rezone and build a blend of offices, shops, restaurants, residences, and even a school on the former golf course land. This continuity helped ensure that the transformation of the property kept local input and heritage in mind. By early 2017, construction on Rea Farms was underway, and over the next few years the old fairways gave way to a “vibrant community of Rea Farms” featuring modern amenities. In essence, the land that had once hosted golfers and tournaments was reborn as a neighborhood hub where families now live, work, and play. The redevelopment was a sign of the explosive growth in south Charlotte, but it also carried forward the Rea family’s legacy by putting their land to a new, community-focused use.

Legacy and Community Memory
Even though Charlotte Golf Links is gone, its legacy remains strong in the local community’s memory. For many Charlotte residents, the course was a cherished gathering place – a spot for weekend golf rounds, charity tournaments, junior golf lessons, and camaraderie on the links. The name “Golf Links” itself still resonates; in fact, the new Rea Farms development retains subtle nods to the past (such as a Golf Links Drive in the area, preserving the name on the map). Local golfers often reminisce about the course’s signature holes and unique layout, and its story has become part of Charlotte golf lore.

Today, the spirit of Charlotte Golf Links lives on in new ways. One example is Golf Links Simulators, a modern golf entertainment venue that chose its name and location as an homage to the former course. By adopting the Golf Links name, this business honors the beloved course’s memory and aims to continue the tradition of golf as a community pastime in Rea Farms. In this way, the history of Charlotte Golf Links – from its founding on Rea family land, to two decades as a community favorite, to its redevelopment into Rea Farms – serves as a foundation and inspiration for current and future golf enthusiasts in the area. The story of the old course remains a point of pride locally, reminding everyone of the important role it played in the community before the land was ultimately sold and transformed for a new generation.