ABOUT

Nestled in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, between the resort towns of Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk, Hound Ears Club is a family-oriented mountain community established in 1964.  A scenic 860 acres, the Hound Ears community is known for its casual elegance and authentic charm.

A member-owned Club, Hound Ears showcases the High Country’s natural beauty and offers a variety of amenities, including an 18-hole golf course, fly fishing, hiking, racquet sports, swimming, dining, and Fitness Center, as well as a full calendar of social events.

As a Club, we embrace the following mission, vision and values.

OUR MISSION:

Enrich the Mountain Experience of Members and Deepen their Sense of Community.

OUR VISION:

To be a leading destination in the High Country for connection, tranquility and recreation, distinguished by our culture, asset management, and service delivery.

OUR SEVEN VALUE STATEMENTS:

VALUE STATEMENT 1

Accessible and Fiscally Sound

The Club aims to maintain a balanced membership model that provides easy access to amenities and services, while preventing overcrowding and preserving the quality of the Member Experience. At the same time, the Club is committed to ensuring resources are available to sustain market-relevant assets and fiscally sound operations.
 
VALUE STATEMENT 2

Welcoming Atmosphere and Genuine Hospitality

A welcoming atmosphere and genuine hospitality are the cornerstones of the Club’s culture – one founded on authentic and caring relationships, integrity, camaraderie, and tradition. The Club values subtle prestige, not born of ostentation, but from the strength of values and quality of connections. Emphasis is placed on creating meaningful experiences, nurturing lasting relationships, and appealing to multiple generations.
 
VALUE STATEMENT 3

Exclusive and Inclusive

Exclusive and inclusive are not mutually exclusive. While the Club values exclusivity in its membership, amenities, and services, it also fosters a strong sense of belonging, camaraderie, and connection by embracing diverse backgrounds, experiences and interests.
 
VALUE STATEMENT 4

Empathy and Respect

Empathy and respect are foundational to the well-being of both our members and our workforce. Empathy allows us to build meaningful connections, nurture strong relationships, and encourage collaboration. Respect shapes our interactions, communications and decision-making, ensuring a positive and supportive environment for all.

VALUE STATEMENT 5

Tradition and Innovation

Tradition and innovation are equally important to the Club’s appeal and vitality. While preserving the Club’s rich history and legacy foster a sense of continuity and pride, embracing contemporary trends and evolving preferences ensures the Club’s relevance and long-term success.

VALUE STATEMENT 6

Charitable & Socially Responsible

The Club is dedicated to supporting the welfare of its workforce and the local community, while also striving to protect and preserve its natural surroundings for future generations.
 
VALUE STATEMENT 7

Leadership & Work Environment

The Club values servant leadership, where leaders focus on serving others rather than accumulating power or pursuing personal agendas. These leaders prioritize the growth and well-being of members, staff, and the broader community. The Club is committed to:

• Adopting a market-based compensation model to ensure competitiveness.
• Providing a work environment that fosters positive discourse, drives sound decision-making, enhances productivity, encourages collaboration, and supports innovation.
• Creating a safe and inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and supported.
• Upholding principles of transparency and accountability in all actions and decisions.

OUR STORY

In the 1960s, tourists began to discover the delights of the High Country’s cool summers coupled with accessible ski resorts in the winter. The Robbins brothers - Grover, Harry, and Spencer - were no strangers to this trend. They believed that a Bavarian-style resort that included both a golf course and a ski slope would find a successful niche in the area’s growing tourism industry. 

Hound Ears Club’s journey from vacant farmland to world-class Club started back in 1962 on the site of the lumber town of Shulls Mill. In decades past, Shulls Mill was the largest town in Watauga County and a railroad hub for the ET & WNC line, also known as Tweetsie. 

After buying 750 acres from Claude Shore, the Robbins brothers opened Hound Ears Golf and Ski Club in January 1964. It was Mr. Shore who inspired the name of the Club. As the Robbins brothers were negotiating with the farmer, he pointed at some of the rock formations and said, "You surely can see the Hound Ears rocks today." The name stuck.

The Robbins brothers turned to renowned architect Claus Moberg to design the Bavarian-style Clubhouse, lodge, and several chalets and homes within Hound Ears. George Cobb, one of the 20th century's most prolific golf course designers and the architect of the Par-3 Course at Augusta National Golf Club, built our present-day golf course.

Our community and amenities have grown and changed through the years, but Hound Ears Club still embraces the casual elegance, authentic charm, and natural beauty the Robbins brothers envisioned more than 50 years ago.